Another Family History Question - What was the first movie I went to, and what was the price of the ticket?

The first movie I remember going to and what was the price of the ticket.

The first movie I remember going to I was three years old.  It was a drive in.  We went as a family in an old white Rambler station wagon.  We children all had our pajamas on.  I don’t remember the price, what 3 year old would?  But the movie was “The Music Man”.   I checked the release date of the movie, just now while typing this and it was 1962, so that coincides with the time of my memory.  My parents purchased the soundtrack of this movie as a record, an LP, which stands for “long playing”.  My siblings and I listened to it often and I soon memorized all songs.   

This is the image that was the cover of the record case.

My Grandad Martini would sometimes take my siblings and me to the newest movie.  Usually he would take us to dinner first.  I remember going to see “The Sound of Music” with him.  It was at a fancy theater with balconies and chandeliers.  Brenda couldn’t go that time because she was sick.  We later got the record for that show too, and while singing to it I was telling Brenda about some of the scenes.  She felt very left out.  In those days, you couldn’t just watch it when it came out on video, there was no video or Netflix or anything like that.   Sometimes a couple of years later a movie would be shown on TV as a special event. 

I remember going to Grauman's Chinese Theater with my granddad to watch “Jungle Book” when it was newly released.  That was a posh theater too, with the hand and footprints of movie stars in the concrete.  As I’m writing this, I realize that the reason we attended these types of theaters with Grandad was because those were the theaters where the openings would occur.  Then later the movie might be shown at theaters out of the main city and such.  Our grandad really liked to be cutting edge.

This is an image of the inside of the Grauman's Chinese Theater.

One of my favorite actors. The outside of the theater.

There was a shopping mall a couple of miles from our home in Woodland Hills.  The Fallbrook Mall.  I could ride a bike there.  It seemed like a long adventure to get there, but I’ll bet it wasn’t more than three miles, probably less.  It was 50¢ for a movie.  I don’t think that was just the matinee price, but it might have been.  Saturday matinees were popular for me and my siblings or friends to attend.  We saw many Disney movies there.  It was usually a double feature.  Generally some type of cartoon with a live action show.  I remember seeing all the Kurt Russell movies, “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” and that whole series of movies. 

TV was our frequent entertainment.  Shows were certain days and certain times.  There was no TiVo or even recording of shows.  It was when the station decided and if you missed it, you had to wait until the summer re-runs.  Generally a season of a TV show, like Hogan’s Heroes, for example, would run from September or October to about April or May and then that time slot would be filled with re-runs until the new season.  Hogan’s Heroes was one of our family favorites.  My dad especially enjoyed it.

But as far as movies, I would go to those Saturday matinees more often than I would go to an evening show.  I remember when I was about 15 a group of girls, my sister Brenda included, wanted to go see “Jaws”.  The PG rating was fairly new.  I think it may have even been originally GP.  I remember there being an “M” rating for “Mature”.  Anyway, Jaws was rated PG.  Brenda and I asked our dad for permission to go.  He cautioned us against going due to the violent nature of the film.  But he left the decision up to us.  It was one of the very rare times my father let me choose.  Brenda was going and I didn’t want to be left out either.  It was a terrifying movie for me.  I felt sick to my stomach and sick in my heart for days.  I did try to pay better attention to my dad after that. 

“Jaws” was one of the first “disaster” movies that seemed to be popular in the 70’s.  There was a rash of movies about burning buildings, flooding ships, airplane crashes and such.  Even though there were survivors in those movies, there wasn’t a lot of great moral courage displayed.  Recently as a family we watched, “Dante’s Peak”.  A friend loaned it to me.  It’s filmed in Wallace and scenes at Mirror Lake, which was the appeal of watching it.  But it was the same thing – not much depth, just terror, and at times stupid terror.

I’ve always loved musicals.  I like most of the Roger’s and Hammerstein’s musicals.   For years my favorite Cinderella was the Roger’s and Hammerstein’s version.  But my most favorite Cinderella movie so far is “The Slipper and the Rose”.  The music for that one is the Sherman brothers.  That was supposed to be the movie we watched for our first date, Dad and I.  But then it was sold out at the MC at Ricks College.  So we went downtown Rexburg to see an old one being replayed at the theater, “The Gnomemobile.”  I guess I can share more of that when I answer the question about my first date with Dad.

The blessing of technology to save old movies has brought other favorites to me like “Singing in the Rain”.  My first time seeing that was on video.  Other old movies brought to us on video are the Frank Capra ones.  Probably my most favorite movie of all time is “It’s a Wonderful Life”.  The first time I saw that one was when Dad was a BYU student and they showed it in the MARB.    I like almost all of Capra’s.  I like the “Thin Man” series of movies.  We have some other good family favorites.  I guess I could think of what my top ten are, but I won’t worry about doing that here and now.

More ice cream flavors

Check out the previous post about ice cream.  This is the Butter Pecan "Ice Milk"

This is a chocolate base with added brownie chunks a chopped pecans.  This turned out very smooth.  I saved a container of this for Esther and Myrisa when they are done with their no sugar challenge.

