A Spectacular Day in Boise, Id

Today in Boise, Idaho we were privileged to have have the Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints in our presence. He was here to rededicate the Temple which has been open to the public for the last few weeks. Here is a short video that aired on the news tonight about it. (And if you want to see my dad, you really better watch!) 

I am so thankful to have a temple close by again. I love to go there!

HALLOWEEN 2012: Part 1 of 3

Holy moly did we have quite the Halloween this year. Party after party, it just kept on coming! In order of occurrence, here it is...in a nutshell.

Grandma and Grandpa always have a big hoopla Halloween party. Costumes for EVERYONE,  treat contests, pumpkin carving contests, etc. If you can have a contest in it, we'll do it. We're kinda competitive that way!

Esa, Jessica, Bristol, Tytan
aka
Butterfly, Jessie, Cinderella, Biker Boy

The Erekson Family...plus a couple for appearances!
The Obama's on the left with the classy winners, Romneys, on the right.
Got Milk? couple, Siamese twins,
And the young tooth loosing boy, with his tooth fairy and the two littles

I might just add that I made the most amazing cheese cake cupcakes that took 3rd place, Bristol's pumpkin (pictures to come) as well as Ty's pumpkin won in the carving division, and Tytan, Bristol and I each won a prize in the costume division. 

We had a blast. Grandma and Grandpa completely spoil us and sure know how to throw a party!

It's only October and I am already missing the warmth I felt this day out in the Owyhees. We went on a family drive not too far from our house in search for some old Indian arrowheads. I know they're out there...I've seen them. But we just found some shavings. Some really neat ones too! Bristol even spotted some herself and picked them up. Her little pockets were completely packed with "arrowheads." 

And now I'm sitting here in my sweatshirt really needing some of that heat in my bones. *sigh*

Our Sunday

We believe in keeping the Sabbath Day holy. At our house that means not going shopping, out to eat, or doing recreational activities. Instead we spend some good quality time together as a family. 

TyRell needed to air out the tent from his previous Scout camping trip. What a better way to do it than inside so the kids could play in it. Lets just say that we spent some good quality family time in that tent on Sunday. It was a hit.

We watched "The Ultimate Gift" (a great family movie), and then played hard in and around that thing. So awesome!

Dream Catcher

It rained hard here in good ol' Idaho. We were watching the storm from our window talking about rain and clouds when out of nowhere appeared the most beautiful rainbow. It was stunning. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was awesome. The kids loved looking at it! Do the wonders of this world ever take your breath away? Happens to me all of the time.

Come one, Come All!

If you have ever driven the freeway through Boise, Idaho, you have probably seen this building. Ever wondered what it is other than beautiful? It is the Boise Temple for The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. Or...the Mormon Temple. Usually LDS temples aren't open to the public. However, the Boise Temple has just been newly remodeled. With this recent remodeling project comes an open house to anyone who wants to come see it before it is dedicated. That means YOU can come see what is inside. Go here for more details.

What does this temple mean to me? There are a ton of reasons. But lets start with the architectural reasons. It's beautiful! And, the original architect was my Granddad, Ron Thurber. 

But lets get on to a few other reasons why I love this building. I was married there. I married my best friend for time and all eternity. My family will be together for eternity.That means the world to me. There are many times that I have used the words "heaven on earth" on this here blog. Describing certain places that I love to go. But this really is heaven on earth, one of the most sacred places on the earth. I love going here to worship. 

I am taking my little family to see the inside tomorrow night. Bristol is so excited. She has always loved driving past the temples in different cities. Now, she will go inside. The inside is breathtakingly beautiful. I hope that you will take your family there. 

Baby Fish do do, do do da do

This little lady spent an honest 2 weeks practicing in the backyard with that little Barbie fishing pole. It was the cutest thing in the world. Casting out into the lawn and reeling it in all by herself. Grandpa E. got her going on it, and all in preparation for this big day:

Fishing Day!

She ate.it.up.

Bristol fishing
McCall, Idaho
Summer 2012

Some Time in Oakley + A First

The kids always have a blast at Grandma and Grandpa's in Utah. 

We do some extra-ordinary things while there. 

Like...

Riding the goats;

getting our hair cut (for the first time for T.)

This picture does explain it all. He hated every second of it.

But completely worth it in the end.

So handsome!

And this little girl just plays and plays to her little heart's content.

And let me just add that we loved the weather in Oakley this trip.

While it's 90 degrees in Boise during the day,

it's in the 70's in Oakley. 

Absolutely perfect for playing outside all day!

Our 4th...a little late.

The 4th of July,

We had an awesome time.

The pictures tell it all.

REDNECK MILK SHAKES

Yes, that is what we are doing. Making milk shakes. 

I believe I have shared this before.

It just never gets old.

This last year my dad made somewhere around 240 milkshakes in one hour.

One hour! Amazing!

He made 23 in about 10 minutes here.

Items needed:

1 cement mixer

5 gallon bucket

a lot of ice cream

a lot of milk

a little vanilla

mix-ins of your choice

Family Home Evening

Monday night for Family Home Evening we went on a bike ride.

Thanks to our awesome neighbors, the kids trailed behind...

with super smiles the whole time.

I, not pictured (for good, diaper butt road bike pant, reasons) still have a bruised butt.

I do love my road bike however. I miss my road biking days.

So this FHE has re-kindled a little flame!

When I Went on a Cruise I...

Enjoyed some movies under the stars...

with New York style pizza, ice cream, and pop corn...

 Enjoyed some breath taking views...

snorkeled every chance I got. I love doing that!

                            

 and had some great time with family! 

The family fun never ended. 

