ryan loves lynette

{New baby, school and Primary}

2011-09-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

Just not OUR new baby (gotcha!)
this is the newest foster baby. Alenna adores him!

Think Brady wants a brother? ;)

Alenna LOVES school!

She's the one with the blue flower

Of course I HAD to add her giving her scripture in primary

The cuties

2011-09-15T07:22:00.001-07:00

Catching up on photos ....

Our new ride

2011-09-14T14:49:00.001-07:00

Happy birthday brady!

2011-09-14T14:44:00.001-07:00

Brays cakes!

Fire fighter!

2011-09-14T14:40:00.001-07:00

{a LITLLE MIA...}

2011-09-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

Heres a recap pf whats been happening with the Bergens
we bought a new car! We traded in our truck and got it even-steven. I am enjoying it much more then the truck to say the least!

Ryan- is 11 WEEKS away from graduation! Its crunch time! He's gone from days on end between work and school. We sure miss him. He wont have an actual graduation ceramony, he'll have whats called a "Pinning Ceramony" where he'll get his badge pinned on him.

Lynette: the kids keep me busy. Im constantly shocked how much work it takes just to keep my house clean with the three lil monsters. We got a treadmill and I've begun my running again. its amazing how much you lose when you stop running for a short period of time. Im back to 2 miles, I was at 5 miles. Training for the Turkey Trot, I sure hope I make it. I my lose my motivation.

Alenna: is doing great in school! Her teacher says she requires no instructions or help from her teacher, she just jumps right in and does it. She can write her full name and can write the alphabet too. Shes a great helper, constantly helping around the house. I am planning to enroll her in dance again soon :)

Brady: just turned the big three! When did that happen??? Hes a silly kid who loves mischief. He makes his sisters laugh and enjoys being the center of attention.

Shaylin: is the little sweetie of the family, she works VERY hard at making sure she's not left out of anything. Although shes very small for her age she can write and color.

Ryan bought a male duck, or a drake, to service our female ducks. He plans to sell ducklings.

{ July At The Bergens!}

2011-08-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

wow! hello world!

between still getting settled in our new place and the everyday chaos we call life blogging has just NOT been the priority! I've missed you fellow bloggers! Can we still be friends?? ;)

Ryans new obsession is with birds!!! Ryan and I are taking a marriage class and in this class they teach each individual in the relationship needs to have some kind of hobby thats just theirs. To Ryan that meant get a crap load of birds. We have chickens, quail, and ducks. You could say I'm less then thrilled.

so these are our birds, aka Ryans' self care. He's doing awesome in school! Kicking butt, taking names. Only 5 months till graduation!!! I'm so proud of him. This ON TOP of working 70 hour work weeks and taking this marriage class we're taking. Busy busy guy!!!

If you look closely, he built this chicken coop in the corner of our huge backyard. This picture was taken in the middle of the Haboob,,,,,,teehee.....that words makes me laugh :)

I've been doing my passion: decorating! I finally cleaned and organized our insanity of a den!

not too shabby right???? This is MY office!!! I've always wanted one. NO KIDS ZONE!!

I'm also doing my other passion: HAIR! This is a cut I did on myself. I was quite proud....YOU try cutting your own hair! ;)

oh did I mention it was MIDNIGHT??! Yeah...cause it was!

Our little Alenna is swimming like a fish! We bought a pool and we cannot keep her out! We decided that she needs preschool, we were going to forgo it, thinking it wasnt a necassity but we decided she needs it. So she starts Aug 14th and is counting down the days!

Love this girl. Shes growing so fast and everyday is doing something new. She literally takes care of her brother and sister. So cute!

My little Brady man. Sigh....what do I say about him??? LOL.....Hes crazy. We love this kid to death but we worry about him too. We're getting his behaviors evauluted. The Dr thinks he may have high functioning Aspergers. We're not so sure. He def. has an anxiety disorder, like his momma, and some OCD. We sure love him alot though. He, like Alenna, starts preschool in Aug. Sniff! Two of my babies are going to school!!! What am I going to do with myself???! Brady sure loves his sisters!!!

Miss Shaylin McKell. Sweetest little angel. I say it all the time but she seriously is an angel in baby form! She sooooo sweet and we sure have enjoyed seeing her learn and grow. She anxious to keep up with her brother and sister!!!

She enjoys swimming too!!

So life is good.

HAPPY SUMMER!!

More nauvoo!!

2011-06-12T10:28:00.001-07:00

Yup more pics.....forgive the short posts....on my phone...

Chuch history tour!

2011-06-12T10:23:00.001-07:00

My family and I went to Jackson County MO, Winter Quarters Nebraska, Iowa, then to Nauvoo Illinois.
These pics are of that

Vacation! Mommy needs some sanity

2011-06-03T19:08:00.001-07:00

Ill sure miss this guy while I'm on vacation!

A great night

2011-06-02T23:51:00.001-07:00

My (lynette) little bro was called to serve in the Johanasburg (forgive the spelling) SOUTH AFRICA mission!

How totally awesome is that?!
He'll be English speaking for the time being but might need to learn the language.

He reports Nov 24th at the MTC in AFRICA!

He has chosen to wait and get his endowements out on our family trip to Nauvoo. I cannot wait to be together with my family in the Temple of God.

We're so proud of this dude!

Pics

2011-06-01T07:58:00.001-07:00

These pics belong to the post below but my phone will only download 2 pics at a time.

An update!

2011-06-01T07:54:00.001-07:00

I have pretty much been the worst blogger. Totally MIA.
Lets catch up!
Ryan: just finished block 3 of nursing school ( yeah we're just about done!) He applied for his LPN and is just waiting to test.
Lynette: feeling totally overwhelmed-we moved back to our house in queen creek and there are projects galore! I also keep busy with book group, and a class I'm taking :)
Alenna: is reading! Like nobodys business too. she can even write her name.
Brady: we're potty training Brady man. He's hating wet diapers which is great. He no longer has a binky answer is very upset about that.
Shaylin: started nursery! Can u believe that?! She's doing awesome in it. She's extremely small for her age but the drs are no longer concerned.

In other news, I'm taking a weeks vacation with my family. We're seeing all the church sites: nauvoo, far west, carthage jail, etc

We've also been busy putting in our backyard which let me tell you is no small feet. I love yard work. I find it so theraputic.

Too much has changed!

2011-05-20T17:49:00.001-07:00

A move! A pup! Meet Pumpernickel!

{Planting A Garden!}

2011-03-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

We planted a garden! Its growing wonderfully!

we planted all kinds of things!

The kids helped too :)

brady spent his time playing with the irrigation water

alenna was a big helper and laced every single seed in its hole

they're playing patty-cake :)

soon our vegetables will be taller then our kids!

{NewPictures....Again}

2011-03-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Six years!

Isnt he handsome???

messing around

Not Happy!!!!

isn't she lovely???

{what the bergens are up to!}

2011-02-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

we've been eating IN much more!! Ry made home made pizza and wings, and omg, it was better then the professionals I swear!

we made a smiley with a mushroom nose :)

we're lovin' it!

little Miss Shay is 16 months already! She's tiny!!! And barely walking, I always think of her as such a baby still while in reality she is really a toddler! Even though she refuses to "toddle"

Mr Handsome is flirting all the time, we've got a trouble maker on our hands!

WE AND SHE

Mr Brady man in our bed on Valentines' Day! Love the pose!

For Valentines' Day we got each other matching CTR rings and dinner to Islamorada's Fish Compnay, aka the restraunt inside Bass Pro Shops. It was beyond yummy! I highly recommend it!

my ring :)

My little Valentine with her gifts :)

Alenna loves the fact that I Heart Attacked the girls' bedroom door

We put Alenna to work!!! JK, she's posing....we cleaned up the backyard for Aunt Becca and Uncle Colby's wedding reception!

the 'Oh!-so-critical' strawberries for the chocolate fountain!

alenna helping uncle Ed set up

attempting to walk at the reception

Handsomest. Ever.

the finished product....

