Christmas Eve Program in Star Valley

Old talents were revived. New talents were explored. Laughs were shared. The Spirit was felt. Memories were made. And here are some video excerpts.

The first was our first attempt at playing the water bottles.

Then we threwback to high school days and brought out the brass.

Hyrum enjoyed learning how to lead the music.

Jared was, as always, impressive on the piano.

Then we attempted to perform a partially prepared piece of dancing.

A quartet came next.

We ended with Dad/Grandpa reading the nativity story.

James and the Swirls

Checking out the manly beards

James is saying, "I've been working on mine 12 years and this is all I got!"

Warming up for their hit song!

James getting ready to belt it out and looks like the others are working on percussion maybe?

Good smiles!

Action after the posing

Grin and bear it!

Lots of brotherly love <3

James and The Muffin Toppers

So Thanksgiving was great. I flew into Salt Lake on the Tuesday before. Joshua and I then drove up to Rexburg. We made a Costco stop for Mom and it worked out well to get gas at the same time. I had a Costco card because of work. When we got there Joshua and I went with Luke to go site in guns. It was nice to see all the little rascals at Chrystal and Luke's house. That evening I also saw Jared. He is to use his own terminology "a stallion". He is definitely a few years older and wiser than when he left. He is also a little stronger. He likes to wrestle around and hand fight. He is also exceptional at giving complements. He is as Eliza would say a "gusher". He is always saying something nice and I don't know if I have heard so many compliments out of one person before. I wasn't used to it but it was good to hear. That night Jared ditched us to go on a date. I dropped jim off and then went and saw an old roommate and I also went an saw a girl. Anyway when I came back we watched some Pollyana. Then about 20 minutes into it Chrystal gets up from her nape and goes to bed. Luke later leaves and Joshua and I don't even finish it. We had hunting planned in the morning so we went to bed.

We got up early to go hunting. It was a chilly morning but we didn't have the snow that we had hoped to. We drove around most of that morning. We only saw some deer and one bull elk. Then when we were about to go home we saw some elk. Joshua and I got out with Luke. It was windy and cold out and I wished I would have put on my other jacket. We got out and Luke said John here take a shot. I couldn't find the elk in my scope so Joshua took a shot he missed and so it was my turn. They hadn't run to far so I set up to take a head shot but they started moving so I set up again. It was really windy and I was trying to stay still. Luke was saying they aren't going to stand there forever for you. I was a little more anxious and ready to take a shot. I fired a shot and my elk went down. I was kind of surprised because it was so windy and I was just trying to hold steady. The elk stood there for a while longer and Joshua had a chance at shooting. Luke thought that maybe I had shot the lead cow because they were still standing around. I will let Joshua tell his story about how he shot his elk. It turned out though that both elk were bull calves. We both shot Bambi I guess. Anyway it was cold and still kind of windy as we were cleaning out the elk. Luke was a champ at cleaning them and he did it super quick. I shot mine right in the heart lung area right behind the front shoulder. It was such a great day to get two elk.

Ben and Linda Lee and Joseph and Eliza had come while we were gone hunting. That evening we played football and cut up the back straps and the tenderloins on mine and Joshua's elk. The rest we sent in to get processed. That night we also had haircuts. We all got haircuts similar to Jared's we called his the muffin top (Joshua's name) or the ice cream swirl (Eliza's name). The cut is shorter on the sides and longer on top. Jared says it helps him get the ladies. James didn't get a haircut like rest of us though and Dad didn't quite want to join in for some reason either.

Thanksgiving Thursday. Another crew went out hunting and was successful in getting an elk for Joseph. He can tell his own story as well. We had Thanksgiving at Colin and Jean's. Mom, Chrystal, Linda Lee and Luke had made pies. We brought like 11 or so. They also made rolls and stuffing. There was a lot of food. With Sven and Bobbi, Clint and Allison, Bart and Janet, Breanna and her husband Ethan, Grandma and Grandpa and then our crew. There was potatoes, a ton of turkey, funeral potatoes, salad, jello, a vegetable tray, and yummy rolls. Later at dessert time the Denny's showed up. It was a really good time to see family. That evening we had some elk to cut up and Joseph's elk was definitely larger than mine or Joshua good thing too because he has more mouths to feed.

