Thanks Evie.

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." D&C 6:36

Erek's new and improved car seat.

I meant to post this one a while back, when Erek got his new car seat, but... it just didn't happen. I think that Erek looks like such a big boy now in his "big boy" seat. I love how much easier it is getting him in and out of the car and I love how I can look back and hand him things without breaking my neck trying to make sure he gets the thing I am trying to hand to him. I can tell that he enjoys facing forward and being able to see so much more than he could before. He likes to look out the window and he likes being able to see all of the lights when we are driving around at night. He also likes to... well, you'll see in some of the pictures.

We got the new car seat one evening right before he turned a year old. We were so excited to get the new in and the old out that we made him stay up so that we could let him try out his new seat after Brian got it all worked out in the car.

Like I was saying before, Erek also likes to suck on his toes and do toe touches while he is in his car seat. I wish I was that flexible!

The first year went by SO fast!

My, my, my. Every once in a while I have one of those moments. A few minutes one day when I realize that I am a Mom and that Brian and I have a one year old and I just can't remember where ANY of the time went. I try to think back and remember all of the little milestones in his first year to catch me up to speed. I am glad to have taken some pictures to help me remember all of the small things that are so fun! Here are just a few...

Only minutes old...

One day old.

The biggest smile I had ever seen on him. Valentines Day 2008, a little over 1 month old.

One of his bath's in the baby tub. I can't remember how old he was here, but it wasn't more than a few months. I would have posted pictures of his first bath, but they are a little inappropriate.

Easter 2008. 2 1/2 months old.

Disneyland! 3 months old.

Blessing Day. 4 months old.

6 months old.

7 months old lovin the beach.

8 months old.

11 months old.


We celebrated Erek's first birthday on his first birthday two Saturdays ago. We had both families over to party and it was a blast! How could you not have fun with party hats and balloons all over the floor? (The balloons were an idea from Aunt Taylor, who we missed dearly!) Erek was having a great time. I have pictures to prove it!

Here I am, frosting his own special cake. Can you guess what it is?

Aunt Abi watching the little rascal while I frost his cake.

All finished!

There was a lot of fun going on in this picture.

Erek and his Uncle Steve. And our ugly yellow walls.


Jared messing around with Uncle Brian.

Almost standing on his own. He can do this pretty good now.

Cute little Sum Sum getting busted.

Sum likes to "borrow" Erek's paci.

Erek and Cory rockin out to some tunes.

Not really digging the party hat.

Sum Sum in her cute party hat.

Riley girl in her party hat.

Hangin out with Aunt Liz.

Rusty, Summer and Cory lovin the party hats and pizza.

He was telling me how much fun he was having.

He wasn't sure what to think of the whole cake thing.

So I stuck his hand in it to get him going... he didn't like that very much.

Then he tasted it and decided he liked it.

Mmmmm... nummy!

After his bath and playing with his new toys.

Our Christmas

Last year for Christmas I was uncomfortable, extremely huge and running out of patience. My baby boy was supposed to be there on that day and had made no signs of wanting to come out. This year was SO much better! He was here and crawling around and smiling at me and having so much fun! What a difference! We had such an enjoyable Christmas not only just with Erek but with my entire family. My Mom came to stay with us, which made it even more enjoyable. Erek doesn’t get to see his grandma very often and they had a great time together while she was here. My brother Jared and his girlfriend Rachael came over to be with us as well as my sisters Abi and Elizabeth and their husbands Jon and Jorge. And to complete the group, my Dad. Erek loves to hang out with his grandpa. I’m not sure what it is, but I notice a special bond between the two of them when he comes over. It’s so sweet. I am so blessed to have such a great family. They have helped make me who I am today! I missed being with the Dan family this year. Brian’s family is amazing and SO MUCH FUN! I am SO blessed to have such great in-laws! I don’t even consider them as in-laws anymore. They are MY family. I love you guys!

I couldn’t just pick a couple of pictures because there were so many that are so cute and that I wanted to share with all of you.

Here is Erek and Daddy on Christmas Eve morning.

Here is our tree. I was going to make a tree skirt to go underneath it this year, but could not find the time! So, it's bare and looks kinda lame but oh well.

It is my Erekson family tradition to open a present on Christmas Eve. The present is ALWAYS pj's and so here are some pictures of us opening our pj's.

This is one of the coolest Nativity sets that I own. This one is Abi's, but I have one just like it. My Dad cut out and sanded all of the wooden pieces and my Mom painted them all a couple of years ago. All of the pieces fit together as a puzzle inside of the stable. Erek was enjoying eating Aunt Abi's nativity. Sorry for the teeth marks Ab.

This might be one of the only few pictures that you will see Jared making a regular smile. He is always such a goofball when it comes to taking pictures. :)

Christmas morning! Santa came! (Haha... we still need to get some curtains for our windows.)
So serious. He wasn't quite sure what to think of everything.

Erek loves his uncle Jon.

My Mom, diggin in!

My brother and sisters and I and our spouses all exchange gifts every year. This year we were all tight on cash after a couple of our husbands were laid off, so we decided to exchange a service instead. We also made up stockings to give to each other and Abi had my name. The rule for the stockings was that it had to be a white elephant gift. So... Abi had these bracelet items laying around and decided to make me some bracelets to wear for every holiday during the year! How cool and cute is that?

Jared rocking out on the mini piano.