I was in charge of decor....very fun job I might add!

the beautiful bride....and brady

we joked that brady "gave her away" haha

{New arm!}

2011-02-02T19:27:00.000-08:00

guess who got her cast off???

alenna-bean!

who's children are these anyways??? Not mine!

alenna thought the saw was funny, not that it was scary at all!

*ADD MOMENT: Jean, my mother in law said that when she was going through Med School that the instructor one day was showing how to saw a cast off a person and the person with the casted arm is bawling and crying and the whole time the instructor is saying, 'it doesnt hurt!' then when he was done and took the cast off he discovered he had ripped the patient's arm all up with the saw!

Sure glad that wasn't us!

Her arm is all skinny and white, haha. She kept walking around with it at her side like it was still casted, silly girl!

{My Time-less Kids!}

2011-01-26T17:30:00.000-08:00

we did not take our kids to Disney. Yup, we're those people.

So when we got back we decided the kids needed a pet. Yes I realize our kids are the most spoiled on the planet but, hey, whats one more thing right? ;)

Meet Gus Gus-Cinderella's pet Guinea Pig she let us take home [wink wink]

Shay LOVES GusGus!

Alenna is a little squeamish about him. Brady adores GusGus as well!

In keeping with the rumor our kids are spoiled*(which makes me smile) I gave Alenna highlights!

How sweet is she???

and of course I had to frost Brady's tips....

beautiful decided she just needed a dab of ketchup on her nose....

I walked into Lenni's room and found her asleep like this....

isn't she precious?? My sleeping beauty

I also threw together a window treatment over the girls' window with things I had laying around.

also while we were in CA I found this beauitiful chair at a garage sale for 10 bucks!

It pretty much rocks my socks...

{Kid-less Vacation!!!}

2011-01-23T11:11:00.000-08:00

here I am waiting patiently to leave for Disney!!!!

riding the bus into the park....getting excited!!!

we're here!!!!!!

Scared to go on the Matterhorn.....NOT scary FYI

Space Mountain, Ry's favorite :)

His 1st time :)

kind of lame as adults ha ha

i'm trying to look mysterious but i just look pissed, lol! this is us at the HAUNTED mansion!

almost 6 years later.....yeah i'd say we deserved it! ;)

the go karts which were really dumb, mine kept dying. We're acting like we've gotten into an accident

an important picture ;)

this is what we did in line, of course. What else would the Bergens be doing??

LOVE this one!

at the tower of terror, way scary!!!!!!

Yup Pretty freaking terrified at this point

appropriate for 2nd honeymooners....

Here's to another almost 6 years (and more)

{No More Saftey Equipment!}

2011-01-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

Wowow!!!

Can January just stop and give me a minute to catch my breathe???!

Okay....first!! Alenna fell off her bike and broke her arm.

First time she rode her bike with all her safety gear on, princess of course, and she fell off her bike onto grass. Yup, all padded AND fell on grass AND still broke her arm!!

what the heck is that crap all about??

her face is silly here...

because she acts the same whether she breaks her arm or gets a paper cut, we didn't give much thought to her wailing and whining and crying for an hour. But, daddy wrapped her arm just in case.

but the next day we figured we'd probably better get an xray done, we did and sure enough, it was broken.

The urgent care we went to was soooooo good to us!! They showered Alenna with toys, stickers, candy, etc.

They wrapped it again and we needed to wait to get it casted for all the swelling to go down.

Here she is with her cast. Pink, naturally. Isn't Brady's face price-less???

Next, I took a much needed week off!

This weekend Ryan and I decided to drop everything and go on a couple's vacation! Its a much needed, and deserved one I might add! No kids, just us + Disneyland!! Cannot wait!!!!

In other news, these two love birds are getting married in 2 weeks!! (aunt becca and *uncle colby)

arent they adorable??? I will be flying up by myslef to Utah around Feb 5th or so, and Ry has voluntereed to watch our kids and stay in AZ.

K-A-RAZZZYYY month!!

{Christmas In Idaho!}

2011-01-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Idaho Part 2

this is the kids, all in their jammies Santa brought them...

santa found us!

her face says it ALL!

ry jammed out with Rock Band!

alenna and 'the hey girls' club

the view we woke up to every morning

Christmas morning we woke up to a family of deer right out our room's door!

chillin' like villains with their uncle Dusty

{Christmas Eve In Idaho!}

2010-12-31T08:35:00.000-08:00

December 22nd we packed up the babies and left for Idaho!

Let me say, with 3 kids all under 4 those 21 hours it took to get there were pretty agonizing.

This is us at Big O tire, we needed to get a spare for the truck, just in case...

It rained, literally the entire way to Vegas!!

It was coming down in sheets!

We stopped in Wickenburg to eat dinner. Poor daddy slept in the car, he had the flu...

Unfortunately, Ryan wasn't the only sick one...

Shaylin, Brady and I all took turns puking our guts out!

We HAD to stop in Vegas for the night, we were too sick to keep driving...

One of the best places to stop, we all just had to sleep the flu off.

We were MUCH better by morning!

we loaded back up, drove another 8 hours, and by 8pm were in Centerville UT, where Aunt Sara lives!

We exchanged gifts, and unfortunately, gave her our stomach bug, sorry Sara! Ah, the joys of family life!

3 hours after leaving Sara's house, we arrived at Bear Lake!

It was one welcome sight!

Alenna and the cousins immediately formed 'the hey girls' club and soon were inseparable!

we spent lots of time with our loved ones...

ryan and I took a ribbon tying class, he stuck his on Shaylin...

mommy and Brady on Christmas Eve

my cute brothers with cousin Sarah :)

waiting on Santa...

Alenna and Ruby were in the Nativity Play

we know SANTA!!!!!

*********************************

NONE of our kids cried this year!!

though Brady kept saying, 'Mema Santa??'

Santa's baby...

Brady was SO funny; he ran upstairs, put on his new jammies that Santa brought him, and ran back downstairs to kiss Mrs & Mr Claus goodbye!

.....more to come...

{Christmas! Take 1!}

2010-12-21T16:12:00.000-08:00

I love this picture because it exactly says how I am feeling this holiday season!

Hello blog, we've been swamped! I'm still trying to catch my breath from it all.

Last week I was deathly ill. I have never been that sick in all my life. Yup, Walking Pneumonia.

Luckily this week I'm better, not 100%, but better.

We leave for our trip to ID tomorrow (yeah!) so we did an early christmas with my family, and for each other under the tree.

Our family has a tradition that we go out to eat every Christmas Eve, then visit Temple Lights.

Here we are at Village Inn, waiting for my family.

Cute Shaylin now has 8 teeth! And she's buzzing around everywhere, but not walking on her own yet.

silly lenny

Shay and I split my favorite, turkey club with french fries :)

my handsome guys at Temple Lights

Beautiful Alenna

Christmas Kiss...

baby its cold outside!!!

~~Fake~~ Christmas Morning!

Santa will visit on our trip...

********************************************************

**************************************************************

now under our tree is empty but our hearts are full.

1 more day until our trip!!!

{Tis' The Season!}

2010-11-30T10:29:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving left overs!

I made a Turkey Pot Pie which was divine while the kids helped daddy set up the lights outside.

The lights look great, it was really cold that night, so I was glad I made a hot meal for my little workers!

Becca & Colby came over to help set up the tree!

We love them.

Our kids are especially mad about them

Shaylin thinks she's helping...

Alenna, Colby and Daddy helped hang the angel on top!

Its a huge tree!!

All and all I think we broke, maybe 2 ornaments?

Not bad for 3 kids all 4 years old and under...

and a klutzy mommy

We got the 'trendy' character stockings this year, though I find them hideous.

We're taking our kids to Utah for Christmas and didn't want to lose our nice stockings.

Little Miss Yummy, taking it all in...

We had pie and hot cocoa to celebrate the season!

{Kickin' Off The Season...}

2010-11-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

Purely

by coincidence, Alenna had a dentist appt before Thanksgiving.

X-tra! X-tra! Read all about it!

Totally funny, when I was not much older then Alenna is now, I had an extra tooth coming in between my two front teeth. I had surgery to get it out.