Friday we went swimming at the hotel that Luke had got two rooms at for the time that the family was there. We played a fun game of keep away. It was Joseph, Joshua, Jared and I on team versus everyone else. It had started as just me and Joshua then Joseph and Jared joined us after that. It was crazy and fun with everyone hanging on the person with the ball and attacking them. We had pizza after that  and delicious carrot salad. We thought we lost Joshua's phone but luckily we didn't. We took a picture of the all the boys. So now we have a picture for our boy band or dance group. James and the Muffin Toppers or I guess we could go with Eliza's name "James and the Swirls" or "James and the Ice Cream Swirls".

Saturday Joshua and I went back to Provo, Mom and Dad went home, and so did Joseph and Eliza. Joshua and I listened to the BYU game on the way home. BYU beat Utah State. Post game Joshua and I entered an trivia contest to get ice cream via email. The question was when did Utah state beat BYU in back to back years. The last time that had happened was 1973-1974. They did beat them 1971-1974. Well we put 1971-1972. We ended up winning ice cream. It was so cool to hear my name "A John Erickson" on the radio.

Sunday we went to temple square. It is really cool and there are some awesome things in the visitors center. Joshua and I went  to Veralyn and Scott's for dinner. It was really yummy we had enchiladas. We played games with them as well. It was nice to connect and reconnect with them.

The rest of the time I was with Joshua we went to class together, caroling, and ate almost his whole block of cheese.

I kind of died out at the end but here is an update.

not an update, just a lookback

Lately i have been messing around with some videos i have taken on my GoPro. These are two:

The Family Reunion

Paddleboarding for mutual. 

Ethan's Birthday Surprise

One More Time!

I have to make up for all of the lost blog posts that never happened!! haha and by the way, the world is a crazy place. News Flash!

This week was good. Caught up on a few movies and did school. Went on a few more dates!! Haha for those of you that dont know the story the former Elder Richardson and I had a deal where we would go on one date every week when we got to school and then contact one girl a day.

So far I am doing pretty good! haha in the 4 weeks that I have been home, I have gone on 8 dates! Haven't always contacted girls everyday though. They seem to find me! haha :D. I guess I am just so fly that it happens ;) And yes i am keeping count so then one day i can say to my wife "it took me 128 dates to find out that they were nothing compared to being with you!" haha or something cheesy like that. I guess girls kinda like that stuff. Or maybe they just pretend that they like it and really they just think we are goobers. Either way we dont really know for sure!

This week also i was talking to my Joshua and just learning some things. I have realized that the MTC prepares you as much for a mission as a mission prepares you for life! Sadly not that much haha. BUT what we realized also is that there is a perspective change that happens to you on the mission. The way i see the world and the things that i used to do has really changed! A lot of it is like "Why did i used to do that?!?" or "Thats pretty stupid" or "WOW thats a low price!" haha

The point is that the harder you work on the mission, the more the Lord will prepare you for life. He will give you that perspective change. Just as the MTC puts you in the mindset to be a missionary, the mission puts you in the mindset to be a great Dad or Mom or Relief Society President or Stake President or if you are John an
Apostle! A mission changes the way that you do things. But it doesnt really tell you what lies ahead. What we have to do is rely on God and we know that everything will work out.

So i dont know if I told yall the classes i am taking or not, but I am just taking the ones that i could get into for the Fall Block which wasnt a lot of options. I am taking a wonderful religion class called
Teachings of the Living Prophets and learning sooooooo much from it! Wow. That class blows my mind!!!

I am also taking a class called Library Research Skills, and then like and English class with a tutor.

Other than that life is going great! The temple is so awesome! I go every week. The Rexburg temple is so pretty!


Have a great week!


Love yall!

The Real J-Smooth (Gotta keep things interesting :D)

While I Am on a Figurative Roll,

Had to throw in the figurative because some of yall I know would be like "Wait are you actually standing on a roll?" to be pun-y and i didnt want people to get confused! :D

So this week has been super crazy. A ton of adjusting getting into school. Let me tell ya. Home life is definitely not the good life. There have been good parts of it for sure! But not like it was on the mission. I miss it a ton! The people I love the most are on the mission.

