Christmas Letter

The Christmas letter that we sent out this year is below. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas a a very Happy 2010!
Many Blessings!

Christmas 2009

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2010!

Marissa is now almost 11 and is in 5th grade. We cannot believe that middle school soon approaches us. Marissa is a very sweet, kind and sensitive girl who thoroughly enjoys life. Marissa is in a very challenging class this year and continues to prove herself. Marissa made the Honor Roll for the first trimester and received the Student of the Month award for October. What a great way to start her year! Marissa took Hip-Hop dance lessons last winter and continues to sing with the children’s choir at church.

Joshua is now almost 7! Our little boy started 1st grade in August. He is now in school a full day. Joshua received Student of the Week award this year and is reading beyond his years. Joshua played his 2nd season of soccer this fall. This spring Joshua will be playing baseball for his 2nd season about which he is very excited. He will get to hit the ball from a pitching machine rather than from a tee. Joshua enjoys reading to his little sister, playing sports and singing in the church choir with Marissa.

Sophia just celebrated her 3rd birthday! Yes, she is three and not supposed to be a baby any more, but she certainly is OUR BABY. Her favorite phrase is, “I don’t want to.” Where she comes up with that, we have no idea. She’s a very independent and spicy little one! Sound familiar??? She just might take after her brother. We love her dearly and she is so much fun. She makes us laugh daily by the things she says and does. Sophia enjoys going to MOMS group with me, dressing up, coloring and playing with her friends.

Kevin and I are doing well. Kevin continues to work for American Specialty Health and he just completed his 10th year in May. It’s hard to believe that! I am keeping busy substitute teaching, being a chauffeur to and from the kids’ activities, going to MOMS groups @ church, getting up early and heading to the gym, and being Joshua’s Room Mom for his 1st grade class. With my spare time, I continue to update my BLOG. That allows me to keep in touch with many of you. You can check it out at: www.the5bergerons.blogspot.com.

Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you all year round.

God’s Blessings,
Kevin, Denise, Marissa, Joshua, and Sophia

A new BERGERON Christmas tradition

I saw this Santa Bag in the Pottery barns Kids catalog and thought it would be such a fun new tradition for the kids to put it out on Christmas Eve night in anticipation that Santa would fill it with gifts! It came in today;'s mail and the kids are so excited. We had our last name embroidered on it so that Santa wouldn't get it confused with his own bag. It's such a fun and festive bag and the kids are very eager to put it out. It will be fun for me to watch them year after year peek into the bag on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought them. Then when the kids are grown and gone, I'll still have to put it out to remember all the fun times the kids had peeking into the bag. Since Joshua carries the family name, someday he'll get the bag to put under his tree. In the meantime, I will enjoy these special childhood memories. The years are going quicker and quicker and the kids are growing up so fast.
During this special time of year, don't forget that: Jesus is the REASON for the Season. All these traditions are fun, but it is that little baby that was born on Christmas morning that came to save us.......
For us unto a child is born, us unto a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Councilor, The Almighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Sunday School Program

The kids did a wonderful job at the Sunday School Program this year. This was Sophia's 1st year in the play. She was a sheep. She came up to sing the songs with the big kids but also decided to dance through most of them. She truly enjoyed herself.

Student of the Month

Well, what a fun thing to report once again....Bergeron #2 got Student of the Month! We are so proud of our little guy. He works hard, gives it his best, doesn
t complain, and is a great role model...says his teacher. I don't think she knows the same kid we do, but we're glad she doesn't know the other side of Joshua and that he is indeed shining at school.
Here are a few pictures from his special day!
Many Blessings!

The kids at school

The kids had a fun last week of school before Thanksgiving break. I was very glad I got to help in Joshua's class for their Thanksgiving Celebration. Marissa was thrilled to go up to get her Honor Roll certifricate at the Friday Assembly. The holiday season has started. The kids and I are looking to having this next week off. Tomorrow I will grocery shop for Thanksgiving Dinner. We are greatly blessed that Kevin's Family will be spending Thanksgiving with us this year at our house. The kids are excited to have a turkey roasting in our oven. Marissa is looking forward to her low protein feast!
Here are some pictures from our highlights of last week.
Blessings to everyone!

Student of the Month!

We are so very proud of Marissa. Month number two in 5th grade, she was chosen as Student of the Month! It was a total surprise to her as her teacher doesn't tell the students. I was so glad I was able to be there as she got her award. Afterwards they have a little reception in the cafeteria to celebrate. Even Joshua was so proud of his BIG sister. He too is growing up as normally he would whine if he didn't get something that she did.
Marissa is working very hard and doing very well in 5th grade. She truly loves school, wants to please, and always does her very best. She got many complimnets from her teacher and she truly looks up to him. Once again we are greatly blessed with another great year in the public school system.