Raised on Ice Cream

Cool treats for a hot summer!  Everyone come and get it!

We are so enjoying our Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

 Blend the cream and sugar for at least 2 hours in advance before making.  I use the good vanilla!

 Salt is such an essential.  When I forget it, the difference shows.  Even though it's such a small amount.  I think there's a gospel application there.

 Home grown strawberries, so full of flavor.  This is going to be jam, but before it gets turned into jam --

 I take out some of the mashed berries, no sugar or anything added just mashed and save to put in towards the end of churning.

Maker - Yum!  Thanks again and again for such a gift.  We are happy to share if any of y'all ever come our way.

The first strawberry I made I just put the whole strawberries in at about the last three minutes.  Eating the soft ice cream right then, it tasted fine, but then after freezing, they turned hard, like strawberry ice cubes in the ice cream.  Mashing the strawberries and then adding them in the last three minutes or so was the much better option.

This is the basic recipe for a vanilla based ice cream.

2 C heavy whipping cream

2/3 C sugar

1 T vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

Put into quart jar and shake a little to blend.  Fill remaining space in jar with milk or more cream.

Let it sit in fridge for at least two hours or overnight.

I had a couple of tries with a chocolate base and my last attempt was the creamiest.  I made a chocolate type of "paste" with butter, honey and cocoa.  Put it in fridge to cool, but then it got so firm.  When I mixed it with cream, the lump wouldn't dissolve, so I blended it in the blender, and it whipped up like chocolate whip cream.  I added a little milk and let it sit in fridge again.  Then at churning time, it was still thick and whipped-cream-like and the result was very creamy and smooth ice cream.

I got some half and half on special and I decided to use it to do a butter pecan for Father's Day.  I used brown sugar instead of white and added the pecans at the last few minutes. I have often used half cream and half milk. Well I'm not sure what qualifies half and half as half and half, because this tasted like thin ice milk.  It seems it was more like 75% skim milk and 25% cream or less.  Such disappointment.  So I learned to not use half and half again.  

The longest post ever........Just try to beat me boys-----Berezay Memories--- Disclaimer written by everyone-- so not a fair competition but I do have a long Title!!

In the book ordered the Mom , Chrystal ,John , me , Joseph, Eliza, Joshua, Nicolina, Mary, Dad, and Luke-- I tried to layer serious and fun. I also printed a black and white picture of the one Janice Berezay took of all of us at thanksgiving. With the Title--Some Memories Never Fade.

When I was dating Joseph, we went to the Berezay's during conference weekend. I think he was eager to show me that respectable people thought highly of him. Unfortunately Brother Berezay's first words to me were, "What's a girl like you doing with this riffraff?" so that plan may have backfired. I immediately fell in love with Brother and Sister Berezay. They put me completely at ease and made me feel like we'd been friends for years. We listened to conference, talked about spiritual things, told jokes, played games and then the boys headed to the Priesthood Session. Sister Berezay and I were manning the fort and hanging out with all the delightfully pregnant cows. One of the cows was in labor and her little one was on the way. It was awe-inspiring to watch her give birth; I had never seen anything like it. Sister Berezay was taking care of the mama cow. With the sun setting behind her, and such kindness in her eyes, Sister Berezay looked like an angel. That new mama was in good hands.

Eliza Erickson

It was a rare thing we did at the Berezay's.  Change Pipe.  But this time we were.  I was probably about 15 years old.  And being an entitled teenager, I thought my work and effort to change pipe was worth a monetary value.  So with a smug attitude, I asked Bishop Berezay, (He will aways be bishop to me, even in heaven), "How much are you gonna pay me to do this?" Now Bishop is a tease and so I supposed that we would banter back and forth.  But he quickly showed me that this was no laughing matter.  So without skipping a beat, almost like he had be asked this question before, he said, "I'll feed you dinner."  And that was that.  He didn't have to feed me.  I wasn't entitled to that either.  And yet, here he was offering me a meal.  As well as giving me a chance to serve and work.  Two things I didn't really appreciate until years later.  

Words I would use to describe Angie Berezay: fun, exciting, magnetic, infectious, and crazy.  She always seemed to be the life and laugh of every party.  And there would never be a dull moment if you could share a tent with her at girls camp. (Funny thing that I wear an old girls camp shirt as I type this)  Since you wanted to be just like her, when she had advice to give, you paid attention.  

So one afternoon a few Erickson girls and Ang were hanging out in the basement of the Berezay home.  And Ang was giving the lesson.  This was lesson 101 in hiding your farts when you walk.  "Just pretend it's a squeak in you shoe."  And then she would walk and sort of squeak her shoe and fart at the same simultaneously.  "Works every time."  This was the same girl who made me a bookmark with the words written on it, "All big boogers are flipped by the first finger into the big blue sky."Although I think those might have been originally penned by Cody.  Either way, inspiring.  :)

Certain country songs will always remind me of the Berezays; A Little Dust on the Bottle, God Bless Texas, Heads Carolina; Tails California, Xxx's and Ooo's (An American Girl), and Angels Among Us.  Even when I hear those songs today, I can't help but think of good memories of a family that works hard and plays hard.  A family that believes in family and doing what's right.  A family that laughs often and finds the humor in those tense situations.  A family that has blessed so many of those around them just for being who they are.  To the Berezay family: Bishop (Don), Janice, J.R., Cody, Dacia, and Ang.  I am a better person because I have known you

Mary Erickson Taylor

We went on a school trip.  The whole horticulture department was invited.  We went to Las Vegas, and Phoenix, and visited all sorts of cool places.  We studied the landscaping, the farm, the nursery.  The trip was an eyeopener for the job opportunities available to someone of my major.  A horticulture major.

