Citrus Zestival

I was a little sad I missed this festival in Glendale (I was running around DC) but Ben and the kids ventured out and picked lots of grapefruit (for free) for me! They said it was lots of fun. Xander had fun picking the fruit and making an orange faced guy. Eliza had a good time in the backpack and I think Ben just enjoyed getting out!!

Tales from a Mommy Flying Solo

I'll just start this post by admitting the obvious--I have an amazing husband! I don't know why I have been so blessed but I won't ask why, I'll just be grateful for it. :) Anyways, a couple months ago Ben decided I needed a break. He decided that I should use all our points from our credit card and see if I could get a cheap flight to go and visit two friends--both of whom I have known since the first grade! We're all friends actually (but it felt like a couple were missing *Cough* Laura *Cough* Rachel) as we all 'grew up' together. Ivy and I also roomed together for 2 years at the Y and Tiana well, she went to some other school on the north side of Salt Lake--somewhere up there, who knows where?? :) Anyways, LOTS of history with both of these amazing ladies. I didn't think I would make it with the inauguration and all but it turned out that flying in the day after was SUPER cheap--in fact, it only cost me $20 so I flew out early Wednesday and got home late Sunday night...Here are some of the fun things I did:

National Cathedral, Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, Mount Vernon, Iwo Jima Memorial, Lots of good food!, Lincoln Memorial, American History Museum, National Archives, and lots of talking!

I really did have a fantastic time--tried to relax a little and not put too much into our day. My favorite trip was probably to Mount Vernon. The place was empty and Ivy & I spent about 5 hours going through all the museums & informational videos. We listened to a couple of vignettes about life at Mount Vernon and what an amazing person George Washington was. I really enjoyed watching the short video about Martha & George's love for one another--what a great example to us all. I'd love to study language so I could speak so eloquently and express my love for certain people like they did! WOW!!

I won't lie, I did miss my husband and kids but I definitely did not worry too much as Ben sent me pictures daily and I talked to them every night. I think it was good for everyone--and I highly recommend it to every mom out there!

Thank you Ivy and Tiana (& their families) for hosting me! I love your guts!!

The Fantastic Foursome

I am such a lucky chica! My friend Joy, who is an amazing photographer, was able to squeeze us in before she moved! Thank you Joy--You know, we really did name Eliza after you!! ;) Anyways, you can see some awesome pics at: (We aren't the first ones, so scroll down)

http://joyalicephotography.blogspot.com/

God Answers our Prayers

Xander, as I put in previous posts, has really loved being a big kid and going to his Sunbeam class. Each week he is a little sad though because they have yet to sing the "Sunbeam" song. This morning, Xander was asked to say the prayer before breakfast and though I could barely hear him he whispered, "Bless that they can sing the Sunbeam song today."

I am happy to announce that with a small mention of the aforementioned event to the woman in charge of Primary that Xander came home with a huge smile: "They sang the Sunbeam song, Daddy!!!"

Glitter & Glow in Glendale

We weren't sure that we were going to make it again this year but when it came down to it--I forced the issue. :) AND, we had a great time. Every year Glendale does a huge lights display


downtown and the Glitter & Glow is on the last day that they keep the lights up. The activity showcases hot air balloons that lift off as the Christmas lights come down for the season. We didn't stick around for that finale but we enjoyed the music, games and watching the balloons get blown up.

Xander especially loved being around the half dozen balloons--except for the noise the fire made each time it blew air into the balloon. He also had fun dancing and the picnic we shared with our friends, the Smiths. I think his favorite activity though was the shuttle bus that we took from the community college into downtown (free parking & no hassle--we'll take it!). He couldn't be happier that he got to ride Bertie the bus! Ah, the simple things in life!

I'm not ready for 4

We had two friends over (Kaleb & Jonah) so that their mommy & daddy could go on a date. We had lots of fun--I was very glad I could send 2 of them home at the end of the night though. :) Not that I don't love Kaleb & Jonah but because 2 for me is good for now. Bless the women who have their kids super close--after one night with a 4,3,2, & 1 year old, I am grateful for the 2 year spread between my kids. Oh, and did I mention, Ben was out of town! It was just me!!

