A Fun Week

I just wanted to get some pictures up from this last week. Again, it was crazy but oh so fun. I love digital pictures. They let you relive the moment so much faster than having to develop film. I still have rolls of film I haven't developed and I don't even know what is on them. Thank goodness for technology.

Kayt had her first friend birthday party this week. It was for Leah Nelson, Kayt's best friend. It was love at first mention of Cinderella for those two. The party was a tea party and they were to come dressed up. So Kayt got all decked out. She was so excited and had such a great time.

Next, we finally chopped off Ella's tuft of hair. She looks so grown up now. Her hair is just long enough to get it into two little spike ponytails. It is absolutely adorable.

So long Cindy-Lou Who

Last, we all had a good time unwinding the other night while getting the girls ready for bed and I couldn't pass up the photo opportunity. I went into the bathroom and there was Ella, stuck halfway under the tub peeking her little round face out from behind the shower curtain. Kayt wanted to see what I was up to and you have the second picture.

Ella is finally interested in something besides sitting. She gets a kick out of standing in her crib. I figure it's a safe, padded place. She can't get herself up alone so it only happens when I want it to. She loves it though, especially when Kayt gets up there and plays with her.

We are so blessed. Kayt and Ella love each other so much. They just look at each other and start laughing. Ella has started fake laughing when Kayt does and that eventually turns into real gut wrenching laughter. It is so fun to listen to. I will be out of the room and they will just start busting up. Our girls are special that is for sure.

A Little Help for the Crazy Woman

So, I have had a crazy week. I am not sure why exactly I struggled so much but it was one of those weeks where if my head was not attached, it would have been left behind. I know that is cliche, but for real,  that is how it was.

The pinnacle of my dumbness occured Friday morning. I had gotten the girls up and ready and was feeling good about things. I called my friend and volunteered to take her daughter to preschool about 20 minutes away. I even got the girls there on time after only one wrong turn (I have been to this place 3 times already!!!). So Ella and I headed to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things.

I was on my way out, with plenty of time to hit Kroger grocery to buy some cheese and I can't find my keys. No big deal I can never find my keys...dig some more. No way...dig, dig. No way did I lock them in the car...dig,dig. Are they in the ignition...no I took them out. Clean the dirt off the windows and  low and behold, there are the wonderful keys sitting next to Ella's car seat!!!!!
No big deal, I will call Scott, see if he can call our friend, and he'll bring the spare keys. A little inconvenient but doable. I get about halfway through my phone call and my phone beeps. I have about thirty seconds until the thing dies!!! I frantically start scribbling phone numbers of people I will need to call (the preschool etc.) So here I am, locked out and phone-less!!!!

I asked the service counter if they had a payphone (they are becoming more and more rare) and they did. I just happened to grab our change bag that morning on a whim and so I used it call Scott to explain why our conversation was cut short and to see how the spare key hunt was coming. He'd called a friend who was borrowing his neighbors car to come and get Scott to come and get me. I told Scott I would call him back in 20 minutes. By this time about 45 minutes had passed. When I called Scott back he had torn through the house three times and could not find the keys anywhere. Blayne, saint friend, had to have the neighbors car back in 10 minutes and had to go. So again, Kristen is stranded. I instinctively called my dad, the car fix-all man, who suggested I get a key cut but then pointed out I had no way of going to pick up the key!! After about 1.5 hours I had finally decided I was going to have to call a locksmith and called Scott to see if he would look a number up for me. To my wonderful surprise he had found the valet key to our car and was going to take the 45 minute bus ride to come and rescue me. I told him I could call my dear friend Sara to see if she could take him. I was looking for the paper I had written her number on and, low and behold, guess what I came up with......The SPARE SET OF KEYS!!!!! I am not kidding. I have no idea why I did not see them the first 5 times I checked my purse but there they were now in all their black and chrome splendor. I was giddy with excitement.

So 2 hours and the price of a phone card later, I had learned a most valuable lesson... You are not in the 'Burg anymore Kris. You don't have one million people to bail you out of your stupidity. You actually have to think through things once and awhile and ONLY LOCK THE CAR WITH THE FOB, then you know you have the keys!!!!!

I am glad the week is over, is all I have to say!

P.S.
Scott was so fantastic. Even after he had wasted his whole morning trying to rescue me when I had the spare keys the whole time he didn't even roll his eyes. I guess he's just used to it now. And... he is wonderful!

