Team Berg!: August 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

Leaving California

We left California on the 29th, seven weeks after beginning our amazing adventure. The boys were happy to be with their dad again but not happy to make the ten hour drive home. To tell you the truth, I felt the same way.

Adam during a rare moment of happiness.

Caleb expressing his discontent.

We passed the same truck that had run us off the road in March. Luckily he kept his distance this time. I watched him like a hawk until I couldn't see him in my rear-view mirror anymore.

If you want to see what our drive was like with three little boys in the van you can click here.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Pioneer Day Celebration

My parent's stake celebrated Pioneer Day the day before we returned to California. The stake went all out with a bounce house, pioneer games, food, and fun. The boys were a little tired because we had just come from the beach but they LOVED the bounce house and playing ball games with their dad. They think he is pretty amazing (so do I). It was a pretty great ending to our seven week sojourn in California.

Adam in the bounce house. Caleb wishing he could get in.

Adam trying to hoist Caleb in. Caleb did eventually make it but by then the big kids had taken over and we had to pull him out for his own safety.

Adam thinks bounce houses are the best.

He also thinks his dad is the best.

These two have quite a competition going in everyday life. You would be surprised how many times Caleb wins.

Look at that mischievousness.

A tired boy after a long day.

This is what James did during the Pioneer Day celebration. I love that he is so happy with himself. Such a wonderful time spent with friends and family.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Beach II

My internship with The National Archives ended on July 27th and Eric flew in to California that day (a Friday) to help us pack up and drive us home. On Saturday we made one last visit to the beach. This time we arrived equipped with chairs, snacks, water, blankets, towels, sand toys, and any other beach related item you could think of. Although we only stayed for a few hours, it was a beautiful day to visit Oceanside. Our time there was made even more fun by the fact that Grandpa Todd, Grandma Pamela, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Kim joined us. I definitely have two beach bums on my hands (three if you count my Idaho born husband). James has yet to show his true colors but we still have time for that later on. I, in case you didn't know, hate sand. It gets everywhere and it takes multiple washings to be truly rid of it. However, watching my sons enjoy the surf and sand is totally worth the torture any day.

Our family at the beach. James was busy with Grandpa. He wasn't really a fan of the sand.

Adam's beach smile.

A sand castle just for Adam. He talked about making one the whole way to the beach.

Adam wasn't really a fan of the waves this time around although he loves any excuse to hang with his dad.

We buried Uncle Kevin just for fun.

A boy and his sand rake.

Love that hair!

My baby is such a ham.

He slept alot while we were there. Such a smart boy.

Eric and James chillin' on the beach.

I love my boys and their passion and intensity for life (intensity shown above). Such an amazingly fun day at the beach.

Happy Birthday Adam!

My Adam turned four at the end of July. This is the first year that he was actually excited about the prospect of a party and presents. I took him to the store with me to pick out decorations and he chose.....navy blue. For those of you who don't know Adam very well, his favorite color is navy blue. It is the only color he wears and it was the only color he was willing to have on his birthday decorations. Tablecloth, plates, utensils, balloons........you name it, he wanted it blue. I managed to throw in a few other choices as far as color went but he pretty much got his way because I loved seeing him smile.

He chose the "4" candle instead of four normal candles. They didn't have one in nay blue though so he just chose the biggest one. Aunt Kate was showing him how to blow it out.

Adam's friend Emily enjoying cake and ice cream. Such a cute girl.

Birthday cupcakes made by Aunt Kate. They were so yummy.

Adam requested balloons for his birthday. Balloons make me nervous because when I was younger my mother was convinced that one of us would choke on one and die. I now share her concerns. We blew up these balloons in the morning and they were all popped and gone by night. He enjoyed them while they were up though.

Caleb thought the balloons were amazing. Afterall, balloons resemble balls and balls are amazing.

His first present. Such a great grin.

Legos from Emily. The perfect present for an Adam.

A moment of pleasant silence to explore the Legos.

Animal Legos from Aunt Lauren and Uncle Taylor.

