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!):

Mary's mushroom book

Mary was writing a book about a mushroom the week Sarah was born.  After we brought Sarah home, she modified the story to include a baby mushroom.  She is getting so good at spelling she only had to ask me how to spell a few words for this book.

"Mushroom Brings a Swimming Pool Home," by Mary

 There once was a mushroom who went to the store to get a swimming pool.

 Then the mushroom went in the car and went to the store (note the seatbelt; the two buttons are to make the car go and stop).  Then the mushroom went in the store and saw the swimming pool it wanted.

 Then the mushroom went home and had a baby and had a cake (the zero on the cake is a "zero candle" because the baby is zero).  Then the mushroom made a swimming pool for the baby.

 Then the mushroom made a picture.

 The end.  The end.  The end.

 Mary likes to put a "surprise picture" on the back cover.  It is always an object from the story.  Anna and I like to guess what it will be.