Home For the Holidays

Well, well here we are back in Columbus after a fantastic three weeks at home in Idaho. I think that Idaho will always be home for us no matter where we are. There is just something different about Idahoans that you just can't find other places. It was funny to see how the things that bothered me about the 'burg (i.e. people you know everywhere you go) were the things that I realized I had missed, the friendly familiarity of the place. Good old Rexburg. It was so fun to be there.
After a long travel day, Scott's dad picked us up from the airport in Salt Lake. We made it home just in time for a huge storm to come in. It was so perfect, right before our eyes it turned into a winter wonderland. The snow was beautiful! Kayt could hardly wait to put her snow gear on and go play.
While home we got to watch Sarah and Cassi play basketball. It was so much fun cheering them on. They both played fantastic. Kayt liked it too. She grew up in the gyms as I would haul her around to all of Sarah and Cassi's games to occupy our time while Scott was busy. Hopefully all the watching will make her want to do it some day. We'll see.
The 14th was Scott's 26th birthday. It was great to be able to spend it with everyone. We had a nice dinner and I even made a real German Chocolate cake. Scott got very spoiled with new gadgets and clothes. Jeff an Cassi gave him the coolest picture collage of Kayt. It will be forever cherished.
We spent the first little bit doing Christmas with my fam before they all went to in laws houses. We went to the Mountain River Ranch for a fun sleigh ride, good food and fun entertainment. My mom especially had a good time when "by magic", the owner of the ranch pulled her bra out of her shirt(not really)!!!! It was hilarious. Of all the people, besides my grandma's, I don't think anyone in the place could have been more embarrassed. It was great! Kayt especially loved the huge horses and singing songs on the sleigh ride. It was freezing cold (2 degrees) but a great time.
The next night we opened presents and did our own Erickson family talent show. It is crazy to think that our family is at that point now. Kayt sang a few songs and Jake and I played a Christmas duet. Jared read a poem while Cassi played and song and Will played a carol while Baron led the group in singing. My dad rounded the show off with "The Innkeepers Song" from the Forgotten Carols. It was beautiful. I love hearing my dad sing. He has such a beautiful voice. I envy it. 

It was a highlight also to go see Kent and Sue's live nativity. I love watching that. I always feel such a strong spirit as I watch and listen. It makes the birth of our Saviour much more real. Kayt dressed like Mary and got to stand in the manger with her baby at the end. Kayt spent all of Christmas pretending she was Mary with her baby Jesus doll. Every chance she got, she would tell people who she was and that she was Jesus's mom. It was pretty sweet. All in all it was a great Christmas with my Fam.
We spent Christmas with Scott's family up in Island Park. It only took 24 hours to get us completely snowed in (4 feet). It was so light and fluffy though you could swim in it. It was so fun. We did all kinds of jumping and launching people into the snow. It was a magical feeling standing outside when it was dark and completely silent. 

We did Nazareth night which is a tradition we all love. It allows us to remember what Christmas is really about. Kayt and Alaina and Ella dressed up for the occasion. They were so excited. Scott's mom has so many fun costumes.
On Christmas Eve we set out goodies for Santa and a thank you note...and were pleasantly surprised when the goodies were gone and note from Santa was waiting for us!! The girls had a fun Christmas and were way too spoiled. Scott and I had our share of spoiling as well. It was such a fun time.
That about sums it up, we spent the remainder of our time visiting friends, hitting family parties, and just hanging out. It was a great vacation. It was sad to come home to Ohio, but it was time. I don't think any of us could have handled another late night or event-filled day.

Washington D.C.

Well, the decision has been made. Scott has accepted a position at Ernst and Young, the public accounting firm, in Washington D.C. It was a difficult decision since Portland, Oregon would have put us a lot closer to family. But after fasting and prayer and some words of encouragement we took the plunge. We know it is the right decision for our family right now.

It is a little crazy. When I left D.C. the first time I really felt like I was closing a chapter in my life and leaving a part of me behind a little bit. I definitely never thought I would be going back there, even though it is my favorite place ever. I am excited to go and experience it all over again with my little family. It is also comforting to already have a little bit of an idea of what we are going into.

We'll be heading there next fall. So it is a way off, but feel free to start planning your vacations to come and visit. Hint Hint!!! I promise I'll be a great tour guide.

Happy Thanksgiving

We spent our first big holiday away from family this year. THANKSGIVING! It was much better than I could have imagined. Our friends Brock and McKenzie and little Crue came from Bloomington for a couple of days to be with us. It was so much fun having them here. It really made us feel like we weren't alone. We also had some friends here in Columbus, the Nelson's, come over for dinner as well.

Scott and I cooked our first Thanksgiving turkey complete with stuffing. It turned out so much better than I expected. I had to call my Grandma Erickson a few times to know exactly what to buy, but it all worked out. We had quite a feast!! Scott even looked up how to carve a turkey and did a fantastic job.

McKenzie and I ventured out around 7:30 am to go shopping (we are so hardcore) just to say we went on the day after Thanksgiving. It wasn't crazy at all. We either missed the madness or it just doen't happen here. Either way we both scored a couple good deals and felt like we were being true to our traditions!