Alenna's xrays revealed she has the same thing!

The really funny thing is I was telling Ryan about it when we went home and he told me his brother had the same thing! Poor Alenna, didnt even stand a chance....

Here she is getting ready for her exam

(she's nervous)

The dentist had flat screens on the ceiling so she's watching Go Diego Go!

She did very well! She was beyond nervous, didn't make a peep! I cannot remember a time she hasn't been chatting everyone's ears off...,.

She got a balloon. She was thrilled.

She had been talking about this prize machine since last time she went to the dentist.

They gave her 2 tokens for being so good, she got two rings and a plastic ice cream cone :)

Changing gears: (forgive the pun)

Brady got a bike!

They have the best time together

...if you've ever wondered what pure yumminess looks like, feast your eyes upon Shaylin.

The next morning, Thanksgiving, the kids had a 'Thankful' breakfast, a delicious pumpkin roll!

...and that was the only picture I took Thanksgiving....lovely...

Ry worked Thanksgiving day (thankful we have a job!!!) and he took us to breakfast the next morning, something we never do.

Then we shopped! Ry had fought the crowds the night before (crazy guy!) to get his wife new pillows, new sheets, and Egyptian cotton towels.

and we found this! A kid table so they will stop staining the material on the kitchen chairs!

20 freakin' bucks! We win! :)

arent' they sweet at their table???!

then we bundled up and took our babies to the Temple lights!

Here I am with my KA-RAZY kids!

my silly girls...

Brady was beyond excited all night about the lights

After that we met with my family and Dusty's friends, and his *ahem* other good friend (wink wink), becca and her *ahem* good friend (wink wink)

for pie! Yummy traditions!

{Haircut, Shots, Lollipops...}

2010-11-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

First, I gave Brady a fade!

The before

The during...

The after

Isnt he handsome??

that night daddy had a huge research paper due so I took the kids to the store, they picked out their favorite candy and we watched TS3...

Little Miss Thing was hilarious with the 2 lollipops she stole from Brady

She was beyond proud of herself

totally cracking herself up...

the next day we took the babies to get shots, Alenna had her sight and hearing tested...

Results came back clear in both categories....

Shay being cute BEFORE shots...

Flu shot time! x3!

once more...

4 years and 3 kids later and I STILL get teary eyed and emotional when the kids get shots...

{Shaylyn's 1st...}

2010-11-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

My beautiful green eyed girl had her first birthday on the 12th!

Holy cow time flies!

she thought these weeble wobbles were pretty dang awesome.

********************************

Brady gave her this pink sea horse (he has one in blue) because she's always stealing his

Then this happened...

brady stole her pink one!

Even when we explained that his blue one is the same thing he still wanted her pink one...daddy wasnt happy

mommy gave her this blanket...

isnt it adorable??

we took her to dinner- her first greasy 'horrible-for-you' meal! Wendys!

feedin' daddy

I love her :)
I also love that fact she looks so much like her daddy.

then we went to Wally World and Ryan and Alenna had fun with some guns

(isn't Alenna's hair cute??)

we had to get her a bigger carseat...she looks so big!

sniff sniff

Happy 1st birthday baby girl!!

{One Year Ago...}

2010-11-12T12:16:00.000-08:00

Fresh from Heaven and NOT happy about it!

Taking my angel home

I will never forgot Shaylyn's baby blessing because it was so unique: Ryan said in her blessing how talented of a Spirit she is.

I'm anxious to see as she grows what that means! ;)

Shaylyn at 6 months

Shay today...

We love you missy!

Happy birthday!

{A Sneak Peak!}

2010-11-10T20:05:00.000-08:00

They are the best thing that have ever been mine!

A small taste of whats coming!

{Is It November Yet??!}

2010-11-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not our little Alenna, who is not so little anymore, turned 4 on the 7th! Her birthday fell on a Sunday so on Saturday night I got a sitter and took her out on a 'date.' Just her and me! :)

She requested that we eat at Panda

She has been asking for about 6 months now, "Is it November YET?!?"

Then we hit the mall and got new lip gloss :)

She wanted to see Toy Story 3 in 3D, so thats where we went next.

Unfortunatly, about half way through she kept asking to go home becuase she was so tired.

So I took her home and put her to bed.

The next morning I made her favorite breakfast

(anything with bacon ;) )

and she opened presents:

yeah present time!

the babies gave her a tea set...

Daddy went a little more intellectual....

Mommy went for style...

Alenna got to go to her favorite place on her birthday: Primary!

She was beyond excited that they all sang to her

After church and naps we went to Mema and Papa's house to celebrate Alenna and Shay's birthdays! (Shay's is on Fri)

This is the cake I had ordered for them, it turned out perfect!

Lenna was in princess heaven! Cake and tons more presents...

Happy Birthday Alenna!!

We love you!

{Alenna Princess}

2010-11-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

Isn't she pretty? :)

That was 3 years ago! My baby Alenna Marie turns 4 today!!

(more details later...)

{...They Call It Puppy Love...}

2010-11-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

Guess who has puppy love??

We do!

Our gardener had a friend who could no longer keep this little sweetie and he brought her over.

Needless to say, we're smitten!

She is the best dog, I swear, so calm, so great with kids

Becuase our living situation is so up in the air, we needed to find her a new home :(

The exciting thing is our Mema and Papa Howard took her!

Its a trial basis, so Missy better be on her best behavior!

{Halloween At The Bergens!}

2010-11-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!!

each kid got their own mini pumpkin and we drew faces on them!

the we gutted and carved the bigger pumpkins!

yummmm.....pumpkin seeds...

the kids got all jazzed up and we headed over the Trunk R Treat!

pretty girls

it wasn't all fun and games though. A little boy I know was one sad puppy!

chowing down on chili dogs and chips!

the kids thought cotton candy was AH-MAZING!

shaylyn was beyond excited all night!

the next night Aunt Becca came over! We grabbed Tia Rosa's for dinner (yum!) and then hit the neighborhood trick r treating!

the kids thought this was amazing, haha!

he was so beyond anxious

By the end of the night, she was a pro!

have I mentioned this girl cracks me up??

This is her "lolli-pop fountain" pose

Halloween was great this year! The kids were adorable and made out like bandits!

Now if only mommy can keep her hands out of their candy...

{Spooky Dinner!}

2010-10-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

Shaylyn and Mommy went out to have dinner with a friend!

Cute little friends!

Its kind of sad that my baby is 3 months older then Tyson and he has more hair!

They had fun, and we mommies recharged our batteries!

Switching gears now; I decided I wanted to start a tradition with my kids every Halloween Season.

Spooky Dinner...So tonight we had that.

They serve as our center pieces now, but we will carve our pumpkins tomorrow!

Brady got into our Trunk-or-Treat stash...

We ate!

*******************************

ps.....I love them...

Yummiest dessert bars!

I think we will keep with this tradition!

{The Weather Is Perfect!}

2010-10-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

today we met MeMa at Home Depot, picked out flowers, then helped plant them! The weather has been PERFECT!

I love this lil lady!

She's just such an incredible big sister!

Brady kept saying, "helping? helping?"

haha, he's a good helper! or he thinks he is at least!

Alenna kept complaining that the gloves didnt fit...

Cutest delivery boy ever!

they quickly grew bored after this...and these happened:

Playin' on Mema's tire swing (while MeMa did the flowers work!)

.....sweetest ride. Ever.

Just in time for Halloween....

I Love Her. Who wouldn't??

good job guys!

{Shopping, Chinese, & Update!}

2010-10-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thur night Ryan actually had some time off! We took full advantage! We got a sitter and went birthday/Christmas shopping for our babies!

....he loves shopping! Can't you tell??? ;)

we had to mess with our baby a little!

We got hats and gloves for our upcoming vacation. We're gonna freeze!

In a nut shell, the girls birthday and our kids Christmas is all finished!

In OCT!

This is the earliest, by far, we've ever had it done by! Feels good to know its one less thing to worry about.

the next day I had to get the kids warmer clothes! Its been so chilly!

