New patio set :)

I am SO happy about my new patio furniture that I had to post it :) I've been wanting a patio set all summer long, but since most of our efforts are going to paying things off, getting things ready for the new baby, and paying for the actual birth of the baby, all before he actually arrives, a new patio set was not in the cards. So I'm extremely excited I actually got it! (I just need to get some cushions). I'm even more thrilled that I got it for such an awesome deal. KSL rocks!

24th of July

Since John had to work on the 24th, I went with my mom, my brother Shane & his boys for a ride through the Uintah's. We went to Kamas for lunch at our favorite drive-in called Dick's and then headed up the canyon. We stopped at Provo River Falls and then went to Mirror Lake and walked around the entire Lake. It was so beautiful and perfect weather. I love going to Mirror Lake and never seem to get tired of it. After hanging out for awhile we drove to Evanston to buy some fireworks :) By the time I got home, John was off work and we went to my mom's for a BBQ and fireworks.

Kenny Chesney Concert

My 24th of July weekend got kicked off with a bang! I was feeling a little "down" about things I can't have or do right now because our main focus has been the baby. I really wanted to go to the Kenny Chesney concert, but spending $150-$200 a ticket is not the smart thing to do right now. I emailed Lynzie to vent & complain for a moment about it and then about 4:30pm the greatest thing happened. Steve (my boss) got a call from our office complex association president. Real/Rio Tinto Stadium pays us to use our parking lot for event parking. But they didn't pay us last month so they gave our association president 20 tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert. He wasn't going to use them so he asked my boss Steve if there was anyone that wanted to use them.....for FREE!! I immediately told Steve YES and ran to call Lynzie to tell her we were going to the concert!! I was SO excited!! After begging Lynzie to go, she gave in and we had a ton of fun!! I was a little bummed that Sugarland bailed out but it was still an awesome concert :) Thanks Lynz for going! It made my whole weekend!!

This lighter is actually Lynzie's phone :)

You have no idea how difficult it was to get these pictures of us! LOL. These hats have been thru a lot!!

Grandpa Erickson's Obituary

Last Tuesday I got a call from John's mom who told me that John's grandpa "didn't have much longer" and I burst into tears after I hung up the phone. It was an all too familiar phone call like the one I received about my dad. However, unlike my dad, grandpa passed away 5 minutes after that phone call so I was happy he didn't suffer. His passing was a little expected as his health continued to fail over the past 3 months. John was the first grandchild and was very close and ADORED his grandpa, so I hated to be the one to call and tell him. I had hoped grandpa would last until the baby was born as this would be his first great-grandchild. But I know he is with him now and my dad :) I'm SO happy I had the opportunity to know grandpa, even if it was only for a few short years. He was such a sweet, gentle man and we will miss him.
Harold E. Erickson 1920 ~ 2009
On July 7, 2009 our beloved, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Harold Erickson, passed away surrounded by his family. He was born March 11th , 1920 in Beulah, North Dakota to Harvey and Margaret Jensen Erickson. On January 6, 1942 he married his true love, Mary Sanone'. They were married for 61 years and together created a life full of love, laughter and happiness for their children, John and Barbara. Their home and hearts were open to everyone. Family and friends were always welcome to join in holiday celebrations, enjoy a great Italian feast, help make Italian sausage, go camping, boating, fishing and hunting. He was devoted to his family and spent many hours coaching little league sports, and taking family and friends on great camping trips. Harold was proud to have served in the United States Army. One month after his marriage to Mary, he was drafted and sent to the South Pacific to fight in World War II. He spent 27 months overseas and was awarded three Purple Hearts. He was a great mechanic who could engineer, build or repair anything. At a Murray High School class reunion, one of his friends remembered him as the student who built a car using only one screw driver. He worked as a mechanic most of his life, and retired from the Salt Lake International Airport as Director of Vehicle Maintenance where he engineered and built equipment still used today. Harold was a devout Lutheran and life long member of Christ Lutheran Church in Murray Utah. His love of God was inspirational. We would like to thank Pastor Kris Erickson for his support during our father's illness. There are no words adequate enough to express how much his daily visits meant to our father and to us. We are humbled to have been the recipients of his compassionate love. Thanks to Don Schultz, of Christ Lutheran Church for his wonderful visits. We would also like to thank dad's neighbors, friends and family for their wonderful support during his illness. Harold is survived by his children John (Ethelyn), Barbara Stilinovich; grandchildren John Erickson (Tahna), Jocelyn Erickson, Anthony Stilinovich, and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by Bill McKendrick (Mary Beth), Jacksonville Florida, our lifelong friend whom dad loved and considered one of his children. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; son-in-law, Tony Stilinovich, and all of his brothers and sisters. A wake will be held on Monday, July 13th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 14th at 12:00 noon at Christ Lutheran Church, 240 East 5600 South, Murray. Entombment to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 4th Ave "T" Street, Salt Lake City. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com We love you Dad!

New Puppy!!

No, we did not get a new puppy (I'm not that crazy), but John's parents did! His dad picked out this puppy a few weeks ago and decided to name him Sam. John's grandpa passed away Tuesday so they weren't sure if they were going to pickup the new puppy but yesterday they decided to get him as he would be a good diversion. He is SO adorable and playful. After dinner we were sitting around and I picked him up, squeezed his cute little wrinkly face and he instantly fell asleep while I was squishing his face. It was SO funny! He just sat in my lap with his head in my hands squishing his face and slept. Welcome to the family Sam! Just wait until you meet your cousins Amos and Homer J!!

He has cute spots

It's been a big day!Buzz checkin on SamSleeping while doing squishy face...LOL

4th of July

I started my 4th of July weekend on Friday by hanging out with my mom, my nephew Jake and my Grandma who was visiting from Arizona. We had lunch and then went to the Freedom Festival in Provo. It was fun, but really hot so I had a snowcone to help cool me down :)

Saturday we took the dogs to Murray park for a walk and swim :) Amos became a sideshow as people started stopping and would watch him jump in the water and swim to get his ball and bring it back over and over again. Kids thought it was the neatest thing ever. That night we went to Sugarhouse Park to watch their last firework show. I couldn't believe how many people were there. I LOVE fireworks so John puts up with the crowds and traffic to make me happy :) I'm glad that fireworks don't bother our boys. Homer doesn't LOVE them and he sits really close to me, but he doesn't cry or anything. They don't even phase Amos a bit.

Sunday we had our first Erickson Dutch Oven Cookoff! John, his sister and his mom were the chef's and each prepared a dutch oven dish. John made yummy wontons, Jocelyn (his sister) made cheesy potatoes, and his mom made a pineapple upside down cake. After a little incident with the wontons, all the dishes came out great and were delicious!