Cousins Sleepover!

Every now and then we like to have Bonnie's kids, my neices, over for a sleepover.  This time we decided that we would take the opportunity to have girls night while the kids hung with Eric.  (He's a dear!)

There are 2 of them and they are a package deal cause the little ones just cant be left out.  Luckily they all get along really well.  I don't think Cameron realizes, or cares, that he is the only boy.  So this is what we came home to. 

8 is great!





HAPPY 8TH ANNIVERSARY!

March 8th, 2011

HINT: IT STARTS WITH A D and ends with a LAND...

YOU GUESSED IT! We did it again. Disneyland is our ideal destination these days (ok years) and the opportunity arose in February. This time we shared the experience with our good friends, the Runias, and took the chance on driving our combined 7 kids across a few states to get some Disney fill!!!

Amazingly, outside of a little flu incident, a really messy car, and some seriously sore feet, the children all survived and the week was AWESOME!



ARE WE THERE YET????? (x about 476)





DISNEY DAY #1= RUN, RUN, RUN, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, GO, GO, GO, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ





DISNEY DAY #2= BREAKFAST WITH MINNIE AND FRIENDS THEN OFF TO WAIT, WAIT, WAIT TO SEE PRINCESSES AND PIXIES.





THE ONE THING IN COMMON WITH ALL THESE PICTURES= BRAIDEN STILL LOVES ALL THINGS DISNEY, DONT LET HIS TOUGH SIDE FOOL YOU.





JASMINE+MINNIE+GEPETTO+SNOW WHITE+ARIEL+RAPUNZEL+ TINK+ 6 VERY EXCITED KIDDOS= DISNEY MAGIC GALORE!!!!





I JUST THINK THIS LOOKS VERY DISNEY-ESQE!



DISNEY DAY #3= CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, GIRLS ONLY LUNCH WITH THE PRINCESSES ($$$=OUCH BUT WORHT IT), MID-WORLD OF COLOR BARFING CHILDREN (bye-bye expensive Princess lunch), ALL NIGHT BARFING ME WITH CHILDREN= MISERABLE DISNEY DAY #4.



Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

OK don't judge me for the potential "inappropriateness" of this picture but walking past the bathroom on a regular basis and seeing Cameron's bare bum creates a sense of joy and elatement for me...YEAH! In early February, Cameron just decided one evening that he wanted to pee in the potty and outside of the occasional accident here and there he is now very much potty-independent. We thought it would never happen. I was at the point where I was trying to figure out what we would do when he no longer fit the biggest diapers they sell...Depends?!?!?! Funny how kids can surprise you.

So...for another 3 months anyway, we are a diaper-free household!!!

Winter Dementia

We dont get even close to the amount of snow that some people do so I have no room for complaint...but that never stopped me before.  With the wind chill yesterday bringing the temp to ZERO last night, I feel a little like this guy...almost.



Diary of a Demented Snow Shoveler
December 8 6:00 PM
It started to snow. The first snow of the season and
the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by
the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down
from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So
romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!


December 9
We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow
covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic
sight! Can there be a more lovely place in
the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've
ever had!
Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a
boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks.
This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered
up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got
to shovel again. What a perfect life!

December 12
The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a
disappointment! My neighbor tells me not to worry-
we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on
Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much
snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see
snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such
a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.


December 14
Snow, lovely snow! 8 inches last night. The
temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything
sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed
up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is
the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and
buried everything again. I didn't
realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling,
but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish
I wouldn't huff and puff so.


December 15
20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4
Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2
extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants
a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think
that's silly. We aren't in Alaska , after all.


December 16
Ice storm this morning. Fell on my face on the ice in
the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The
wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very
cruel.

December 17
Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go
anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to
pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but
stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I
should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to
her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe
I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20
Electricity is back on, but had another 14 inches of
the stupid stuff last night. More shoveling! Took all
day. The stupid snowplow came by twice.
Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said
they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're
lying.