On the way back the bus stopped at a gas station in Nephi, UT.  There was some sort of fast food or Subway type place attached to the gas station.  Our professor announced that this is where we would be getting our late lunch, and we would have about an hour before we needed to load and drive the rest of the way back to Rexburg.

I looked around me and noticed I was at the very exit of the Berezay residence.  In fact I could see their house up on the hill from where I stood.  All I had to do was cross the road and walk on up.

I decided to go and see if they were home. I invited a friend to go with me I told her they were the coolest people ever and she would love it.  She declined.  Which I get now because who would really want to go visit a stranger for fun?  But at the time I couldn't see how anyone would want to go and visit the Berezay's.

I walked up the dusty dirt road, it was a sunny day.  The house and yard seemed quite, and when I knocked on the door I hoped someone would be home.  I was greeted with a huge smile and laugh from Janice!  She said something like, "Hey you, what are you doing her?  Come on in!"  

I explained why I was there and that I only had a few minutes, and we talked for a minute.  Don made his way to the kitchen area, and I was just peppered with love and questions.  I was given an ice cream sandwich to snack on.  I probably laughed and smiled more in those short minutes then the whole time I was touring with my class. The hour passed quickly. I was hugged goodbye and told over and over again how great I was. And then it was time to walk back.  But I'm pretty sure Don gave me a ride back down the hill in his truck.  I remember the ride, not sure who was all in the truck.

I got back to the gas station just as the bus was being loaded back up, and we were off.  Best pit stop of my life!

Nicolina Erickson Tanner

I remember getting the chance to go to Berezays' after school one day. I am not sure why, but I was in junior high or maybe a freshman and had ridden with Dacia, behind the school and to the river. The boat they rowed across with, to their property was on the other side of the river. I think they tried the best they could to coordinate which side the boat would be on, but in was before cell phones. Dacia stripped down to her skivvies and swam across the river and then rowed back to get me! I remember being a little surprised but mostly in awe. I thought Dacia was so cool and tough. She could do anything!

I think it was my fourth year during girls' camp that some of us had our hair done in little braids all over our heads. We called them dreads, but I don't know if dreads or dreadlocks is a term used when hair isn't washed and gets matted into stringy ropes? Either way, after a week of camping, even with swimming in the river, I guess it's about the same! Ang and I started talking in Jamaican, probably inspired by our braids and "Cool Runnings" We ended up talking the entire week like that! Ha! Some of the 1st years started to join in too.

Dacia and I were headed to a stake dance one evening and Bishop Berezay was rowing us across the river. It was pretty foggy on the river and he kept talking about how "froggy" it was. I just remember laughing so hard and thinking he was so funny! I may have been a little slap happy, but I just remember being content and excited about life and the evening ahead. I also remember listening to "Guitarzan" on the way to the dance, once we got into the truck and Bishop singing right along with the line, "Shut up baby I'm trying to sing!"

One time I stole Cody's hat (baseball cap). I must have been between 8-10 yrs old. I remember Dacia saying that you should never touch Cody's hat. Well, one time I wanted to test it, so I stole his hat and was running around. He caught me, pinned my arms under his knees and while he sat on me started to tap his fingers hard where my collarbones meet. I thought I was going to outlast him, but he kept on going until I promised to not take his hat again. I remember being sore for a couple days and thinking.."Sheesh, Dacia was right, he sure is protective of his hat!"

I remember walking across the old bridge before it got washed out and before Berezays started rowing across the river. It was weathered and gray and even green and where the posts met the water

When JR got back from his mission I remember him talking about "The Lion King". It had come out not too long before he had gotten home and when he watched it, he drew a lot of parallels to the plan of salvation and how we leave our Heavanly Father's presence and how we need to "Remember who [we] are" and try and live up the the Savior's name.

I remember a high school teacher talking about how great of a Senior Class President he was and how he would send a "Thank You" shortly after an event or something and the high school teacher said how rare that was. I remember thinking, "I want to be like that."

When Cody got his mission call to Texas, I remember the song "God Bless Texas" was his theme song. Ha!

There were times in the winter when we would get pulled around on the inner tubes by the pick up truck, all down the road and through the fields, and laughing so hard I could barely catch my breath, and my arms were tired from holding on. I remember the crisp air with sparkles of snow speckling my face as we would glide over the snow. Sometimes we would run through and over the cow pies, and I always hoped they weren't fresh!

Dacia had wolves and huskies posted up in her room. She loved any decor that was black and white.

