Sunday, September 27, 2009

Jen's Birthday

Today was Jen's birthday! I gave her a saw. You would think that a saw would be the last thing a girl would want for her birthday, but that's what Jen wanted! She has been talking about getting one so she doesn't have to go to Home Depot all the time to get her 6 free cuts every time she makes a new craft. After I decided to get her a saw for her birthday, she suggested we get one for Christmas. She was very excited when I came home with it much earlier than that! She already has her first piece of wood ready to cut!



Here she is with her saw.



The kids and I decorated the house with Birthday decor while she was at the Relief Society broadcast.


Luke and Isaac were very excited about these birthday blower things.


I even made her favorite cake - no bake cheesecake!



Here's a video of our beautiful singing voices.



Happy Birthday babe! I love you!


Happy Birthday Jen!



You are a woman of faith, strength and courage! You are a wonderful mother and wife and we are so lucky to have you in our family! Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

this is freakin funny

Random videos

I just found these videos from Christmastime. hahaha.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Adult Eyes Only

So Kjerstin wanted me to post this video as well. We were walking down the trail and being silly. That's what happens when the Erickson girls get together :)

The Mount of Charles

So I went to Vegas for my friend's wedding this weekend and as such got to stay with Kjerstin and Steve. Well, they took me up Mt. Charleston for a hike and a picnic. I of course had the brilliant idea to make a film. Kjerstin is Pocohontas, Steve is John Smith, and I am Meiko and Grandmother Willow. I hope you all enjoy :)

Steve's HOT new look!

So, I want to know why all you slackers haven't posted? Ha ha! Just kidding...I know we're all busy. I just think it would be nice if we could all post at least once a month. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.

So, Steve and I were at Lens Crafters in the mall yesterday and we found the perfect frames for him. Check them out...what do you think?



Just kidding! I seriously can't believe that they still make frames like this though!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Happy Birthday Old Man!



You've had a birthday shout hooray! We're going to sing to you today. One year OLDER and wiser too...Happy Birthday to you!

I love you Tyler! You have always been the perfect big brother! Hard working, funny, and definitely a good example! We love you!

Monday, June 8, 2009

New car!!!!!


I bought a new car. My second car purchase and I must say much improved from the first. :) It's my favorite color and it has AIR CONDITIONING! No longer will I forge a summer without a/c. HALLELUJAH! But really I'm very excited and I love it. Here's a pic so you can all see. :)

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!





Thirty-one years ago, Robin Goodman and Kenneth Erickson got married in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now, all those years later, theres five kids, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law and two grandkids as their posterity. Not bad! We love you Mom and Dad! MUAH!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

My delicious Easter dinner!


So, I have discovered due to the "kid" in me, I LOVE to celebrate the holidays and make them memorable. I did some research and prepared a fairly traditional Easter dinner. The participants in this meal told me that it was "....delicious. One of the best meals I've had in a long time!" That made me feel great. So, I'm going to share these recipes due to request, and also just for your viewing pleasure. They are easy and delicious. Let me know how YOUR meal goes.

Oh, and look at my CUTE placemats!



This is the Easter punch that Steve's mom made for him growing up, so I gave it a try. She also makes Fruit Pizza. I didn't get a picture of that, but it was delicious. Let me know if you want the recipe. It's yummy; I put blackberries, fresh pineapple and strawberries on it!

Recipes below:

Ham with Pineapple-Orange Dijon Glaze

Serves 10

1 bone-in ham
1 1/4 C brown sugar
1/3 C pineapple juice
1/3 C orange juice
1/3 C honey
2 T orange zest
2 T Dijon mustard
1/4 t ground cloves

Place ham in a roasting pan, bake at 325 degrees for two hours. Meanwhile, stir remaining ingredients together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 10 minutes. When ham has baked two hours, brush the ham with the glaze, continue doing so every 10 minutes while baking for another 30 minutes.

