Word Wednesday ~ Happy Anniversary Babe!

A Moonie

Jon and I celebrated our 9th Wedding anniversary today! We spent the day getting our house ready to put it on the market so it was not so romantic. However, this past weekend we were able get away down in Orlando for 3 nights and 4 days all to ourselves.
We had awesome accomodations on the Hilton Grand Getaway resort. We really did not do to much but we did laugh and just plain old spent time together catching up and focusing on our life together and how awesome it is.
We both really needed the time away. Grandma C and Grandpa R took the kids for us so we could take our trip so big thanks to them. The kids had fun too because they got to see their cousins and spend time with family that we just don't get to see all that much.
Last week as I described to my Massage Therapist what we were going to do, she said "oh you get to have a moonie"! I loved that! We called it a moonie all weekend.
I still can't believe how fast 9 years has gone by and I am sure that the next 9 will go even faster. Life is flying by but I am happy to report that I am loving EVERY minute of it. Love you babe, and thanks for an awesome weekend and all the laughs. You're the best and I love you more and more everyday!

Wordless Wednesday ~ First Love

First Day of School 2009

Today was the first day of school for A, E, and K. They are in a half day preschool program for 5 year olds this year. This is there first formal "school" experience and they are so excited. We are in the afternoon program but from the minute they woke up yesterday, they were pumped up and ready to go. K asked me every five minutes if it was time to go to school yet. Then he finally said "Mom, are you sure we won't be late?"!
Grandma Mary came with to drop them off and the nice thing about drop off and pick up is that you just pull up to the door, they get out of the car and then you drive away and it is the same for pick up. So slick. When I went back to pick them up from school. They all climbed in the car and K announced "Mom, it was not enough time, we did not get to do everything"! Yahooo, they like school. I am thrilled.
Here are some pictures of them going off to their first day.

The Erickson Fruit Basket

This year for the Church Fall Festival and Children's parade, we decided to be "The Erickson Fruit Basket" our motto was Shining in '09 with God's Love. The kids always have so much fun with the parade and they love to throw the candy out to everyone. I was the apple w/ worm, K was the banana, E was grapes, and A was a lemon. It was really fun and it always makes a lot of people smile and that is the part I love. I am sure that one of these years the kids will not think it is so cool to be apart of the parade and a costume theme but it sure has brought so many smiles to the people that anticipate our costumes and smile and applaud us as we greet them in the parade route. Here's to another year of costume and parade fun!

Firework Fun

One of our favorite things about where we live in the annual "city" fun event. We live very close to the festivities and both Friday and Saturday night they have fireworks that we can literally see right from our upstairs windows. We have the perfect spot for these fireworks.
This year we decided to do a repeat of last year and invite our friends the Clarks over. We decided it would be fun to walk up to the park and experience all the festivities. There was fire truck water demonstrations, spooky characters the kids loved, RIDES-which Momma Clark was so great at getting all 6 kids on with less amount of tickets, then of course there was the food, and since we ate so much food we decided it was important to dance the night away too. The kids LOVED it.
Just as we were heading home to watch the fireworks from the comforts of our yard/house, they started! So this year we sat right underneath them. It was great and so much fun to see them from a different location.
Only bummer was that we had to walk in the woods in the dark as we forgot to bring a flashlight with us. It was a fun adventure and when we got home, we took some time to have a bonfire and we always enjoy that.
The hardest part for Jon and I is that this weekend always falls on the same weekend and our church fall festival. We spend the entire day at the fall festival work, playing, and visiting with friends and it wears all of us out. So Saturday night when we got home, we showered the kids up and then the five of us watched the fireworks from the upstairs windows. That was nice too and the kids LOVED it. Fireworks ROCK!
Oh and I did not have my camera but you can check out photos of the event here.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Only 11 More Years

Backyard S'mores and Fun

A few weeks ago after dinner one night, we thought it would be fun to go out to our firepit and have some S'mores. As we sat around the fire and the kids talked about their day I just had so much overwhelming happiness and love for my family and I told each of them that I LOVED them. It was so much fun to just hang out.
It was a busy week for the Erickson Five with both parents working a lot and Grandma Mary, Jane, and Grandma's friends Rebecca and Dan entertaining the kiddos. We were supposed to go camping this coming weekend but due to the busy week and the weather not being so great, we decided to postpone our camping trip and do some other fun stuff. I think we kicked it off right with the S'mores. However, Ella prefers her S'mores with just a plain old Marshmallow. Hmmm wonder where she got that from...Grandma Mary!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Little Gentleman

Happy Birthday

Today is a big day because three members of our family have a Birthday!!!!!