Today's Wrap-Up

Ben got home today and asked what happened to Xander's underwear (they were wet in the tub and he was going to get the bath ready for Eliza's bath). I said, "Well, your son thinks he needs to wear underwear under his swim trunks!" YES!! We went swimming today! Can you believe it?? It was 73 degrees and felt really nice. (In the spa) As we were leaving the pool though Xander wanted to take off his swim trunks and I said to wait til we got home. When I turned around and saw him pulling them back up I realized he had worn his underwear. And I told him, "Xander you don't have to wear your underwear when you swim" And he said, "But, I don't have my swim diaper." So I explained to him and when we got home I showed him how swimsuits work. :) It was pretty funny though.

Eliza had her well check today! They found her 5th ear infection! FUN STUFF!! The poor girl though--they had to pull out lots of wax and so she was so distraught by the time they got to the shot that she was beyond herself! The doctor has referred us to an Ear, Nose, Throat Specialist--we'll see what happens. If you have any experience here--please advise!!

Carter Family Pictures

Here's the rest of our family picture day: http://gallery.me.com/juddrackham/100458

This picture was much more difficult than the other because it was at 9 AM in the morning and it was around 40 degrees--which doesn't seem that cold unless you are from PHOENIX!!!! :)

A Note to Readers

Please excuse my mess as I am cleaning up and preparing my blog to be made into a book. Over the next few weeks I will be adding, deleting, and re-formatting many entries. Thanks for your understanding and patience.

SIDE NOTE: We are going to use BLURB for now. We are going to copy & paste. This is because my sister has contacted Blurb and they say they will support Blogger again--so I want to get used to their formats and stuff now. We'll see how it goes though--I hear you can copy and past to www.picaboo.com.

Happy Booking!

Happy Happy Birthday Eliza!

Yes, it is true!! Eliza turned one this week! I cannot believe it! We celebrated lots and lots--once at home with our family and once in Glendale with our friends, the Smiths! At home we shared her birthday celebration with her cousin Lydia who is one year and one day older--and it did not take Eliza too long before she had devoured a very tart lemon flavored cupcake (the mini size). Back at home we attempted to make her a monkey cake (I was a little disappointed with the end results--but the taste made up for it). I almost did not make her a fancy cake but she deserved it--she's had a rough first year with 4 ear infections, 4 moves, no teeth, and oh so much more! She's been a trooper though and is really starting to become quite a little doll! We love you Eliza!!

PS. Kaoru--we'll still make any cake you want when you get back! Just let me know what animal!! :)

Our Little Sunbeam

Xander could not have been more excited to move on to Primary this year! He has been looking forward to this for a month! Here he is just after his first full Sunday in Primary--what a handsome young man, don't you think? The only sad part was when Mom didn't get their quick enough afterward--Xander went to the nursery looking for me because he thought I'd pick him up there and when I was not there, he started to cry. Luckily I was only a few steps behind him. We had a long talk after that about staying with his teacher until I get there. :) If only growing up weren't so hard!!

Websters 2008

It's been quite a year for the Webster Clan in the Glendale area! With our 2nd child starting the year with a bang, 4 moves within 3 months, and lots of side trips we have put our luggage to good use (as carriers for all our goods and beds for our children at times!) We have met a lot of new friends and have said good-bye to some of our dearest friends. We have learned many new things. And look forward to continuing into that journey, hand in hand...