Grandma Bev got Adam a cool hat and shirt for his birthday but I forgot to take a picture of them. The hat has since become a favorite of Adam's. Both Grandma Bev and Grandma Pamela were so nice to play with Adam's newly acquired toys.

Grandma Pamela and Grandpa Todd gave Adam an Etch A Sketch and......more Legos! My boys is truly Lego rich right now and loves every moment of it.

Caleb thought Adam's Lego tubs made amazing helmets and used them as such.

James spent the day being snuggled by loved ones. Emily and her mom Jodie were especially happy to see him.

What a perfect birthday boy! Oh, how I adore him.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Emmett James Elkins

Of me and my four siblings I was was the first to marry. I was also the first to have offspring. Adam arrived in July of 2008. Caleb arrived in April of 2011 and I was still the only one of my parent's children to have provided them with grandchildren. Adam and Caleb already had cousins on Eric's side of the family but mine was woefully bare and I have to admit it was a little sad to be the only one interested in giving my parents corny Grandparent gifts for holidays. However, in April (four days after our James was born) that all changed with the arrival of Emmett James Elkins. We were so happy to welcome that new arrival into the Elkins family and so grateful to my brother Taylor and his wife Lauren for making it all happen. Actually, having experienced pregnancy, etc. I was more grateful for Lauren's willingness to participate. Eric, on the other hand, was more impressed with Taylor's willingness to participate since he knows what it is like to live for nine months with a hormonal pregnant wife.

Emmett has such a personality and it was wonderful to spend time with him while we were in California. I made sure to tell him repeatedly that I was the fun aunt and would always have candy if he needed it. He seemed to understand that and approved heartily through big smiles. What a cute baby.

Taylor and Emmett on Emmett's blessing day.

Lauren, Taylor, Emmett and James.

One of their first pictures together. Beautiful pair aren't they.

Such a charming baby.

They are getting better here although I think neither of them are thrilled about the camera.

Elkins cousins! What a group of handsome men.

Grandma Bev and Emmett.

Oh I just want to eat him.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Canning Session

I love jam. I love jam not only for its sugary sweet goodness but also for the memories it invokes. My mother has always been an provident homemaker and an excellent canner. When I was younger these attributes did not always bring me enjoyment. Canning is hot, sticky, messy work and leaves little to be desired when a person is young and looking for easy entertainment. However, as I grew older I began to appreciate canning time for what is was: hours of uninterrupted time for conversation and togetherness with my blessed mother. It was especially fun that none of my other siblings seemed to understand that aspect of canning and I usually got her all to myself. One of my favorite things to can was jam because it tasted so good and it looked so pretty in the jar on the shelves when we were done. It definitely complimented my OCD.

I left on a mission in December of 2004 and married Eric shortly after my return. Since that time I have had few opportunities to can with my mother and it has always made me a little sad. Because she loves me, my mother planned a jamming session while I was in California. To make it really special she invited all my Elkins sisters, Kate, Lauren, and Kimber, and also our dear friends Jodie and Breanna who might as well be sisters our families are so close. Jodie has children who are the same ages as Adam (Emily) and Caleb (Ethan). I have so much enjoyed experiencing motherhood with my dear friend and love to see our children playing happily together.

Adam, Ethan, Emily, and Caleb

Adam upside down searching for......

...canning rings which the kids had stolen and thrown all over the floor. Best toy ever! I wonder why we spend so much money buying them toys from the store?

These two haven't quite reached the point of playing together yet. They seem to play around each other instead. It will be so much fun when they are a little older.

This one found a home inside a canning jar box. It took forever to get him out.

Kate and Breanna with James. He was definitely too hungry to take a picture poor baby.

My newest nephew Emmett and my James. They are only days apart and so cute together although they have yet to acknowledge each other's existence. I didn't get a picture of Emmett's mommy Lauren because these two were so distracting. Too bad because she is beautiful to behold.

Jodie and me.

Jodie's Emily. Such a beautiful girl.

Sweet Kimber. She is actually happy here because her husband was coming home from a week long camping trip not because the thought of making jam thrills her.

Our Family