WEBSTER FAMILY

I cannot believe that Violet is already two months old! Her stats: 14.6 lbs & 24 inches--oh, and I must mention that you are in SIZE 3 DIAPERS! My daughter is a CHUNK! And we thought it was crazy how big she was getting until I opened Xander & Eliza's baby books only to find out that they were the same size. I guess I just make whole milk? Seriously though--what I wouldn't give to have a baby that did not break my back. (Don't worry Violet--we love you!)

Some new and exciting things--you LOVE to be put down and let alone to look around. You focus so well and love the world around you-especially those weird things we call hands that you are always holding in front of you. You are warming up to your siblings and the way they love you. You are starting to like your swing, you love bath time, and you sleep upwards of 8 hour stretches at night. You are seriously an angel baby sent to us at this crazy time in our lives.

While Xander & Ethan were at sports camp, Tara & I spent lots of time together. Poor Dylan got beat up a lot BUT not on Thursday. On Thursday we took the two kiddos to the zoo. And we let them loose. It was a great day for the zoo--the animals were all out and the temperature was GREAT. Eliza was so cute as she kept asking, "Where are the hippos?" "Where are the elephants?" Boy were we spoiled by the Portland Zoo! The Folsom Zoo is more of a sanctuary for animals than a zoo--it features animals that were rescued from captivity and other small animals-so it cannot compare. BUT it is still fun and the animals are a LoT closer!

Interview with the participant:
Me: Tell me about sports camp.
Xander: I could play basketball. I liked my coach to help me do the rebound. I liked to swing the bat with the helmet on. And I liked to dribble for soccer.
Me: Which sport was your favorite?
Xander: Basketball
Me: Why?
Xander: Because I like to do the rebounds.
Xander: I practiced throwing the baseball. And I liked everything about soccer.

This was definitely a highlight of the summer. Xander was signed up for a week long sports camp--it was 3 hours of sports every morning. The best part is it turned out his cousin, Ethan, was going to be here to so we got him signed up so the boys could go together. SO MUCH FUN! On the last day Tara and I hired a babysitter so that we could go and watch a bit. It was so much fun but both our boys were acting up (or maybe that is how they always are?) Anyways, it was fun to watch without Eliza there. We went home after about an hour and played. I got ready and was going to pick them up and take them (with Eliza, Dylan was asleep) to a gourmet lunch at McDonalds. It took me a little longer to get ready for some reason and I was running late. I got there and saw that they were all in formation, receiving certificates. I felt so guilty as all the other parents were there. I started to run across the playground, dragging Eliza, when I saw my most wonderful husband was already there! He had a HUGE presentation due that afternoon so he had told me that he wouldn't be able to make it but he finished his preparations early so he went and had been there for the last 20 minutes or so. He'd been there to cheer for Xander when it was his turn and he'd been there to watch everything else. Am I married to the greatest man in the world or what!? It was awesome. I love you Ben!

Violet doesn't get much tummy time because her siblings love her a little too much. But I think she's doing ok. This picture is from when she was 6 weeks old--and she's rolled twice. What a little mover!

I cannot believe that July is more than half done--it's been super crazy here! The best part about living near family is that when other family visits--I'm sure to see them. And this has been no exception! My sister and her two boys (Ethan & Dylan) are here from Michigan while their Dad studies to pass the bar. Then they are moving to England for 2 years--so we are taking advantage of having them here and playing every day. Here are some of the fun things we've done:

I kept trying to understand why Eliza said that the toilet was broken--I guess I should have gone to her. :)

We went and lived with Mom & Dad Webster last week and I spent the morning teaching swim lessons to 9 of the 12 Webster cousins. PHEW! We spent about 2-2.5 hours in the pool with back to back lessons (we divided the kids up by ability) and I have a great tan now. I think we all had fun--although I was a little tired--but the kids really improved. There are a lot more water safe kids now. :) The only requirement for me teaching was that Violet & Eliza would be well taken care of--here are Rowan, Saxon, Leona and Lydia caring for Violet--so much fun!

Violet had her blessing day (much like a Christening) on July 4th. It was so much fun. All of Ben's family made it to the blessing (those are the 12 Webster cousins pictured above) and my sister Tara and brother Jake made it along with the normal folks who are in town. So much fun. After church we went back to my folks for a very American meal of BBQ and root beer floats. I'll have pics of Violet's dress soon--we're slacking, I know!

Oh, and please notice how handsome Xander is. He came home from Church a couple of weeks in a row asking for a blazer because his 2 new friends had one. I went to a kids consignment shop and got this beauty for only a few dollars--and I can't get him to stop wearing it! :) What a little man! I wouldn't normally acquiesce to such a request because I don't want my children to learn that they can get something just because their friends have one but seeing that he was asking for a blue coat, just like Daddy & Nathaniel's -- I couldn't help myself.