Called the only hardware store around to see about
buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have
another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob
says I have to shovel or the city will have it done
and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22
Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more
inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold,
it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes
to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I
had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and
dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to
hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of
the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think the
butthead is lying.

December 23
Only 2 inches of snow today. And it warmed up to 0.
The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house
this morning. What is she, nuts?!!
Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She
says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24
6 inches - Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke
the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I
ever catch the idiot who drives that snow
plow, I'll drag him through the snow by his hair and
beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he
hides around the corner and waits for me to finish
shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100
miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just
been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas
carols with her and open our presents, but I was too
busy watching for the stupid snowplow.

December 25
Merry fricking Christmas! 20 more inches of the stupid
slop tonight - Snowed in
The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate
the snow!

Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation
and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife
says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking
idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one
more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26
Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It
was all HER idea.
She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27
Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze;
plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he
only charged me $1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28
Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. The woman is
driving me crazy!!!

December 29
10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or
it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever
heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30
Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver, and now
he is suing me for a million dollars, not only for the
beating I gave him, but also for trying to shove the
broken snow shovel down his throat! The wife went home to
her mother.
Nine more inches predicted.

December 31
I set fire to what's left of the house. No more
shoveling.

January 8
Feel so good. I just love those little white pills
they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

You get what you get and you don't throw a fit!

We are scheduled in 1 week to have an ultrasound with my doctor but, as luck would have it, we were in the mall today and walked past Fetal Studios (like Fetal Fotos).  Eric and I both looked at eachother and knew what the next step was going to be.  We couldnt wait any longer to find out the gender of our baby. 

We were both pretty sure we knew what we were having and needless to say...

Face

Profile

Spine (baby was curled in a little ball when we first disturbed the slumber).

We were both wrong. 

Its 100%, without a doubt, a boy.

You get what you get and you dont throw a fit. We both also knew that no matter what it was we are so excited to have another baby. Paige pouted for a few minutes at the news that she wasn't going to have a sister but then I told her that she would be the Princess forever and her brothers would be her protectors, and she was fine.

Now we just have to think of a name.



16 weeks and counting....

Week 16 from http://www.babystrology.com/:

What is going on with your baby during week 16?


"Your baby is swimming in a tiny pool of amniotic fluid (about a cup of fluid has accumulated inside of you at this stage). This fluid plays an important role in the development of your baby's pulmonary system. The amniotic fluid allows your baby to breathe in the utero as the fluid moves in and out of baby's lungs. The fluid also provides protection to baby as it contains antibiotic agents to inhibit bacterial growth hence your baby is protected prior to its birth. The umbilical cord is attached to the lower part of baby's body. Legs are longer than arms and both limbs move; this can be captured on the ultrasound screen. Some women may also start to feel their baby move at this point of pregnancy; these feelings have been compared to gas bubbles. Many women do not recognize the feeling and may attribute it to being gas bubbles when actually it is their baby moving. Your baby measures at about 4½ inches (11.5 cm) and weighs close to 2¾ oz (80g). "

Well, I figured that, while this time of year there isn't much going on and most people are winding down from the holidays and making New Year's Resolutions to get skinny, I may as well blog about something other than the fact that I am getting anything BUT skinny....

I am pregnant with my 4th and likely, my last baby.  I knew after having Cameron that I wasn't done but it took me a good 3+ years to convince myself to get pregnant again as I am one of those that loves having a new baby but really despises what we women have to go through to get them here.  Don't get me wrong... I am so grateful for the power to procreate and boy, was I ever blessed with fertility, but I don't really love all the icky parts of being pregnant.  That being said, here I am again, 16 weeks along, finally just over the sick stage and getting my will to live back.

I will be honest...I want a girl. Everyone says this, "I will just be happy if its healthy"  but, although I WILL be happy to just have a healthy baby, I am definitely seeing pink.  Paige and I are outnumbered.  We need some strength in estrogen around here.  So I find out what we are having in 3 weeks.  Cant wait.  Cross your fingers for me.  I have been somewhat tempted to run to Fetal Photos but...nah, I can wait 3 weeks.