(isn't alenna getting so tall??)

then we met up with aunt becca and papa bergen for chinese!

yeah, chopsticks: didnt go over so well!

shay enjoyed some rice, and teething biscuits....yum! ;)

We were looking at new suits for Ryan, he desperately needs one. Still making up our minds on which to get though.

First off, this guy:

Ryan: other then being my everything, he's busy with work and school. Kicking butt in both areas. Block 2 ends in about 6 weeks for him, he'll have a month off in which time he will take an LPN course which will help further his RN experience. In Jan he starts his BSN (Bachelors in Science of Nursing). He's set to graduate with his RN in a year from now, which will be exciting.

He's doing more 911 work, which he says is always interesting.

Lynette: Is busy with the kids, of course. Trying to get everything together for Halloween, the girls' birthdays (they are 5 days apart!) and get things ready for our vacation!

Another fun fact: today 6 years ago Ryan and I went on our first date! Wow! Has time flew!

(HE reminded ME, btw....)

{playin....}

2010-10-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

I took the babies to the park with their aunt and grandpa!

brady looks like a deer caught in the headlights...

when he gives us this look we know we're in trouble!

We fed the ducks at the park by grandpa's house...

he really does adore her...

...she's not so tough...

Shaylyn cracks me up in this picture!!!

holding on for dear life!

beautiful Alenna

ME!

vrrroooom!!!

{...a day in the life...}

2010-10-13T09:19:00.000-07:00

we met friends at the park and played!

brady & abby

Kate and Alenna

the after math of our playing, haha!

after the park Brady had his speech therapy appt. this is us playing in the lobby of Cardon's Children Medical Center, which is AH-MAZING!!

How cool is that?!

Shaylyn screamed when I took this checkers piece from her!

my girls really had fun playing together!

how sweet is she??

{Family Visit!}

2010-10-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Alenna got a new hair cut!

Ryan and I love it! Finally, 6 years after beauty school and I can FINALLY cut a bob on my girl!

This week, Ryan's family came to visit!

we fed the ducks at Freestone park..
.

ok, we ate some too!

Then we played, Brady bonded with all the men in our family, as well as the ladies!

our kids love playing in aunt becca's car!!!

they say they're going to the North Pole to play with the polar bears!

we all bonded over food! ha!

papa Bergen treated us to Sweet Tomatoes!

...gotta love brady!!

beautiful Shaylyn McKell....

they loved playing with their aunts and uncles!

Come back soon Bergens! ;)

{Bergen Patriots!}

2010-09-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

this week was Constitution Week! We LOVE Constitution Week! Gilbert throws a hugs shin dig every year!

our cuties

we didn't plan very well at all, we forgot to get cash so Ry left to find an ATM and the babes and I explored a little!

he was gone a long time....

we finally get in and they have these HUGE bouncy castles! We hopped right in line!

here we go...!!!

there was this adorable little girl there who really took our kids under her wing and made sure they didn't get hurt once they were in there! Brady's face is price-less!

they had all kinds of music acts, karaoke, etc.

Of Course...we had to pet the puppies...

there were these awesome HUGE inflatable replicas of the different buildings in Washington DC.

they even had a place where the kids could sign their names to the Constitution! (See top left square)

the girls at the Liberty Bell. Alenna is sitting with Benjamin Franklin

....Brady is the funniest kid I've ever met

FINALLY! The show started!

That's amazing!

we can't believe last time we were here we didn't even have our little Shaylyn! Feels like she's just always been with us!

....see Becca? We still make out... ;) LOL

{Bath/Bed Time!}

2010-09-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

Our babies took their first all together bath on Thur night! Shaylyn is screaming, but the older two thought it was fun!

.....she was NOT a happy camper!

 we moved the girls into the same room this week.

We certainly have the space for each child to have their own room but we decided we want them to learn to share their space. It will help when they go off on missions, army, college and/or when they get married.

Brady is a lucky boy, a room all to himself! ....for now ;) 

I'll give you ONE GUESS who stole my camera.....

I found about 30 of these, all of her 'baby Ally'

{Brady is TWO!}

2010-09-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well hello blog!

THIS kid had a birthday!!

Our family is the greatest, we really are so blessed both sides are so close

His party was Buzz Lightyear theme, Brady's favorite

How sweet is Brady hugging Katie?

we had hot dogs, watermelon, chips with a salsa bar and cinnamon crisps!

This is all the kids sitting at the 'kid table' LOL

This is the first year we even bothered doing a Pinata. It was a hit, we will be doing it again I think!

Notice his face?? Once he got a taste of hitting the Pinata he didn't want to stop!

yeah! candy!

they put their candy in buzz's space ship....

then we swam!

Happy Birthday Brady! We love you to pieces!

{Guess Who's Swimming...}

2010-08-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

guess who got over his fear of swimming?

Brady!

Aunt Becca and PaPa Bergen worked with him and he did great! He loves swimming now!

Thanks Aunt Becca!

We've loved spending time with her now that she's moved here! (we loved it before too!)

Daddy worked on Sunday and brought his ambulance around so the kids could see it lights and sirens!

today I brought the children to play at the mall with our great friends the Whipples!

In this 100+ degree weather, we needed to cool down!

Brady, Alenna, Katie & Abby BFF's!

yup,

I'm cute

New hat!

.99 at The Children's Place!

{Just A Couple Of Shmucks...}

2010-08-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

1st true monsoon of the season!!

Blowing bubbles in the storm...

Shaylyn & mommy watched from a distance...

Then my love & I headed out for a date!

we hit In & Out Burger and ate in the truck while watching the amazing lightening show!

...have I mentioned I love this guy?!

We then saw "Dinner For Shmucks" (hilarious)

Love you babe, thanks for dating me!

{New Year!}

2010-08-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Daddy's first day back!!! He'll do great!

{summer....}

2010-08-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer!

{Pearls Of Great Price....}

2010-08-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

I was reading a friends' blog about things that her guest blogger has learned since being married and it got me thinking....in the past (over) 5 years what have I learned? Surely I cannot be the same girl I was then right?

Right.... the list is as follows:

Live Within Your Means:

I read somewhere that the aforementioned was the leading cause of divorce. I could see that. The stress of upcoming bills you cannot pay can devastate your soul, not to mention your marriage. We lucked out and learned this one early on, but so many couples fall into that trap. The same can be said for high debt to income ratios; 'we'll buy today, pay tomorrow' never works out. Its better to go without and have peace in your heart (and relationship).

Your Relationship Is A Day To Day Effort:

Just becasue things were perfect yesterday doesn't mean they will be today. Constantly making an effort is a pre-requisite. Some days things will be perfect- you finish each other's sentences. And then other days you couldnt be more opposite if you tried- he's from Mars, you're from Venus. And thats ok. Some days you REALLY work on your relationship; it can't be taken for granted. And its important to remember its those differences that attracted you in the first place, like a pair of magnets.

Its Ok To Fight:

I come from a house where my parents always got along (I'm sure there was fighting behind closed doors- but I never witnessed any) so I figured marraige was a walk in the park. Whats to know right? You love each other you will always be happy and never have bad times, etc.....

Boy was I stupid when I got married! Needless to say the first 'fight' we ever had I was devastated and locked myself in our room bawling. I was convinced it was over; we were divorcing. When I finally let my new husband (who comes from divorced parents) back into our room and expressed why I was so upset, the inevitable divorce, he laughed so hard I thought he'd gone mad. Then he said something I have never forgotten: "Its not the fighting that determines the fate of our marriage, its the work we put into our marriage after the fight." Pretty profound for a 22 year old kid....

Trust Your Partner:

Without trust there can be no love. Its pretty simple. But very hard at times to do.

And Last:

This is actually not mine, I cannot take credit for such wisdom.

This was told to me at our reception, I didn't understand it then but I sure do now and when asked for marriage advice this is what I say...

'Both partners need to go in with the mentality that they, individually, will do 100% of the work'

For example,

'I will try my very hardest everyday to make sure that my actions make life run smoother for my partner. He will have clean clothes to wear, food to eat, a clean house to live in, children who are well taken care of'' etc.