Well enough of that, three weeks ago i believe i went on my second date. I initially was going to go with this Cortney girl (the one i had met at the reception), and we were going to dress up as Flynn Rider and Rapunzel, but at the last minute she calls me and tells me she has gone on a few dates with this other guy and wants to go with him as Flynn instead. WHAT?!?! so she felt pretty bad and I didn't want to make it awkward so i offered to go with one of her friends that I had also met at the reception that was cool and we would go as a double. Her name is Shaina. We went as Russell and Kevin from the Movie up! It was pretty awesome. We went to Scott Ware (the former Elder Ware) and his wife's house and carved squash (because we didn't have any pumpkins) and played Candyland, and watched Anastasia! It was way good.

I will have to find out where someone may or may not have saved a picture so I can post one. But I stayed the night with Joshua and that was fun! He has some cool roommates. Chrystal helped me out with the outfit. Kudos to her! She is the BOMB.com!

Other than that nothing much happening. The world has gotten way worse though. I am so glad I made the decisions that I did and did the things that I did while I was on my mission so that I wouldn't fall prey to all of the awful things that are happening in the world today! (Hey that rhymed!)


I love yall!

Jared

The FIRST POST..........

Hey Yall!

This is the former Elder Erickson! There was a blog created on my mission?!? What just happened to my mind?!? There were two reunions and like I dont even know how many movies and things come out. What does the Fox Say happened (im glad i missed that) and 4 nieces and nephews that i still havent met. 4!!!

Home life is good! Its so not fulfilling though. Everything is so lame and just worthless!! haha it sounds so bad! But yall have it awesome!

I had a cool mission experience on the way home i wanted to tell yall about. Ready set go.

So when i was on the plane from the great BR to Atlanta i sat next to this girl named Kat. She was quite a beautiful lady in her mid 20's. The cool thing was is that there was an old lady sitting in my seat in 6B, but rather than cause trouble i just sat in the empty seat next to Kat in 6D. She had recently been married about a month. We talked pretty much the whole hour to Atlanta. It was awesome! We talked about her family and her life and her career, (She works at universal studios in Flordia BTW. #jealous) and what she wanted to do with her degree in working as a veterinarian for farm animals. We talked about temples too! How important it is that families can be together forever! I had these picture postcard things of temples all over the US and had her look at them and let her keep two!

Then right at the end of the ride, i pulled out a Book of Mormon and explained it. Then i showed her the scripture in Moroni 10 32-33. She had these problems with her ears popping and she wore these blue things in her ears to keep them from popping like the entire trip. I guess this was making her anxious as we were coming in for the landing, but as she read these two verses, she commented on how calm and peaceful it made her feel! I was like BOO-YAH!!!!! #letsgoooo!!!!

That was like a perfect ending to a mission.

So then i went to Scott Ware's wedding. He was a former mission comp. But i guess i was successful there too! i got to see Holly Hafford and Tyson Trainor there as well! and they said i wasnt awkward for only being home a day! Which was good because i got a contact and a return appointment (and a hug) with one of the bridesmaids named Cortney! #missionlifeapplied. Those mission skills came in handy! :)

Love yall! 

Jared Erickson

(totally had just signed it as elder! haha! #rmstruggle)

Also if anyone knows how to connect my phone to this thing to upload photos that would be most appreciated! :D

Update from the Nebraskan Clan

Fall has come and almost gone. We are cheering it on, hoping that it will stay as long as possible. Emmaline is growing fast, which we reluctantly encourage because then she will be stronger to stand up to Hyrum's many affections. He is always hugging and kissing and smothering her. We have been trying to stay busy with two children. Since they don't wear us out enough, we have added a few more things to our plate to make us completely exhausted. I finished my flag football season. We made it to the championship and lost by a touchdown. It was a fun season. I think I ended up with 12 plus sacks, so I might be changing professions. I'll let you know which NFL team I'll be playing for.

I think there were 4 different cameras. I guess I looked at #3 not #2.

 Halloween weekend I went to a dental conference in Chicago. It always seems like business trips are so glamorous, but in actuality they are kind of lonely. Eliza showed once again that she was a superhero as she kept our two kids alive and happy. A feat not accomplished easily. Usually we shoot for alive. 