So Happy Birthday to:

Our Uncle T
Our Janie
Our Cousin Emmy

We love you guys!

Quotable Quotes

E said to me the other night as she was getting in the shower "boy mom, my butt sure keeps getting whiter" (She has quite the summer tan)

When Jon got home from work K told him that he "Whoopdid his mama at Mario Cart"

As K discovered the local football team was playing the other night, he ran around the house like a crazy man shouting "Yeah, it's football season again"! (Do you think this kid loves sports?)

Sue's Awesome Update

The following is the update that Sue sent me about the time she spent with the kids this past weekend. The kids love to go to her house but what is not to like about walks in the woods, craft time, obstacle courses, swimming pool, and so much more! THANKS SUE (and Denny Too)!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. They loved being in the woods, but it is a little scary when the wind is blowing hard like it was and the trees are creaking.

We had an obstacle course on Saturday, they loved that. I had my stop watch out and timed everyone. No one was worried about who was winning, they just all felt they had good times. E had to get a notebook and help keep track like I did. Everyone tried to beat their own time. They had to hop over 3 buckets, throw a ball through and inner tube, go through the chair tunnel, throw balls into more inner tubes, make them land there. Bounce on an exercise ball, run, and finally the hurdles. Everyone had to take a turn to be in charge of the stop watch. K was timing E, he kept saying, boy you have a lot of ones Ella.

Sunday we started out on the scooters and K said his throat hurt. They rode down to Martin Luther manor (all downhill) and then he was ready to be done, so we stopped at the park. He laid on a bench for some of the time. When we got home, E said "are you fibbing about your throat, maybe you just ate something sharp."

A told me you have rules at home now.
1) always listen to Mommy and Daddy
2) make your bed everyday.
3) always tell the truth
4) keep your hands and your feet to yourself
5) always put your toys away. She then told me it is really best if you put something away before you get something else out.

(A got most of these new house rules right! They have really helped us out at home this past week so far so good)

I told you about the no underwear. K told me, and then later Denny, Jon when he came and later you, that they must have fallen off somewhere. (K forgot to put underware on that morning much to his mother's dismay!)

E was rather miffed that all we did for "art" is color. (This one cracked Jon and I up)

Wordless Wednesday-Daddy's Dance Partner

Wordless Wednesday ~ E Loved the Worms

2009 T Ball Awards

Due to our trip last week the kids missed the last T-Ball game of the season so Daddy did his own ceremony with the kids. It was a lot of fun and the kids LOVED It. Enjoy!

We had fun in the SUN!

We are back and I am happy to report that we were so lucky on the weather for our trip. It was sunny and nice just about everyday we were at the lake with our friends. The trip was awesome and although it was a little exhausting at times with feeding 21 people at meals and sharing a 6 bedroom cabin, we loved it! We had so much fun that we have already reserved our cabin for next summer.
I am still trying to catch up as I am sure I will be doing that all week long but the week was filled with so much laughter and memories that The Erickson Five feels fulfilled, rested, and just plan old happy! I was going to update the blog while we were on vacation but that just did not seem to happen so I will recap the events of our week soon but for now, know we had a great time, Thanks for the B, L, and C families for all the memory making fun! Love you guys.

Time For Some Fun

Tomorrow, we head out with three other families for some fun hopefully in the sun! The unique thing about this is that we all have triplets and one family as a singleton. So that makes 13 kids and 8 adults. We are all really looking forward to the trip and it is hard to believe that it is finally here since we have been planning for a few months now. The kids are pumped as some of there very best friends are the other triplets! Jon and I are pumped as we really enjoy spending time with our "triplet" parent friends. I just wonder if the resort is ready for all of us! It should be interesting.
My blog may be quiet for a few days but have no fear, when we return I am sure I will have a lot of fun things to post about. Now I need to get back to packing!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Duck Pond Fun w/ G

Awesome Weekend!