The downstairs in the house in Frenchtown had the best carpet! Roses and floral and crazy patterns.

I remember being in awe of the food storage downstairs. It looked like a store to me! I thought Top Ramen was the coolest stuff ever!

Cody dished himself an entire plate of potatoes and gravy. The gravy had so much meat in it; I remember thinking Sister Berezay should give my mom her recipe. Anyway, Cody had the plate piled up, heaping at least 2-3 inches high and ate the whole thing! I remember being surprised at how much he could eat.

Ang always did crazy things with her hair. I remember her cutting her own layers by sticking her hair in a pony tail and then cutting it off! She also used red koolaid to dye her hair a few times. I thought she was cool and so brave!

One time, when we went to Berezays for conference, some of Ang's kids and mine, I think Cody and McKay, sat around Bishop Berezay with his bowl of ice cream and opened their mouths to get a bite. He laughed how they were all like baby birds, and Sister Berezay laughed too! They were such good sports with all the crazy and truly enjoyed kids.

Sister Berezay always gave great hugs and had a funny laugh. You could hear her anywhere by that laugh! And she always listened to our stories, as goofy as they were.

I remember staying with Berezays one time, I am not sure why, and we went on a trip to Canada for a wedding. Most people who saw me thought I was Dacia, all grown up! Ha! I guess it's the brown eyes, brown hair and brown skin. They would hug me and call me Dacia, and coming from the Erickson family where we only really did the side hug, it was a bit overwhelming, but funny too.

Sister Berezay was my Primary teacher when I was 11-12.  I remember she taught us something about the loive tree and the gathering that would take place. Looking back now, I can see how much effort she truly put in because she had all sorts of corss referencing, maps, and facts about loive trees and different people. In my immature way, I disregarded that and was talking with my peers. She didn't do this very often, in fact , I don't know if I remember another time she did this, but she got stern with us and told us to quit talking. She then asked us how we expected to feel the Spirit if we weren't listening. I remember it really stuck with me. I felt bad and didn't want to let her down.

Another time, as a primary teacher, she spoke of missionary work. We talked about having a fast as a class that someone in our community would accept the gospel, or at least have a missionary experience. I remember being worried because I was going to an Erickson Family Reunion, but she said that she had a reunion to go to as well, and I gained strength from her! When I went to the reunion and wasn't eating, I even had an uncle who was concerned about my lack of eating and was trying to encourage me to eat something. I was proud of myself for staying strong, and felt like the Lord would answer our class fast. Years later, Sister Berezay told me that there was an experience that had happened. It seems like the experience wasn't very significant, but the lesson learned about fasting and prayer, of committing and following through was lasting.

I have had a flood of memories as I type this...maybe too many for this book, maybe I will do a part two..But I love the Berezay family and their legacy! They truly have blessed lives. The ripple effect is enormous! I feel fortunate to be connected to such an amazing family!

Chrystal Erickson Tillery

This was Spring of 2011. I know that we visited them in April to watch conference with them. I am not sure if this memory took place on that occasion or on another one.

We had finished eating a great dinner and we decided to play some cards. I think we were playing 10-2 or Beat Your Neighbor or some other game. I was teasing Eliza mercilessly. I don't remember about what.

Bishop Berezay reached over with the deck of cards and hit me on the head with them. I was so surprised. Cards flew everywhere and my head stung from the force in Bishop Berezay's strong hands. I sat there confused and I wasn't sure what to do. Everyone else laughed because Bishop Berezay was laughing. Eliza was happy that someone had taken her side. I then had to pick up all the cards!

It wasn't until later that I realized that I wasn't being as kind as I should have been and that the cards on the head were Bishop Berezay's way of letting me know that I was out of line. I am grateful to have spent some time with them then, and I am happy that I was counted as one of the family (Family enough to have cards on my head)

Another memory I have (A short one) was of playing baseball in the Berezay's backyard in Montana. I remember I was going to bat and I would get some dirt and rub it on my clothes like I had seen in the Goofy Sports Show. That was how I would get a hit, right? I remember Sister Berezay just laughing and laughing at me.

Joshua Erickson

The very first Berezay memory I have happened soon after we moved to Frenchtown ward.  

We moved in on a Saturday in April 1989 which was General Conference Saturday.  The next day, the ward met at the chapel to watch conference via satellite.  Between the morning and afternoon sessions, there was a potluck.  We had been told about it the day before when Waldrons and other members of the ward helped us unload our moving truck.

We enjoyed the conference and potluck very much.  I think that was the first time I was introduced to the mother's room too since Joseph was only 6 weeks old and I was nursing him.  There was a comfortable recliner rocker in there.

Anyway, the next week at church, Alan was gone.  It was the first and only time he had a business trip that was scheduled over a Sunday.  So I was sitting at church with the four girls and baby Joseph.  Bishop Berezay, who was President Berezay then as Elder's Quorum President.  He greeted me and teased with the girls and wanted to know where Alan was.  He was an attentive EQ president who noticed one of his quorum members was absent. He didn't wait until there were several Sundays of absence.  He noticed right away and inquired to find out the status.  

