New Orleans

We went to New Orleans for the NADA convention. (National Automobile Dealers Association). The last time we were there was the February before Katrina. I thought maybe it would look a lot cleaner with new paint and fixed sidewalks. Was I wrong, it looked worse! There are a lot of empty buildings and the sidewalks are awful. Those who can afford to fix up are, but there is so much to do. ( We didn't take a lot of photos, sorry). We still had a great time. We did a lot of walking and eating. We spent a lot of time at the convention center. Eric went to meetings and I went to the place they have for the spouses. I had a facial and attended a work shop on dieting. It Sounds boring but it really was fun. Shopping was not so good. I found Sax Fifth Avenue. Thought maybe I would buy a dress. Ha, the minute I walked in I new I was in the wrong place. First of all I walked from the convention center. It was about five blocks. The humidity and my hair don't mix and I was hot, yet I was cold it was in the 60's. Anyway I felt like I looked awful. I walked around a bit, I looked at a few price tags and about died. A little jacket was $1,000.00. Yep I was in the wrong place. Even things on sale were way out of my league. I slowly walked out so know one would see and I went back to the convention center. On the way back I walked through the river walk shops. A little more my style. Not many stores were in there because of Katrina. But those that came back were OK. There was Gap & Ann Taylor Loft. That was it, The other shops were little souvenir shoppes. I did find a sale in Ann Taylor's, all their sale things were another 40% off. That was fun.

We ate at Emerils restaurant "Nola's", So good.. the Crab cakes are to die for!

We found the LDS church on Sunday. It is a very small branch. They had 2 big wards before Katrina. Now they are down to a branch. Those that left haven't come back yet. It was very humbling. It was nice to be there with them.

On Monday we went to the closing workshop at the convention. They Had President Bush (old bush) and president Clinton. It was so cool. They are both working together to help build disaster stricken places. They were both really fun to listen to. It's nice to know that they are working towards a cause for the better and they can set aside political differences.

Our way home was so fun (NOT!) Our flight to Cincinnati was delayed because of weather. That made us miss our flight to Salt Lake. We tried to make it. We had 10 minutes after the plane landed to get to our next gate. We had to run from one terminal to another. Go on 6 walking sidewalks and one mile long escalator. Eric ran ahead I tried, really I did. One man asked if I was OK. I felt silly. We still didn't make it. Even if I would have kept up we wouldn't of made it. Just so you know Eric and I will not be doing amazing race.

Eric and I at Emerils

The LDS Church in New Orleans

President Bush & Clinton

( not a good photo )

Christmas 2008

Christmas this year was pretty quiet. The only kids we had home were Scott & Kylie. We still had a great time. Scott came home from California ( he is finished with his internship at the Aurthur Murry Dance studio. He loved it, but we are glad to have him home.) He got home around 5:00. We headed over to Grandma & Grandpa Erickson's for dinner. Grandma & Grandpa Cheney came with us. The Parkinson's and Flamm's were also there. So everyone had the best of both worlds. It's nice to be around so much family at Christmas. After dinner we came back home and played Mario Cart, opened our Christmas Jammie's and read the Christmas story from the bible. It was very fun. We then made Scott & Kylie go to bed so Santa could come. The next morning we got up around 7:oo. Kylie called because we were not awake. We opened gifts and ate a breakfast casserole and just played with our new toys. Everyone got I-pods so that was fun. I only have a few photo's. Enjoy!

The new pj's!

The Gifford's gave us a Moravian Star. It is so pretty. Thanks everyone for everything. Even though we were not together our thoughts were with all of you! We missed you!

Kylie went to the Christmas dance with a friend named Bryton. He is a Junior. Just a friend. She had a great time.

She wore one of Kim's dresses. It was sleeveless so I found this little sweater to go over it. I thought it turned out pretty cute. Kailani Klingler did her hair. She is Kylies friend who isn't 16 yet. I'm so glad. I don't do hair.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was really fun. We had 16 people come over to help celebrate. Ryan, Starla, Emma, Sofie. (oops that makes 17 - 16 around the table) Kim, Sean, Carter, Kylie, Scott, Suzan, Brent, Leslie, Dan, Grandma & Grandpa Erickson and Eric & I. The boys had an early game of football before dinner. After dinner we all went bowling. It was the Mendenhall's against the Erickson's. The Erickson's came in matching shirts so the Mendenhall's knew we meant business. I believe the Erickson's won! Carter and Emma had fun dancing around the bowling ally. The last photo is of little Sofie.

New Tile!

The carpet in my laundry room had seen better days. I wish I had taken before pictures so you all could appreciate it better. All the kids wanted me to put the new floor on the blog so they could all see it. I thought it turned out pretty good. It only took 3 weeks to get it done. I did the grouting all by myself. Dad did cut and lay all the tiles himself so I guess it was only fair.

I wish I had doors on the lockers. Oh well at least they are clean for a while.

Kylie came running up the stairs the other morning screaming, only wearing a towel. She was getting into the shower when this Hobo came running by. She about had a heart attack. So did I when I tried to catch him. He lost one of his legs in the process. We caught him to show Dad and then we flushed him. He really is big!

Summertime Fun!

Our summer was way to much fun. We had a lot of things going on. It all started with girls camp in June, that's the photo of Kylie doing the hula. Then it was off to Oregon for a few days. Eric had meetings so Kylie and I and a friend of Kylie's, Kari all tagged along.

Eric & Ryan took off for Alaska along with Neil and his boys, Scott wasn't able to go. After that all the kids were home for the 4th of July. We all ran in the fun run, ( not so fun ) anyway then it was off to the parade. The rest of the week we played at the spray park, played on the park toys and rode the carousel. All the girls (except Starla 'cuz Emma broke her collar bone while the boys were gone) took off to see Kim in Boise. We had a great time just shopping, swimming, painting our toes and just visiting. It was great! After we got back we had a fun day at Rigby Lake with one of Stacie's friends from High school. Then Stacie went back home. (bummer)

Scott took off to go on tour with the dance team from the college. I wish I had photos. Now it was time to get back to life. Our stake took our youth to Martins Cove the end of July. What a great experience. I hope it built testimonies because it sure did mine. Then we came home to a new grand baby. Kylie and I took Emma and went school shopping. That was fun, Emma got lots of new toy's "Emma if your good Grandma will buy you a toy" She was great! Then we had Carter for a few days while Kim & Sean went to Vegas for their anniversary. We went huckleberry picking. We got about 2 cups, enough for a pie.

Eric & I went to California to a nephews wedding, it was great. It was nice to get away with Eric for a few days. Oh, we also had Carter, Lillie, & Kim's birthdays in August, Stacie's was in July.

September we went to Sophie's blessing then Eric & I went to Washington DC. Eric had meeting's again so I tagged along. Stacie & Whit & the girls met us there. It was so much fun. Eric had meetings so I got to go and play with the kids. We went to the museums and the zoo. We also celebrated Eliza, Kylie & Sean's birthday's. What a summer! I'm sure I left out a few details but those were the highlights. Great Fun!!!!