Marissa with her principal, Mr. Trujillo

Pumpkin Bread

Well, this is called Pumpkin Bread but it is more like PUMPKIN cake! WOW, this recipe is amazing! WARNING: Once you have had one bite you WILL NOT be able to stop! Oh well, I exercise so I have enjoy life's goodies....right??


Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Preheat oven to 325F degrees
Grease and prepare baking dish/pans

2 Cups of Flour
2 Cups of Sugar
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 1/4 Cup of Oil
1 15oz can of pumpkin puree
4 eggs lightly beaten
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together ingredients and pour into a greased pan: 9 x 13 inch baking dish, muffin cups, 10 inch round cake pan or loaf pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes.
Let cool and frost with cream cheese icing

1 stick of butter or marg
8 oz of softened cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 box of powdered sugar or to taste (2 cups)
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

We've been ELFED!

I know...it's a lil early for Christmas but it was so hard to resisit posting this! So, we are goofing off and acting lives elves. Enjoy these next few weeks, may the spirt of Christmas be in you all.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Halloween

Halloween was an action packed day this year. The AM started off with Joshua's end of the season soccer party. Then he played his last game at 2:15, then it was off to trick or treat. Well, if you know me...i just love ALL holidays but Halloween is really one of my favorites. I love the excitement the kids get from dressing up and the excuse to just eat one more piece of candy is always a plus. We ended up trick or treating in Disovery Hills. Here are a few pictures of our SPOOK-TACULAR night!
Below are the BEE-utiful little Bees! Sophia and little friend Reagan were buzzzzzzin' around the neighborhood.

Bye Bye October, Hello November!

It's so hard to believe that the year is once again over. They do go faster ever year. Our Lil baby girl will be three this month and that seems just impossible. October was a busy month for us. Joshua finished up the soccer year, the kids have had choir and soccer practices, we're always running off somewhere. It will be nice to have a couple months off before baseball season starts for Joshua.
We were truly blessed this month and got to go on a Lil family vacation. The 5 of us went on a cruise to Catalina and Ensenada. It was so nice to get away from the school routine, the after school activities...but the best part was the kids got to see their dad every AM and every PM as well as all day! There was no cooking, cleaning, or monitoring that needed to do onboard, so I was truly able to enjoy my family. We were very fearful of boat viruses as well as the H1N1 crazy flu. Therefore, we only put the kids in the Camp during the day for a couple hours in the afternoon when it wasn't very busy. when they were there, they had a wonderful time. And while they were there Kevin and I got to spend some interrupted time together. WOW, interesting concept, huh? We went to the adult only deck of the boat, layed on a lounge chair, and really got to be on vacation.
We had a fun time and were all sad when it was over. We all stayed healthy and felt very fortunate that we were able to go on such a nice little trip.

The Bergeron Mash

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Chocolate Chip Pie

I went to my Mom's Neighborhood Block Party on Saturday night and my friend Colleen had made this Chocolate Chip Pie! All I can say is that it was AMAZING! So amazing that I cannot stop thiking about it. She was so kind to share her long time family recipe with me. Her family always has this dessert at Thankgiving. I'm thinking we'll have to start that tradition too. Thanks Colleen, for sharing this scrumptious recipe! I'm sure that many more will love and enjoy this yummy treat.
Chocolate Chip Pie
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 slightly beaten eggs
1 softened stick of butter
1 cup broken walnuts
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
graham cracker pie crust
Mix sugar & flour together, add eggs, butter, walnuts, choc. chips & vanilla. Pour into graham cracker crust and bake for one hour at 325 (should look like a giant chocolate chip cookie when done)

Potty Training UNSUCCESSFUL!

You'd think that after successfully Potty training 2 children that the 3rd would be a piece of cake. No worries, no issues, know all the tricks as I have done this 2 times before! WRONG!!! SOOOOOOOOOOO WRONG!
My little So-So is not so-so cooperative. She fights me on this issue and I am not winning. That makes me mad because I'm the mom and I am supposed to win...right??? Please just agree.
Anyhow one day she was so stubborn that she really wanted to do it...so she sat and sat and sat and sat and sat and sat and sat and sat and she sat and sat and sat and sat and she sat and sat and sat and sat and she sat and sat and sat and sat...just like the girl on the Once Upon a Potty Book. All that happened to Sophia was that she got a ring around her bummers. No poops or pees.....you know we'll be trying again but for now we both need a little break. So it's off to TARGET for hopefully the last time of buying that package of diapers. I'd better buy a big box this time...one that will last. Ta-Ta!