Don and Janice Berezay have a gift of helping everyone they meet to feel loved.  I sometimes felt that they were there just for me and my family.  They were my own connected friends.  Of course everyone who's associated with Don and Janice feel that way.  I think that's because Don and Janice have pure love, charity the pure love of Christ for all they meet. People are drawn to the safety of their love.  It is so easy to laugh and feel warm and welcomed in their presence.

Another important Berezay memory that has sustained me was when they did nothing but were still there.

Joshua was the 6 week old baby this time.  Theresa Bingel came back to Frenchtown after being gone for about 6 months. She and Gary had separated in the spring of 1991.  Actually Gary came home and she and her kids were gone.  Six months later she came back 5 months pregnant with another man's baby and was hoping to reconcile with Gary.  Alan was Gary's home teacher.  We offered to have Theresa and her kids stay with us.  They stayed in the family room.  It was Christmas season.  We also had Bart and Janet (Alan's brother and wife) newly married come to stay for a few days.  We had been unable to attend their wedding because of Joshua's birth. So we had a house full and all of the busy activities and concerns of the season. Theresa stayed about 2 weeks or so, but it felt much longer.  Gary scrounged for a place for her the minute she came back because he didn't want her imposing on us too much.  It was exhausting because Theresa felt she couldn't do any housework or food prep since she was pregnant.  She really expected us to wait on her.  Her children received about 5 times the amount of gifts on Christmas morning that our kids did.  I was trying to care for my baby and almost lost my milk.  I had to really concentrate and relax to save it.  Finally Theresa moved out; Gary had found a place.

Later when I was expressing relief to Janice about it she told me that they had been watching our

situation and if it had gone much longer they would have had Theresa move in with them.  I was gratefully stunned by that revelation.  I felt so loved to know that there was a back up for me, for us.  

I feel more inspired to be more like them myself.

Sheri Erickson

I remember when I was fairly young we went to the Berezay's house for dinner. It was a Sunday so I assume that they kidnapped us children and took us to their house for food. Of course dinner was delicious. I remember mashed potatoes being part of dinner. Well it got to the point where only a few of us were left at the table. I remember Chrystal or Mary, Angie, Joshua and me. I was still there because it was quite a challenge to fill myself up. Angie was there because she hadn't finished her food. Chrystal or Mary was there to be with Angie and Joshua was there for the same reason as Angie. As it often happened at the Berezay's house, there was some serious laughing going down. By serious laughing, I mean all-out-belly-laughing-till-it-hurts-and-still-more. Joshua was young and loved to laugh. Angie was a teenager and ready to leave the table. Angie would get Joshua laughing and sneak a spoonful of potatoes onto his plate. Angie has a very contagious laugh, so it was pretty easy to sneak the potatoes over to his plate. This process was so funny that Angie and Chrystal or Mary couldn't stop laughing. Pretty soon Angie's potatoes were on Joshua's plate. Joshua kept eating like a trooper. And I kept eating because I was hungry.  

Joseph Erickson

I have fond memories of the Berezay family.  I remember the feelings of love and laughter at their house.

I remember their staircase had open spaces and Bishop Berezay would hide underneath and scare us. I was particularly easy to scare so I was often the target by others.

Dacia would call me Little Lee for the longest time.  

On my baptism day you were all there.  The Berezay’s show immense love and caring and tried to come to all the important events. Just like the time you surprised us all by coming to  Chrystal’s wedding.

I remember laughing and laughing.  

One time Angie took me on a motorcycle ride. I felt so special to go on a motorcycle ride. I got off on the muffler side and  since I was wearing shorts I burnt my leg really badly.  It was a scare that I’ve always been proud of.

Linda Lee Erickson Dalton

When I heard about this project, my first thought was of how easy this would be to just pick a memory and write it down. It sounded simple enough until I actually tried to pin point just one memory to share. I couldn't do it. They all came at me like a flood. I remember the first time I met the Berezays the day Chrystal and I were married. They were standing on the lawn as we were getting everything ready for the reception.  When all the Erickson boys finally saw them it was a mad stampede and a dog pile on Don and the boys. It was easy to see they were loving every minute of it. I remember standing on the porch at the ranch in Nephi knocking on a front door where there was no one home. We were just about to leave when Don came driving by the house in his big flat bed pickup not realizing who was standing there. After a triple take he slammed on his brakes and stuck what seemed like his whole body out of the window of that truck and yelled to Chrystal to stay right there and that she was not to move until he got back. When the family came back it was easy to see how much the Erickson children meant to the Berezays. It was as much a homecoming of long lost family members as I had ever seen.

I remember horse rides and 4 wheeler rides, funny jokes, farmer swears and the most violent and entertaining game of spoons I have ever played. I remember the day Chrystal called me to tell me Don had passed away. I remember feeling like the world had just lost one of the greats and there was nothing I could do about it. I remember choking back tears as best  as I could as I sat on Angie and Mitch's living room couch and read the memories of Don written by his children. I remember the kind of man Don was. I remember the feelings of great power, wisdom and love he seemed to project all the time. I remember how minutes after you met him, you knew that if you could just find a way to be like him, that everything was going to be ok.

