WEBSTER FAMILY

When all was said and done, I took the kids to meet my parents at their time share in Genoa.  There were two reasons why I was thinking that would be a good idea-1) Ben was really behind at work and needed to get caught up, this way he wouldn't feel pressure to be with us too and 2) I thought the kids could use some distraction.  We had a nice, relaxing  48 hours:

Due to the circumstances, we got to have a LOT of family time over the last part of July.  We spent a day preparing the kids for Grandma's funeral (she had, unbeknownst to us until after she parted, written out a sketch of her funeral and she had asked the kids to sing), organizing things and cleaning up.  I'm sure Grandma was looking down at her 15 angel grandchildren the whole week...

This little guy became a stud swimmer this year! There is one proud Mama over here!  I have been so nervous to become "that" parent that I really tried to keep my expectations low but Xander worked SO hard this year.  He tried his best, despite getting frustrated when he was disqualified.  By the end of the season though, Xander could swim all 4 strokes legally and his speed was starting to increase.  Not sure he liked that because it put him in earlier heats with faster kids so he did not get as many first places. :)  At our awards banquet, Xander was awarded the 7-8 Boys Coaches Award.  (I didn't get to vote!)  He was honored for being on time, being teachable, and being a leader to his friends.  Nothing could have made me more proud.  I sure LoVe this kid!

Eliza (whose pictures are on Ben's phone) also finished a GREAT season.  She sure has a LOT more confidence and she started to get really strong and fast.  She can cross the whole 25 yrd pool now without fins and is begging to be on the real team! (instead of the jr team).  Next year is going to be so fun!

For now, I am going to have to keep this short because the thought of even writing anything is bringing tears to my eyes.  Suffice it to say, that we lost our beloved Mother and Grandmother on July 19th.  It was a whirlwind of a day that will forever change us.  I'm writing almost a month later and to this date, the kids still talk about it and pray for Grandma (and of course Papa).  We LOVE our Grandma and Mother so much and are so grateful that we got to be with her for as long as we were. I am SO grateful that Intel moved us back to Sacramento so that we could spend the last 2 years visiting and making regular visits.  I am so grateful to have been blessed with such an amazing mother-in-law and example.  I am indebted to the Spirit of the Lord that prompted me to take my kids to visit her on July 18th when she was well and alive--we played and ate dinner with her!  It was a wonderful, wonderful visit that I will not forgot.  Perhaps some day, I'll be able to say more.  God be with you till we meet again Grandma!

We were not sure what to do on Sunday and then we realized that we were only about 45m from the Oakland Temple where Ben and I were married.  We decided that the kids might enjoy seeing the beautiful temple and of course Ben and I enjoy the sweet memories of that particular temple.  (While all temples are wonderful places of worship, don't be fooled--we all have our favorite! :)  It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  We enjoyed learning at the Visitor's Center and walking around the beautiful gardens.  Unfortunately, the roof was closed for renovations so we couldn't take the kids up there--next time! 

While there I felt an overwhelming gratitude for both Ben's parents and my parents.  Who worked so hard to raise us to be good people, better parents and amazing spouses.  There are definitely tough times but knowing that we are a family and knowing that our family is a unit not just here on the earth but that we will continue through the eternities in heaven strengthens me each day.  I love my husband so much and cannot imagine life without him, I hardly remember pre-Ben, and I feel the same way about my children-is there really life without them?  There is nothing more important in the world than family relationships.  If you are ever in the Oakland area, I suggest you take your children to the Oakland Temple Visitors the peace you will feel is indescribable. 

Charity's house is in the middle of everything so we had our pick as to what we wanted to do on Saturday.  We chose to go to a beach in Santa Cruz. Despite our lack of planning (we had a small crisis after the 4th of July party when our garage door completely broke so we forgot a LOT of stuff including beach toys!!) We enjoyed (no, seriously, we enjoyed!!) FOUR hours with our kids at the beach.  We ate, we dug with our hands, we walked around the tide pools and fed the sponges and just took in time together. It was a huge step for us as both Ben and I usually have a really hard time with activities such as these but we did it! 

After the beach we took the kids to the pizza place, Pizza My Heart.  Ben & I had gone their (its super popular) by a total fluke when were doing a road trip up the coast.  So we thought we'd share it with the kids.  After all, everybody LOVES a good pizza!

We really wanted to get away for a couple days with the kids but were not sure where to go or what to do.  Our friend Charity saved the day!  We drove down and stayed with her. We arrived late Friday after a visit to Grandma & Papa Webster so we ate dinner and then walked to a neighborhood park.  It was so nice and cool and we had a blast!  Every one was so happy.  We walked home and had Popsicle before bed time!  It was a good day! 

Adorably serious!

 Played all day with neighbors and friends.  LOVE our court on the Fourth.  This year was even better since we closed off the end of the street and so there was a lot more visibility and running space.  As the kids have gotten older, more have been being allowed to light--it was scary a couple of times because they would light them and drop them without looking where they were dropping them.  Thankfully, there were only two burns!


I am so grateful to be American. I am so blessed to live in this country and I am grateful I get to raise my kids here.  I'm not always happy with this that are happening around here but I know that at least we are free to disagree! :)