Joshua Tree

That's Mitchell up there on the rock.

Hudson's Spooky Old Tree



The bush that killed us.

Tanis gets a gold star for posting!  Everyone get back on the band wagon because it makes me happy when everyone posts.  So this trip happened a while ago but I just put the pictures on my computer so I thought I would share them with you.  Our ward went to Joshua Tree a month or two ago and it was BEAUTIFUL!  The trees look like something that came out of a Dr. Seuss book but the boulders and mountains of boulders are incredible.  It's like god just tipped over his wheelbarrow with all the rocks in it and made Joshua Tree (I hope that's not bad to say). We got there pretty late and the ward was playing our favorite night game: steal the flag.  We started playing without knowing the terrain and one of the pictures shows the HUGE thorn brushes that were definitely on the other team because they killed us. We were pulling out huge thorns out of our thighs and hands.  It was super fun though and while we were playing I met a boy named Mitchell and later on that night found out realized that it was Mitchell Giles!  We are friends now, who knew that Mitch would be in my ward.  It makes me feel old that he is now in my ward but it is really fun to have him there.  Small world.  Anyways, we rock climbed and bouldered.  We hiked and hiked and I got a little bit of Dads vertigo and couldn't go up all the way without wanting to pass out but for the most part, I was brave.  And it was just so nice to be outside, in nature.  I need to do that more often.  Here are some pictures from the trip.  We were climbing through slots and jumping off big boulders and I found the spooky old tree for Hudson.  

A crazy day.........

that paid off!! It was painful but so worth it.......at least I think so! This is just a sampling. I am a posting machine lately. Everyone better get going!

The Many Faces of Hudson

I was snapping pictures that other day and Hudson wanted to get some in his LicoQueen undies. He obviously had a few different faces he wanted to pull. Some you might recognize from Christmas. Thought you might want to see them. Love you all and get POSTING!!!!

The Sweet Taste of Victory

I thought I would go into cardiac arrest. It was the 4th quarter of SuperBowl XLIII and Steelers were down 20-23 with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter. The house was divided with the Hulls and DJ on one side and Moshers, Clarks and Libby on the other. Billy had just finished his psychotic leg dance in the kitchen due to Fitzgerald running the ball all the way down and into the endzone for the Cards. Nightmare. I was trying not to lose faith saying "come on, we have got to do it" over and over again as I paced the floor. Ashley just simply could not watch. The Steelers head to the line of scrimmage and hike the ball. Roethlisberger dances around and finally finds a hole to Holmes. 1st down.....eruption. Line of scrimmage again. 3rd and 6, Roethlisberger to Holmes. 1st down again...... eruption followed by silent prayers. All we need is field goal range. 2nd and 6, Roethlisberger to Holmes.......reception and running, then more running and more running all the way to the 6. Complete pandemonium. At least we were going to tie. We were not out of this- not yet. 43 seconds left in the game. Roethlisberger goes back, dances then drills it to the top right corner.....to Holmes of course. TOUCHDOWN!!!!! THE STEELERS HAVE WON THE SUPERBOWL! I was near hyperventilation, jumping up and down. Tim and Hudson were running all over the house giving people five and poor Tate was suffering from Shaken Baby Syndrome due to my jumping. We were all so excited.

After the celebration at Jones' house, we headed for home. It was funny because Tim and I were talking as we were leaving what kind of crazies we would find on our way home......and did we ever. There were tons of people just flooding the streets everywhere. We had seen a picture on the news of Oakland where Tim goes to school and it was just a mass of solid people all over the streets. They had shut everything down. Thousands and thousands of people. People were coming out everywhere. At every intersection on our way home, there were people out waving their "Terrible Towels" and screaming at the top of their lungs. They were running in and around cars as we would stop at the lights and the tunnels were an orchestra of honking, deafening to the ears. My favorite display of celebration though was this man who was in the center of the road as we approached an intersection. He was freaking out and pointed up and to the left, apparently trying to get everyone to look over there. As I peared out my window in the direction he was pointing, I saw a HUGE billboard where some nut case had climbed up and was dancing in front of it. It was hilarious.