Easter Punch

Equal parts pineapple juice and 7-Up
Sliced bananas
Frozen raspberries
Pineapple sherbet (I used orange-pineapple sorbet and it was yummy!)

Asparagus with Thyme

Serves 4

1 clove garlic, halved
1 1/2 lbs. asparagus spears
2 t olive oil
1/4 t dried thyme (I used fresh)
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rub the cut sides of the garlic over a 9 X 13 inch baking dish, place garlic in dish. Snap off tough ends of asparagus. Add asparagus to dish, drizzle with oil. Sprikle asparagus with thyme and salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Toss gently and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring once.

Scalloped Potato Gratin

1 1/2 C heavy cream
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 t ground nutmeg
Butter
2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled (I didn't peel) and cut into 1/8 in. thick slices
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 C grated Parmesan, plus more for broiling

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a saucepan, heat up the cream with a sprig of thyme, chopped garlic and nutmeg. While cream is heating up, butter a casserole dish. Place a layer of potato in an overlapping pattern and season with salt and pepper. Remove cream from heat, then pour a little over the potatoes. Top with some grated Parmesan. Make 2 more layers. Bake uncovered, for 45 minutes. Sprinkle some more Parmesan and broil until cheese browns, about 5 minutes.

P.S. SLACKERS!!! No one has posted in forever...get on the ball!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Kyle's wedding

Just thought I'd post some of my favorite pics from the wedding! It was beautiful and SO good to see everyone.















Sunday, February 15, 2009

Pray for our Mommy!



Mom, just want to let you know that I am thinking about you and praying for you! You are the world's most perfect mother! I could never ask for more!
I can't wait to see you for the wedding!

Monday, February 9, 2009

A countdown for Kyle and Jessy!


This is a really cute picture of Kyle and Jessy dancing at my wedding...can't wait to see you dance at your own wedding!!

It was really fun this weekend to scrape up our petty funds and make the trek to Utah to celebrate Jessy. We enjoyed her shower, hanging out as family, going to church, cooking meals together and talking about the wedding plans. They are super excited to get married (and get it over with too...I can relate)! Here are some pics for all to enjoy!

Can't wait to see you all SO SOON!!!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

New family pic for now?


What does everyone think?

A Tribute to my Ole' Hospital Days

Last year, Kyle, Jessy, Whitney and Will came to visit me in Vegas. They proceeded to write me an ode to the events of my life at that time. Thought it should be shared with the family because it's HILARIOUS! Of course it's sung to the tune of Ice, Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice.

P.S. Maybe we should ask for an encore at Kyle's wedding...just a thought!

Nice Nice Baby! For Kjerstin

All right, Docs, collaborate and listen.
Kjerstin’s back with a brand new infection.
Something is constricting her tightly
Not allowin’ blood flow daily or nightly.
Will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know.
Put her on chemo, and let’s go.
To the extreme I ride the walker like a vandal.
Light up the shower and let’s hope I’m not a scandal.

Nice Nice Baby. Dun dun dun dun dudududun.
Nice Nice Baby. Dun dun dun dun dudududun.

I punched the cool Indian doc in the face.
He said you’re right this is a disgrace.
Get the rheumatologist in here right now
Before I go out and have a cow.
Then one night there was a sweet nurse named Rose.
She came in to help clean my toes.
My family came from far, far away
Now every night is like a par-tay!
Instead of going out to buy me a beer
They brought me a 12 pack of cheer.

Nice Nice Baby. Dun dun dun dun dudududun.
Nice Nice Baby. Dun dun dun dun dudududun.

Falling, my toes off real fast.
Jumped in my car, slammed on the gas.
Patient to patient the ER is packed.
I finally got a room but the woman pooed her pants.
The Docs are on the scene, ya know what I mean.
They pumped me up with drugs and morphine.
Jealous cause my food isn’t fine.
Low fat and low carbs the diet that is mine.

Musical break.
Nice Nice Baby. Dun dun dun dun dudududun.
Nice Nice Baby. Dun dun dun dun dudududun.

