Hawley Family Update 2014

Hawley Family Update 2014

Merry Christmas!  Welcome to the Hawley Family Update!  In an attempt to save some paper, we tried a new format this year.  Glad you found us!  Amanda has used this Blog off and on for many years, mostly when the kids were little.  One of her new year resolutions for 2015 is to post more regularly, so come back and visit throughout the year!  

 2014 has been quite the exciting year for the Hawley Family with some big changes.

Alec began 2014 in 5th grade, enjoying his final months in elementary school.  During the Lenten Season he was trained to be an Alter Server and has been serving regular masses as well as some weddings and funerals.  Alec is very reverent on the alter and never once gives into his families attempts to make him smile.  Finishing out 5th grade strong, Alec had a great summer, and although nervous, started the new school year this fall up in the middle school wing as an official middle school student.  In middle school Alec joined the Student Technology Committee and earned Honor Roll and a Citizenship Award for the first trimester.  Alec continues to be interested in gaming, specifically Minecraft, Clash of Clans, and Disney Infinity.  He also loves rollerblading, biking, kayaking, and volleyball. 

Aaron finished 3rd grade with gusto this year with his favorite activity of the year being a buddy with a preschooler.  Aaron loved being a role model to his buddy and enjoyed taking on a leadership role.  On our trip to Lake Tahoe this summer Aaron's favorite activity was kayaking.  He was ready for his own kayak to go exploring!  Now as a 4th grader Aaron bridged to Weeblo's in cub scouts and has been working hard to earn all of his requirements.  4th grade has been a great growing period so far for Aaron.  He studies hard and has a very strong work ethic with his school work. Aaron's favorite activities are biking, building amazing Lego ships, and of course playing baseball.  Aaron even pitched in a game for the first time this last Fall season!

Ashley, our little princess, worked very hard finishing 1st grade this year.  She absolutely loves school and proclaims pretty much every day to be, "The best day EVER!"  Her positive attitude is contagious and she lights up the world around her.  Ashley bridged from Daisy Scouts to Brownies this year and loves doing various activities with her Troop.  As a big 2nd grader Ashley is working hard to strengthen her reading and math skills.  Outside of school Ash has been busy not only with scouts, but also dance and piano lessons.  Ash moved up to higher ballet and tap classes, and now takes lessons two hours a week.  She loves every moment of it and has recently been able to do the splits for the first time!  Jingle Bells and Silent Night have been heard quite a bit around our house lately as Ashley serenades us on the piano each night.  Such a lovely little girl! 

Adam has been a Sergeant for a few years now, but last year was promoted to work in the Detective Bureau as the crimes persons supervisor.  In addition to his hard work in the bureau, Adam is also a member of the Brea Police Association Board as the Vice President.  In order to continue to quench his thirst for knowledge and be prepared for future promotion, Adam is working on earning a certificate in Human Resources from Cal State Fullerton.  Adam continues to enjoy running, mountain bike riding, gaming with the boys, and family adventures. 

Amanda has certainly had a year full of hard work and blessings.  Starting the teaching credential program in Fall of 2013, Amanda spent the spring of this year student teaching 5th and then 2nd grade at Fern Drive Elementary School in Fullerton, while attending night classes at Azusa Pacific University.  Upon completion she earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential this past summer.  As the ultimate blessing, Amanda received a job as the Technology Teacher/Coordinator at St. Joseph School in Placentia...the same school the kids attend.  Amanda loves teaching and is still working on her masters degree at night.  Amanda will earn her masters degree in Digital Teaching and Learning in May of 2015.  Although she closed down her cake business for the time being, Amanda still enjoys baking in her spare time.  She even submitted a chocolate cream pie and sugar cookies into the Orange County Fair.  The pie was awarded 2nd place in the category, and the sugar cookies took home the blue ribbon, 1st place!! 

Between finishing home renovations, sports, activities, jobs, and all else, this year has gone by in a flash!  We were thankfully able to take a week during the summer and get away to Lake Tahoe as a family.  We enjoyed bike riding, swimming, kayaking, train rides, exploring, and our new favorite family activity, horseback riding!  We look forward to 2015 and can only hope and pray that it brings the same blessings that 2014 did.  The Hawley Family prays the same for you! 

May God Bless you and keep you safe throughout the Christmas Season and all the way through 2015! 

Love,

Alec, Aaron, Ashley, Adam, and Amanda

We stopped in Sacramento on our way to Tahoe for a couple days.  We enjoyed learning about our State Government.

Outside of the Governors office. 

Seeing the Senate

Boy was it HOT in Sacramento!  We were melting!

Heading up the mountain for a day of fun in Squaw Valley

What a view!

Our first family horseback riding adventure.

Adam made friends with the horses before we left

Hawley Family Riding Team.

Ash was in HEAVEN!!!

Happy riders!

Alec had great command of his horse.

Ash took the lead of our group.

Aaron had a blast as well.

SO much fun!

Mommy and Ashley sharing a kayak

Aaron and Adam were kayak buddies, but Aaron snatched Alec's single kayak anytime he could.

Mama and Ash.