Needless to say, we had a fabulous Super Bowl Sunday. Honestly, it was the first time that I really got into the game- I had flashbacks of the days at BYU where I would cheer on the Cougs from the sidelines as they played the U and Richard's State Championship wrestling meet. Ok, I probably was not as intense as the wrestling days, but the excitement was definitely there. The whole city is still on a high, although I am pretty sure the enormous amounts of alcohol consumed has something to do with that. But, none the less, we love our team and are pumped we were here to experience it. All I can say is "GO STEELERS"!!

PS. Tate has a girlfriend, already. We were taking pictures of all the babies born in the last few months (Tate, Madi and Mack) and Tate and Madi reached up and grabbed hands. They sat there holding hands pretty much the entire time. It was so cute.

Thank You Times a Million

I just want all of you to know that Wednesday morning this household woke up in a way that most mornings do not start. Claire started screaming (I know, shocker) for her Grandma and crying for over an hour. I am talking pounding her feet, throwing herself all over the floor because she was upset that her Grandma (and Grandpa, Tanis and CO.) weren't there. Porter sat sulking in the corner and I was bawling my eyes out.

Why? Well, here are your choices:

a) because I now had to stand up and get my kids breakfast on my own after a wonderful week of soreness, stitches and pampering,

b) because I missed Mom, Dad, Tanis, Hudson and cute baby Tate,

c) because I wished they could stay forever...seriously,

d) because I was still emotional from being pregnant, or

e) because I am always, pregnant or not, an emotional basket case.

The answer would have to be....ALL OF THE ABOVE. I called Tyler at work crying. (This he has been used to for the past 3 weeks, let's be honest, the past 6 years of our marriage), and when he asked why I just said, "I miss your family". He started almost laughing but his reply was, "I'm glad you love them so much." And, yes, I do love them so much.

Okay, here come the tears again...ahhhh! I just wanted to say Thank You a Million Million times for everything. Heavenly Father has given me so much insight and so many tender mercies throughout this whole experience, and one of those was MY family-you guys. I am so grateful for such a WONDERFUL mother-in-law...first off that she was in tune enough to feel the prompting to come with me to my doctor's appt 30 minutes after she walked through the door. Without her, I really don't know if I would have made it. I was a mess. I was a mess. I don't know another mother-in-law that would a)eat McDonald's for all meals in one day and pace the floor while I was in surgery. I don't know a mother-in-law that would sit there with you and counsel you with so much love and be the first one in the recovery room after surgery. She dressed me, helped me up, held my hand, talked for me when I couldn't, questioned the doctor when I was in shock and couldn't think for myself. I love you Mom. You were and are such a blessing. Thank you for the chicken noodle soup, for doing my laundry and dishes and for everything in between. I love you. I am seriously bawling so hard right now .

And Dad-thank you for the support and love and for the blessing that calmed me before surgery. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandpa to my kids. They love you and miss you so much. Tanis, holy cow-seriously, thank you for helping with the kids, cleaning, meals and being there to talk to. I miss you so much. It felt so wonderful to sit and have friends to talk to. I am bawling even harder. And Tim of course for being so flexible. I feel so awful that I feel like I ruined your short trip but I am so glad that you and Tanis got to go into the city before you left! Thanks for hanging out and being here.

Every morning since you left feels like Wednesday morning. I feel like crying. I miss you all and wish the rest of you could be here too. Thank you for all of your prayers and phone calls and concern. I have the best families in the world. I needed the support and you were here. I just owe you all a really big....something...i'm not sure but it would have to be big. Thank you. I miss you and hope that you come back (this time hopefully on better circumstances! )

Okay, I am bawling and can't see the keys to type anymore. Gosh, this feels like our Christmas Eve circle time bawling fest! Can't wait for that one! I wanted to leave a comment on Mom's blog but didn't know if you read the comments and I really needed to say thank you to everyone! I love you all.

