A Traditional Christmas Day at the Erickson's

Every Christmas day, 30 bodies crowd into Dave's childhood home
where Grandma Erickson cooks breakfast for each person. This feat
takes about 2 hours because every plate is cooked to order; no buffet
here! Next, all 30 of us cram into the basement room where a fire
burns and presents are stacked to the ceiling. Grandma and Grandpa
have stayed up all night Christmas Eve to stuff 30 individual stock-
ings and to wrap gifts for 20 grandchildren and their parents. Chaos
erupts as everyone opens gifts simultaneously; wrapping paper flies,
children squeal in delight and adults give their thanks.








The exhausted King of the Castle

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning At The Erickson's

It's a shame, but everyone has to wait until mom gets up, it could be
as early as 8:00 or as late as 10:00. You just have to wait with no
peeking! It's just as well to eat dad's Christmas crepes and let mom
sleep, because if mom's not in a good mood then nobody's in a good
mood. Finally, when mom pokes her bleary eyes and messy hair
out, it can all begin. The Best gifts are saved for Christmas morning!


The much hoped and wished for present: a motorized scooter for
Hailey ( a total surprise, by the way.)


Also 333 marbles of all different sizes for Hailey and Dave to play
with together

Another uber-violent DVD for Tanner's enjoyment, guaranteed to
have 56 deaths, 31 explosions and 14 painful screams


In Tanner's down time, he can enjoy learning the alphabet on this
handy, little "learn how to text " device


I want Dave to keep all his teeth so I gave him an electric toothbrush.

The Christmas Eve Extravaganza

Every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember, the Hosenfelds
have had THE big celebration. First of all, we eat a big meal which
entails a big clean-up after wards. At about this time, the kids all
start to whine and carry on, "Is it time to open presents yet?" Not
even close, so they discover. This night is not about presents. It is
about waiting and waiting and waiting because a lot of things need to
happen. First there is the "talent show" which gets bigger and bigger
every year because everybody thinks they're talented. Whether it
be a trio of violins or a trio of guitars, it doesn't really matter,
because whatever is played is unrecognizable as a song anyway.
Still, when dad starts to play an old-time tune on the trumpet, we
feel the need to get up and waltz around the living room as if we
were at Saltaire in the '50's. After a dramatic yet sarcastic "poem
reading" by Poulsen and Dave, and a scripture or two about the
true meaning of Christmas, the children are unleashed so that they
may find their dreams come true behind the fancy wrapping paper.
The best part about this Christmas celebration is that we are always
together, despite the entertainment.

Another Birthday for Tanner

The Boy Turns 12



If Tanner could talk he would be saying, "Don't bother me with
presents, I'm trying to watch Rambo blow up that bridge with
his Chicom RPG-7 shoulder fired anti-tank grenade launcher".
Boo yah!

Still, Tanner's Birthday is a good excuse for a family party even
though he could care less.

Can Anyone Teach This Kid How to Vacuum?

In my house I have this innocuous piece of machinery which helps
me with my daily chores. It's quite commonplace and
unobjectionable until Tanner gets a hold of it. Apparently, the
vacuum is a dear friend for Tanner. Maybe it's the monotone drone
of the motor, or the obnoxious sucking sound of the hose, or the
loudness, or the fact that it doesn't run away. In any case, Tanner
will run this vacuum endlessly until bedtime. When I unplug it,
he re-plugs it. When I turn it off, he turns it on. When I put it away,
he takes it out. My only hope is to hide it.

Sometimes the vacuum is in the shower.....


Sometimes the vacuum is in my closet, sometimes it's in the
basement, or in the garage or locked in the laundry room.
Wherever it is hidden, sooner or later, Tanner finds it and
brings it out. It's kind of like a game we play.... how long will it
take Tanner to find the vacuum. Now if he could only use it for
good and not for evil!

The Busiest Weekend of the Year

Total Transformation in Three Days

The minute Thanksgiving is over it's time to prepare for Christmas. Down go the autumn leaf garlands and up go the pine wreaths. Out come the endless shopping lists, the party plans, and the panic of too much stuff to do with so little time... I still love it anyway.


Dave takes Hailey to the Tree Farm where they hunt for the perfect tree. This year Hailey found the most expensive tree on the lot and offered to help pay for it .


Five hours later, after wrapping strands of lights around each limb, my hands black with sap and red with scratches and punctures, We behold the most perfect Christmas tree in the whole world


Even the rodent has his cage decorated with red and green bulbs, complete with a personalized stocking



Everything is ready!

Let the on-line shopping begin
Let the music play
Let the lights twinkle
Let the snow fall