*And I took over 2,000 pictures...It was great!

Fathers

"A family needs a Father to anchor it."

Elder L. Tom Perry

 I am so blessed. My family was anchored by a loving Father.

He showed us by example the things which are right,

and loved us through and through.

I am also blessed that my beautiful babies have a wonderful Father.

He loves Bris and Big T. more than anything.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday Dad!

We have had some great times! You have been there for me through thick and thin, taught me just about everything I know, and played hard through it all! 

Here's to many more years of having a great time together!

Love ya!

The Moment I Cried: My Mom Loves Me

I remember those days all too well.


In 2002-2003 I suffered from extremely painful ovarian cysts. I would wake up in the morning around 5 AM and jump in the shower. If I had a cyst, that is when it usually let me know of it's presence. I would get out of the shower sopping wet and soap still in my hair, just enough to open the door to lay on the floor and scream for my mom. Her presence calmed me just enough to get back into bed or head to the hospital...yet again. It was always the same tests, and the same diagnosis. 


Not this day. 


I actually made it to dance practice on February 24, 2003. We were conditioning really hard and the pain stabbed my lower abdomen like a knife. I ran into the locker room and screamed while thrashing on the floor. (Ya...the locker room floor. Gross I know.) My coach was there, and then I was in the nurse's room. Then my mom whisked me to the Dr. for the final time. I was in so much pain, the memory is jagged and incomplete. This was it. Surgery, tomorrow. This cyst was big, it wouldn't pop, and it had a conspicuous fluid inside that was concerning. 


February 25, 2003. My mom's birthday of all days, she spent the day in the hospital with me. It was a long day. I honestly don't really remember too much of it. But this isn't the reason I'm telling you this story.


About three or four years later I get a call from my dad really early in the morning. I recognized the noises of the ER in the background and began to panic. He said "Your Mom is in the hospital. She insisted I call you. She has an ovarian cyst. She is in so much pain. On the way over all she could say was 'I can't believe Stephanie went through this. Tell her I'm sorry. I love her.' "


I have felt the love of my Mom all of my life. I have always known that she loves me and would do, and often does do everything for me. But in that moment, I cried. My mom loves me. 


My Mom Loves Me.

Happy Mother's Day Mom. I love you too.

We met...again. FINALLY!

We made a sign. And we waited!

I am the worst at waiting. We got to the airport 45 minutes early. And I got teased about it...

Hailey(sister), Annie(sister), Natalie(cousin),
Summer(cousin),Heather(cousin)

 Ashley came running from a distance. You can see my dad in the background carrying all of her bags. It was the cutest reunion I have ever seen. She was excited, and then saw all of us and became a bit overwhelmed. She hugged us all.

Among my many favorite moments, wast this. See the very tall guy standing in the back, right in the center? That us Uncle Ernie. The beautiful people of Cambodia thought that he was President Monson when they saw him in pictures! So funny!

The whole gang that came!

 Ashley arrived in Boise at 11:53 PM. It was late, and we (they) were so tired. They had been traveling for 24 hours, and lost 12 in the process. So, the next day our immediate family got together. And more importantly, Ashley met a new niece and nephew, and was reunited with Bris and Jeffie.

And now Bristol thinks that
Ashley lives at our house!

The "Queen of Play" is back and I am so glad. I feel so blessed to have her as a sister. She is a great one, and an even better person. Her mission was amazing. My heart aches because I know that she will be missed, and even more so because I know that she will miss the people of Cambodia. I know that her love for them runs so deep. 

Bristol B is 3!

Daddy, Bristol and Mommy
16 March 2009
Logan, Ut

6 lbs 5 oz and 18 in. 

Bristol's 1st Birthday

Bristol's 2nd Birthday

My Dear Bristol~

You are three today! "Three in March" as you have been saying. 

My oh my. Where do I even begin. This year, you have grown so much. Just before your second birthday, your life completely changed. You got a little brother. You love Tytan. You don't like it when he is crying and rush to him and give him kisses. You love to climb into his bed and say "good morning." You are a great big sister. It isn't easy, I know, but you are learning so well.

After that change, life changed again when we moved you to Idaho. You love it in your new house. You have become a little 'Idaho' girl quite quickly, but you still have a few Utah attributes! ;) this is all good!

Your favorite thing to do outside is swing "higher" on the swing. You could do that forever. You also love to run "down the mountain" in our backyard. It's just a little slope, but it's your mountain! Ruby loves to run it with you. 

Your new thing is to put ice on your eye when you go to sleep. You are wonderful about going to bed, but you have to have your blankie and your ice. You say your prayers and brush your teeth almost by yourself. 

You love to sing and dance. You have got quite the dance moves. You can move those feet and shake those hips all at the same time! We are so excited to put into dance lessons this fall. You love learning. Going to Nursery at church is one of your most favorite things. Brother and Sister Rich adore you, and you adore them. Sundays are a great day!

You love to help mommy bake and clean...to a certain extent. You will pick up your toys, help fold laundry (socks are your favorite), sweep, but don't get too close to that vacuum cleaner!

Your new found love is playing the "biolin." You love to rosin your bow and play in the music room. You also love to dance while I play the violin and piano. You have music in your blood, and I love that about you. Keep that music in your little veins. It will bless you!

You have a great obsession with the Temple. You love talking about the temple and learning about it. You know that Mommy and Daddy got married there, and that families are forever. You understand that you have to be "bigger" to go inside one day.

32 lbs 37in tall

I love you more than life itself. I can't imagine being here without you. I love you so much! Words just can't express the love that I have for you. You are a beautiful little lady. I know that you will keep growing and learning. Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl!

Love Mommy