But I think what I will remember most about the Berezays is the way they took you in as their own and welcomed you and made you feel loved not because they had to but because they wanted to. Because that's the kind of people they are. The kind of people we all should be.

I know this is closer to a lifetime of memories than just one memory but I don't think one memory would have been enough.

Luke Tillery

One of the things that I remember about the Berezay’s is that they really loved us. It was amazing how they reached out to us and became part of our family. I remember visiting them in Utah a couple times. I also remember when we were in Star Valley they came and visited us. Really they showed us Christ like love and really strengthened our family.

Another thing that I remember was that one year for Christmas Sister Berezay made me a stick horse. It was light brown with a multicolored yarn mane. It was such a good gift. I remember that I took a picture of me on that stick horse and I was so excited to give that picture to my grandma. I remember at my Grandma’s house I could hardly wait for her to open the picture.

1. John Erickson

Many times I would watch as Bishop Berezay come into the chapel.  He would go up to everyone, recognize them, shake their hands and ask them something specifically about themselves.  He had a way of making you feel good, like you were the only one he knew, yet he would do that to everyone.

I remember when he served as our Bishop, we had 4 little boys.  He took the time to pull me aside and tell me that you could work along side boys, but you also needed to have a break and do something fun, then you could go back to work.  He said that he found that they would work a lot harder for you that way.  I never forgot that.  I tried to do that many times with my own boys.  My boys were real small, but he saw the need early to teach a father.  Also, at that time he gave me a copy of the booklet “For Young Men Only”, put out by the church.  I am sorry to say that it took me longer to use this with my boys than it should have, but I have used it and been blessed many times with its content as I have taught them.

I remember a sister in our ward that served in a leadership calling.  He observed that she had a problem, and asked her to come in to visit with him, but she would not show up for the appointments.  He prayed for her, worried about her, counseled with us and even the Stake President about this fine Sister.  His love for those he served was incredible.  I am sure it was how the Savior felt and Bishop Berezay was the servant.   When I served later as a Bishop, I often thought of him and hoped that I might serve a little like he had.

Alan Erickson

Ragnar

Well, Here we go!!

This last weekend I ran the Ragnar Relay. A girl from my ward, Hannah Cahoon, was asking for someone to join her team, so I said I would join. I had originally planned on staying with the Bradshaw-Wright family that weekend since Vera Lyn and Scott were running as well, but Vera Lyn said I should go for it, that the kids would be fine on their own, so there I went! 

On the left is a picture of the exchange point at Snow Basin. I didn't know a lot of the places, but it was cool to see some new territory. On the right is a small stop we made friday evening around 8. Chriss was running and we saw this little stand set up by some kids selling treats. Kristin has 4 kids, so she wanted to stop and buy something from these ones. (she didn't say that, but I think that was part of why she wanted to stop) Hannah is in front to my left. We left Friday morning around 8 from Provo, and then went to Hannah's sister's house in Kaysville. Our team consisted of two vans. I was in van 2 with Hannah, Kristin, Brittaney, Chriss, and Mallory. Chriss and Kristin are Hannah's siblings and then Mallory and Britt are their friends. I wore a BYU shirt for my first run. Afterwards I had a guy come up to me and ask if I was on the track team at BYU. I told him no and he said, "Oh, well I was looking for a reason because you were the only one who passed me." I ran 4.6 miles and then 3.7 and then 10.3. For the first leg I averaged 6:55 per mile, the second leg I averaged 7:15 a mile and the last one I averaged 10:15 or so. 

I took the above picture a couple of hours after my middle-of-the-night run. I took a nap in the car after that run. 

Here is the long run that I ran. The picture below is what I looked like afterwards. I got a little sun burnt and I was a little hungry and thirsty. I did drink a lot as I ran. I got tired of drinking and I felt like I drank too much sometimes. It was in the 90's,so I definitely needed it. I walked for the last 1 1/2 uphill miles. It doesn't feel good to say that I was walking, but my team was happy with me, and supportive.

The top medal was for the hard leg. Everyone who ran got the bottom medal.

But all the praise and glory wasn't what I most appreciated out of the run. I really liked the opportunity to push my mental limits and capacity. I really feel like our family has been blessed with the mental capacity to push ourselves and the physical capacity to take that pushing. I remember talking to Joseph one time about the Erickson physique and we both thought that our core was our strong point. We also have those Fluckiger thighs! haha. It just makes it easier to do things like this.

I also went to Star Valley on Monday night. This is a picture wednesday morning when I was driving home. This is the highway heading to Afton. 

 I helped Grandpa fix some fence and feed cattle. Then he let me borrow his .22 to go shoot some rock chucks down by the dry cattle pasture. They weren't very smart because they were still young. They hung around until I had gotten 3 of them. I shot one more at least, but I couldn't find his body after it went down among some old farm equipment.

 On the way to Star Valley, just as I got to the pass on the south end I saw these beautiful lightning storms. Several people stopped to take pictures and if I were Nicolina, or if I had a camera that would take a better picture, I may have stopped as well. I took quite a few pictures with my phone before I finally captured the lightning in one of them.

