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.

Recent Scrapbook Pages

The Knee Dance

We had a great time with Grandpa and Sonya on Sunday. Of course, Grandpa broke out the knee dance again, and I just thought it should be documented for posterity.

Spring has Sprung

Last night, Mom and I planted new flowers in her garden! I have great memories of doing this every spring, and sometimes trying to surprise her with a new garden for Mother's Day. I realized that planting a garden is so much more fun when you know you have no responsibility for taking care of it.

Cannon Fodder

What I Need

I love Google. Andrea suggested today that I google, "Maren needs..." in the hopes of finding some entertaining blog material. According to Google, here are the things I need most:

Maren needs her hair washed and combed .
Maren needs to get on!
Maren needs a big sister.
Maren needs to do more work in laying out the Bush administration part of her argument.
Maren needs 35 people to show up for her .
Maren needs someone more active, but i'll never give up.
Maren needs a sugar momma!
Maren needs our help.
Maren needs a nickname badly.
Maren needs to shut down the entire cell phone network of Chicago
Maren needs a kidney transplant.

Playoff Time

The playoffs start today for the Mavs and Spurs. It really is the best time of year, so bring on the cheeseball! Go Mavs AND Spurs!

Game Night!

We went to a Rangers game tonight! It was Isaac's first, so he was very excited. We enjoyed great company, excellent kosher hotdogs, fun fireworks, and there was some baseball, too.

WICKED

Last night, I saw Wicked with Andrea and her mom Becky. It was incredible. I hadn't heard much about it, so I was really blown away at the beautiful music and the talented cast. It was so cool to see two powerhouse women singers on stage...they were amazing!

The Zoo!

I've been begging Isaac to take me to the zoo, and this week he did! Ryan, Andrea, and Ethan came with us, too. Ethan was scared to death of the big gorilla, but other than that, had a great time. I got to pet a stingray, even though some called me scared (who wouldn't be...It jumped out of the water!) I can't wait to go back!

25 Things about Isaac at 25

Happy Birthday Isaac! He turned 25 this weekend, and here are 25 things about him...


1. He always wants to do the right thing while making others think the opposite about him.
2. He has the best smile.
3. He loves old Nintendo games.
4. He loves his Primary kids.
5. His staples: popcorn…just popcorn.
6. He is always loyal to his brothers.
7. He has terrible handwriting.
8. He always wants to spend time with his niece and nephew…flying kites, playing at Chick-a- laylay, just goofing around.
9. He speaks Spanish.
10. He would prefer to wear the same shirt every day for the rest of his life.
11. He is very forgiving.
12. He is the smartest and wittiest person I know.
13. His feet look like they came straight out of The Hobbit.
14. He will rarely compromise.
15. His pet peeve is listening to people chew with their mouth open.
16. He smells good and showers two or more times a day.
17. He loves literature and will read anything at least once.
18. He is the fourth of five sons.
19. He must have control over the length of his hair and believes that no one can make him cut it.
20. He is a skilled cartoonist.
21. He loves playing Magic.
22. He hates having a cell phone.
23. He is an excellent speaker and teacher.
24. He makes up goofy songs and can’t stop singing them (i.e. a little song he wrote about James Brown).
25. He is happiest when everyone around him is laughing.

Abby and Isaac

Abby and Isaac both love the camera, but only Abby is able to openly admit it.

Snow Day!

Today was a snow day! Coincidentally, I already had the day off of work, and Isaac had no classes (too bad, since all classes were cancelled anyway). We had a great time doing...not much of anything. We took a few pictures to prove to ourselves that there was snow in 2007!

Mmm...Onion Rings

I started Weight Watchers with Andrea this week. So far, it is going well. I am excited about the difference I already feel in my mood and my health. Last night, however, we got a little too ambitious. We tried to make onion rings with Eggbeaters and Fiber One cereal. It was about as good as it sounds. Abby even came out of bed to tell us that she couldn't sleep because of the awful smell.

All Days Are Good Days

Attending Grandpa's funeral last month reminded me of the amazing man that I am blessed to call my grandfather. Countless people approached us to tell us just how much he had touched their lives. He has always been an unassuming, kind, and faithful man who was quick to tell me that I was so special to him. It was not until I lived close to him that I realized what a righteous and positive influence he has been on me, not only through his role as a grandfather but also as a loving father to my dad. As I am growing up and building a family of my own, I realize what a blessing it is to be given such a legacy of love and faithfulness from my grandfather. You are right Grandpa, all days are good days. I love you.