It was a great time. Thanks to Stoddard's for making the trip!

Kayt's Turns Three

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYT!!!!

I am doing this post in all pink just for Kayt, our beautiful princess. Kayt's birthday actually began a few days early when Em and Baron surprised her with a princess barbie with brown hair and eyes and a cheerleader dress up costume complete with pom poms. Kayt was in heaven. That night she asked to watch a football game and cheered alone in the room for like 30 minutes. It was hilarious. The only team she really knows is Ohio State. So even though it wasn't them, all we heard was "go O-Hi-O", and "I know you can do it", "run, Run", "go boys". It was hilarious!!! She was waving her pom poms and jumping up and down. I am afraid it is just in her. Scott and I are slowly starting to wrap our mind around the idea of having a dancer and or cheerleader in the family. My sister Sarah says it's okay as long as she catches the ball coming towards her instead of screaming and running away! We'll see. Scott isn't sure how he would feel about his little waif being held 10 feet in the air by other little waifs. I think I have to agree.

On her actual birthday she woke to find her ultimate dream fulfilled. In the family room was a new bike!!! She can't ride it but she sure loves to sit on it. All we have heard for two months is, "I want a bike with a helmet so I can ride on the path like daddy." We see people riding bikes all day long because we live right on a bike path. Kayt is ready to be one of them. Hopefully by spring her legs will be long enough to really peddle, otherwise, Scott has a lot of work ahead of him.

Kayt got a helmet from Grandma and Grandpa Smith, plus some fun and desperately needed clothes one item was a princess night gown. I pried it a way to wash it the other day, finally. She got the beloved princess chair with the Little Miss and Mr. books that I loved growing up from Grandma and Grandpa Erickson. I didn't think they existed anymore but my mom found them. We have already read them several times. Ella completed the gifts with some princess bath bubbles that the two have enjoyed immensely already.

Per Kayt's request and some inspiration from my cousin Staci, I took on the task of creating a princess castle birthday cake. I have to say, it turned out much better than I expected. Kayt loved it. We had the missionaries and a couple of friends over to help us eat it all. I am always surprised at how fast three hours of work can be undone. But, it was fun while it lasted right.

Kayt is our bright spot in the day. She is becoming quite the jokester these days. She has so much fun playing with Ella and us. She definitely keeps us on our toes. I can't believe how big she is getting. Sometimes I just watch and get little glimpses of who she is becoming. It is exciting and overwhelming all at once. We are so lucky to have Kayt, our sweet little princess. We love you sweet pea!!

A Visit From Em and Baron

Emily and Baron came out to the third week of November and it was fantastic. I am not sure how relaxing it was for Emily but she got a whirlwind tour of Ohio. The Thursday she was here we just kindof hungout and let the kids sleep (there are three of them between us now). It is a little weird to think that we are so grown up. Hanging out isn't quite what it used to be but it was still great. Emily cut my hair which was great. Visit with Emily and changes to my hair seem to go hand in hand. She likes to do, I am too cheap to have it done professionally so it all works out.

Friday we took the day and went up to Kirtland again. Just as before it was a great experience. There is just such a special feeling there. We went inside the Kirtland temple this time too. It was amazing. For so long I have seen the pictures of it and read the about the revelations and the visitations that occured there and it was amazing to actually be in those rooms. I know that it is not a dedicated building but it is still the first Temple of the Lord, his first house on earth and he appeared there. I was so glad we went. I can't imagine how heartbreaking it was for the saints to leave it behind.

The Community of Christ owns the Temple and several homes of the early church leaders. Our guide pointed out Joseph Smith's home and Oliver Cowdrey's home as well. It was so crazy to think that people just live in them like they are normal homes. I thought to myself, do you realize whose home you are living in? If these walls could talk do you have any idea what they would say? It was a very interesting feeling.

On Saturday, Scott stayed home with Kayt and watched the Ohio, Michigan football games while Em, Ella, Baron and I headed to "Amish Country" about two hours away. It was crazy, the closer we got we started seeing Amish buggies riding down the road. You couldn't help but get excited and stare. I know that is awful but it is just so different than what you are used to seeing. It is another one of those things that you hear exists but is hard to wrap your mind around. We walked through an Amish home and sampled some of their delicious treats. It was so fun.

Kayt had a wonderful time playing with Baron, who is the cutest little thing ever. He is getting so big. That boy has no fear. Em is going to have her handsful. Good thing he has the helmet. I think they may leave it on for awhile even though it won't be required. Without it, he may seriously injure himself!!

It was a great weekend. It is so much fun to have family around. Thanks for coming Em.