Life's Craziness...take time to Focus on Him

There are always so many things to be thankful for but I think I forget to be thankful for them all in the midst of life. When things are crazy, chaotic and busy one can forget to be thankful and to glorify God. Sometimes I feel like I am just sailing through life on hyper speed and one days flies into the next, each week speeds by, then the month is over, then the season is over, then it's a new year.
As many of you know, this past month Marissa and I have had some uncertain medical issues.
All of a sudden when you are trying to get answers and are playing phone tag with the Doctor's offices, then life seems to go in slow motion. Each day is long and answers seem to take forever. During this time, I truly had to slow down, remain faithful and give it all to God.
All of a sudden God got more of my time, my attention, and my prayers. It's sad to admit that I don't always give God my firsts or my bests but often times He gets what's left at the end of a busy and crazy day. Makes me wonder if these obstacles are thrown in the way of life so that you focus and give all of your attention to as to why you are here and how you are to be honoring.
Our purpose here is to glorify our God, to love Him, to be faithful to Him, to lean on Him, and to tell others about Him. In the midst of slowing down I was able to focus and draw nearer to Him.
Right now I am thankful for God's faithfulness to me and my family. Marissa's procedure went well on Tuesday. We are now waiting for her pathology results. We know that whatever it comes out to be that we will be able to get through it by leaning on God. We are so thankful for my biopsy results. My lump was only a fibroid that does not have the potential to be cancerous.
I am going to truly work on giving God my first fruits. Life will be crazy and busy but I truly need to remember to give my best to God and not slack in what is truly the most important.

What a last few weeks....

It's always so much fun for me to update these BLOGS. Always so much going on...lots to do, lots to say. These past few weeks have been trying and in someway someday I know I will see the whole picture. God has a plan for each and everyone of us & I must remain faithful, prayerful and true to Him. In the meantime, I just want to ask for your prayers.
Here's what has been going on:
Marissa had a mole removed a few weeks ago from her scalp that I found a couple months back. We had to wait for a referral and then off to the dermatologist for excision. We got the stitches out last week & the biopsy results. Marissa now needs to go in for more removal. The mole was ranked Moderate to Severe and they want more of the surrounding tissue to make sure they got it all. She'll have that done on on Sept 22 I believe. Poor Marissa has to go through a cut & stitches in the scalp all over again. I just hate the thought of that. Now we all have been warned that the sun is a very dangerous thing for us. I have had a few moles removed myself and they were also not good. It's just rare to find a mole of this caliber on a 10 year old. So, we have purchased 3 SPF hats for the kids all of which have 50 SPF protection. we are starting a new fashion trend here in San Marcos.
To make things more complicated, I had to have my 1st mammogram (a baseline because I am 40) last week. BUMMER part was I got called back for a second one as the first one was showing a few suspicious spots. I had to go in last Tuesday for a more thorough one. They had a hard time finding one of the three spots....but the other two did disappear (they said shadowing may have been the case...so that was the good news) They did have such a hard time with that spot but finally got a good picture of it. Then they sent me to ultrasound as they wanted to see if it was a solid or fluid filled mass. Unfortunately ....it was solid. So, I went to the Dr. on Tues. and now he'll send me for the biopsy. I got the call this morning and my biopsy will be on Monday the 14th @ 11:00. GOOD NEWS: The Dr. does seem to think it is just a fibroid and non cancerous but wants to make 100% sure. Lots to handle. Not to mention that last week Sophia dislocated her elbow once again. Always something around here.
I'm praying that all goes smoothly and that there are no complications, infections, delays in recovery, etc. Lots to pray for and lots to be thankful for (including ALL OF YOU)at the same time.

First Day of School

WOW, summer is over and school started today. I thought this would get easier, but it really does not. I sniffled and shed a few tears as Joshua walked away like a BIG boy. He’s now in 1st grade and going to be in school a full day. As I was watching Joshua walk away, I was thinking Marissa is walking into her last year of elementary school. It’s crazy for me to think of her as a 5th grader. I am so happy for my kids and they are very excited to learn and be with others. I am thrilled that they are confident in themselves to spread their little wings and fly. God has truly blessed our family.
Now it’s just Sophia and I home all day long. We have lots to do and lots to get organized for the following day and I now have that one on one time I have never had with her. We will truly enjoy this next year.
Here are some pictures of the little ones (they'll always be little to me). My friend Nicholle has always had her children put up the number of fingers on their hands to correspond to the elementary year they were in. Now my kids love to do that too.