Many couples think, 'there are two of us, you do 50% of the chores, I will do 50% of the chores.' But what ends up happening is one or the other inevitably falls short and things are left unfinished and resentment and anger build in the other partner who ends up having to pick up the slack.

Whereas if both individuals do 100% of the chores as a given, everything gets done and no one is angry or resentful.

In another 5 years I wonder what else I will have learned?!

Though time may change, style may change, and perspectives may change, the one thing that will not change is the way I feel for Ryan. That gets only stronger with time.

I love you babe!

{ ABC easy as 123...}

2010-08-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

see this girl?

She knows math now! My little baby can add and subtract!

I really cannot believe it, it just came out of no where. She sat and rattled off a bunch of arthmatic for me this afternoon and got every one right!

She seriously is so smart, I know I'm biased but I really think she is such a bright child!

She sure makes her mommy proud!

A lady at church told me on Sunday that she wants to kidnap Alenna because she thinks she is just so beautfiul. I was a little startled by her language, mommies tend to freak when people throw around the phrase 'kid nap' but it was still quite the compliment!

We were told today that Brady was doing a fine job in life being adorable and his job in life should be to stay that cute!

Of course Mommy and Daddy agree.

He's doiing better with talking too! His tests results all came back normally, in other words he's just a late talker. Big relief for mommy.

When happy you will not find a cuter kid! He has the absoulte funniest personality!

This week has been an eventful one for our little Shaylyn.

She sat on her own! Yeah for corners on her butt!

She also locked her knees and stood!

We feel so blessed to be given three beautiful angels!

{Popcorn Popping On The....}

2010-08-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

My camera died. And I can't find the charger....BOO! So no pics this entry of my beautiful babies.

Ok this is all about Popcorn!!

My kids are obsessed with it! We bought an air popper, I dunno, couple of years ago becuase I wanted the healthier alternative in regards to popcorn than the buttery Orville Redinbaucker popcorn Ryan enjoys.

Somehow we pulled it out recently and used it...the kids went crazy for it! The sounds of the kernels popping and watching them all fall into a bowl is just too much excitement for my kids.

So now everyday its a MUST for a snack.

We bribe them with popcorn, LOL. Better then candy right?!

(this is the EXACT popper we have, LOL)

Brady even says, "POP! POP!" and stamps his foot when he wants to pop popcorn. Which is really funny because his new favorite movie is Mary POPpins...he calls her, "POP! POP!" too!

Speaking of Brady, I need to get one last present and I am DONE with his birthday shopping! Can't believe my guy is going to be 2 in 3 weeks!

{Bizzaro-Walmart}

2010-08-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

Today we packed up the children and went on an adventure!

We needed to pick up a ladder in Buckeye, which is about an hour and a half ONE WAY.

We drove there talking about 'spider burps' LOL...we got to our destination and parked at a park and let the children run off their energy and stretch their legs.

Soon after we loaded up the ladder we ate at Chipotle- my most recent favorite!

Then Ryan took us to 'Supermercado de Walmart.' Or 'Bizzaro Walmart' like I call it.

It was CRAZY!!

Everything in spanish, there was a butcher, mexican candy, and spanish foods and produce! It is actually part of an expierment: there are 2 in the nation; one here on 91st ave & Thomas and one in Texas.

From the looks of it I'd say its a huge success!

We also met another little girl named Alenna!
Bizaro World...I mean Walmart indeed!

{Make It Public...}

2010-08-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

While laying in bed last night, after talking for hours with Ryan (or should I say whispering-Shay sleeps in our room) I was just overcome with this tremendious gratitude. The feeling came completly out of no where; nothing out of the ordinary happened, it wasn't any kind of special day of any kind. I was just washed away with this deep feeling of utter thankfulness that I get to be married to someone I love so dearly.

I'm better with food: I have always thought of my love for Ryan like my love for cheesecake. Not the entire cheesecake but the first bite: its rich, its luxorious, it makes you close your eyes and curl your toes.

( or, substitute cheesecake with your favorite food) Just heaven...

Without making you sick to your stomache with how in love with my husband I am, I think I should make it public. 'May we all tell that someone that we love what we are dreaming of...'

{Movie Night!}

2010-08-03T21:42:00.000-07:00

I thought tonight it might be fun to have a movie night!

I rented a movie and we played!!!

I also mohawked Brady's hair...I'm having a blast now that he has hair long enough to play with!

I LOVE them!

Kisses!

Isnt that a hoot??

my baby with her baby

"watching" the movie...Alice in Wonderland....
Tim Burton makes movies too scary for babies....ok duh....but I was thinking it would along the lines of James and the Giant Peach...nope!

they were crying and screaming and I felt terrible!!!

Immediatly we put the cartoon verson on....

Ahhh, memories!

{Firsts...}

2010-08-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

This week has been a week of firsts!

First, Shaylyn; I gave her some 'table scraps' while I was making lunch one day and she thought it was sure fun to feel all the different textures of different foods!

My pretty girl!

Her faces are priceless! I gave her some mushroom, bell pepper, and broccoli...

working on her hand-eye coordination

she did pretty good!

Then, drum roll please......the 1st monsoon of the season!!

I love their faces here, believe it or not they are playing in rain here...

It was SOOOO UNBEARABLY humid I only let them play for like 10 min and than I was drenched in sweat and dragged them inside. Thank heavens for a/c...I don't think I can say that enough!!!!

Another first for us was me straightening Alenna's hair this week, thanks to the humidity it was back to its ringlet form within 2 hours...grrr. haha.

Brady's wings :) I'm growing it out and this is the longest its EVER been! He's going to a surfer dude!

Happy Monday!

{Health Challenge!}

2010-08-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

I'm starting this new challenge to be healthier me! The guide lines are as follows

45 min of exercise

no sweets

scripture study

2 servings of fruit and vegis

48oz of water

no soda, unhealthy snacks, or fast food

no eating after 8PM

one journal entry-hello blog!

express sincere appreciation or affection to spouse

personal goal

...all daily. One of the challenges in particular, something I have always been TERRIBLE at, writing a journal has proved to always be so difficult for me. Then it dawned on me: my blog!!! So for the next 12 weeks I will post everday seeing as how I use my blog as my journal. Plus making it public will force me to be diligent!

So hello. Day one. I think I will struggle with no sweets, I am such an addict. As embarressing as it is I think I will struggle with expressing sincere affection or apprecation to Ryan. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy to death but our days are so jammed and packed with 'stuff' that alot of times we fall into bed (still in the days clothes not jammies) and we're out for the night. I never imagined being so worn out in all my life. This shall be a good 'kick in the pants'.
Today we went to church, after the girls kept us up all night. Alenna, when sleep deprived, has night terrors. Yes, last night, all night we got to hear screaming about 'spiders and ants' in her bed. And Shaylyn was up with Alenna. Ah...the joys of family life right?! LOL

Alenna and Brady went to their classes with no problems, which is a huge success for Brady. I went to Relief Society and after Shaylyn fell asleep I was able to turn my full attention to the lesson which was on forgiveness. I balwed me eyes out at a video that was shared about a man who's family was killed by a drunk driver and this man automatically forgave the drunk teen who was driving the other car. Click the link below to watch:

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

I'd love to think I could forgive after such a tragic thing, my fear is I wouldnt even WANT to. Hopefully I will never find out how I'd react....

Then we came home, Ryan went to bed (thats how he fasts. LOL) I made the kids organic PB & J with soy milk. I laid the children down and began to journal.

Though on my mind so heavily is this previously mentioned video. My prayer is I can become more like this man.

{Big Girl Hair!]

2010-07-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Had to share...how stinkin cute is she??!

this girl has the TIGHTEST ringlets!!!!

....so this was quite dramatic!

my girl is getting so big! -tear-

my baby!!!!!! I love her! :)

{Girl's Night!}

2010-07-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

On Monday night Alenna and I had a Girls Night! Alenna and I met 3 of our friends at the theater...Alenna is good friends with these three other girls and I am great friends with all their moms so it really worked out to be great time! Here we are at Walmart stocking up on candy...that's not our wine in the back LOL

They all went in in their jammies and were stinking adorable!

