Phoebe doing the breast stroke, Light Green Cap

Baby brother

We had such a great week with my little brother's coming to stay with us. The baby (but tallest of us all) James came, and I haven't seen him in almost 3 years! I really can't believe it had been that long, but with a 2 year mission in there the time added up. It wassooo great to see him again and he is so grown up now! The kids loved playing with him and it was like having a big brother around for them to goof off with. We didn't want him to leave, but he will be back. I plan on brainwashing him into missing TX so he will eventually move here :) James even managed a couple of dates while here! My other little brother has fallen to the brainwashing and is permanently a Texan now! We aresoooo happy to have him here. He is going to Chiropractic College and will be staying with us until he finds a place closer to school or until he is sick of us. I can't tell you how much I LOVE having him here. Here are some pics from the week.

John and James supporting Phoebe at her swim meet

Luke with bird poop in his hair at the swim meet

water babies

Scott surfing

Paisley and Mama on the surfboard

Luke cruising and lovin' it!

James' 1st time on a wakeboard. He was really good!

Sweet kids, supporting eachother and having fun together

Baby girl, Paisley. She is too adorable :)

Saying Goodbye :(

Haircut pictures

Some pictures to represent Paisley's haircut. She wanted to do the combing herself for a bit, so that made it a little difficult, but she stayed put pretty well.

Thoughts

This week Scott is off on High Adventure in New Mexico. He spent so much time planning this trip for everyone and getting everything organized. I am happy he gets to get out of here and take a trip that he will love. I am also a little glad to just be having a lazy week with the kids at home and not doing all that much. We spend our days pretty much at the pool or playing at home and dinner comes at whatever time people start to really get hungry. Bed time has gone out the window and the stress level just feels so relaxed. At some point I think I will have to get back on a more organized streak, but I am fully enjoying the summer laziness factor this week. After the last couple weeks of stress it feels nice to just sit back and enjoy my kids and the sillyness they are so full of. I have been slightly (and by that I mean VERY) on edge the last 2 weeks because Scott got laid off from work unexpectedly and that very same day I wrecked his car. It was so very unnerving to not know when another paycheck will be coming in, but I have had a sense of calm come over me in the last couple days. It will be alright at some point. I don't know when that will be and our life may take some changes, but we have our family and 4 beautiful children that are healthy and happy. The Lord has always taken care of us and I know He will continue to do so.

Paisley's 1st Haircut

Yes, I finally gave in and cut a tiny bit of Paisley's hair off. The back end is so much longer than the front and needed to be evened out a little bit. It was hard to bring myself to cut it since she has the cutest little ringlets and the end of her hair, but I managed probably an inch and a half. I am also probably the only person that can tell it has been cut.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM

The ice cream truck has been roaming our street for a few days now and on this day the kids were out waiting for him. Luke had birthday money he has been saving for a special occasion like this and was even sweet enough to buy one for Paisley too. Then they were both sweet and shared them with everyone. Ice cream bars are not as cheap as they used to be, but the kids sure thought it was a great treat and it was all over them in a few minutes. I love how the simple things can make them so happy.

Tired Baby

Paisley had enough today. She threw her glass of juice all over the floor when I poured it from Luke's leftover cup and she wanted it fresh from the carton. For this act she was promptly put in timeout (I did just mop the floor this morning...that is what always happens). She was so tired that she hardly even cried a minute and then she was asleep and looked so peaceful. She even turned around on that step and still stayed asleep for a good nap.

Signs of Summer

School is out and these are some of the sightings you may see at the Bergen house if you stop by.
This is Paisley's preferred attire on most days.

Phoebe and Luke having a tickle / tugging war

Ethen asleep after a VERY late night sleepover

LUKE IS 4!!!!!!

Luke turned 4 today! He already seems like he is 4, but I still can't quite believe that he keeps growing up on me. Aunt Tina made another amazing cake. She sculpted a perfect replica of the dinosaur invites he sent out. Six of his friends came to celebrate and play outside in the little pool and slip n' slide. The water was pretty cold, but everyone had a great time. Four-year-olds are easy to please so that made me happy and Luke had a great day!

Last Day of Presschool

Luke had his last day of preschool today! He had a great year and had a ton of fun. All of my kids have had Mrs. Ellen and I am so glad Luke had her this year too. She is a fabulous teacher. I can't believe it is already summer. Just a couple more weeks and all the kids will be home.

Apple Tree

I found the 1st apples growing on our tree this year!! I spotted 5 so far. YAY!!! Last year we didn't get a single one and I was so sad. It had gotten apples every year before that and I decided it is because we fertilized it and that made it grow a ton but not get fruit. Well I don't know if I am right or not, but this year we skipped fertilizing it and now there is fruit. I am happy :)

My Granny

My Granny's Birthday is coming up on the 17th. I have been thinking of her a lot lately and thought it was a fitting time to put up some cute pictures of her. Her home is in San Diego and was the one anchor I had growing up. It was my home away from home and we spent many summers there. My memories go way back and for me that is pretty huge because I have no memory. I would always get sad when she would update the house with new things like carpet or furniture because I always wanted it to stay the same. She would laugh at me and think it was silly for me to love the orange shag carpet that was there for years. I really think that orange is my favorite color because of that house. It had fantastic 70's orange all over the place for so many years! My Granny and I are kindred spirits. I love you Granny and hope your birthday is wonderful. Can't wait to see you in September!!!!

At the races

We had another fun night of Pinewood Derby racing. Ethen did GREAT and got 2nd place. That is 3 times he has gotten 2nd place. His car was the fastest and won every race until the finals and it was on the track a little crooked so he ended up getting a second place. But we all know he really is number 1! I love how Scott and Ethen get all into it and spend some good bonding time together making the car. This year they went with the traditional black again and it looked pretty awesome.