Joshua with his teacher

Marissa with Kindergarten friend Kelsey

Joshua with his friends

Today's Trip to TARGET

Ok, here I go again. I got out my handy dandy coupons and had a plan. The cashier about freaked out on the amount of things I got and how much I paid for my four bags of groceries. she asked me to personnel shop for her. Hmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe that's a money making endeavor. I wonder how i could do that for people and actually save them money and come out ahead on my end too. You all know how I love to shop and how i love a bargain....if i could only figure out how to make money on that.
OK, so for those of you that are interested...here's what I got:
1 10 pack of TIDE LAUNDRY STAIN BOOSTERS
1 package of children's underwear
1 tube of COLGATE toothpaste
1 box of Cheez-Its
1 box of KASHI granola bars
1 box of Quaker granola bars
2 boxes of Capri suns (20 drinks total)
1 OSCAR MEYER LUNCHABLE
1 can of HUNTS diced tomatoes
1 box of Wet Ones
1 Lean Pockets (Ham and Cheese)
1 25 count box of TAQUITOS
1 STOUFERS Family size Meat Lasagna
1 Simply Juice Fresh Lemonade
2 bowls of Velveeta Shells & Cheese
1 jar SMUCKERS JELLY
1 jar JIF Peanut Butter
1 GERBER Banana Puffs
2 packages of Delmonte Fruit Bowls (8 cups total)
So...the final savings was 32.12 with my coupons and sale and my total cost out the door was 24.76!
(Now I have the drinks and fruit snacks for Joshua's soccer game in two weeks. all I have to do is purchase a fruit.)

Something to BLOG about!

Now here is something to BLOG about. As most of you know, I love to find a deal and i love to save money wherever I go. and if you know Kevin, he'll tell you that I don't save any money because I am still spending. OH WELL...I try! Well, today I feel like I have something to BLOG about. I was going through the grocery ads last night and found that with my coupons I could get some killer deals on Kellogg's and Keebler products. I had to buy ten items and then I will get a 10.00 rebate check in the mail. Albertson's also took off extra money at the register if you purchased all 10 of the items too...so it's sorta like double dipping. I knew that I had coupons for most of the items so I saved even more. So here's what I got for .35 each, after I used my coupons, got the cash register instant savings and after I turn in my 10.00rebate form to Kellogg's.
4 boxes of cereal
4 boxes of fruit snacks
2 packages of cookies

Of course I shopped for a few other things that I had coupons for that were also on SALE. So I got two big bags of groceries for $19.24. When I get that 10.00 rebate in the mail it will make my trip to the grocery store this AM under 10.00 dollars. Normally, three boxes of cereal can be ten dollars alone. Not the healthiest of foods (well I got a couple Healthy Choice Meals in there & some deli meat), but they are treat foods that have a long shelf life. In case of natural disaster, we'll be well preserved. I also now have fruit snacks for Joshua's Soccer Team as we have to bring snacks soon. Now I won't be scrambling last minute to find a last minute deal on the snacks.
Here is a picture of my table of groceries ....including a pint of FREE Starbucks ice cream & 4 FREE candy bars! I just love these deals! Notice how the receipt says I saved 43.66! WOW!!! The grocery clerk was AMAZED!

Happy Saturday!

Well, so much is going on. The kids are having a fun summer and they are truly wearing me out (or shall I say...keeping me young). I thought something was going one because I am always so tired, so I went to the Dr. and had all sorts of blood drawn. Got my results today and all my blood work was great. Actually Kevin said my blood work is that of some young person! Made my day being that I am feeling so old these days. Well, the BIG 40 is fast approaching! This is my last Saturday in my 30's and on Tuesday I will be 39 and 12 months. I guess that if I don't have to say I'm 40 I'll feel better about it! So in August I will be 39 and 13 months in September 39 and 14 months, etc! You get the picture.
So, this summer we have been to the Wild Animal Park, the pool, the park, the zoo, and have met up with friends. The kids had a fun time at VBS through our church and through my mom's church last week. Joshua started soccer practice this week. Next month we have an over nighter to Palm Desert where we as a family and with some friends will celebrate my birthday. Summer is going by too quickly. I'm going to try to enjoy it, not let it wear me out and remember that this time is precious and it too will pass by too quickly. I am certainly NOT looking forward to the hustle bustle that school will bring once it begins!

