The Annual Erickson Gift Challenge

Last night, Isaac and I gave each other $4 to find the best gift at the dollar store. He did much better than I did, and he can't stop telling everyone we know that he is a much better gift giver than I am. Apparently, his $4 gift trumps every birthday and Christmas for the last 4 years.

Best of 2007

Better late than never...

Greatest Accomplishment
Isaac: Best cartoonist ever!
Maren: Getting a new job...so scary

Biggest Disappointment
Isaac: Classes
Maren: Mavs lose playoffs in first round

Best Movie
Isaac: Simpsons
Maren: Don't remember, but Simpsons was good

Best Date
Isaac: seeing "The Nutcracker" and having a romantic dinner (no joke, these are Isaac's words)
Maren: ice sculptures and hot chocolate

Best Song
Isaac: I don't know; I'm never allowed to use the iPod
Maren: anything by Sara Bareilles

Best Ethan Quote
Isaac: Ethan saying, "Go get your shinebox!"
Maren: When asked what was wrong, Ethan yelled, "Noffing!" (translation: Nothing!)

Most Shocking Discovery
Isaac: Kids are cool!
Maren: Guacamole tastes good

Abby's Baptism!

Yesterday, Abby was baptized! We are so proud of her and her decision. Thank you Abby for letting us share your special day with you!

Oops!

I totally forgot to blog Christmas! It was great. We had the traditional Trowbridge family nativity (which had the welcome addition of a "sheep"), and of course, the fam went bowling (I won for the first time ever)!

In other news...

Matt got his first yellow card at a high school soccer game for slapping another kid...he knows how to make his sister proud.

My brother Dave broke his wrist and is home with Jake and Leah recouperating for a few weeks. He has been in training in Georgia for work.

Mom got to meet "The Fonz." He wrote a children's book, and she got to talk to him about it.

San Antonio

The San Antonio Staples:

• Family
• Spurs!
• the Alamo
• the Temple
• Tom's Ribs
• Riverwalk

____________________________________________

I went to San Antonio last week for work, and I got to spend time with my cousins (it has been way too long). It was great catching up, being introduced to Tom's Ribs and seeing the Spurs play the Mavs!

Christmas Tree!

It took two long nights, but the Christmas tree for the Stake Nativity is now done!

Ice!

Tonight, we went to the Gaylord Texan Resort Ice exhibit. There were tons of ice sculptures, including a beautiful nativity in the center, and an ice slide! They keep it at 9 degrees, so we couldn't stay too long, but we had a wonderful time.

Halloween with Dorothy & the Cowboy

What Happened?

I am relatively crafty, not super-creative, but relatively crafty. That is why I was pleased to hear that Frost had an annual pumpkin decorating contest. I thought about it for awhile, and at the last minute, I decided to turn my pumpkin into a bumblebee. I just can't figure out at what point my bumblebee decided that he wanted to look like Zorro.

Retreat!

I went to the scrapbooking retreat this weekend at the Covered Bridge Inn in Weatherford. Although I didn't get a lot of pages completed, I had a great, relaxing time (and I finished all my Christmas cards!) Here are the pages I did...

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend, we went with Dave, Leah, and Jake to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound. It was so fun! There was quite a crowd there, but we had a great time launching pumpkins, watching Jake ride the train, and wandering around amid the pumpkins.

Puppy Love

Isaac, I just wanted to remind you that I want a puppy (preferably this one).

Restaurant Review: The sweet taste of Germany...?

Well those crazy Germans did it again... no, not invade Poland. Hoffbrau Steakhouse is just about the best sit-down eating joint I have ever been to. Maren and I ate the fried mushrooms. I am a huge fan of all of green Mother Earth's fungi, however these are my favorite. I ordered shrimp, which was absolutely worth every penny, but Maren's chicken made me a little jealous. The inside has a nice rustic feel, wooden tables, floors, and there was a waiter with a wooden leg. The booth we sat at was extremely comfortable and the glasses were HUGE. Oh also, I saw the giant-est steak covered in onion rings while I was there. As it passed me, sizzling in its' own juices, I wondered, "how long does that guy have to live."
Simon Pottinbutter
P.S. I think "Hoffbrau" should mean "best dang steakhouse you'll ever going to eat at without having to wear a freaking tie."

It's Official!

I start my new position at Frost on August 27! I have been in need of a change for a while now, and I am so excited (and a little scared) now that it is here. I would never have done it without Isaac's incessant poking and prodding (or maybe this is called encouragement?).

The Simpsons Meet the Ericksons

It has long since been my dream to become apart of the Simpsons... now I have... and look there's Maren. I think this is my favorite picture of us ever.

Family Day

Yesterday, we went with the whole family to the Fort Worth Zoo. Despite the heat, we had a great time, and we even got to see the new baby black bears. Afterward, Mom and Dad treated us to a pizza and ice cream party!

Movie Review: The Simpsons

This is our first ever Erickson Family Blog movie review, so it is only appropriate that it be The Simpsons. This movie is hilarious. I was changed from the wife of a Simpsons enthusiast into a Simpsons lover myself with just a two-hour session. ---Maren


If you are going to break the law and rob a bank in order to pay for one movie this Summer, my vote is for "The Simpsons Movie." It is rated PG-13. I was a bit stunned to see parents bringing their nine, ten, and eleven-year old kids into the theater. The jokes are edgy, the gags are great, but be warned... when Bart is skateboarding naked... leave it up to the Simpson writers to go where no other cartoon has gone before. Also, make sure you bring an extra pair of underwear because I pissed mine twice while laughing so hard. ----- Simon Pottinbutter

3 Years!

Yesterday, Isaac and I celebrated our third anniversary. We have come a long way in 3 years. We were able to spend a great day together and just enjoy each other. Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Ryan is 30! We celebrated with Chinese food and ice cream! It was wonderful to celebrate with him today. There were many years when birthdays and celebrations together were not so lighthearted. I am reminded today of what a blessing forgiveness has been in my life. I am blessed with a remarkable friend that I never could have imagined I would enjoy so much. What a blessing it is to think of all the years ahead of us, sharing in each others lives, enjoying our nieces and nephews, and having each other the lean on. Thank you for that. Happy birthday, my friend. I love you.

Congrats Katie!

My friend Katie is pregnant! She is 13 weeks along, and the baby will be a Texan! She and her husband moved to Houston last week. I am so excited for them. This has made me think a lot about motherhood over the last few days. Sometimes I think that as a woman and as a wife, I should have all my affairs in order, including a beautifully clean house and a little baby to wake me up at night. This inevitably leads me to reflect on the blessings of living by God's plan instead of my own. The time isn't right, and I am completely happy with that. In the meantime, I have my Abby and Ethan.