We saw 'Despicable Me' or as Alenna calls it 'Spicable Me'

The girls were a hoot watching it!!! They would crack up at the silly parts and dance too!

Practicing....

Alenna was entertaining us with her dancing....

The four musketeers! Katie, Raelyn, Alenna and Sariah....

{Puppy Play Date!}

2010-07-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

On Monday we went over to a friends house to play with her liter of puppies!!

They are sooooo cute! I wanted to take each one home with us!

Brady kept saying 'woof woof'

They played in the water with the puppies, it was really fun!

...though I think MY kids favorite part was the snacks....

Shaylin looks totally annoyed here, she loved the puppies too, she kept wanting to pet them

Alenna and her BFF...haha, they are too cute

{Hot Enough?}

2010-07-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

I have no idea how people lived without a/c! My kids discovered their love for the sprinklers...

Brady and Alenna playing with the water hose...I may need to buy a 2nd one!

He kept asking her..."like?" haha!

My silly man...

She's dancing...

I love Brady's face here!

Summer be gone!! At least the kids don't notice how miserable the weather is! (110+ WITH humidity...yeah)

My little ShayShay cracking up in her seat :)

{I Apoligize...}

2010-07-20T18:08:00.000-07:00

...for being MIA; we've been busy as heck! Here's the scoop!

Alenna has finished her dance class and now is enjoying swimming, though Daddy and I are hating being out in the July muggy heat- ahhh, the things we go through for our kids right??

Here she is at her dance class. FYI mommies- totally worth doing! She had a blast!

Here she is at swimming...

Note to self- no swimming classes in July ever again! At least she's loving it, & thats all that matters, right?! ;)

Ahhh, my little Brady man: he fills my life with so much...whats the word? Work? Yes, work...

such a goofy picture but I love this guy to pieces! Brady has turned a corner we think, that is he will go to Nursery without mom and dad! Which is a huge relief, not only do we have Shaylin with us, but we also teach Sunday School!

Brady is our difficult child at the moment- we've learned he's lactose intolerant (which works out well, I actually prefer the taste of soy milk to regular and now I have an excuse to buy it!) Brady is not talking like we would like him to be, he has an appt to get his hearing checked at an Audiologist on Friday and he begins speech therapy in August.

How can you not just melt though? He's helping me make 'soy sugar cookies' here.

Shaylin is just such a sweet baby, she's 8 months old now! She has no teeth yet, thank heavens and is still nursing really well, I hope to nurse the entire year (I never have before!) She's 'scooting' and says 'dadda.' She still is not sleeping through the night (my other two slept through the night 6 weeks and on!) -I guess I was lucky. I don't mind though. My days are so unbelievably crazy its nice to have just one on one time with her at night. (my theory is she KNOWS thats her only mommy time and thats why she fails to sleep straight through the night)

As for other news, school starts for Ryan in August, Ryan is anxious to begin Block 2. He was able to switch his clinicals this semester to be here in Mesa, (they have been in Casa Grande) and he's happy about that.

He is still working at PMT, they trained him to be able to go on 911 calls. He has some pretty funny stories! 911 is much more in line with his nursing goals so we were happy when he was able to do that.

He bought a junker off craigslist and has been working on 'flipping' it. Ryan and I are totally dejunking our lives. Everything we own has been in boxes and in storage this whole time and we've been totally cleaning everything up and out! Our goal is to get our house is order, how two people who have been married so few years can accumulate so much is beyond me, though I guess I shouldn't complain!

(a flash back to daddy's football days! and great example of the for-mentioned junk we're clearing out)

As for me, all the above keeps me on my toes! I am enjoying Sookie Stackhouse right now and TrueBlood.

and that's us!

An Anouncement!!

2010-07-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

I've been debating if I should go private for a while now and due to some recent things happening I think I am going to...sorry but I have to do everything I can to protect my little ones.

If you want to be invited please give me your email so i can invite you, all is welcome!!!

I really enjoy reading all your comments, even those of you who we may only talk online, I don't want to lose contact so please whoever you are let me know!

{fireworks, fun & the boob church...}

2010-07-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 4TH!! I LOVE Independance Day! We spent the Saturday before swimming and BBQing at my parents house! How adorable is Brady in his life vest??

MeMa & Shay Shay...swimming :)

1st time we have been all together swimming in TWO YEARS!

Alenna is such a little fish! Only with her life vest on though ;) Daddy scared the kids so we HAD to buy them these vests...they are slowly warming back up to the water.

After we had waffle cones! YUM!

My poor little lactose-intolernt boy....just got a cone, no ice cream :(

the next day, the 4th, after church Lenny helped me make Liberty Sugar Cookies

beautiful Shaylin...all patriotic

Alenna was excited! Can ya tell?? Notice Brady in the back...

we then went to mema & papa's house where uncle Dusty made some delicious mexican food for dinner! Daddy had to work, but he made a special trip tp visit his kids:) he even got the lights going and everything

what a fun suprise!

then we took off to see the fireworks!

trying to stay cool...thank heavens for a/c!

they sat in the trunk...hahaha

she's so adorable

sometimes I feel like I have twins...sigh...at least they're cute :)

happy 4th from the bergens!

{s-a-t-u-r-d-a-y NIGHT!}

2010-06-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

An insight into this week for the Bergens!

First, we have tons of quail in the backyard. They are really sweet, we always see Mothers and their babies running around together. On Sat, one fell through the grate on top of the window well in our room. I kept hearing "chirping" and went to investigate and found this little guy! Can you spot him?

Then that night was Dusty's open house, this is him and his buddy.

My beautiful babies...Shay's a little bugged, haha!

Dusty brought back some of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! He went into all the history of the Aztecs. He brought us all home one gift- which was so generous!

This is what he brought home for me, its an Aztec calender, all hand crafted. My jaw hit the floor! Its so beautiful and now sits on top of our entertainment center. I love it!

Awaiting guests to arrive- some of these people I haven't seen in 5 years! (Isn't Shaylin gorgeous???)

I couldn't stay away from the food! Ahhh!

My cuties, they were much more interested in the punch...haha, Mike, who is on the right, is Dusty's best friend.

My Dad made a video with pictures of Dusty out in the field, I couldn't watch it and NOT cry! I'm just so proud of him!

Ah...some things never change....

..and some things do! My "little" brother now towers over me! (ignore the hair- I had been swimming)

Mom, Shay and Lenny relaxing after the guests left.

We're glad this kid is back in our lives!

{HE'S HOME!}

2010-06-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

He's home!!!!!!!!

my mom holding up the sign I made...

...his flight was a little late...

us waiting....

Killing time....

... is that him??? YES! It is!

it was a very sweet and tearful reunion...I bawled like a baby...I was fine until I saw tears of joy running down Dusty's face; then I just lost it!

-thats how i picture it will be when i (WE ALL) die...tears of joy flowing and us embracing with our loved ones on the other side

we're reunited after two years!

...still a good lookin' guy!

there were THREE other missionaries on the same flight, all coming home. This is them with their parents

brady meeting uncle dusty...they hit it right off!!!!!!!!!! which is HUGE for brady...he didn't even like Ryan the first 6 months of his life.

huggin lenny...

meeting Shay Shay...

this is what she thought of him....

I have a bazillion more pictures but its very late so it will have to be done later!!

For those of you wondering, I know you are, he plans to start at CGCC and then transfer to ASU, majoring in Child Protection.

He also has been challenged to go on a one-on-one date within the next 2 weeks!

Anyone know anyone cute and single? :)

{Obsessed...}

2010-06-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

I think I have OCD.

Really I think I do.

I find one thing I like and I just totally over-do it. Nothing in moderation here!

THIS weeks obsession? I LOVE looking at houses online! Like looking for houses that we would be interested in buying when Ryan graduates next year. I love cyber-shopping for houses! I pull them up on craigslist.com and then I like to pull up Zillow.com and run all the properties' numbers! The site says when it was sold last, if it was ever in foreclosure, etc. They have every property there, including ours (and yours).