In elder's quorum yesterday we talked about the importance of following the living prophet. The bishop commented that his wife is in a book group where some of the women say that they are very confident in Joseph Smith as a prophet and they wish that they could have lived in his day because they aren't as confident in Thomas S. Monson. He asked us what would we say to these people? Why might they feel this way? 

Then later, as we were talking about some modern counsel such as one pair of earrings, no tatoos, etc, our quorum president asked a question and said, "What are some of the struggles that we see in our quorum? What are some of the small things that challenge us in our obedience?"

It was a really inspiring question. One of the quorum commented and said that he sees a lot of people at BYU who seem to have an issue with the honor code. They try to push the limit with their dress or their facial hair. They say that the honor code isn't a commandment.... So maybe it isn't. But speaking from Joshua Erickson's perspective, I don't see anything in the honor code that isn't in For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. There is a purpose behind our dress and grooming. Another member of the quorum mentioned the relativism that some people have let creep into their lives. In cases of sexuality such as living together, homosexual behavior, etc, some people say, "Well if it makes them happy..." or "I don't want to judge..." I think that these phrases have some truth in them (loving everyone, everyone seeks for happiness, agency), but it seems like these phrases are always used when someone is laying down their standards and permissively allowing the truths of the gospel to be sidestepped.  I hope this helps us all think about some of the things that we can do better to follow the living prophet and stay strong in the gospel. 

One answer to the call

Yesterday I was thinking about what I should write about for my 'gratitude' or 'tender mercy' post that Joshua has encouraged everyone to write. It was interesting because I couldn't really think of anything as miraculous or great as either his experience or Mom and Dad's. I knew I could start listing the many things I am grateful for, but it would be a little different than writing a post about something recent that has happened. Well today on this very fine day of Fathers, it hit me. I would post in gratitude for what Hyrum has recently taught me.

This is the fantastic finger pull. 

Hyrum is like a Costco-sized package of Energizer batteries. He just keeps going and going and going and going and going and going. He loves to play and explore and go outside and make messes and eat popsicles and get wet and swing and chase dogs and and go outside and walk to the trains and watch the trucks and sweep and play the piano and go outside (did I mention that?) and occasionally take naps. Much of this he manages to do by sweetly and gently encouraging one of his parents to join him in the fun. Luckily there are two of us and one of him. The way he persuades us to do so much with him is by grabbing our finger and pulling us to his destination. He will let go when he knows you are with him and following him, but he will quickly reach out for it whenever there is an obstacle.

I love it. It can wear on the most energetic of us, but I love it. I know he wants me to be part of his life. He wants me there for the things that look too hard. He wants me to play in the water with him. He wants me to see the big trucks with him.

As I was thinking about this today, I realized that I need to involve my Heavenly Father like Hyrum involves me. I need to grab His finger and take Him with me everywhere I go. I need Him to be a part of everything that I do. There are times where I can let go of His finger when I know He is close by, but when I face challenges and the difficult choices I can grab back on and let Him guide me. 

Our update: Movie Style

The following are an unedited clips showing what has been going on in our lives recently. The first is a clip of the zoo in our home.

The next video is of me participating in an eating contest. Somehow Eliza managed to convince me to do it while we were on a date. I figured I'd do whatever I needed to, to impress her. I didn't win the gift card, but I did win a t-shirt.

The last video comes from church today. Most days Hyrum likes to nap around the same time we have church except at church he doesn't fall asleep. He just keeps getting more and more tired until he crashes in the car ride home. Today I captured one of those rare moments of his frustration with the lack of sleep. I thought he might want a snack so I set a vanilla wafer on his leg. He was content to let it sit there. After a little while, it fell off, but he placed it carefully back on his leg. He started getting frustrated when it would fall off, and by the time I captured this video, he was in tears each time it came off. Life can be hard when the vanilla wafer wont stay on your leg.

I realize that I do not have any videos of Eliza. Coming next time. 

Calling for MORE POSTS!!

Hello Family!

I was reading the scriptures this week (I know, right?) and in 3 Nephi 23:11, I read something important. It goes along nicely with Mom's post of their Saturday adventure. In this part of 3 Nephi, Jesus reminds the Nephites of a prophecy by Samuel the Lamanite. He prophesied that many of the saints would rise from the dead and minister to many when Jesus was resurrected. Jesus asks why they hadn't written this down yet. Nephi remembers that "this thing was not written."

So I got to thinking. "Why was it so important that this be written?" "What doctrine does this teach?"

I think that ONE important thing we can learn is to recognize the blessings of the Lord in our lives. The tender mercies that are fulfillment of prophecies. The way I see this in my life is in the opportunity to write in my journal the blessings that I have seen that day. It creates a grateful heart and a humble and diligent person. Someone who is willing to look every day for blessings from the Lord is humble and will rely on Him. They are also dedicated and diligent to be able to look every day.

