Wild and Crazy Ericksons

When I throw a party at my house I hope to provide an enjoyable atmosphere with plenty of flavorsome food for all. However, it seems that I am insufficient in the entertainment department.

I happen to be accumulating an assortment of military bugle calls
which will keep you all sharp.Next time be prepared for a smart
assemblage of Ruffles and Flourishes.
Curtis, bring your trumpet!

Girl's Night Out

Every Thursday night is Date Night or as I like to call it "get away from Tanner" night. Sometimes I need a "get away from Tanner AND Dave" night. Hailey understands exactly what I mean...sometimes girls just need some quiet conversation without Dad asking dumb questions.Thirteen year old girls have a lot to talk about and I, as a mom, want to hear it ALL. I want to talk about cute boys and mean girls and terrible teachers and fun friends and...boobs. Before long Hailey will be past this phase of her life and on to another chapter where my advise may not be so welcomed.


 

 Mother/Daughter Mani/Pedi (that's girl talk for "getting our nails done")

   

Next stop: Olive Garden (duh, where else) where we can chat some more over pasta.

Tanner's Simple Summer

SUMMER 2012

Some people think that in order to have a good summer you have to go on a vacation. For Tanner, summer is all about staying close to home. There is nothing more euphoric to him than familiarity. So even the simple things in life are joyful.


What kid doesn't like playing in the sprinklers, especially
when the water sprays right up your nose. Whenever I
move the hose into a more "comfortable" position Tanner
immediately pulls the nozzle right into his lap.


Tanner loves his music up close and personal....and loud.
Try listening to Tchaikovsky. He rocks!

Lazy days in the hammock aren't always relaxing, especially
when Hailey swings Tanner with the sole purpose of making
him turn a shade of green.

Kids LOVE sticks! waving the stick...raising the stick...swishing
the stick....

And best of all, Tanner loves to pretend that he is a two year old.
When my back is turned he thoroughly enjoys emptying the
cupboard. The feeling of scattering croutons across the floor
and observing the chocolate dust created by powdered
chocolate milk....priceless

Guess what PURE HEAVEN feels like: sitting in a pile of DVD's
after a satisfying meal.

Southern California Welcomes Us Once Again

I love it when the whole family travels together. It is always a lesson in patience, communication and leadership skills. I would like to think that out of 20 of us SOMEBODY has the ability to round us all up and point us in the right direction within a reasonable time frame. Instead we do a lot of standing around. We stand around waiting for someone to speak up. Eventually Dave can't take it anymore and tells us all what HE is going to do. Then we all follow after him. We always find out that Dave has terrific ideas.The Angels game was a great "Dave" idea!

Strand Beach was a great idea also. As a bonus the boys got a lesson
from Dave in how to effectively boogie board. Wise words from the
master.


This is how you gracefully beach yourself after a monster wave:

A Gift For Four Generations

My Extraordinary Grandparents

At least once a year our whole Utah family of 20+ travels to
California to visit our grandparents. These trips have always
sparked fond memories of our childhood summers. Grandpa
would remind us of our adventures in the Sierra Mountains,
Grandma would laugh about our exploits at the beach. Even
better were the stories they would tell us of their own amazing
undertakings. Their epic tales of adventure always kept us
enthralled:
Treks through the Amazon, White water rafting the Colorado,
Flying their plane through the Grand Canyon, Landing their
plane at night on an unlit landing field in Mexico, Deep sea
fishing, Skiing the Alps, Hiking to Machu Pichu and so much
more.
However, this year's visit was bitter-sweet for us all. Perhaps
it is because we know that our 86 year old grandma will be
leaving us soon. Perhaps it is that we are nostalgic for the past.
I think we all have a sense of subdued celebration and awe for
a life well lived. My grandparent's quest for adventure has
always been a cornerstone in our memories of them. Now
those stories are coming to a close.
As four generations of women stand side by side I can't
help but feel that each one of us is extraordinary in our
own way because of our grandma and her lust for life.
Thank you Grandma, Thank you Mom, Thank you
Hailey for being a part of my life.

great grandma, grandma, mother, daughter gather at the piano.
What a gift!

Dave's Other Son

THE ANNUAL ERICKSON UINTA BACKPACK TRIP
(dads and sons only)** except Hailey**


Dave and Hailey made it home after wandering around in
the Uinta Mountains for two days. Come to find out they
walked three miles in and three miles out. I was under the
impression they were doing a hundred miler due to the
ample amount and variety of munchies they carried with
them. They survived a mountain downpour, chilly
temperatures and fish guts. Most importantly they survived
each other!
Barely.....


Dad and Daughter spent some time fishing together. This is Hailey
before she caught a fish. I can just hear her telling her dad "don't
tell me what to do! I KNOW how to do it!... fishing is so lame!"


Then an hour later an impatient Hailey finally catches a 12" trout.
As soon as she started catching fish, fishing was no longer "stupid".


Happy now

If you catch it you have to eat it!


Six boy cousins and a lone girl



The Uinta Mountains are beautiful this time of year. The
wildflowers were blooming and the lakes were brimming with
recent snow melt. Fish were plentiful. Father and daughter
"roughing" it.

I'm Worried

Dave and Hailey packed for a two night camping excursion together.
As I looked at the amount of supplies they were taking I couldn't help
but wonder. "Are you leaving me, Dave?". He packed enough food for
6 weeks, he had a water purifier, he had a cook stove and enough gas
to last for months if he conserved. Realistically they didn't ever have
to come home ever again! I looked earnestly into my daughter's eyes
as they drove off, "I'll see you in two days, right?".