4th of July Festivites!

The Bergeron Gang had a fun and eventful 4th of July weekend. The weekend started off with a visit from some dear friends. The Lehtonen's came to visit and Sophia got to play and spend time with her friend, Annabella. We enjoyed the afternoon at the pool with yummy food and fun conversation.
On the AM of the 4th, we went to our favorite past time restaurant Casa De Bandini for brunch. The restaurant used to be in Old Town San Diego but they lost their lease a while back. We were thrilled to find out that they were going to reopen in Carlsbad. The food was great and Kevin treated me to one of my all time favs...a strawberry MARG!
The evening of the 4th was spent with some friends. They had a wonderful BBQ and the kids played. Then it was off to fireworks. Well, Marissa, Sophia and I didn't make it for the fireworks (we pooped out).... but Joshua and daddy had fun.
The kids sang their VBS song on Sunday AM at church. Then daddy was off to work. He had to put in some time at the office. That afternoon we drove up to Hemet to spend time with Kevin's parents. They BBQ ed, Joshua swam and the kids enjoyed fresh peaches from their tree.
The weekend was action packed. So packed that Sophia slept til 10:30 this AM. Now we are back to the regular routines. Today we spend 2 hours at the car dealership getting the oil changed for the van. why can't life always be so fun? The work always catches up to us!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

Happy Birthday, Daddy/Kevin! Birthday's seems to come by so quickly these days! I cannot believe it! We just celebrated 14 years of marriage on the 3rd! Kevin is now 41...I'm on the verge of 40...we have three children and life continues to bless us. We are very thankful for all that God has provided for us.
Daddy had a fun birthday at Las Olas in Cardiff. We had chips, salsa and great mexican Food overlooking the ocean.
When we came home we shared in a delicious homemade Peanut Butter Cake. Peanut Butter is Kevin's favorite and this cake was very yummy. We had so much fun celebrating Kevin's Birthday with him! We love you!

The Kids got a Wii!!!

The Bergeron family had a nice Father's Day. We had gone camping and then we went to a steak house for lunch on our way home.
The kids had saved their money for a Wii for months. They wanted one for Christmas but we told them that was something we were not going to get for them. We told them if they wanted one that they would have to save their own money. Well, that they did! They saved birthday money & extra chore money for 6 months and pooled their money together to get their Wii. They purchased their Wii on Sunday. It was a nice accomplishment for them. They are very excited with their purchase and so proud that they earned it themselves. They do know that they cannot play it when ever they want. They earn their daily time from good behavior and doing extra chores. So far it's a good thing all around. And.......... I must say that I loved the bowling game on Wii sports.

Bergeron Family Camping Trip

This past weekend our family took our very first camping trip. We were invited to go with the Nowell Family to Indian Oaks Campground in Temecula. Knowing that this was my first trip camping they took EXTRA good care of us. When we arrived at camp they had it all set up and ready to go. We were set up with a BIG tent, cots, lanterns, and many good meals. I have never slept in a tent before and neither had the kids. They had a fun time sleeping in their sleeping bags next to us.
At about 3:00Am the first AM we were there, I really needed to use the bathroom. I took a little hike (with my flashlight) to the facilities and on my way I encountered a raccoon. That silly little guy was looking at me as if I was invading his home. It took one little “go away” and swish with the flashlight and off he went.
The next day we were up with the sun and a great aroma of breakfast cooking. Sean had made pancakes, little smokies, fruit, and FRESH decaf vanilla nut coffee. It was a chilly morning and the day never did bring in the sun so I stayed in my nice fuzzy PJs all day. I have always wanted and excuse to bum around in my pj’s and thought this was the perfect day to do it. After all…this was vacation…right???
The kids had a blast playing with their friends. They went fishing, launched water balloons, played catch, kicked the soccer ball around, played cards, hide and seek…....and it was NON STOP fun for them.
It seemed like every few hours it was time to eat another incredible camp meal. Who knew camping could be so tasty too?? Sean made us the best food……you would have never known he didn’t have a REAL kitchen. His make shift kitchen was phenomenal!!! We had hot dogs, hamburgers, biscuits, baked potatoes, chili, corn on the cob, fried chicken, bacon, eggs to name a few of his specialties.

We are so incredibly blessed to know such wonderful people who worked very hard to make us comfortable and to make this experience the best camping adventure ever! A great big thanks to Sean, Michelle and boys for making this a trip that will be cherished forever. We all had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed ourselves and your family!

Kevin loves this picture of me doing the dishes with a mop bucket and a pitcher filled with hot water.