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. 

Christmas Journey to California

I got a wild hair this year and decided to do something a little different for Christmas.  We went to California and spent Christmas week at my Dad,s house and, of course, also visited the Merriest Place on Earth!

Below is a collage of every picture I took over the entire week.  It was a crazy week to say the least but the highlight was of course, Christmas Day with family and then with our favorite Mouse!

 

I drove to California with the 3 kids on the 19th and Eric joined us a few days later.  In those few days, I risked our lives driving in crazy rain down the Cajon Pass into San Bernardino, watched Southern California flood from my dad's house, took Cameron to the ER with croup, and braved Disneyland with the 3 kids on my own in the pouring rain...whew! What doesn't kill us makes stronger, right?  On top of being pregnant and barely getting past the sick stage, I am extremely moody and tire very easily these days... just ask Braiden.    Cant imagine why...

Needless to say, I was very happy for Eric to join us so I could have a little break from worrying about the kids' every move.

 

We had an excellent time at my Dad's house, hanging out with the kids and visiting.  Heaven knows we had plenty of togetherness as there was no going anywhere in the crazy rain that did not stop for 4 days straight.  We went to the movies, ate chips and salsa and played, played, played!

I took the kids to D-land on that Wednesday (was going to be Tuesday but 2am on Tuesday morning I was in the ER with Cameron so we needed our rest) and we had a great, although wet, day.  It rained on and off all day but we had hardly any waits so I will take the rain.  The only bummer if the day is that Cameron's Mickey Mouse jacket and hat were stolen right off of our stroller...yes, crime happens even at Disneyland.  All I can hope for is that it went to a child that really needed it. 

This is good pictorial evidence that it takes many shots to get a descent photo with this wild group.  After about 14 shots...



...we got this.  And my Dad's eyes are still closed. HA!

Christmas!!!



Christmas Eve brought leaving food on the lawn for the reindeer, reading the Christmas Story from the Bible, The Night Before Christmas read by Dad and all the kids squeezing into one room to sleep. Oh yes an don't forget the endless putting together, wrapping, taping, and Santa-ing.  **WINK, WINK**



Christmas Day I was happy to report that the kids actually slept until 7:30am!  Santa was good to everyone that day.  Paigey got her Barbie Laptop and Cameron got his "Fwinkey Dog" (Slinky Dog).  They succeeded to make a 3-foot high pile of wrapping paper in 2 minutes FLAT!  Then my dad made breakfast... can you find it?  Yikes.

We braved Disneyland on Christmas Day.  I thought this was going to be a unique idea.  Nobody actually goes to Disney on Christmas!   Oh ya right!  I think half of North America was in Anaheim that day!  They actually SOLD OUT of tickets...SOLD OUT!  Good thing we already had ours.  We made the best of it and had a great time.  The people are ruthless but patience is key unless you want to kill someone; and something tells me that isn't acceptable at Disneyland. 

And people wonder why love Disney so much...look at those faces.



We got home after a VERY LONG DRIVE.  As I suspected there was terrible traffic the second we got on the freeway by my dads house ALL THE WAY TO VEGAS!  What should have taken 3 hours, took a whopping 6 hours! We stayed in Vegas and made our way back the next day.  When we got home we had another Christmas with the gifts that we left at home.  The kids thought they were in heaven.  Christmas twice??  Whoopeeee! 

I always like to take some pictures of the Christmas Decor to motivate myself the following year.  Also so I can remember how my house looked during these times of the year.  I am afraid that I will forget.  These are just a few of my favorite little reminders of the season.  I know its just "stuff" but many times during this time of year, especially this year while I have been super sick with pregnancy, I will sit in my living room and just look around, and my comfy home and the sounds of my kids makes me remember why I am who I am and how blessed I am to be me.

I especially love my Door of Love (the Christmas card door).  I LOVE getting cards from my friends and family and hanging them up as a reminder of how loved we are.  This year's door isn't to shabby! Thanks everyone.  XOXO!