And we started with two

After 15 years of marriage Joe and I renewed our wedding vows on the beach (Coronado Island) on June 18, 2009 on exactly our 16th wedding anniversary. So it seems sort of cheesy but after having Ariel and everything that we have gone through together with her, deciding to add to our family with Michaela and then having the twins Bailey and Easton, Joe and I have had a lot on our plates over the years. It's not hard to lose yourself when you're being pulled in so many direction by things that are just as important as "us" as a couple. We decided to check in with one another this spring and summer and remind us about us. It was a beautiful ceremony in a beautiful setting. Joe's family was with us so it was nice to share the moment. AND an added bonus was the beautiful pictures that follow.

Favorite pictures from the beach photos

Here are a few of the many pictures the photographer snapped at the beach. Yes, Ariel's wheelchair looks really funny with those big fat wheels on it but it is the only way she can enjoy the beach too. Her regular wheels don't go through beach sand so without them she would be limited to the boardwalk wherever we went. That would be really sad because she loves being with her family and we love having her with us.

Family Photo Opp

We wanted to share our latest family pictures. We had a lot of fun on the beach this year. We used this opportunity to get an updated family picture. The kids are growing so fast it seems like right before our eyes.

The Tree

So there was this really great climbing tree in San Diego at the hotel this year. The kids couldn't stay off of it. If they weren't in the water this is where they could be found. I couldn't help but snap a few shots for a keepsake.

Bergen Boys with their toes in the sand.

So Joe and his brother and Dad posed for me this year. I have to say one of the first! Our annual trip to San Diego was way great this year. The guys got to take in a Padre's game and hang out with us by the bay. Joe even caught a foul ball at the game. You would think it was gold. When they got back from the game Joe showed it to all of us but then promptly returned it to the van so that it was in a "safe" spot. I was able to get a bunch of great shots but I think these are my favorite. More San Diego pictures to follow later.

Michaela starts swim team!

Michaela started swim team earlier this year and is swimming 3 days a week through the summer (during the school year it is only one night a week). She is the youngest on the team and doing absolutely fabulous. Her favorite stroke is breaststroke (a girl after her mother's heart) and her least favorite is butterfly (that's a tough one anyways). I am going to have to say that of all her strokes her backstroke is probably her most technically sound. She is doing so well. One funny quirk with her is that she doesn't like the swim meets. She loves the practices and gets herself and us up to take her but she doesn't like to actually race. She says there are too many people looking at her. I think her coach has her just about talked into swimming one race this weekend. We will see:)