Great weekend!

Some cold beers to start the day off right...

A little hard work to keep the boys honest...
A light lunch on the porch...
Then, off to the park in the wagon!  

Our trip to Eugene

We had a great time climbing trees, playing with the puppies, seeing GG, and enjoying being with family. Here are some pictures from the trip. Yes, that is Spiderman at the park.

This week I have been feeling like Sam is getting big. When we were at the book store the other day he said, "I can read it to myself." I wanted to scream no I need to do that, but knowing that I need to back off. I smiled and stepped back. 

Gettin' the band back together

Sarah and the kids have been in Eugene for 36 hours, so its been a little quiet around here...so, just for fun, here's a funny video of Sam & Amy jammin' in the car.  

Milo

Sam took this Picture!

We all know that Sam has been sleeping with his Milo's for a very long time. I put them in his bed when he was two months old and they are still there. They have been to Eugene many times, Hawaii, Texas, Black Butte and the beach. To say the least our lives are run by the "boys". There is a fuzzy Milo and a not fuzzy Milo. Only Sam can tell by rubbing the ears who is who. Sometime there is a tall Milo when stretched and a short Milo when pushed together. Sometimes is the sister Milo and the brother Milo. All of the time it is the two Milo's. A few months ago one of the Milo's lost and eye. I was able to sew up the eye and Sam was okay with the job that I did even though it was a little off. 

Last night after letting me give them a bath (in the washing machine) Sam went to bed with the boys as usual. Also as usual he came down to see what I was doing about 15 minutes later. I took him back to bed. Then Daddy came home, and they spent some quality time together. Chris got him back in bed and again Sam came down about 10 minutes later. This time he was very upset. "I can't find my Milo's. They are lost forever." To say the least we sent him back to bed to look in all the usually places, floor, under sheets, and pillows. When I went up later to do something I noticed that he was almost asleep and without the Milo's. He sadly looked up and said, "Mommy I couldn't find them they are going to be gone forever. They must have walked away while I was reading my books." How could I leave him so sad? After searching his room I realize that yes they were missing. So I started to think like Sam, since I have to do this often it was not very hard. I then went for a walk and found them up on the dresser where when Chris came home and changed his clothes Sam must have taken them in to help. When I reunited them with Sam, he was so excited and quickly fell right to sleep. 

It is so amazing what two small stuffed animals can do for a person. I find myself emotional at the thought that some day they will not be the center of his world, but for today they are and that makes me smile! 

Peanut Butter!

So, Amy got her first taste of peanut butter on Saturday, and we documented it (of course) no allergy issues.  You can tell it took her some time to figure out if she liked it or not.....(call this "the three stages of peanut butter"

Also, Amy's new thing is to scream at the top of her lungs with a very high-pitched scream...mostly when she is frustrated or needs something or is strapped in (e.g., the car).  Very tough on the ears for everyone...here's a visual: 

Sam, getting in a little spring training...a solid swing, I must say.  He'll be a very good slap hitter...line drives, nothing fancy.  Good fundamentals.  

Sam:  "I look like a big kid" (ugh, I don't want to hear that...)

More drawing with Spider Sam

I still think I want Sam to draw more than he wants to draw, but I think he's turning a corner...as long as he can wear a costume, he'll do almost anything....

This is a train that I drew...along with a monster in the first car (with no face, at Sam's request)...then Sam filled the train cars with bags of fruit...obviously!

Amy in pigtails

Sam and Amy "on the bus" at the Children's Museum with Sarah...

Amy Linus Erickson

Amy has developed a love for her blanket. We have taken to calling her Linus . Sometimes she will carry both blankets, but it is always the purple blanket that makes her giggle.

She is also starting to use sign language for getting what she wants. She is still screaming, but we are working on words and sings and hoping she quits the high scream that hurts our ears. This video is of her do (her) sign for "more".

Just because...

Sam and Amy in the "tube" at the park...

3 Ericksons enjoying PhotoBooth on the iMac...

Sam eating cereal with Pink Pig, Sam the Monkey, 

Dog Dog, Milo, Clifford, Milo, and Sam the Bear...

Amy at breakfast...

Sam with a squishy belly...

Daddy stay home day

Today was a "daddy stay home day" in Sam's words...and in fact, it was a rare "only daddy stay home" day as Sarah went to a leadership class.  While Sarah was inside all day, I rumbled in the sprinklers with Sam, biked the kids to the park for play and picnic, and had a great time in the sun and heat!  Thankfully, Mom came home and all was well again with the world...a little BBQ and off to bed.....more tomorrow.  CHRIS

A Case of the Tuesdays

Sarah, Sam and Amy went to OMSI today and had a great time (I got a text-message picture of them sent to me at work...ugh, not ideal).  Then we had a nice walk after dinner tonight...seems like spring even though its freezing out here.  Amy is a very solid walker now and also "rode" her bike for a while.  I think she looks kind of like her cousin Kaja.  Enjoy!  

CHRIS

Volcano (Mts. Saints Helens)

Sam has been leaning about volcanos at school these past few weeks. They have also been writing stories about them. Chris and Sam drew and then painted the lava for Mts. Saints Helens last night. The following is the story that goes with the picture:

"Once upon a time, Sam and Daddy (when he was a little boy) and Papu were playing soccer, at our house. And they lived near a dormant volcano. Its not going to erupt for a long time. We go to the volcano and walk around with our snow clothes and ice skates at the top of the volcano. They brought just treats to eat - like treats we already ate. And they went to the top and had a snowball fight; then it was time to go home because it was cold. And they want to go back and play soccer. And then... (rumble, rumble, rumble). The volcano was starting to erupt. It says "rumble, rumble" for a long time. Sam, Daddy and Papu just stayed out  side and watched."

Hope you enjoyed the story!! Have a great Sunday!

Puddles at namas

We got Amy all dressed up to go to Nama's house last weekend. As we were there she discovered puddles. As she loves water a puddle became the best thing in her world. She stomped and splashed and since that was not enough water she sat down. I think she would have stayed there for hours. Good thing we live in Oregon and there will be many more puddles for her to play with!

Amy has learned to ride a bike this week. She loves it and screams when we take her off of it. She actually walks and happens to have it between her legs. Next step is getting her a helmet. We all know the more we can protect her the better off we will be.

Here is Sam during his snack day. He also got to put something in the guessing box. His clues were :

1. It is long.
2. It goes in the water

If your guess was a snake, you are correct. None of his classmates guessed it. Both Chris and I were able to attend the day with him and it was great fun. He is getting so big and loves to be in school. 

To start

Hello all,

I am starting this blog so that we can easily keep up photos and the ever changing Erickson family. Happy reading!

Sarah

Chris

Sam

Amy