Family Camping Trip

Keith promised the boys that we would go camping, so this past weekend we went.  After several days of indecision (considering closures for forest fires and bear attacks, yeah, really) we ended up near Canyon Creek off of Young Rd. about 20 minutes before you get to Heber.  We picked a spot away from the creek up on the rim with a beautiful view.

The boys found stick guns galore from several downed pine trees.  Walter even called one of the trees his store inviting Nick and Noah to come shop for new guns.  We hiked out to the edge of the rim and played in the creek a couple of times.  And don't forget the dirt!  Walter and Jesse were covered in dirt from head to toe within 10 minutes of getting out of the car.  They were in little boy heaven being outside and playing in the dirt all day long. 

The second day at the creek, Keith challenged the kids to get all the way in the water. . . very cold water.  Walter was the first one in, he slipped.  Nick and Noah sat in the water, Audrey stuck her head in, but Keith was the only one who completely immersed himself in the cold creek.

Other highlights include watching and cheering for Harry the Caterpillar climbing a tree. (We only issue the death penalty at home in our garden.)  Walter praying that no monsters will eat our food.  The kids watching a movie in the tent on Keith's laptop (with an inverter hooked-up to a car battery) while Keith and I made dinner.  Jesse running under the blankets as Keith and Nicholai folded them. (Just a cute 18-month-old at play!) Audrey (who complained during the ENTIRE trip) actually saying, "We need to camp more." Huh? Really? Yep, she said it!  In her defense, we watched 17 Miracles last night and she felt very bad for complaining about camping.

Yes, we are already planning our next camping trip for later this summer. Why? I guess we find cramming a month's worth of work into just a few days enjoyable.  I guess it's fun to get away and then you really appreciate home upon return.

I will try to post more pics later from my camera. (Yes, we are still computer challenged right now!)

Lunch with My Boys

I am a scout widow, have been for about 8 years now.  Meaning, Keith serves in the Young Men's program in our ward and goes on camp-outs on a regular basis.  Not to mention weekly activities, monthly scout meetings, and random extras including eagle projects, planning meetings, etc.  (I'm not complaining, I focus on a project or two and catch up on any chick flicks.)

This week, Keith went to a high adventure camp near Beaver, UT.  Lynn and Larry offered to meet him in Kanab to pick up somethings they needed from our house and take Audrey to their house for the week.  Woo hoo!  This made her summer! (And saved some of my sanity!)

Which left me and my boys at home.  Fun, relaxed, except for Noah's summer school and Nick's cub scout day camp.  We enjoyed lunches and dinners with just us.  Here we are enjoying mac & cheese with hot dog slices in it for those of us who like that.  We haven't worried too much about cleaning, though they did have their baths.

It's amazing how the house changes with two missing.

The Biggest Kid in the House Had a Birthday!

Yesterday we celebrated Keith's birthday.  His birthday as a kid was always a celebration of the beginning of summer, a.k.a. no school!  When we were first married it had the same fun as we were in school or I was teaching school.  Of course, it is still fun but I know he misses the joyous days of carefree, playful childhood summers.

One of our favorite birthday treats is Joe's.  Joe's Farm Grill and Joe's Real BBQ are often selected for birthday dinners and/or lunches as you receive $10 off your meal on your birthday.  The way yummy food doesn't hurt either!  So Keith stopped by the Farm Grill for lunch (which I heard all about, mmm) and we took the family to Joe's BBQ for dinner.

I meant to snap a pic at dinner, but you know, handling 5 kiddos in a restaurant, it kind of slipped my mind.  I felt bad sending Keith to the bathroom with the boys in the middle of his meal, but what do you do? I did try to wrestle Jesse through dinner.  It was yummy.  We had Keith's own recipe chocolate, chocolate chip cookies for dessert at home.  (Which he made, of course. BONUS!)  We got the kids in bed, watched Bourne Ultimatum and found the trailer for Bourne Legacy online which comes out in August. Yeah!

When I was a teenager I made a list of qualities I wanted in my husband.  Keith had everything on the list, I'm pretty sure he did anyway. (I'll have to look for it!)  I love his boyish sense of humor, his athleticism (even with all of his injuries)  and his spontaneity.  Keith has a relaxed demeanor that makes him wonderful to be around.  He is an enjoy the moment kind of person and doesn't mind playing before work.  I love his sense of adventure and the fact that he doesn't worry about what other people think.  He is my best friend that I can tell everything and anything, and do!  He helps me become a better person.  And of course, he is the best father to our children.

He has a strong testimony of the gospel.  I LOVE his sensitive side.  He likes flowers and animals. He embraces responsibility.  Keith is a gentleman; I adore the respect he has for women and marriage.  I trust him as much as I love him.  I look forward to our time alone.  He spoils and indulges me, understands my wants and needs better than I do myself sometimes.

I love Keith and I love being Mrs. Bergen.

Nostalgia...ahhh...

So, last week Audrey had her first dance recital with BE School of Dance.  In true fashion, she still needed a pair of tights which I ran to the mall to purchase.  I left her with instructions to get everything else ready, dance bag, her lunch, so when I got home I could do her hair and make up and we could make it to dress rehearsal on time.

When I returned, I walked in the door to find Audrey scrambling to put her lunch together, still in her pajamas.  (I don't doubt that she jumped when she heard the suburban pull into the driveway.) Ugh!  We needed to leave in 15 minutes.  I wanted time to ready her especially since she insisted on wearing foundation and I hadn't matched her shade yet.  (This is one of those times being a Mary Kay Consultant comes in quite handy!)  She finally came upstairs about 10 minutes later. (I had loaded some dishes in the dishwasher, advanced the laundry - putting in a new load and changed a diaper!)  I applied her make up as I planned, match her foundation perfectly.   Her hair, well, it was in a bun, not my forte. We were running late by 20 minutes. We picked up the carpool and were finally on our way.

I admit it. It felt good to be late. Nostalgic. Running late is almost a tradition. I wasn't worried.  It added a sense of excitement. Besides, 95% of the time dress rehearsals run late.  As was the case with this one I discovered when I asked Audrey when she came home for her dinner break.

It was a beautiful recital.  Lots of little ballerinas.  Audrey performed with her level 3 ballet class and her intermediate lyrical class.  She did great! And she loved it.  I'm bracing for next season when she wants to audition for company.  Oh dear...