Campout in Zions

Last weekend we went camping up in Zion National Park. It is about 25 min from our house, and in the last 5 years that we have lived here we have probably been there 4 times. Sad I know we will be going more now that Caden is getting older and is getting into hiking and camping. We had a good time, we went with some friends Eric and Maranda Miller and their kids Maya and Gavin. Chad and Eric use to work together. They look like they could be brothers and have a lot of the same interest like hunting fishing and shed hunting(looking for deer horns). They have been spending a lot of time together lately and decided to get their families together and venture into the outdoors. We just bought and new tent this year(one big enough for our family of 4) and are hoping to start camping more. I have great memories of camping trips when I was young and hope my kids will have the same. We had a fun time, we thought the wind was going to blow our tent down in the night, but other than that it was great!

Caden waking up from the night!

Chase sound asleep! He did really well in the night only woke up once, ate and went right back to sleep.

Caden, Gavin and Maya

Our little family waiting for dinner to cook!

Eric and Maranda!! Great picture I know but it is the only one I took of them. I hope they don't see this!

Caden at the Dentist

Caden had his first real dentist appointment yesterday. I took him when he was almost two to the dentist Chad and I go to but they didn't do much I don't think they even looked in his mouth. That appointment consisted of riding up and down in the chair and picking out of the prize box, needless to say I was disappointed I thought he was getting a real check-up. This time I took him to Dr. Scholzen a child dentist and he did a great job. Caden didn't like it much and was throwing a fit so he had to sit on Chad's lap and lay back on the Dentist for his x-rays and check up. It took everything Chad had to hold his arms and body he is one tough kid. Caden survived the cleaning and the x-rays showed he had NO cavities so I was excited. Maybe one day he might mellow out and actually let the dentist look in his mouth without being held down, but it is not looking like anytime soon.


Caden after his check up with his balloon and book he got for being so brave!

Dr. Scholzen, Chad and Caden getting x-rays! Poor Kid!!

Grandpa and Grandma Erickson came to visit!

My parents came to visit last weekend, Grandpa and Grandma Erisquin as Caden would say. We had a great time it was fun to see them since we haven't been able to since Christmas. They live in Wyoming so we don't get to see each other and much as I would like. We went shopping, hiking, and had a little camp out. Well Chad, Grandpa and Grandma had a camp out, we wanted to go camping but decided 40 degrees at night might be to cold for Chase. We set the tent up in the backyard so Caden could still sleep out, well he lasted 10 minutes and was in the house with me and Chase so my parents and Chad slept out. We went up to Red Cliffs campground on Saturday and went hiking up to the pools of water, then went and roasted hot dogs and smores in the fire at the camp ground. It was a lot of fun and was good to spend time with my parents. Thanks for coming we love you guys!!!


Chad, Caden and Grandpa climbing up a big rock!

Grandma, me and Caden roasting our hot dogs. Grandma 's hot dog fell off her stick in the fire, she got it out brushed it off and ate it, insisting that that was the way she likes them BURNT!

Caden and Grandpa on a old tree stump that looked like a dinosaur, so of course they had to ride it.

Grandma and Chase sitting on the side of a big rock watching everyone play in the water.

OUR BIG BOY CHASE!!

Chase is 4 months old now!! I took him in for his checkup and 2nd set of shots, he weighs 17lb 3oz and is 25 1/2 inches tall. He is in the 85% for weight and 65% for height. We just have big boys what can I say. Caden weighted 17lb 6oz and was 26 1/2 inches tall at four months so they are very close to the same size. I also think they are looking more like each other the old Chase gets, Chase has the darker complexion and eyes but they both have big heads and big frames (future football players). Chase is so fun and has started to giggle last week, he has only done it twice but we know he can. He also rolled over once from his stomach to his back not on purpose I am sure but he did it. Chase started eating cereal at nights, what a mess I don't know if he doesn't like it or just natural instinct but he spits it out faster than I can put in. We will keep trying to give it to him it has only been two days since we started. Chad pulled out our jumper and Chase seem to really like to chill in that, he doesn't jump of course but he will grab at the toys that are on it and watch the lights flash and listen to the music. Caden of course gives him a few pushes in it as well and he seems to be fine with it. Chase is getting so big and fun to play with, Caden tells him everyday "I love you so much Chaser" Chad and I feel the same. What a blessing these sweet little kids are and how boring life would be without them.
We love you Chaser!!!!

Bad Luck!!