You may ask yourself why a person who isn't looking to buy anytime in the immediate future would engage in such a waste of time. I have one simple answer for you: I have no idea! Like I said, I'm obsessed. The computer cries to me in the other room to come and look and I fight it but always cave. I just love to fantasize about 'oh what we got this one?' or 'wow! this one has granite!' or 'look how small our mortgage would be!!' Like I said, obsessed, can't get enough. Can't.

(isn't that beautiful??)

Ryan thinks I'm silly, I find what I'm looking for and get all jazzed about it and he has to remind me that THIS particular property isn't going to still be on the market next year and if it were we probably wouldn't want it. I just see so much potential in these houses. With the market being soooo low I'm just excited about our opportunities! So shoot me!

Why yes, we own property already. Two houses too many to be frank. We rent them out. This year we're turning a small profit on them. I guess that's why I let my imagination run wild, I would love to buy a cheap foreclosure.

(THIS house is only 93k!)

Another obsession this week of mine? (yes, two- its been a busy week!) I love those large soft peppermints you can buy at walmart or CVS or wherever. The ones that literally melt in your mouth on your tongue the instant you pop one into your mouth.

This week alone I've eaten two bags! Good thing they're only like 60 calories for 6 or something like that or I'd be sunk!

...off to go buy more mints...

{Just Call Us Hippies...}

2010-06-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Yes it's true...for the next 7-10 days our family will be going all organic (Not sure if Ryan is on board but the rest of us are).

Brady is having digestive issues and has for a long time, I thought it was just HIM, but the more I talk with our pediatrician the more I am realizing I think his issues steam from diet. Not to say that we eat unhealthy, we're pretty good about eating fresh, eating fruits and vegis and taking our vitamins. But I'm thinking he has a lactose intolerance (which runs on my side of the family). I bought fresh everything and soy milk, (which costs a fortune, FYI)

I've been eating all organic for a while now (thats not to say I don't enjoy an occasional Big Mac because I do!)

But once I switched to organic my migraines went away, my aches and pains went away, my mood improved. I have more energy, more stag-ma, and best of all weigh what I weighed in Junior High.

I've been wanting to switch the family for some time now, but let's face it: eating organic is insanely expensive. But with my little guy having issues we need to do this.

So we're trying this for the next 10 days and we'll see where it gets us!

{This IS Serious!}

2010-06-21T21:56:00.000-07:00

Ok HAD to write this down....Shaylin is doing this new thing where she totally cracks up at everything Alenna says or does (Shaylin in honestly the happiest baby ever) So we're running errands and we park and Ryan runs into the store by himself and I stay in the car with the kids. Our dialogue went something like this:

Alenna: "Mommy! I want a balloon!"

Me: "No Alenna, daddy is just getting a few things then we're going to go eat"

Alenna: "But I REALLY want one!! Please!!!"

Me: "Alenna, I said NO. Dont bug me about it or I'm going to spank you..."

This went on for a while...like 10 minutes she begged for a balloon

Alenna is in hysterics at this point. All over a stupid balloon.

Alenna:..."BUT I WANT ONE!!!"

-I hear Shaylin laughing....-

Alenna: "Shaylin! It's NOT FUNNY! Stop laughing!!"

-I hear heavier baby laughing-

Alenna: bawling..."SHAYLIN!!! STOP LAUGHING AT ME!! THIS IS SERIOUS!"

-Shaylin is totally cracking up at this point...-

Alenna: screaming... "SHAYLIN!! YOU STOP LAUGHING RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!! Mommy, she WON'T stop laughing at me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

At this point I'm hysterically cracking up which of course infuriates Alenna even more. At this point Ryan enters the SUV to find two of his girls hysterically laughing and one of his girls hysterically crying....oh the humanity!

{Father's Day...}

2010-06-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to my baby-daddy!

Sunday was Father's Day!! My kids are so blessed to have such great men in their lives!

I over-slept on Sunday morning: We have 8am church (yuck) so when I realized my alarm had been going off for 20 minutes I panicked and jumped out of bed.

First we gave our daddy gifts, he got a notebook with pictures of him playing with our kids, these pics I am posting are the ones.

We thought with daddy being a full time student it would be a fun gift for him!

We also got him an HD video camcorder that records under water- and if you know Ryan you know WHY it needed to be water-proof! (I don't even know HOW many of his phones we've needed to replace because they always 'somehow' end up in water!)

and of course the case for it!

I made a huge breakfast of egg omelets and sausage. We then FLEW to church-still being late I might add.

Then Ryan got a 3 hour nap afterwards and we went to my family's for a big dinner.

All in all, I'd say he had a pretty good day!

Ryan in all honesty is such a great father- he's wanted kids (and alot of them!) since the day I met him. He loves playing with our children, he will call and talk to each one individually at bedtime if he is working.

That, and a million other reasons melts my heart.

Even on the worst days as a parent, when I've hit the bed in complete exhaustion and frustration he just smiles up at me and says, "Isn't this great?" and he REALLY means it.

My favorite Father-memory of him though is when I told him he would be a father for the first time.

We had been married a year and weren't really trying for a baby, though in our hearts were wanting one.

He was still tech-ing and went to work early. I bought a test and tested right in the Wal Mart bathroom because I was so excited I just couldn't wait to drive 2 minutes home.

I called him up, and asked where he was...we had a big argument the night before so he was still bugged (probably something to do with my pregnancy hormones I'm sure!)

He thought I was driving out to see him to apologize.

I got out of my car, pregnancy test behind my back. He walked up and hugged me.

After a few moments I just couldn't stand it anymore! I asked him, "So, do you still want that baby?" (the day before we were cuddled up in bed talking excitedly about the possibility of having a child)

He looked at me suspiciously and asked, "Are you pregnant?"

I pulled the test out from behind my back and showed him with a large grin on my face.

Now you have to realize I had never before this point seen my husband cry, he's a man of steady emotions.

He bawled like a baby and embraced me so tightly it took my breathe away.

When I'm dead and looking back over my life, THAT is the moment I will pause with my remote because in that moment I was happier than I'd ever been.

That night he brought home roses, a card and a onesie...

And that's the story of how we knew our little fire-cracker of a daughter would change our lives forever!

With every birth our bond becomes deeper, I can;t even imagine what our relationship will be by baby #6! (or however many we have)

I love you Ryan!

{New Hair!}

2010-06-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

Those of you not on FB here are pics of the 'do!

love it! Thanks Jenn!

{This & That...}

2010-06-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hello World! A little view of what the Bergens have been up to!

Ryan took the kids for the afternoon one day so I could go do a craft with my mom, this is how the kids napped that day....Alenna in Brady's bed and Brady in ours!

THIS is what I was making....for Brady's room

The finished product...the lighting is weird, it looks better in person :)

I also made this for his room too, just some wall art...if you can call it art ;)

His name...all the paper is sports themed

His baby shoes on display....makes me sad he no longer fits these :(

In other news, today is the last day I will have long hair! As of tomorrow its getting chopped and highlighted.

As the mom, living on a budget, I always have to go without..so I'm super excited!

dance is going well for lenny, she's the cutest one there ;)

bahaha, this kid makes me laugh....

we've had a break through with Brady! He actually went to nursery on Sunday and stayed the entire time by himself! Ryan and I teach, so having him go to his class is a HUGE relief!

Also his last night of swimming actually went well, he only cried for part of it.

Shaylin got a new car seat and I'm so in love with it. The other one was 4 years old, lasted us three kids...it had a good run.

I love the lime and brown (thats how I'm painting Brady's room when we buy another house next year)

I love how gender neutral it is, if our 4th is a boy he can use it too!

my emotions are really close to the surface lately, in 10 days Dusty comes home! I miss him so much and am so anxious to have him back!

{Just Keep Swimmin'...}

2010-06-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

Braids with me and my braids ;)

Swimming started for Brady on Tues and its not going so well. (Why am I surprised??)

I took him the first night and he flipped.

So the 2nd night Ryan went with him; we were hoping Brady would do better with his daddy...

no such luck chuck...

in brady's defense the water WAS really cold.

my men

...Brady us having an meltdown at this point

how sweet is he though??