The Doc said that I’m all good.
I can go home just like I should.
To Stevie, the man of my dreams,
Somebody tell him to buy me a ring.

Yo man, let’s get outta here. WORD to your mother.
Nice Nice Baby. To go. To go.
Nice Nice Baby. To go. To go.

I think this picture is funny because it looks like I'm kidnapping Emma

they're still alive


Here's proof that they still exist but are just too lazy to write on here haha



These are some of the girls I work with. They love me what can I say? :)

Monday, February 2, 2009

A New Chapter...Again

Well. I have been reflecting the past few weeks on this new segment of my life. I'm done with college, well the first part at least. And now I'm working fulltime! I have a real job in the real world. It's kind of weird but I actually really like it. Work pretty much consumes my life. And as such it cuts out a lot of other things I used to put time into. Don't worry mom and dad, I still have a life...it's just different. I don't get to see my friends as much just because of our schedules but it's ok. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. Not at all. I love it! It makes me happy and I know I'm doing something important. The kids I work with really are a joy to me...most of the time. The program I work in is doing so well and I have had numerous people tell me it is because of me. Well, I can't take all the credit but I would surely like to think I have made an impact for these kids. They are every bit as deserving of a good life as anyone else. They are just normal kids who've run into some problems. I truly believe that. I have so much fun teasing them and teaching them. It's an all encompassing job. It hurts my feelings when people look down on these kids because they're in a "group home." So many of them were not raised in ideal surroundings and as a result have made poor choices. But I have seen so many kids turn their life around and get themselves going in a better direction. It's amazing to see and be a part of! Anyway, this is a new chapter for me because I have lost touch with some other things in my life, but I don't really care because what I am doing is the direction I want my life to go. :) As long as I am happy...and I am.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Two things....

Well, I think we all need to "gang up" on Whitney, Emily and Kyle to post on here! Next, we need to put up a new family picture. Maybe one from Kyle's wedding...what do you think?

Can't wait to see everyone!

Monday, January 26, 2009

I did a puzzle too!



Look! I did this puzzle this weekend with my co-workers while Steve was in Utah. There are two pieces that got vaccuumed up as you can see!

I was reminded more this weekend about hope and faith. Last night Steve and I read the article by Elder Uchdorf from last General Conference. I would recommend that you all read it. I don't like the feelings of despair, sadness and depression that so many are experiencing! There is SO much to be grateful for!

I am extremely grateful for my health. I was watching the news on Sunday, January 25th. That was the 1 year anniversary of the Monte Carlo fire here in Las Vegas! I was in the hospital a year ago, and I am so grateful NOT to be there now!

I love you all!

Steve and Kjerstin

Sunday, January 25, 2009

new job, puzzle, running, etc.

Thanks to everyone for their fasting and prayers on our behalf.  I know that was the main reason I was able to find a job so quickly.  It has been nice to have time over the past couple weeks to just relax and spend time with Jen and the boys.  I think losing my job was really a blessing because now I have a better job, I'm getting paid more, and I spent a lot of time with my family.  Heavenly Father knows what's best for us - better than what we think is best.  

On New Year's Eve we decided to go to Wal-Mart to buy a puzzle.  I am keeping the New Year's Eve puzzle tradition alive!  It took me 17 hours to finish it.  I think I was up until like 2:00 a.m. on New Year's Eve and then I finally finished it around midnight on New Year's day.  Here's the final product.  















I was so proud of it, that I didn't put it away until last week.  I think Jen was glad when I finally did.  I know she didn't want to ruin my masterpiece!

As you may have seen, I decided to start training to run a 5k.  Initially I wanted to run a marathon this year, but after I did a little research, I decided that I probably needed to work up to the point where I could run a marathon.  I am quite the novice when it comes to running - I don't think I even knew how long a marathon was (if you didn't know either, it's a little over 26 miles). Everything I read suggested that you run for at least a year before attempting to train for a marathon.  I thought I could be superman, but Jen talked some sense into me and I decided to start with a smaller goal first.  I really don't care about running that much - this is more my way of shedding some pounds.  

