January 2014: New Year, new cray cray.

New Year, new cray cray.

I took this picture because, as I recall, he was in this position, searching for the PERFECT pair of shoes for like 45 minutes.  I really wasn't sure if we would ever make it out of that store. The good news is that we did make it out.  The bad news is, I don't think he actually decided on any shoes in there.

We know how to party hard on New Years.  Games, Diet Coke and Max.  That's how we do. Happy New Year.

I love these pictures.  I took them when I was in a somewhat bad mood and I looked over to find my little Max dancing around on the chair, no music, just dancing because he was happy.  We all could learn some simple, yet profound, lessons from a 2 year old.

Grandma turned 89 this year.  She is an amazing soul.  I hope to be like her someday.  I'm not altogether sure I want to live to be 89 but if I am anything like her, I will be fine.

For the MLK weekend, Delaney joined us for a quick Vegas trip to get away.  She's a trooper to put up with us, and we are grateful for any time we get with this busy girl.

The kids love seeing their big sister.

January's Favorite Selfies & Random pics

Peace OUT 2013!

It's New Year's Eve!!  Happy New Years to you and yours. 

Let's ring in 2014 RIGHT!  

Don't hold your breath for my New Years resolutions.  Sorry to disappoint but I have a strong dislike for this annual tradition.   To me, if it takes the year changing to set a goal, then more than likely it's gonna take the year changing AGAIN to actually achieve it.  I can't recall a single New Years resolution that I have actually achieved so this post will NOT be about resolutions.  Goals will come later.

I would, however, like to give a little virtual shout out to 2013.  Let just admit it...2013 was CUH-RAA-ZEEEE..and after the holidays,  I am exhausted.  Regardless, I have so much to be grateful for.
Let us reflect.


January 2013
~Braiden and I ran our first half marathon together at Disneyland (his 1st, my 8th)!  I am so proud of that kid.  I hope I can talk him into another race with me someday but it might cost me.

February 2013

~February had one major highlight that comes to mind...her name starts with D and ends with Y.  My life became complete  and my family changed forever when I finally got to meet this girl. In fact, much of 2013 has to do with her so he name may pop up once or twice. 

March 2013

~Eric's and my 10-year anniversary...celebrated with a family trip to Kanab so the kids could meet Delaney.  Super romantic, I know. We will have to make it up to ourselves on the 11th anniversary.

~Easter was in late March in 2013.  I just love this picture of the kids from Easter Sunday.

April 2013

~My brother Paul left for his mission to the West Indies. 

~Delaney turned 18 on April 11th and I got to spend a great weekend with them to celebrate!

~We announced our plans to move to St George. We actually moved out of our rental house and in with family in preparation for the move. (did I mention that I hate moving?)

MAY 2013

~My high school, college, lifelong friend Tamara came to visit me.  One of the perks of working for an airline!

~Mothers Day was especially great this year thanks to 5 particular people.

~Braiden turned 14 on May 20th and got to go to his first DANCE! (gasp)

~Delaney graduated from high school.  The BEST part was that I got to be there. The next best part was that I got to sit with her parents and WATCH her graduate (I know those two things are kind of one in the same but...humor me, would ya?).

June 2013 (Ready?)

~Braiden attended his first Pioneer Trek...successfully.

~Paige TURNED 8 and we had the COOLEST 8 year old cheerleader party EVER!!

~Max turned 2 at Disneyland!!  

~Eric left his job at Extra Space in preparation for the move.

~Delaney joined us on the best trip to California EVER.  She met my dad and went to Disneyland with the best Disney freaks that exist (that's us).

~Braiden attended SUU football camp.

~Paige got baptized!  Such a perfect day. 

 July 2013

~WE MOVED to St George officially.

~I started a new position at work that I love (things falling into place).

~Cam lost 2 teeth...tooth fairy going broke.

~We began our swimming obsession for the Summer. Thanks goodness Grandma has a pool.

August 2013

~Baby Quincee born August 6th!

~Braiden starts 9th grade, Paige starts 3rd grade, Cam starts Kindergarten in their new schools!

~I turned 36 on August 24th!  Surprise Celine Dion concert in Vegas!

~Lagoon trip with good friends!

September 2013

~Cam turns 5!

~Baby West joins our family on September 16th!

October 2013

~Hiking Snow Canyon with the Sandgrens.

~Paint-Balling for the first time.

~Braidens Freshman football team goes undefeated for 2013!

~HALLOWEEN!

~Witches Night Out!

November 2013

~Amy and Alicia come to St George to see me!

~Snow Canyon Half Marathon-  PERSONAL BEST TIME!

~Quick trip with Whitney to California!  Dads house and Disneyland!

~Two Thanksgivings.

December 2013

~Braiden biffs the "Baby Care" assignment in a bad way.  Better luck next time baby "Shorty".