These last couple of months we have had bad luck with our electronics. Our computer and TV(bulb) went out the week before Christmas. We got those fixed and went to take pictures at Cadens birthday Dec 23rd and my camera wasn't holding the charge and has been acting weird ever since. Luckily Chad's parents gave us a new camera for Christmas, Thanks guys we needed it!! Chad and my cell phones screens went black with in 3 days of each other the week after Christmas. We went a bought those cheep go phone from Wal-Mart and put our sin card in those until we made it to January 12th for our upgrade. Got new phones put insurance on them Feb 9th and thought we we were set. Last Friday I went to Arbys drive through and got a drink and on my way home I went to take a drink and the lid wasn't on my cup tight and spilled all over the cup holders which happened to be where my phone was. You guessed it my phone doesn't work now!! I called to make a claim with our insurance to get a new phone and they said that it has only been 20 days since we got insurance and they don't cover anything until 30 days. So I am back to my cheep go phone until I figure out what to do. I am going to call back after the 30 days and see if they will cover then but who knows. So if you call me and I don't have good service and I sound like I am under water now you know why. To top it all off the last 3 weeks our printer has a warning sign blinking and wont let us print anything, we just cant win.

KAUAI HAWAII

ALOHA!!!!
Chad's Dad owns three Associated grocery stores and Associated plans a trip every year, this year we got to go and it was in KAUAI HAWAII. Chad, myself and our two boys went along with Grandpa and Grandma Nelson and their business partners Lamar and Karen Heinhold. We had a BLAST!! What a beautiful island, we went Maui two years ago and I think I liked Kauai more it was so green everywhere you looked. The boys were awesome on the airplane, there were about 200 people that traveled with Associated and we saw them throughout the week and someone was always telling me "your boys were so good on the plane", we lucked out. We spent a week there and enjoyed everyday. Here are some of the things we saw and did!!


Caden and Chase in their swim suits waiting to hit the beach!!

Caden at the Lu'au, he was so entertained by this he liked watching the "fire man" and the dancers his eyes were so big watching the performers.

We went to an old Sugar Cane Plantation and took a tour on an old train. We stop and feed wild pigs and goats. They took us around and showed all different plants and trees that grow in Hawaii and told us all about the agriculture. This was very interesting did you know that a pineapple plant can only produce 2 pineapples in its lifetime and one pineapple takes 2 years to grow. Crazy!!

Caden trying coconut milk. He didn't like it nor did myself or Chad we did like the coconut.

Caden holding Rico the parrot. The hotel we stayed at had 4 pet parrots in there lobby in the morning they would let you hold them and watch them dance and sing.

This is me on a zip line. It was so fun they drove us to the top of this jungle and they had 7 zip lines you rode to the bottom. I was terrified on the first one but once I did it I loved it and by the end I was brave and only holding on with one hand. Chad weighed 10 pounds over the weight limit so he couldn't go on this tour so his dad Gary and Lamar went with me. If you ever have a chance to try this I recommend it, everyone in our group loved it!!

This is a seal that was one the beach at our hotel. Almost everyday you could go to the beach and see one. A guy was telling us that these are an endangered species on this island (there are only 30 left) and in the day they come up on shore to sleep. This is something you don't get to see everyday.

Here's the crew Me, Chad, Caden, MarJean, Gary(Chad's parents), Chase, Karen and Lamar.

This picture was taken in the lobby of our hotel (Grand Hyatt). This place was amazing it was on 52 acres and had several swimming pools, water slide, and a salt water lagoon. There was a lot of walking at this hotel but it was worth it

Caden and myself getting ready to go on a helicopter tour of the island. Caden loved it he thought he was so cool to ride in a helicopter. We saw several water falls (the tallest water fall in the world) and the beautiful county of Kauai. When we went to Maui we went on a helicopter tour, Chad had a cold and on the way down the pressure hurt his sinuses so bad he was miserable for days. He didn't want to chance it again so he stayed on the ground with Chase and Grandpa and Grandma Nelson went with us.

Grandpa Nelson and Caden boating in the salt water lagoon at the hotel.

Our little family on the beach. The wind blew constantly and the ocean was rough. Chad and I tried to go swimming one day and the waves kept going over our heads and pushing us under the water, I had a hard time catching my breath. It scared me and I got out, Chad was trying to body surf and was hit by a surf board. It didn't hurt him but that was the first and last day we tried swimming in the ocean. We became spectators after that.

Chad and Chase checking out the ocean!!

Aloha from the boys. When we arrived at the hotel they put lei's around your neck to welcome you.

Caden ready for take off!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD!!!

THE BOYS AT COLD STONE

CHAD'S HOSPITAL PICTURE

Chad turned 29 today, one more year of being in the 20's then watch out. Chad picked Panda Express for dinner (of all the place to eat and he chose Panda) and Cold Stone Ice Cream for his cake. I am not a big fan of Panda and usually vote not to go there but today was his day. Caden loves Panda and eats so well every time we go, I cant believe it. We had a nice night out with our little family. I found this hospital picture of him and thought I would share it with you (isn't he so cute). The boys and I are so lucky to have him in our lives. He is such a good guy and an amazing father I don't know what we would do without him. I hope you had a great BIRTHDAY babe and that 29 treats you well.

I love you so much and thank you for all you do for me and the boys.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!