Love,
Erica

My trip has come to an end

Dear Everyone,
We are finally back home and as of yesterday afternoon I had my house all clean, laundry done and all my food storage organized in my back room. It's not very pretty but very functional. When I got home I asked dad why I couldn't feel like Idaho was home! It took me a day to adjust but I realized that my home is really where all of my kids are! And so I have come to the conclusion that where ever my family is when we are together, that is HOME! Don't get me wrong, I do love it here because dad is here so just for further knowledge that is my new definition. I had a marvelous time on my trip, I got to see Tate blessed with both of his grandpas in the circle. That was a great blessing! We take these things for granted when we are so close. We had a great time with Tims mom and dad. We really got to know them better and made some great friends. We had a great dinner and got to visit with Jake Taylor and his family and Lindsey and her family (Tanis' friend) It was a great time. Jake was telling us about all of his hunting. I didn't know he was such a hunter. I have promised some chili sauce for his deer meat! On Wednesday we went to the Amish community because dad wanted to see them. They were driving their horse and buggies all around. It was fun. I would say that it was one of dads kind of vacations where you just relax and enjoy. On Thursday we drove to Connecticut. We left at 5:30 am so that the kids would sleep a lot of the way. They did great however, I just want everyone to know that I ate breakfast at McDonalds! We got to Tylers at 1:30 maybe and Erica had to go to the Doctor to get an ultrasound. I had a feeling that someone should go with her so I went with her and Tanis and dad stayed to babysit. You all know the outcome, she had to go into surgery and Tyler picked up dad and brought him to the hospital so that they could give her a blessing. Tanis was left with all four kids! She did WELL! She put them all to bed! I was grateful that the Lord would let us be there to help! She did great. I paced the whole time but it worked out the best it could. But Tyler and dad bought me some food guess where? At McDonalds. Two times in one day!! Tim made it to their house even though it was his first time to the big city NEW YORK! Tanis and Tim got to go to NEW YORK on Saturday and enjoyed themselves. I had all my grandkids together at the same time for 6 whole days and I enjoyed every minute of it. Each one of them has their own personality and that is what makes them so special. I just wish all of you could have been there to see JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. We got a blow by blow commentary from Hudson all through the movie and when the fish jumped out of the water he stood up and threw his hands on his face in terror! You know just another one of those good old nights watching movies together. However, Tyler had just recorded that great infamous move KRULL (remember that movie we have seen it about two times with the princess and the kingdom that keeps disappearing and moving to different places!) we started to watch it and everyone started balking so we didn't get to see it even though Tyler and I wanted to watch it. Maybe you could bring it home when you are here at Christmas, Tyler!
On Tuesday the girls went to New YORK shopping and the men went hiking and fishing with the kids. We tried on lots of clothes and everyone will be proud that I actually bought two purses, earrings and two scarves within 40 minutes in China Town. That is a record for me. Zara is our new favorite store. This was all made possible because of Tate. He was the best baby ever.
We enjoyed so much being with our family and those of you who couldn't be there, we missed you! It was great though to watch how you are raising and teaching my grandkids. You are great parents and are doing a great job. There is a lot of opposition in the world today and we must stay strong! We do this by doing the basics. Dad and I will attest, raising good kids is all about the basics. You must read the Book of Mormon, go to Church, say family prayers and ask him what you can do to strengthen your family. A one on one relationship with your kids is really important too. We are not always there but hopefully we can keep in touch enough to have our influence always felt. I still feel my mom and dads influence in my life and in your life and will forever. We love all of you and thank you for such a great time. We hope we didn't wear out our welcome.
Love, MOM
PS My birthday was the best birthday ever it went on for a whole month because every morning Hudson would say "Happy Birthday Grandma" and I would say "Thank you so much!"
and he would say "Your Welcome"
I also felt special everywhere we went because Porter always wanted me to sit by him so we had some good times in the back of the car. Even though I got spinal compression from all the bumps (Tanis will understand)
Not to mention our day that we played store in the house with the kids. We were trying to teach the concept of money, work, and tithing. I think it went over well. Porter got out of money fast, he was buying the big ticket items. However, after doing some work he made more money.
Also I didn't mention our dance shows. Hudson, Clair and I would take turns dancing and clapping for each other. It was great!
Dad even did a little dancing too in the Gazebo with Hudson!
I better end now!
Love you all!

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf??????

I couldn't help but quickly post some of these pictures from our Ward Halloween Party tonight. Hudson completely stole the show!! We had a blast and he was such a trooper. He actually kept the nose and hood on through the whole trick or treating part. I honestly didn't think he was going to do it until we showed him in the mirror the fur hood and the wolf nose. Then he got excited to be the Big Bad Wolf again. I wish you all could have seen him.....he was the cutest/scariest wolf. Could I be getting over my lifelong fear of wolves???????????