Christmas and Moving!!

Christmas was a long awaited season until we learned of Ben's upcoming transfer in his job.  We loved where we were, but we knew that in order for him to finish  his apprenticeship in October he would need more training on energized power lines.  He was transferred to Pinedale, Wy.  We also knew that we wanted to be together as a family.  I know that having him come home every night really helped build our relationship as a family. Time is a interesting concept and I have learned that when he is away time can slowly pass by or when he is home it goes so quickly.
After he came home  we spent a few days together. Lovely days. Then Christmas came and we had a magical morning.  After the unwrapping of all the presents and eating breakfast we started taking down the tree. I remember telling a friend, "We took everything out of one box, to put it in another and tape it up.

 We went sledding that afternoon.  It was sunny but fairly cold.

Christmas horses. 

The day after Christmas we had a group of people show up to help load the truck. I think with all the help we were loaded in an hour. We then took a while  to clean up.
The kids our extra patient and travel well. I know it must seem crazy to people at how often we move. We work hard to stay together as a family.

The we left for Idaho Falls. We spent some time with cousins.

 And Papa and Grandma

Eli wearing his camouflage coat and spider man suit and train whistle. He found the spider man suit in Lindsey dress up box.  He really had fun with something.

We also went to Star Valley and saw Great Grandpa and Great Grandma.

 We got to ride horses.  Which Eli enjoyed so much, but his favorite thing is was playing with Great Grandpa.

Anna's Blessing

Anna blessing was a special day.   We had great ward support.  There was a special spirit that day.

Thanksgiving!

This year was an Erickson Family Reunion!! We went in to Butte, Montana. Ben and I were in charge this year and we found a beautiful vacation rental just outside of Butte.  It had six bedrooms and a yard. Joshua was home from his mission.

My Handsome man!! These precious moments mean so much to me.

Nicolina mad cookies one night.  Lets just says they were the best cookies ever!!

Pie night.  Enough said. We had all sorts of pies.  It was so tasty.  Everyone worked hard to cook and we sure had some great food.

There were several football games that happened.  There was almost a game always going on.

Janice Berezay came.  She is such a part of our family.

The almost the whole family!! We are missing John and Jared who are on their missions.

This is one of my favorite pictures of  Thanksgiving. A great father and daughter moment.

We all went swimming at a hot springs.  It had an indoor and outdoor pool and a great slide.

Lewistown.... Montana

Lewistown was a little bit of heaven.  We enjoyed the small town, pop1000, and the people were so nice. Most of all we enjoyed Ben coming home ever night. Although there were long days.  The kids an I would take walk to the parks and when winter came we shoveled snow and had friends over.  This town has made the list of places that have felt most like home.

We had a fun park right down  and we would walk down there and play on the swings and all the slides.  The kids still remember this park.  They often distinguish the places we lived by the places we have been by the parks that we have been too.

Anna at three months.