Princess Festival

Last month we went to the Princess Festival.  We promised the girls we would take them since we didn't make it to Disneyland, and they had been looking forward to it all year.  We were so excited to have Aunt Andrea and cousin Claire come with us!

The kids watched Cinderella go the ball:

They tried on sparkly slippers to see if they were "true princesses":

They made a wish for friends in Africa who need clean water (admissions are donated to charity):

Look at these beautiful princesses!

Anna as Rapunzel:

Mary as Rapunzel:

Austin and Daddy were such good sports!

Austin's favorite part of the day was meeting this frog.  He talked to the kids (Andrea noticed a tent in the bushes behind him where his "voice" was camped out with a microphone) and asked them questions.  Austin thought it was pretty hilarious.

Hanging out with Snow White:

Waiting to watch Snow White's play:

Mary took a picture of Princess Sarah when she woke up:

Anna wanted to stand on the shore for her picture with Ariel:

Mary said, "Next year, I'm going to bring my swimming suit so I can swim with Ariel!"

Back in the van, Mary wanted Sarah to have a picture wearing a crown:

It was a pretty magical day.  Here is what our drive home looked like:

 

 

 

Sarah's blessing

Our new little angel was given a name and a blessing by her father on Sunday, June 5th.  We were blessed to have lots of family with us.

Grandma Mary:

 Grandma and Grandpa Luke:

 Grandpa Edstrom:

 Grandma Joy and Grandpa Jay:

 This is the closest we have ever come to getting an Erickson family photo.  Austin was taking a nap in his room, but I added him later.  Only the Nissens are missing.

 Sarah Joy brings so much happiness to our little family.

 Austin's blessing photo, November 2008:

 Anna's blessing photo, January 2007:

 Mary's blessing photo, June 2005:

Mary's kindergarten graduation

Mary's first year of school has been delightful.  We can't believe it's already over.

The kids put on an adorable show for the parents.  Mary is in the top row, left side.

  

Afterwards, we watched a slide show in Mary's classroom.

Here is Mary with her teacher, Mrs. Wells.

Here is Dad with our little graduate.

Our Mary has grown up so much this year.  She is a very smart and kind young lady.  We are so proud of her.

 

Anna's joy school graduation

Anna has had a blast this school year doing joy school with some neighborhood friends.  Last week, she graduated.

She requested "curly hair and sparkly pink nail polish."

The kids performed some joy school songs.

 

Look at this little dancer!

It was a little chilly for popsicles, but that didn't stop the kids!

Dad kept Sarah nice and warm.

We're very proud of our Anna.  She is learning and growing so much.

My little pals

Here are four of my five best friends:

This one is already growing up.

We love you, Sarah Bell

When Anna was born, we gave her the nickname "Anna Bell."  Mary soon started attaching "Bell" to everyone else's names as well.  We have a song we sing to anyone in the family (goes to the tune of "We Love You, Conrad" from "Bye, Bye, Birdie").  Lately, we've been singing it to Sarah Bell:

We love you, Sarah Bell!

Oh, yes, we do.

We don't love any Sarahs as much as you.

You are a sweetie pie, it's true.

Oh, Sarah Bell, we love you!

Here's Austin singing his favorite line:

Anna loves to spend time talking to Sarah while Mary is at school.

 It's pretty hard to get all four children to look at the camera.

 Grandma Joy came to meet Sarah when she had a doctor's appointment in Salt Lake.

 Look at this happy girl!

 The kids love to give little Sarah good-night kisses.

And everyone helps out with diaper changes. We love our new baby sister!

Easter pictures

Getting ready for church:

 All four munchkins:

 Coloring eggs in our pajamas:

 The Easter bunny brought stuffed animals this year:

 Austin calls his "gunetat" even though he can say "kitty cat" now:

 Anna's primary teachers brought her a bird in a nest:

 We had fun hunting for eggs with cousins (I pilfered this shot from Andrea's blog--thanks!):