norton's visit

My sister and her family have been in town the past two weeks!  It has been a pretty big party and a lot of things happened while they were here.  We had a funeral and a baby born in our family.  While there was plenty of excitement going on, it was so fun just to spend time with them.  So much fun, in fact, we were actually looking forward to them leaving so we could get a break!!  Just kidding, sister!  You know how much I wish your little family lived here so that we could play together all the time.

Here are the cute kids at Gardner Village.  You can tell which one is her child.  Obviously, the girl is not mine.  I wish.  Harper is such a cutie and the boys love playing with her.  There is just so much to love about this picture.  The bag of chips is probably my favorite though.

Another classic shot...

Finally, we got a keeper!

This is Erika's new baby, Dawson.  He is too cute and always this happy!

Then there is my baby (who is getting too big)...

All the kids talking to the ducks...

More posing on the way to the candy store for some bribes!

Crew in his element, dirt!

Sweetest candid picture ever!

We also got to celebrate my Grandma's birthday while they were here.  I love that we made my Grandma pretend to blow out her candles 10 times so we could get a picture.  She's a great sport! 

Besides swimming and sleepovers, the most favorite thing for me was watching these kids play together.  Harper is the smartest little girl there is (with a temper to match)!  I absolutely love watching my boys play with her.  Parker is the cutest thing ever with her.

Erika is absolutely going to kill me for posting this, but it was the only picture I have of her.  Keep in mind that she has a 3 month old baby and is still very self conscious about her body.  I think she looks great!! 

This is also the only picture I have of Brian (in the background playing basketball with Payton).  I loved getting to snuggle with Baby Dawson and help give him baths.  I also loved hanging out in my parents yard.  The weather could not have been more perfect.

Just chillin at my parents, which is what we did most of the time.  Here we are saying our goodbyes.  Harper does not love to hug...

This is such a classic shot of the chaos.  I love Payton on the couch, twirling his hair.  Classic Payton shot!

Bye, bye, Dawson.  Doesn't he look sad to leave us?  We are sad to see them go too, but love the time we got to spend with them!

finding comfort

Today we received the news that my Uncle Steven passed away.  Sad.  Tragic.  Still in shock.  This is my Dad's second to youngest brother.  I haven't seen him in a few years and he's definitely the Uncle that I've seen the least throughout my life, but I loved him nonetheless for it.  I have so many fond memories of him.  He was so funny.  Always the life of the party and making everyone laugh.  He loved little kids.  I remember he was always hanging out with the grand kids and spending time with us while he still lived at home.  I remember his little bedroom in the "office" under the stairs.  I remember his pictures with Senator Orrin Hatch hanging proudly in my grandparents home.  I remember that he loved his evil cat that hated everyone but him and my Grandma.  I remember how much my Grandma loved him.  Everyone knew that Steven was her "favorite."  My Grandma, like all Mothers do, had such a tender spot in her heart for this boy who gave her a heck of a time.  He never did things the easy way and definitely was the cause of many sleepless nights for my Grandparents, but oh how they loved him! 

STEVEN

This is my Dad (the Tall, Handsome one in the middle) and his siblings. Isn't this the best picture ever?  Love.  Love.  Love this.  I know that these siblings and, especially my Grandpa, are suffering deeply right now. They have already had to bury their Brother Ronald (the one with the sweet mustache) and their Mother.  I don't have any words of comfort.  I've never lost a brother.  Maybe their Mother can send some comforting words their way.

RONALD, KEVIN (MY DAD), SCOTT, KAREN, ANN MARIE, NEAL, STEVEN & CRAIG

I  was given the most precious treasure for my 8th Birthday from my Grandma.  I think she actually finished it when I was about 10, but since her passing it has become one of the greatest treasures in my life.  Lately, my boys and I have been reading this book at bedtime.  They absolutely love to hear the stories she's written about their Grandpa (my Dad and her son) and Me.  In trying to find some comfort today, I turned to this special book.

Here is an excerpt from her book.  I thought you'd all love to see her beautiful handwriting!

I know that her "Plans for the Future" have been carried on, not in this life, but the next.  I know that she has obviously been working hard on the other side.  I'm sure my Uncle Steven was so anxious to be in the "place of security and refuge from the storms of life" with his Mother.  I feel her presence so strong with me today.  I feel her giving me comfort and saying, "let everyone know it's okay.  I'm working hard on our eternal home here in heaven."  I know my Dad, his siblings and parents will be reunited together again someday. 

bergstrom christmas party

For the annual, Bergstrom Family Christmas Party, we did the nativity this year. Crew got to be the Christ child (for 2 minutes until he started melting down). Parker and Cooper absolutely loved that they got to be shepherds. It was a fun tradition that I hope we keep doing!