AND THIS IS MY JOY!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Everything's bigger in Texas, especially grandkids!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

I have a dear friend that I love to visit in Cambria. Last week I was able to go spend 4 days with her while we walked all over Cambria along the bluff and through the neighborhoods of her quaint little town. We talked and laughed for hours and hours. She shared fun eating establishments and wonderfully delicious fresh fruit and vegetables from the Farmer's Market in town. We visited and toured an old lighthouse in San Simeon and also the mission in San Luis Obispo while I gathered pictures to share with my students as we study California history. The weather was brisk and cool. A sweatshirt felt wonderful in the mornings and late afternoons. I read a good book and slept well. It was perfect!

A Delightful Visit with Natalie in Cambria with Pictures that Want to Remain Mixed Up

<><>

Staircase in Lighthouse

<><>

Mission in San Luis Obispo

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Cat is Out of the Bag and Mike Knows...

This summer is flying by so fast. The best part is that I will get to see all of my grandchildren from Texas to California and inbetween before August is over. I have loved spending time with the California little ladies, crafting, beaching, fireworks, and a sleep over. The little Utah man was fun to play with and take on walks. I get to see him twice because Alli graduates in August. And, now I have three little ones in Texas that I am so anxious to see next week. Life is good!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Farewell to Facebook, Hello Blog

Yes, I am turning my back on Facebook and returning to my blog. There have been some wonderful updates that have been added to our family during the past year, namely: Joshua, Roy, and Lauren. Parenting and grandparenting are the sweetest parts of my life. My children are grown adults making wise and remarkable decisions in their lives. They parent with love and patience, and I am so very proud of each one of them. My grandchildren are beautiful and endearing. I am so very blessed! I love every minute that I have to spend with all of them.

Saturday Adventures

I was so excited when I woke up on Saturday morning, after I looked out the window, and I saw that there was a break in the clouds and rain. I quickly got up and hurried out for a walk/hike, not sure how far I would get before the downpour.

I started on my favorite paths, but decided to take a different trail up the mountain. The views were spectacular with the clouds, and I could see forever into the valleys! There were flocks of birds resting in every tree, it was magical.

After climbing to the top of a hill, I decided to take a different trail back. I could see a lot of horse droppings that way and figured it was good to follow. Unfortunately, about half way down the path gave out. I ended up treking and sliding down muddy, grassy hills. I could see where I needed to be, so that was not a worry. At one point I slipped a little too far and did some major brushing against some stinging nettle. Ouch, big time! The welts started rising and I was trying to figure out if there was anything I could quickly do to help lessen the stings. I called Leslie (she is my outdoor inspiration), but no answer. I called Mike (because I know he is in front of a computer most of the time), and he told me he would look up remedies and call me back. Then I talked to Lisa and she gave me some advice, before Mike called back. When I realized that it was going to go away quick enough, I quit worrying about it. Actually, I loved what Les said when she called back. She said it is kind of like when you scratch yourself climbing a tree, you are still glad you climbed the tree, and it doesn't matter much that you got a scratch in the process. She also reassured me it would go away pretty quickly.

Although I got my leg, arm, and hands pretty good with some pretty royal stings, they are all fine tonight. It was worth it just to enjoy the fresh earth from the rains and to mix my sweat with mud.

I was able to hike for several hours and I so love it!

Christmas Joy!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This Christmas has been full of so many fun family memories that I will cherish forever!

Haley singing with great enthusiasm in her first school Christmas program~

Coley dancing in the back of the auditorium to Haley's songs and singing every word~

Addison's smile~

Christmas shopping with Kate~

Our family visit with Santa, with Nicole not sure that she really trust the man~

Kate coming to the rescue to help me wrap, and wrap...and wrap~

Family competition with the gingerbread houses (Blake is very competive!)~

Blake changing Addison (we have it on video if you ever need a reason to smile)~

Haley's other first, her piano recital with her best friend, Brooklyn~

Janae and Holley playing piano duets with their daughters, and each other~

Meeting Alli and Blake after a long night at airports in San Diego~with an early Christmas present of Great Harvest bread!

A lunch date with just Alli :)

Shopping with Alli and Blake~

Cookie baking~

Abby, Jakob, Jayne, and Mike arriving from Kansas~with an early gift that I promptly hung over my pictures that says, "JOY"~

Jakob raiding the candy off of the gingerbread houses and kissing all of the baby Jesus' in the nativities around the house~

Abigail's smiles and happy face, so ready to receive kisses and hugs. That little girl is always happy!

A full house with giggles, laughter, banter, and love!

Christmas lights at Mission Inn~

Grandchildren running and dancing to the jazz music~

Movies, games, and walks~

Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Erickson's with yummy Swedish meetballs and all the traditional foods~

Jammies galore! I even got a pair! (Thanks, "Santa")

Acting out the nativity with a dancing angel and a serious Mary, and a diverted Joseph~

Christmas morning with EVERY one here! Oh, joy, oh, joy!

14 Stockings! (Even one for me!)

Wrapping paper everywhere! Little girls passing out gifts~waiting patiently for them to be opened, or helping~

Swedish pancakes~

A precious gift from Kate- she typed up all my loose recipes and made them into a beautiful cookbook~

Jakob enjoying his trains and toys~

Hugs for Papa and Maama~

Yummy food~ so many sweets and yummies from friends

Helpful daughters and sons!

Flowers from Blake~

Ice skating~ for a very brave Haley

Eating french fries with a smart little Coley~

Dear kisses and sweet little ones, in memory of our dear Savior Jesus Christ who we remember on Christmas Day!