Dreamy.

The most recent Berges Beach Family Reunion took place just this past week. We arrived in Salem, Oregon in waves. Kyle, the kids, my sister-in-law and I had arrived, eaten dinner downstairs at the restaurant and jumped quickly into our swimsuits... we were swimming in the indoor pool when everyone else began to arrive...

Uncle David, Aunt Lesley and baby Emma... Uncle Geoff (who was quickly greeted by his eager wife, Jennifer, who hadn't seen him in days)... Aunt Hannah and Grandpa and Grandma Berges peaked their faces through the window of the door leading out to the pool area. We hopped out of the pool, dripping wet and excitedly opened the door. The kids screamed and began frantically trying to explain ten things at once as everyone filed in... 'I swam on the lifesaver all by myself!' 'We ate dinner and then put on our swimsuits!' 'Auntie Jen rode here with us in our van!' 'Is Baby Emma coming swimming now?!' 'WE HAVE ONE MORE SLEEP UNTIL THE BEACH!' 'Hi Grandpa, Hi Grandma!'... and on and on. Everyone's eyes were as big as saucers while the kids rambled about this and that asking questions so hurriedly there was no time for an answer. Soon they all waved goodbye as they took off to fill their bellies with dinner. Kyle and I kept swimming with the kids in hopes of wearing them out just enough to sleep hard and get us one step closer to a pleasant final leg of our trip the following morning. Salem to Lincoln City, Oregon.

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We arrived at the beautiful Oregon Coast Sunday afternoon, August 9th. We're always so anxious to see the beach house that we leave the cars packed up until we've investigated every crook and cranny of every room. We discuss the sleeping situation and hurriedly begin unpacking each family's items into their spaces... I often unpack EVERYTHING right off the bat so that I feel at home and under control as we begin what will be a week of sandy clothes, wonderful late night conversation, laughter, crab feasts, shopping and playing. Not to mention THIS YEAR would be the celebration of my Dad's 60th Birthday... and we had big plans.

Sunday and Monday were spent getting prepared for my Dad's celebration. We attached poster board onto each of 60 paint stir sticks. On each of those pieces of poster board we had written memories, characteristics that remind us of Dad, love notes, thank you notes, pictures that represented something... at 4pm the next day they were left on the beach for my Dad to retrieve on his late afternoon walk. He walked onto the beach with my Mom and noticed the first sign. As he looked up the beach ahead of him he saw an endless trail of signs and he began to walk...

All the while up at the beach house we were frantically decorating the outdoor patio, getting the BBQ meal prepared, dressing up into casual/dress attire and we made it out onto the patio just in time to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Dad as he and Mom walked down the road to the beach house. In his arms he held 60 signs that I'm sure will be saved for years to come. He was smiling from ear to ear as were the rest of us... the celebration had only just begun.












It was a week full of moments that were fun, thought-provoking, painful, restorative, joyful, tearful, momentous, unifying, passionate, selfless, encouraging, edifying, irritating, messy, sandy and wet, exhausting and above all, memorable.

Thank you everyone for this past week. Thank you Mom and Dad for continuing to prioritize this time with all of us... we love you and can't wait for next year!