If you haven't seen already, I posted some pictures of the family onto facebook from when we were little.  I thought it would be fun to reminisce.  Here's the link if you haven't seen them.

Other than that, I started another semester at school.

I'll see everyone at Kyle's wedding!  

Ugly Pictures of Mom

Hello Everyone! I think Tyler and Jen have an awesome suggestion to start our own family blog! I hope you all follow along! Our life is pretty quiet without you kidlets at home. But we do manage to stay busy. We have had an awfully cold January with temperatures below zero. In fact, we have to bundle up with blankets to go into the family room. We've had a record amount of snow too. I don't mind the snow. I think it is pretty and peaceful, unless it's still snowing in May, then I'm pretty sick of it! Work is going good in the Fairlawn store. My classroom area is starting to look like "me"! I must say it looks alot nicer than it did with the previous education coordinator. She didn't have any samples up. The economy has affected our class sales though, so that's not very good. I had lunch with Francie Davis Coe last week. It was so fun to see her. Her face exudes peace and happiness, so I was glad to see that. It was also gratifying to hear her say how much our family was a part of her life - and how much she loves us. That felt really good. Her new husband seems like a really good guy. We are looking forward to Kyle and Jessy's wedding! I still need to find me a dress!!!!!!!!!! I might have to make me one. We'll see. I love you all my kidlets.......even if you do post ugly pictures of me. Oh well, I'll have to use that as a motivation to lose some weight and to stop making faces when you take my picture! Congratulations Tyler on finding a job so quick! And Happy Birthday to 3 year old Isaac! See you all soon!

January in St. Louis

Well, obviously the biggest thing that happened here was Tyler getting a job offer.  He officially starts this week and we are very excited! It is a great opportunity for him and a great company.  We definitely feel as though our prayers have been answered and I am so grateful for Tyler and his optimism and hard work.  I know that is why he was able to find something so quickly in such a hard job market.  
The boys are doing great.  Luke is excited to be back at preschool after a long Christmas break.  He is learning how to recognize and write his last name right now.  He has his kindergarten screening tomorrow! I can't believe we are talking about him starting kindergarten. KG is full day here, and I can't imagine a whole day without Luke here! Isaac is as cute and funny as ever.  He is really into Spider-man and wants a spider man cake for his birthday.  He is excited about that too.  I can't believe he is almost 3! He likes to play spider man with Dad. Isaac plays spider man and Daddy is the lizard from the movie that Emily gave the boys for Christmas. He is like Tyler in more that just looks.  He is a pretty big tease.  He is the one teasing Luke the most, instead of the normal big brother teasing the little brother.  
We are really excited to see you all in Feb. for Kyle and Jessy's wedding! The boys and I fly out the 17th and Tyler will hopefully be out on the 18th, maybe the 19th.  The boys are very excited too! 
See ya soon,
The St. Louis Erickson's 

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The ADORABLE Ericksons!



I LOVE THIS PICTURE! Thought you all would enjoy!

Congrats to Tyler!

Hello Fam!

Tyler, I think your resolutions are great and also attainable ones! I admire you for the 5K thing...I just don't think I'm cut out for that! Anyway, just wanted to give Kudos to Tyler for getting a job offer! I think that his supportive wife, family and his smiling disposition and eternal optimism has always pulled him through hard times! I'm proud of you!

Kjerstin and Steve

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Tyler's New Year's Resolutions

I have been thinking over the last week or so what my New Year's Resolutions will be and even though it's past the 1st, it's never too late to make goals, right!  I wanted to post them here because I figured if I write them down and tell people what they are, I will be more likely to accomplish my goals.

So, here they are.

1. Find a job!  (I don't think that will take all year though)
2. Run a 5k on Saturday, April 18th in Forest Park.
3. Read the scriptures every day and read the Sunday school lesson every week.
4. Go to the temple at least once a month, and take family file names every time I go.