Me in front of the famous 'Bean'. It is silver and reflecty. 

Is this going to be the new white house?

I got home on Halloween just in time to dress up and go trick or treating. Hyrum was really good at saying thank you, but he quickly lost interest in the candy. I don't think he knew what he was getting.

There has been really nice weather here for November, so we have been trying to play outside as much as possible. One day, Hyrum had to wear socks and sandals so he wouldn't get cold. 

Hyrum can recognize letters and he calls them ABCs. I was trying to teach him the letter H and I spelled his name. He thought the H looked like choo-choo tracks, so of course we drew tracks too.

Hyrum wanted to chase the turkeys after church. It's hard not to when they are in your back yard.

Hyrum loves to lay by his baby sister whenever we are trying to take a picture of her. Sometimes he misses and lays on her. He also likes to hold her and hug her. He is pretty strong so sometimes there is concern for his squeezes.

Emmaline had a photo shoot. Most of y'all probably saw her pictures on Facebook, but a couple more never hurt anyone.

Families are the best. Eliza's dad was able to come visit and see his new granddaughter. Hyrum loved having Grandpa around. They played with trains and read books and went on walks and all sorts of fun. Anyone is welcome to come visit, but be prepared for busy days because Hyrum loves to move.

When I get home, I try to give Eliza a break. Usually I am not this successful, but occasionally it works out.

Yes, those are plastic bags ties together to pull his truck.

Eliza is back at church and rocking it on the organ. She is choir director too. I am pumped for the Christmas program knowing that she is in charge.

Eliza and Emmaline's first day back to church.

The greater Omaha and Council Bluffs areas have a gingerbread display each year. Half of the display is at the Winter Quarters trail center by the temple and the other half is at the Kanesville tabernacle. Eliza and I volunteered to do a gingerbread creation. The theme this year is Christmas in the Heartland.

The nativity was actually the only thing made out of gingerbread. The rest was made out of cardboard.

Here is the most recent Hyrum and Emmaline on the floor picture. Emmaline is wearing a dress that Eliza wore when she was little.

If any of you are tired of doing laundry, we have found a new, quick, and easy way to do it. Just bathe your child with his clothes on. You can even wash his blankets at the same time. 

Here is one of Hyrum wearing my glasses. He thinks he is so funny. And he is.

Milagros!! Its Spanish for "Miracles from Puerto Rico!"

This is the Provo temple several weeks ago. I liked the last rosebud that I found.

This is my roommate Derek. He got hit on the nose in rugby and had  two black eyes. The bruising looked a little like a butterfly because it extended down and up around the inside edge of his eyes.

 Yesterday  I went with the boy I mentor to the classic skating center in Orem. I tried out the classic roller skates. I still need a lot of practice. I am a bit envious of those Sonic employees.

 A friday night volleyball game! We won in three sets. It was way fun.

 A scary shadow....

 A cool wall. There was a piece of glass overlaying the pieces of wood. It was fun. I sent a picture to Chrystal.

 Last week's football game.

 Sunset from the back side of our apartment complex.

I watched some of the face to face interview of The Piano Guys. It was broadcast on lds.org for the youth.

This week I was going to go on a a date to play racquetball. I only had one racket, so I decided to borrow one from my roommate. Unfortunately at 7 in the morning yesterday, I found out that I didn't have my racket. I only had my roommate's. My racket was gone... I guess I must have loaned it out at one time, and then forgot who I loaned it to. Anyhow I was agonizing over what to do. I could go on a date with just one racket... NOT! So I said a quick prayer. I considered  switching to a different activity... but the only thing that I could think of was running. (I know many people who have racquetball rackets, but they were all asleep this early on a saturday I was sure) I took my roommates tennis racket thinking that at least I could fake it. As I started my car, I saw a girl in my ward who was coming back from working out. I got out and asked her if she had one that I could borrow, and She did! It was so nice. I went and played racquetball and we had fun. And that was a Puerto Rican Miracle. haha.

Jared came and visited. That was fun.

I went on a date to a play yesterday evening. That was fun too.

The end...