As I was talking with one of the guys we home teach, He mentioned that President Eyring did that with his journal. Then (and this was the part that I didn't know) he said that President Eyring and his family continue to do this every day. They have a family email that they send around to everyone each day with a blessing that they have received. I feel like we do that with the emails and the blog as we share our spiritual experiences. We can continue to do that. We could even go every day! But how about we start every week? It doesn't have to be super long, just a paragraph is good. Would everyone post/email once a week and include one tender mercy that they have seen as a family that week?



Well??
 We heard a good one from Mom and now Esther. I will tell you all a little secret. If you write a paragraph a week then you won't feel obligated to write a book every 2 months.

Anyway.

This week I did Pilates with Courtney Shill. It was pretty fun. I liked how it focuses a lot on the core. We made smoothies afterwards compliments of a nice, new (for me) blender I got from Rory Bluth. She is my old roommate's wife and coworker.

Last night I went country dancing with Alex Williams and her roommates and friends. These are the same people that I went to the concert with last week. That was pretty fun. I was learning a lot of moves and remembering some others. I feel like I need to go visit Omaha. Joseph should list country dance lessons as one of the things that Omaha offers.

We, Dad and the Erickson boys (minus Jared), put in for elk and deer tags, so we hope we get drawn.

Yesterday my roommate Nate got married in the Payson temple! We went to the reception. His wife's family is from mexico, so they had mexican dances performed, and he is from Hawaii. He isn't hawaiian, but they had some family and friends do hawaiian dances! It was the coolest reception ever! I think I am going to have everyone perform at my reception, so start getting some acts together. :)
https://youtu.be/rIhsPTu1vDU
https://youtu.be/BibG29zT92s
https://youtu.be/WIIZQsqVks4
https://youtu.be/OX3H-dmVYGk

Her grandma danced one of the dances. I should have taken a video of the boys dancing one of the Hawaiian dances. It was really, really cool. Made me want to learn to dance! The girls who danced hawaiian were being copied by a lot of little girls from the audience. It was the cutest thing ever!

I went frisbee golfing with McKenzi Davis on Thursday. As we were throwing, she hit the power line (hole #4 bicentennial park, for Joseph). We tried to throw it over a clump of trees to get to the hole, and her frisbee went right into the trees. We spent about 30 min looking before it got too dark. Then we came back the next morning. We just had 20 min to find the frisbee because she had class and I had work. So we looked and looked. A couple of times we went back to the pad and tried to remember how the frisbee flew into the trees. Then I decided that we had to find it fast otherwise we wouldn't find it that morning. I told her how, when I was younger, we would always pray as a family to find things we had lost like pacifiers. :) So we said a prayer and then she started to look. I stayed still for a few minutes and I thought about how McKenzi said that she thought it hadn't ever hit the ground... I looked over in the trees and There it WAS!! I said it so "nonchalantly" that Mckenzi didn't believe that I was serious. At first she thought I was joking and then she thought that I knew where it was the whole time... haha. She finally believed me in the end.
I also went on a frisbee golf date with Bobbe Graham, from the ward, on Friday evening. It was fun.  And on hole #4.... We both tried to go around the trees (I had taken the elementary student (Jonathan) that I mentor through 4H to that park earlier that day, and we both lost our frisbees. We spent about 10 minutes looking before we found them). So I told Bobbe we should go around, but we both messed up (thinking too much about what not to do I guess) and we ended up in the trees. We found mine pretty quickly. It was starting to get dark and I knew that we had to find the other one soon or we would be in for a repeat of the last one. I suggested we pray. Haha. Seriously. After we prayed I quickly found a white frisbee that was new. I thought, "I have a replacement now, I guess that is a pretty straightforward answer." But then I was thinking of Jonathan's family and they have 5 people. I thought it would be nice to have another frisbee to take them all to the park one day. Jonathan really super enjoyed frisbee golf. When we finished, he looks over at me and says, "Again?" He really liked it. So I told him we could play with his whole family, but he had counted my discs and said, "There are five in my family." I told him we could easily share.
Anyhow, Bobbe and I were looking and we were just about to leave. At this point we were using my cell phone to light up the area and search for it. As we were leaving, I held the phone up behind us towards the trees and low and behold the frisbee was way up in the tree! I pointed it out to Bobbe (it was a, "let me show you how big of a fish I caught" situation) Then I climbed the tree and shook it down. Bobbe and I finished up the night with some custard and ice at Rita's - a really good place with tasty ice and custard.

Anywho. It was a fun time. I realized afterward that I hadn't said thank you, so I made sure to say a thank you prayer.

Love you all,

PS This week I am going to Grandpa and Grandma's to help them move the cattle on the forest (tuesday) and then I am going to run Ragnar with a girl from the ward, Hannah Cahoon, and her siblings and friends. Normally I am pretty confident in my running abilities, but I haven't exercised at all and the last leg that I am supposed to run is 10.5 miles which is farther than I have ever ran.

Also I was talking to a client this week and he told me that he was getting married and was going to be out of town for the honeymoon. I sent him a link for the Family Proclamation, and told him that this was something that has really benefited our family. (Right?) He said thanks, but I don't think he has read it yet....so we will see what happens. :)