You know when your Birthday falls on a Friday it is a great start to the weekend. Friday, I had lunch with one of my favorite people and her kids. Then I was able to get a few errands done at the mall with the kids with me which is always a bonus. After the mall we headed to Grandma Mary's house for a festive Birthday dinner of T-Bone Steaks and King Crab Legs. WOW...they were so good. Everyone was in a great mood and it was such a fun night. The kids were so excited for me to open their gift to me it was really cute. They got me my very own brand new blankie....do my kids know me or what! It was so sweet and I loved it. I got lots of fun gifts and I was spoiled rotten. What an awesome birthday it was. Jon made it home for the big event and that was a gift in and of itself.
Saturday the kids went over to Sue's house and Jon and I got to golf with my mom and brother. Since we both had not been golfing in about two years, it felt great to be out there again. I would love to take the kids out golfing as well so we are going to try and do that before the winter arrives this year.
Today I had some time to get the house cleaned up and get organized. It always feels good to have the fridge stocked, the house clean, and just be organized and ready for the busy week ahead. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes everyone. I felt so loved on my birthday and it was such a great day. I could not ask for more. So far this year is off to a great start!

When Momma is happy...

Everyone should know the saying that "When Momma is Happy, Everyone is happy"! Today at work, I was surprised with a box of cookies in honor of my birthday and another little bag with some Lady Bug cookies in it that said "for the kids"! This warmed me right up as I was so touched that they not only remembered it was my special day but that they also thought to do something special for my kids too. I guess they know the saying, when momma is happy!
So today is my Birthday. It is hard to believe that yet another year has gone by but it is true and here I am again "getting older". It really does not bother me to have a Birthday but I am just amazed at how fast time is flying by. In reflection of the past year, I feel so blessed for all the wonderful things I have in my life, my best friend and partner in crime, Jon. My three amazing children, parents and parents in law who love and support me through it all and a ton of family and friends who bless my life everyday and remind me how good life is!
So today as I celebrate yet another birthday I thank God for all he has given to me, all the blessings I have, the beautiful earth we live on and most of all my health and so many years of blessings in the past and I pray for so many more to come.

T-Ball and Grandparents

Tonight at T-Ball was the official Grandparent night. So Grandma Mary and Grandpa Al decided to come watch all the fun. The kid loved it and they were so excited to show off for Grandma, Grandpa and the surprise visit by Uncle T.
Daddy is the coach so we had the whole family there tonight at T-Ball. The kids did great and it is fun to watch them hit the ball, field the ball, and run the bases. We always seem to have a few good laughs every week.
The kids love being part of a team and doing the team cheers and shaking hands at the end of the games. It is great for them to learn about playing sports and being on teams.
After the game we all headed out for some dinner. It was a fun night.
Next Up...Grandma Carol and Grandpa Ronnie are going to try and come to the game next week!

Wordless Wednesday ~ First Rootbeer Floats

New Sport - Racecar Slipper Racing

Tonight after dinner, we asked the kids to go up and get their PJ's on. K came down with a t-shirt, his underwear and a pair of his race car slippers on. We all had a good laugh at that one.
Soon after the girls decided to get their PJ's on and A came down with a top and her underwear on. She also had K's other pair of race car slippers.
K being the competitive boy that he is decided that they would play a new game, race care slipper racing. For the next 30 minutes all three of them took turns racing each other through the house trying to beat each other at Race Car Slipper Racing.
They were having a ball and we all laughed and laughed and laughed. It was so much fun to watch them chase around and then Daddy had the idea of being a road block so he got in on all the fun too. I posed on the sofa as the photographer as I knew I was going to have to write about this one! I love this age and tonight was so much fun with daddy finally home again and everyone relaxed and having fun. Belly Laughing is medicine to the soul. So get ready and rev your engines.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Fishing W/Daddy...Nothings Better

Lake House Fun 2009

Summer is sure flying by. This past weekend we headed up north to the Lake House that is owned by Jon's sister and family. It is a beautiful place and always a fun time. The kids love it there. Aimee told me the other day as we walked out to the van to get our life jackets for the boat...

"This sure is a nice place mommy"!

The weather was actually unusually cool for this time of year so we did not get to do all the fun summer stuff like swimming, tubing, and hanging out in the lake but we still had a great time hanging out with family playing games (kids favorite thing to do right now) going to the park, playing the Wii, and just hanging out. The kids love their cousins E and E and always look forward to spending time with them.
Big thanks for L & C for hosting the Erickson's once again at the lovely Lake Home!!!