January/February
Eliza Joy joined the family! Grandma & Grandpa Webster came to Arizona to help us celebrate. Xander absolutely loved becoming the big brother--and has done a really good job! March
Wendy, Xander & Eliza flew home to Sacramento, CA so that Eliza could meet Nana & Grumpy. Ben arrived after our first 2 weeks there and she was blessed in our church. April
Ben was offered an internship with INTEL Folsom! We bought a mini van so that we wouldn't have to use moving trucks to get back and forth for our summer trip. A Ford focus just doesn't cut it when you have a double stroller and a port-a-crib in tow.
May
Ben spent 3.5 weeks in Argentina and Chile. The highlight was his horseback trip through the Andes mountains. Wendy, not wanting to be alone in Glendale while Ben was gone, enlisted her dad to fly down and help her drive up to Sacramento. We made great time and the kids fared well! While waiting for Ben to return we stayed with the Websters and had lots of fun with our cousins--they are seriously Xander's favorite people. Ben got home just in time to celebrate his birthday!June
We had our first campout at Folsom Lake! Complete with s'mores and a fire. We house sat for our good friends who were on their INTEL sabbatical. Sky (their dog) became my kids best friend and we enjoyed trying to grow a small garden. We definitely became fans of space and Xander now refers to our apartment, affectionately, as his "little house." He constantly tells people that he will soon move to his "big house." (I wish we knew where that was going to be, and I hope he can pay for it!) Wendy completed her first open water swim and accomplished a life long goal to swim around Folsom Lake. We floated through the Sac County fair and had a great time visiting all the animals and running Xander through the Army's boot camp--just like "Uncle Conor". July
Spent lots of time berry picking and jam making. Had fun at the Rodeo and bull run in old Folsom. . We also spent a weekend vacationing in Bodega Bay and Santa Rosa--a beautiful part of CA that both Ben and I fell in love with. We spent a lot of time in the pool because I was teaching swim lessons. Xander looked forward to being able to come with me because we'd strap on his life jacket and say, "Go for it!" Eliza wasn't that big of a fan because that meant someone other than mom would be holding her. (Yes, she is very attached)
August
Helped Uncle Jake with his Eagle Project--to this day whenever Xander sees the project he reminds us that he helped build it. Took a trip to the Jelly Belly Factory with our Felix cousins! Xander was so excited when more cousins showed up to play with! Welcomed a new nephew: Griffen, to the Webster ranks. Threw a baby shower for my sister in law and helped surprise my little sis with the news that she was having a girl! Ben finished up at INTEL and we returned to Glendale.
September
Wendy took over as the International Women's & Families Club President. And the fun has not stopped! Had fun at LalaGlendooza again with our friends, attempted a "Day out with Thomas" activity at Toy's R Us (total Bust!!) and just tried to live it up in Glendale. We tried to celebrate Wendy's birthday but after several failed attempts Ben decided that Wendy is no longer allowed to have birthdays.
October
Ben was offered & he accepted a full time job with INTEL!! He was chosen to participate with a select group of students in what is known as Leadership Edge--a leadership training program that took him to Prescott for a weekend. Halloween was hot but fun--we went to a few parties and a farm with our friends. We welcomed another nephew to the Webster clan!! Welcome Elias!November
Started with a bang when we added our niece Lainey to the Carter clan. We drove to San Diego as soon as we could and spent Thanksgiving with little Lainey and Nana & Grumpy and the Krage's. As always it was a party! Wendy also got to visit a couple old friends and get some much needed shopping done. Xander turned 3 and finished potty training! Ben & I celebrated our 4th anniversary.December
This month went way too fast! Finals started as soon as we got back from San Diego. From there we attempted a trip to the Grand Canyon. Instead we were snowed in and barely made it to the IMAX theater across the street. Maybe next time. (But thanks to Bens "Negotiations Class" --Ben never feels like he has to pay full price and so we got a great deal on a 5 Star hotel!) Our next stop was in Williams where we boarded the Polar Express, drank hot chocolate, received the first gift of Christmas and went to the North Pole and back. We finished our trip in Sacramento with our families where we celebrated Christmas. We feel truly blessed by our Lord this year and know that He is continually guiding us and watching over us. Amidst all the worldly turmoil, we are grateful for our knowledge of His love. We are grateful for all of our friends and family. We are grateful for the adventures and opportunities we've had this year and look forward to many more this coming year. May the Lord bless each of you and your families and you strive to come unto Him.