(...even though he is so naughty sometimes : /)

All cold and sad.

We're kind of thinking it was a mistake to get him in swimming, but at least we tried something new

parent-points still right???

A-D-R-O-R-A-B-L-E

"let's GO already!!!"

Oh Brady, how you frustrate us...but we love you to pieces!!!

{Tiny Dancer In My Hand..}

2010-06-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Today Alenna started dance.

She immediately jumped right in and made friends. This is her playing ring around the rosey while all the kids were still arriving before class started.

They sat around and got to know each other while us parents were booted out :(

she's so adorable :)

Brady was eager to have his sister back!

messy face...

they let the parents back in towards the end and the girls showed us what they learned!

sweetest ever

she sure was proud of herself!

And I was a proud momma!

{The Sun is Out & So Are We!}

2010-05-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Daddy's out of school and we're taking full advantage of the beautiful weather!

On Friday the kids and Dad went swimming.

Brady wasnt thrilled about the swimming....he starts swimming classes this Tues so I hope he comes around!

Though I must say, I'd rather he be afraid of the pool then too comfortable with it....

My guys...they couldn't look more different from each other... haha.

Brady thinks he's a baby, well he still is I guess. Poor guy wasn't ready to give up his place as the baby before Shaylin arrived!

Us chillin' under the misters. Poor girl has been so sick!

Ryan jumped on the roof to get a toy...about giving me a heart attack...

The kids' summer activities start this week, Alenna is dancing and Brady is swimming. Alenna swims in July as well.

I took Alenna out on Friday and got her all her dance stuff she will need.

She's excited, she's our tiny dancer...

on another exciting note, Dusty comes home in 26 days!!!

I was putting milk back in the fridge the other day when I looked at the expiration date on it and realized Dusty will be back before the milk expires! That was an exciting feeling!

Its such a bizarre feeling, knowing that my own brother hasn't met Brady yet; it feels like Brady has been with us forever!

We miss him and are counting the days until he reunites with our family!

{Things You WON'T See On CNN...}

2010-05-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

come see our beautiful Sonoran Desert! Oh wait...you're too busy boycotting us to see the truth...

This is on an 'illegal super - highway' from Mexico to the USA (Tucson) used by human smugglers.

This area is located in a wash, approximately 1.5 miles long, just south of Tucson, Arizona. If a flood came, all this would be washed to the river and then onto the sea!

It is estimated over 5,000 discarded backpacks are in this wash. Countless water containers, food wrappers, clothing, feces, including thousands of soiled baby diapers. And as you can see in this picture, fresh footprints leading right into it.

Envirnmentalists, where are you??! You scream about the whales, recycling, and throwing trash in our oceans...what do you think of this??

Imigrants, we WANT you here...just come in through the front door. And don't get upset when we enforce our laws, may I remind you the reason you want to come here is because we are a nation that enforces our laws, unlike the corrupt country you are fleeing.

And news anchors and journalists, you should be ashamed of yourselves, do your job for once!

Pictures courtesy of Jenn Ray

When we were first married we went on a hunting trip and saw this SAME thing with our eyes!

{summer's here}

2010-05-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

On Monday we meet some friends at Tempe Splash Park! The kids had a blast! (can ya tell???)

b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l weather! Couldn't have chosen a better day!

unfortunately, my little "chunker" was much more interested in something else- chasing down the birds!

and I might add, this kid is dang fast! He a caught a couple of them!

there was another little 3 year old girl there with the exact swim suit as alenna, crazy "white-afro hair" like alenna, and blue eyes like alenna! i thought for a minute i was seeing twins! they did become fast friends...hmmm wonder why??? ;) not like they had a THING in common....

Oh buddy, why do you bring so much drama to my life???

While we were there, my accident prone Brady man fell and busted open his lip and toe- blood EVERYWHERE...(what is it about the mouth that gushes blood from it when split open??) He was totally fine. They of course had to fill out an entire incident report and take him to the 1st aid tent and do the whole 9 yards....I was all, "Ummm, he's a BOY. and a KID...he's gonna get hurt! Who cares, he's fine!" But they don't listen to me, I'm just the mother....

Shaylin played in the water with her brother and sister, until the big kids were kicking too much water on her. Then little Miss Diva decided she'd had it!

Ok, so another funny Alenna-ism. Alenna comes and tells me she has to pee...ugh! Of course, I'm thinking, the port-a-potty is up over this grassy hill, through these gates...I'd have to round up brady and hike over there just for her to let out three little drops...so I whisper to her, "just go in the water.." (don't judge me, they totally treat the water- little kids with full bladders playing in warm water...you do the math!) And Alenna looks at me, water dripping off her curls and says as loud as she can, "But mommy! We're NOT suppose to PEE in the WATER! Its yucky!" And all the parent's look at me like I'm Hitler or something....

Yes, Alenna you're right....now shut it!

Ah...out of the mouth of babes!

the aftermath...

{I'm A Big Boy Now!}

2010-05-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

Brady is a big boy now! We bought him his first 'big boy' bed on Monday night! This is the kids riding his new mattress down the stairs.

there they go!

yeah so the adjustment isnt going so well. Brady is our sensitive child, he really freaks when anything changes in his life...so yeah getting use to a new bed has been challenging for him.

Ryan, annoyed with my picture taking....smile for memories honey! ;)

Lenny thinks this is her new bed, the box Braid's bed came in

Its finished!

{Just Sayin'}

2010-05-11T12:06:00.001-07:00

Ryan got a 94% on his big final, giving him an A in class....

Block 1: done!

Great Job Babe!

{Talents & Mother's Day}

2010-05-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

For a very long post- I know I'm so behind, thats what my life is right now...catching up!

First off, our ward put on a Talent Show which Alenna and her sunbeam class participated in (and looked dang cute in I might add!)

It was a cute little teddy bear dance. Alenna's a natural on stage!(she's wearing lip gloss, that's why her lips are puckered in...)

waiting for it to start...

2nd from the right....

...and of course Mother's Day!

I look royally ticked off, don't know what I'm doing here...but Brady is cute :)

Baby Counsel...

Poor CJ, broke his finger playing volleyball-ouch!

Mother's Day was great! We spoke to Dusty who will be home in 7 weeks! His Mexican accent is really thick- we'll have to tease him when he gets home ;)

{Lenny Goes On Holiday!}

2010-05-02T15:37:00.001-07:00

We as a family were going to go to the Safford Temple open house and to make a long story short we decided we didn't have the time to. Really disappointing (for me!) but our good friends the Whipples took Alenna with them to the open house! Lenny's 1st holiday!

These pictures are from Shaun, thanks again!

this one if MY fav!

below is a clip of them driving in the car...

{Girls Driving...}

2010-05-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

{Can't believe we're old enough for this!}

2010-04-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

I so can't believe my kids are big enough to take classes!

Alenna will be in Princess Dance starting in June, its this adorable class were they highlight a different princess each week, how sweet is that? Then in July she starts swimming class! She will also start preschool in August!

Brady and I will be taking a mommy and me swimming class in June as well. I'm excited to spend some one on one time with my little man!

When people talk about how fast kids grow, they weren't kidding!

2010-04-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

Tuesdays are always a bit insane, that's Ryan's day off so we cram just about as much as we can into those 24 hours! This day we made it a priority to have some dedicated family time.

So we though it would be fun to take the kids to freestone Park to ride the train...

Little did I know that they are only open weekends...dang...

Poor Brady fell asleep on the way there!

Alenna and mommy waiting for dad to show up

We saw a mother duck who had 14 babies!

there were ducklings everywhere!

Totally adorable...

We didn't realize you aren't suppose to feed ducks yeast.

Only seeds and duck feed you get from the store.

learn something new everyday I guess!

Alenna is obsessed with flowers! Everywhere we go she HAS to pick one.

my angel is almost 6 months old! Odd to think when Brady was this age I was already pregnant again!

*****************************

we love ducks we decided.

***************************

Because the train was closed we played on the play equipment...

for about 5 minutes! Then we decided it was too hot so we went home...

this about sums up how we were feeling...