Erickson ‘99
I
wasn’t going to do “the letter” this year, but I knew our fans would be
disappointed (both of you!), so here it is, the Erickson Christmas letter! Since this is the only communication we have
with some of you, we are thankful for each family update we receive. I think I’ll turn this letter over to the
rest of the family and let them tell you what’s been happening around here.
Cole: I help unload the dishwasher and empty the garbage, but I don’t
like doing the garbage. I’m strong enough to lift Natalie out of the high chair
for my mom. I got a bike for my
birthday and have been learning how to ride it. My dad gives me two wheeler lessons. I played soccer this year, and our team won five times. On the last game, I was the goalie. I love Kindergarten! It’s really fun. My teacher is Mrs. Bigler
and she is awesome. I make puppets for
the letters of the Alphabet. On the last
day before Christmas vacation I get to wear my jammies to school, and I will
get to take my pillow and my favorite stuffed animal to school. I love helping my mom and dad decorate the
Christmas tree, and I like to take a treat out of the Christmas calendar. I really like playing with my friends.
Megan: I’m three years old. My teacher is Mrs. April. I like to go to preschool. I like to hold our birds, Sundance and
Zuzu. I was a tiger for Halloween and went trick or treating and got
candy. I love to play with my animals,
and I put leashes on them and take them for walks around the house. I pick my own clothes, even if they don’t
match. My favorite food is hot dogs
with ketchup. I help my mom clean the
potty and unload the dishwasher.
Natalie: I’m glad Mom finally left so I could get to
the computer! I was afraid that just
because I can’t talk yet they wouldn’t give me a spot in the Christmas
newsletter, so I will just have to do it myself. I’m one now, 14 months to be exact, and I’m the one who’s really
in charge here. I’m working on getting them to extend my bedtime. I’ve got this family pretty well trained so
they get me what I want and keep me happy.
Except for that Megan. She
doesn’t always let me have my own way, but she’s teaching me the fine
techniques of screaming to get what I want. I don’t walk yet, at least not when
mommy and daddy are watching. I want
them to carry me around for as long as possible, and if they know you can
really walk, they stop doing that. I’m the cutest baby in the world, at least
that’s what Mom and Dad tell me. It
looks like Mom is coming back, so I’d better get back on the floor and continue
messing up this place.
Ryan: I’m still having fun at the “new” job at
Phast. I work on home automation
systems. The great part is I get to put
the equipment in my own house for free, since we are a test site. This year I finally finished the family
room, after much nagging. It took me a
little longer because I had to rewire the entire house and put in my PHAST
system. But now it’s really cool. I can program any of the lights to turn on
or off or change brightness at any time of the day. You can control the DVD player, VCR or stereo from a keypad on
the wall, and it even shows the caller ID and lists how many e-mails I have
waiting for me. I also have remotes for
just about everything—it’s a guy’s dream house. I’ve done some traveling this year, but not as much as in the
past. It’s always so nice to come back
home.
I’m
now the ward membership clerk and I really like it. They finally released me from my Sunday School calling teaching
the 12-14 year olds, thank goodness. It
wasn’t so bad, but it’s nice to not have to teach every Sunday now.
Paige: As for me, I manage to keep busy with the
house, the kids, PTA and the Young Women’s Organization in the ward. I guess when Cole started school this year,
I started, too. I was in charge of the
“Reflections” program for the PTA at Cole’s school. We had 268 entries in art, literature, music, photography and
dance. It was a ton of work, but I
signed on again for next year.
Hopefully I can do some things a bit differently and use what I have
learned this year. I love our newly
finished basement and the beautiful new carpet. There’s even a place for my sewing machine, and I’ve enjoyed
sewing a little bit again. I got the
curtains done but still have a few Christmas things to get done—it could
happen, right?
This
year I sang in the Chorus for a Messiah sing-in held at the Alpine
Tabernacle. It was a wonderful
experience to be surrounded by talented people and to sing such beautiful
music. Rehearsing got me right into the
Christmas spirit even earlier than usual this year! I still try to win our entertainment, and this year I won a trip
to Mesa Verde, Colorado. Other
highlights have been Jazz games, concerts, hotel stays, airfare to LA, Lagoon
tickets, dinners out, and tickets to Barney’s Musical Castle. I’ll keep trying,
and some day I’ll win a big prize!
We
send our love, and wish you the greatest of holiday seasons with those you
love. We love visitors, so if you’re
ever in Lehi, please drop by and say hello!
May we all remember Jesus Christ and his gifts to us at this season of
giving!
Love,
Ryan, Paige, Cole, Megan and Natalie
