Computer Strike!!!

I have been on a bit of a computer strike. I will get on (not very often) to check e-mail and do some banking stuff and that is it! Have I mentioned that I would like to punch my computer in the face? So here is a little update of the last 6 weeks....but I can't guarantee that me avoiding my ridiculously slow computer will end anytime soon.

First Day of Joy School

This is Justin's first day of his last year of preschool. He will be 5 in November but I am glad to have him home for another year. Joy School is a homebased preschool where a small group of moms take turns teaching the lessons. They do learn kindergarten prep stuff but alot of it is value based which I like. I enjoy when it is my turn to teach but am also very happy that 7 other moms have turns too!

This year our little neighbor boy...Justins "Best Buddy"... is also in it.

OuR FiRsT TwInKiEs!!!

I once ate a deep fried twinkie...Yep, you read it right...a DEEP FRIED TWINKIE!! It was about 6 years ago and I havn't had one since! My kids had their first. The didn't know what they were eating but they sure thought it was GREAT!

I'm sure you're wondering how a deep fried twinkie is and there is only one answer.... Good BUT Gross!!! ;)

Happy Birthday....A Month Ago!!!

For my Birthday we decided to go bowling and invited a few friends along for the fun. It turned out to be a great family activity! Although the guys wanted their own lane...something to do with competitiveness I'm sure....we all had a good time. All the kids would get excited even if they hit just one pin and some of them loved just rolling the ball down it didn't matter if it hit anything or not:)

Team Girls Justin actually did really well once he got the hang of it.
First, and not last, family bowling night.

I am very grateful for all that I have been blessed with in my life especially for my 2 loving kids and an amazing husband!!!

We did have a little Happy #33 party for Chad but I didn't take any pictures...I'm sure he is REALLY bummed about that!!!

Prego Pics

28 Weeks (7 months)
I know...its with my cell phone (obviously) but sometimes I only remember to take pictures because I have a cousin who is only 4 weeks behind me and we send pics to each other...so its all I got
32 Weeks (8 months)

...And Then I Realized I Have Everything I Ever Wanted

A few weeks ago I taught a lesson to the young women I teach at our church about journals and how important it is to keep a record of our lives and the experiences we have for our posterity. In doing so I pulled out all my old journals ( I started writing in one when I was 11) and flipped through a few of them. I found a couple times where I was describing my future.....

I wanted to be married in the temple to a returned missionary. To someone who would tell me that they loved me often, like country music, and be a hard worker "like outside dirty work not sitting at a computer all day." I said I wanted 4 or 5 kids...Yikes! but my first 2 to be a boy and a girl. I wanted to serve in the young womans program at church and I "always thought it would be neat to have a bathroom in my bedroom!"

ERICKSON FAMILY VACA

Happy Anniversary to the wonderful grandparents who started this family 50 Years ago!!! To celebrate this amazing milestone with them almost the whole family of 43 gathered together at Moose Manner in Island Park, ID (about 30 miles from West Yellowstone, MT) for a weekend of fun.

Canoeing The River

Jessica safely buckled in between my parents and so happy not to be in a car seat
Uncle Casey, the newest family addition Spencer, and Justin who loved on that baby ALL weekend

Sister Riki Lee and Me

Sisters Ryanne and Amber

Grandad Scott, Grandma Karen and Justin. Justin had a great time and said things like "coming on hot" when they were about to pass you and once Amber and Josh passed them and was chanting we're #1 we're #1...Justin not to be discouraged chimed in We're #2, we're #2!!
Our boat had a little leaking but didn't delay us any. Older sisters always know how to work the system so it ended up being me paddling in front, chad paddling in back with Jessica in his lap and Riki kicking it in the middle enjoying the ride

The water was not warm at all!!!

FuN In GaMes

There was a "Survivor" themed baby shower for Spencer (and parents). So of course there would be a little kid worm eating contest. Some kids shoved the whole bowl in there mouth at once....Justin downed them one at a time with a little help from Jessa...and won!!!

Chad played the daddies drink from a bottle game. And not to be out smarted (he is pretty resourceful) or out done.. on the word "go" he pulled out his pocket knife, slit the top and beat out the competition. Way to represent!!!!

Justin in a relay race

Jessa and my brother Josh

RoAsTiNg MaRsHmAlLoWs

Justin and his cousins...well, my cousins...got along so great and had so much fun playing together.

Yummy!

HaWaIi 5-0

It was my Moms 50th birthday and since my Dad was surprising her with a trip to Hawaii we surprised her with a Luau party. 3 of the 5 of us kids were able to stay in West Yellowstone an extra day to celebrate her birthday. And all though the surprise was leaked out...we won't say by who...with in an hour of the party we all still had a great time...and she still cried.

The cousins waiting for Grandma. Justin, Spencer and Jessa

Here is her Surprise face...she acted very well!

Realizing she gets to go to Hawaii....AND dive with the sharks (gift from all the kids) Yikes!

My family has been to Yellowstone so many times I couldn't count. But this was my kids first time.

Grandad and Justin looking at the paint pots.


Waiting for Old Faithful to go off.

Old Faithful and Ice Cream...can't beat that!!

Doesn't everything seem bigger when you are a little kid. Justin thought it was pretty great
Jessica wasn't sure about the smelly spray that came our way.

4 days in the car for only 4 days to see family is a little exhausting but we are so glad we were able to go and spend time with them all.