Friends

We've been having a lot of fun getting to know some new friends at church. Nicole and Don had a pool party to celebrate Nicole's 25th birthday. Everyone enjoyed themselves so much, that we got together on Sunday after church too. Then, they came over our house for pizza on Sunday night. Fun! Fun!

Happy Birthday Poppy!

Happy 29th or 30th Birthday! We know you couldn't decide if you'd take the jump into your 30's just yet. We had fun celebrating with you!

15 month check-up

Noah had his 15 month well baby visit a day early. He weighed in at 22lbs 6oz and 30" long. His doctor says he is growing and developing perfectly.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there!
I am disappointed to admit that I don't have a single picture of my dad and I together from our trip to Ohio. Noah was obviously the center of attention and I am the one usually taking all the pictures so I am rarely in a photo. Anyway, we did have a really nice dinner at a steakhouse called the Stockyard. We ate some of the most delicious filets I have ever eaten.

Ohio

This is Noah and his 2nd cousin, Dana, and his Great Uncle Sam. We went to the Metroparks to feed the ducks.

We used to feed the ducks when we were little, but now they don't allow it. Grammy snuck in a bag of bread and let Noah throw some in anyway.

I'm pretty sure Grammy and Grandpa took a liking to Noah because they documented the whole trip. The above is Noah getting some water from the drinking fountain. Jay is holding him, Grandpa is watching while pushing the button, and Grammy is taking a picture - so I had to take a picture of them. It was super cute!

Here is Noah with his Uncle Jones. It's not really his uncle, but Jones is one of Jay's best friends. Jones and Cody bought Noah an adorable book that Noah now keeps in the car with him. We also had to take this other picture of Noah wearing Jones' hat. I'm pretty sure Jones knew it would make it to the blog.

Grams

Today Grams' remains were buried next to the love of her life. When my mom's dad died at the young age of 47 (or 48?), they left a spot for my grandma so they could be together in the town

where they shared their lives. Though we know their souls are in Heaven and they aren't really buried in the ground, this is a beautiful symbol of their unity.

Ohio

This morning we helped put mulch down. I know what you're thinking... Grammy and Grandpa didn't ask OR hint. Jay wanted to help and after a short while of watching, I decided to pitch in. Anyway, we worked until lunch which is why Noah is in his jammies and eating a carrot. He also has his cousin, Brendan's, Indians hat on.

Later, we visited Jay's cousin, Wayne, his wife, Allison, and their son, Owen. His Aunt Donna and Uncle Wayne also came over. Noah and Owen got along just great. How cute is this of them watching the neighbor out the window while he watered his lawn?

Ohio

One of Noah's favorite things at Grammy and Grandpa's house is the cat. He's not rough with it, but he does get close and Jewels doesn't like it. Noah walks around the house searching for the cat saying "meow" over and over again. Grandpa knew where the cat was hiding so he helped Noah find him.

Grammy took us to Gymboree which is a little gym for kids. We sang songs, blew bubbles, and used props. Noah couldn't get enough of the bubbles so Grammy bought some of his very own. Thanks Grammy!
Then we went to visit Yaya and Papa. Noah toured the yard (and the neighbors) and played hide and seek with his great grandpa, Papa. He knew that Noah would get a kick out of sitting on the riding mower, so he took it out of the garage and pushed Grammy and Noah around. He loved it!!

Later that night, I hung out with more Ohio friends: Nick, Jessica, and Amy. Loves ya!

Ohio

Today Matt, Trinity, and Dana came up from Southern Ohio to visit. It was so fun to have everyone together. What's weird though is that there is always one Erickson brother or sister that is missing at every gathering. Luckily, Jenna and John are getting married in March so we will all be together then.

Here's the bros, sister, and cousins. And also Trinity and Noah. Matt, Kathy, and Trinity just returned from Disney World with this yeti stuffed animal. Matt said Aunt Kathy saw it and said that they needed to get it for Noah. Noah loves it! Thank you!!

We colored on a huge sheet of paper and also played kickball (with Trinity's rules). Luckily, I was on her team - Go Team T!!

Noah and his Uncle Matt and Uncle Matt and Allison blowing out candles in celebration of their birthdays. Happy Birthday!!

Ohio

We went back over to Great Grandma and Grandpa Erickson's for lunch this afternoon. Jay's Aunt Amy and cousin Tim also joined us. After Noah got strawberry juice all over his shorts, he had to roam the yard pant-less until they went through the washer and dryer.

This evening Paps/Grandpa and Grammy had a bbq at their house and invited all of our family over. Gabe is with Noah on the top-left, Uncle Sam and my cousin Tom are on the top right. Below is my cousin Adam with Noah and then my cousin Brent and Aunt M. Everyone got a kick out of Noah and as always, he loved all the attention. We had so much fun spending time with everyone. Jay and I agree that we are so blessed to have really great families. We love you all!

Ohio

Paps and Grammy are definitely getting used to being grandparents. You would never know that it's been over a year since they've seen Noah. Noah loves them like they've been around all along and they love him just the same. Paps/Grandpa is sharing strawberries with Noah while they sit on the kitchen floor together. PS: Noah calls his Grandpa "gu pu" - or something like that. It's not super clear but you definitely know what he's saying when he says it.

We went to the Saturday night church service tonight. Gabe, Jay, and I always sing with fake microphones when we go to church together. It's so funny! Jay and Gabe also clap huge to the music like crocodiles. After the service was over, we played basketball in the gymnasium. Noah loved the freedom and that all eyes were on him.

Ohio

Today was a day for friends. We stopped over Amy's house this afternoon. We have been friends since we were 9 years old which is when her family moved on to our street. Noah was so intrigued with her cat. He followed it around the yard.

That night we went out with our friends. Rhonda is also one of my super close friends. We met in junior high but became really close in high school.

Ohio

This morning we headed over to Noah's Great Grandma and Grandpa Erickson's. As we pulled into the driveway, Noah's eyes lit up because he immediately recognized them. (They were just out for the month of March.) They were gracious enough to watch Noah while he took his nap. Jay and I took a little car ride and drove passed some of our old houses.

These were two of mine. We lived in the first one from the time I was 4 (I think) till age 8. Then we moved into the second one which is the home I lived in till I left for Arizona.

These were two of Jay's homes. Unfortunately, I don't know the time frame that he lived in these.

This evening, Noah met his Great Grandma and Grandpa Rosplock for the first time. My Aunt Gail, Uncle Phil, and cousin Brendan also came over to meet him. Noah loved all the attention. Everyone threw the ball all over the room for him to chase. He especially loved that Brendan had a ton of energy and crawled all over the floor with him.