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.

If You're Ever in a Jam!

When we were first married, a girlfriend in my ward offered to teach me how to make jam.  Strawberries were cheap that season.  I bought the berries and she came over and wha-la! A new standard in the Bergen household was born!  Homemade jam was the only way to go, no store bought stuff here, well, rarely, at least. 

We were hooked.  Keith enjoyed it so much when we ran out of that first batch he said, "Teach me how to make it!" Okay!  (The same thing happened after I baked pies.)   So ever since then, Keith heads up our jam making.  We watch for the sales, usually at the end of the season. Really ripe fruit makes tasty jams.  We love Superstition Ranch Market.  You can almost count on 25¢ a pint strawberries every spring.  Perfect for jam.

So this is what kept Keith up late the other night.  I had hulled most of the 24 pints. (That really is the hardest part about making jam.)   We like the Sure-gel low surgar recipe in the pink box.  Another one of our favorites is peach made from Utah peaches.  Hopefully, we'll add some later this summer.

B.K. (Before Kiddos)  this would have been a 3 year supply, now we're lucky if it lasts a year.  Audrey has already eaten at least 6 pbj's.