~It snowed...and snowed big time in St George. Snowed in, church cancelled...wha?

~Best Verisk company Christmas party yet (La Caille).  Amy was my date.

~Verisk Outstanding Contribution Employee Recognition Award!! 

~Christmas Craziness!! 

So here we are (About 15 minutes from 2014)...we made some big leaps in 2013.  We are still kind of trying to figure out exactly how and where we may land.  But we know that we are blessed and no matter what, we carry on and find happiness in these four faces (and Delaney).  They made 2013 the best year yet...and I expect it will just keep getting better.

PEACE OUT 2013!

A toast to 2012

I usually like to ring in the New Year with a post to commemorate the year that's passed.  2012 has proven itself to be a pretty good year.  We have lots of things to be grateful for and lots to look forward to in 2013.

2012 in Review:

January:
So I am pretty sure we must have crawled under a rock last January because I don't have a shred of photographic or Facebook evidence that we did anything in January.  Well,  I know that Max was 7 months old then and we were just beginning our search for a new house to move to while recovering from the holidays and just flying low apparently.

February:
-Finalized our plans to move to Eagle Mountain in April.
-Started planning for the move (ugh).  That is a month I would prefer to never relive.
-We threw a baby shower for Whitney.

March:
-My brother Jonathan came home from his mission to Boston, MA.
-We took a trip out to California to see him and the rest of the family.
-Hit D-land while we were there.
-The house packing continues.

April:
-Baby Cozette was born- FINALLY!
-We moved to Eagle Mountain from Draper on April 14th.
-I ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon (my first since having Max!)

May:
-Braiden enters teen-hood (13)!
-We took a weekend jaunt to Mesquite.

June:
-I run the Utah Valley Half Marathon.
-Paige turns 7!
-We hit Las Vegas and D-land for the opening of Car Land and Max's B-day!
-Max turns 1!

July:
-My dad visits Utah with the kids!

August:
-I turn 35.
-Braiden starts 8th grade in his new school.
-Paige starts 2nd grade in her new school.
-Cameron starts his new pre-k program.
-Braiden starts playing for his new football team and makes the A team!
-I traded in my giant gas-guzzler for my cute little Highlander.  I love it!


September:
-I visit Seattle and Portland for a girls trip to see Tamara and Carrie!
-Cameron turns 5!
-Max starts walking!

October:
-I ran the Utah Half Marathon with Whitney.
-Witches night out!
-Got a long-awaited letter from someone special.

November:
-Erickson Family Pictures!
-Eric turns the big 40!
-We celebrate  Eric's birthday with a no-kids vacation to Disneyland and he gets a surprise visit from his best friend Brett!
-Eric gets braces!
-Thanksgiving at Moms house.

December:
-An unforgettable trip to St George for me.
-Paige's 1st dance recital at her new dance studio.
-Family pictures (with my moms kids). It had been way too long.
-Christmas festivities at our house this year.

Welcome 2013!

HELLO 2011!

Well, its a New Year.  We had a good time ringing in the New Year with good friends...then we ran away to get in our beds as soon as possible.  By the way, its really cold here right now.  So cold that we drove 5 houses down...it was 7 degrees outside.  We couldn't walk.  Anyway, New Years Eve is always fun but I think I am getting too old.  Maybe we will start ringing in the New Year with Australia. 

In honor of the passing of 2010, here is a little memoir of the 2010 highlights for the Erickson Family.

January-

Amy and Paige went to California to go through the temple with my little brother Jonny before he left on his mission, then hit D-land with Whitney and Ashton. 

February-
Eric took Paige to her first Daddy/ Daughter Princess Ball.

March-

I ran my first Half Marathon in the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Disney World where Eric and I also celebrated our 8th anniversary (the best trip ever)!  My brother left for his mission in Boston, Mass.

April-

I ran my second half marathon, the Salt Lake City Half. 

May-

Braiden turned 11. He and I took a quick weekend trip to California/ Disneyland.  Stress fracture,  Race for the Cure with my family.

                      

June-

Paige turned 5.  We took a family trip to California which consisted of a visit to Sea World and Disneyland!

July-  Eric and Luke put wood floors in our house!  Yeah!

August-

My 33rd b-day...whoop de do.  Paige Starts Kindergarten, Braiden starts 6th grade,  Erickson Family Reunion,  Football for Braiden.

September-

Disneyland Half Marathon over Labor Day weekend,  Cameron turns 3, 7-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean.

October- 

Halloween, Pink Series Park City Half Marathon. Oh, ya, did I mention am prego?

November-

Eric turns 38 and Thanksgiving at our house!  (Not much else due to my morning sickness.)

December- 

Paige's Dance recital, Family trip to California for Christmas. 

So there you have it...2010 at a glance.  It was a great year for us.  I am excited for what 2011 has in store for our family.  I am guessing it will be busy in its own way but I wont be running any marathons.