Wii are Family

We have joined the club and got a Wii.  

Our boys screamed like little girls.  Wait actually, our girls didn't even scream...

Anyhoo, it was THE gift for the family and we've been playing it every since they opened it - all four of them.  We were even able to get Grandma Pam & Grandpa Roger into it with us...their "Miis" look very similar to them.  Thank you to both sets of grandparents for going in on this gift.  It's been a treat!

Mark got the Active Fit.  I'm trying to become a Tennis Pro.  Taylor and Dylan have done it all (and I mean gone through it all), Sabrina is our bowling expert and Veronica recovered from the trauma of boxing - serious tears - to smile through the mellowness of bowling.  We've received a lot of thank yous and the kids really have been playing TOGETHER.  

If you come to stay, please come ready to play.

Happy 41st Mark Patrick Erickson!

I've often wondered what it would be like to share your birthday with such a monumental holiday. Well, Mark has been doing it for 41 years!  Mark + Christmas Eve birth = taking Christmas to a whole new level.  Since I wasn't sick this year, HALLELUJER!, we were able to bump the celebrations up to another level.  If you don't know, Mark is a self-proclaimed (but pretty darn good) movie buff.  So, I took him to see "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" (eh) and out to eat at one of his favoritest restaurants, "The Cheesecake Factory" minus the kids.  We were able to talk and laugh a bit and just take time out to acknowledge his special day.  

One of the traditions we have been blessed to develop has been family dinners.  With the holiday celebrations all up in our face, we weren't going to let a lot of time pass by without making sure he knew we know how special he is.  So, we hosted a "Big Breakfast" and had his mom & dad over to join us.  It was quite the buffet:  bacon & sausage, eggs (over hard, over easy, scrambled and some surprise eggs too!), juice, egg nog, hot apple cider, biscuits and fruit.  A feast fit for a well loved dad.  

The kids wrote things they love about him or drew pictures they thought would be encouraging to him.  

Dylan, 10 years wrote 

He is funny, confident, he loves and cares for us, buys us awesome toys, takes me church, encourages me to do stuff, leader of house (besides God), keeps Saten (authentic spelling) away

Veronica, 7 years wrote

He lets me play toys when I'm done with homework, On the 28th he picks me up to play @ Jayla's house (a pending play date...clever hunh?), he gives me gifts when it's my birthday, I can scare him sometimes, I love Daddy so much!, I can read to him, he can pitch to me when I want to play baseball, I can pray with Dad, he can take me to fun things or Brownies, I love when Dad spends fun time with us kids

Sabrina, 10 years 

Dvdy-Sabrina-tehdEindCDYiVbrinCelTrinathyrtinardid (it's so deep, it needs translation)

Taylor, 14 years

a picture of his dad with huge muscles and a healthy heart 12 months from now

I made myself so busy that I didn't take a time to write my list, so here goes...

10 things I love about Mark.

1.  He likes to serve people.

2.  He goes to Brewer games with me.

3.  He is a romantic cook.

4.  Mark is incredibly quick witted and funny.

5.  Mark is a faithful man of God.

6.  He knows a lot about movies & music.

7.  He is a present, involved father.

8.  He is good with people.

9.  Mark is a good dancer (you are!)

10.He has great knowledge of the Bible (and has been a disciple for almost 16 years).

We're so glad to have had another year with you and pray that the coming year brings health, unity and fun.

We love you birthday boy!

 

Our "4 Christmases"

Did you see the movie?  HI-larious!  Our version of 4 Christmases wasn't nearly as intense and crazy, but worthy of mention. 

Taylor, Sabrina & Veronica were still sharing a week at their mother's house and Mark was working an extra shift at Children's Court Center leaving me and Dylan to fend for ourselves on the eve of Christmas Eve Day.   True to Wisconsin weather, it is unpredictable, threatening our opportunity to visit family and friends back in Madison.   After talking to the man and praying to God, we jumped on the road and I'm so glad we did.

First stop:  the Bowlings.  It was so good to give Vanessa a hug and exchange Christmas gifts.  V, I'm so glad you liked the book.  I only considered taking pictures AFTER I left their home.  

Second stop:  Roselawn Memorial Park for Dylan to visit Chad's grave site.   It doesn't really get easier.  Due to the depth of the snow, we didn't stay very long, but I know that it was encouraging for Dylan to be able to make the trip.

Third stop: Hoytes.  Dylan's first time seeing the twins and first time in a long time visiting with Shiloh.  Amy is really like this.  She doesn't ACT like she's happy to have twins and little sleep and one in school...she really is a woman who lives at peace in her walk with God.  I have so much to learn.  Glad you liked your book too Amy!

Final stop:  Groths/Harborts.  This is family for us.  Through some challenging times & decisions, I learned a lot about choosing love from these folks.  Thank you.  I hope we'll see you in Milwaukee this year.

I am so glad we made the trip to Madison a priority.  It's been on my mind so much how little guarantee that we'll get a chance to show our love to those we don't have the privilege of seeing everyday or every week, so I wanted to set an example for my shorty (Dylan) and wrap my arms around these special people.

It was a Merry Christmas 2 days early, 4 times over.