January 2026 Part One

 Our 2026 started off quietly. We went to bed early New Year's Eve. We were invited to Lance and Janadene Skinner's house to play games, but since we both felt a little under the weather and also our temple shift was the 2nd, we decided to just start off the new year well rested. 

It was a different Christmas break without very much snow. No snow at all on Christmas. Snow fell the next day and even more the next.  In the first couple of weeks temperatures ranged from melting to below zero.  Our yard stayed covered with at least 6 ins or so. 

January 10th we traveled to Idaho Falls. We did a little shopping with real stores! After we made our way to Rexburg for dinner with James and Sage, Chrystal, McKay, Cody, and Kira. We were surprised a little bit when John and his three oldest children showed up. I think James knew they were coming but we didn't so it was a great surprise. We brought lasagna and some cookies. James and Sage served garlic bread and salad.

Several of us tried the green golf putting strip that Sage got for James's Christmas gift. The BYU basketball game also played in the background. 

Kira slipped out to do some studying. She had spent the day snowboarding with friends. Cody and McKay left to work out, so glad they could have some brother bonding time. Chrystal, John and kiddos and we, all went to Colin and Jean's to spend the night. Grandma was there too so it was nice to visit with her. 

The next morning Jean fed us a yummy breakfast and we all got ready to go to church in Rigby for McKay's meeting. When we walked in it was such a treat to see Nicolina and six of her seven children there. Kira came again. Sven and Bobbi and David and Lynda with Maggie were also there. Plus some Sugar City friends who love McKay, Cody and Chrystal. Another treat to see Rob Robinson whose ward also meets in that same building. 

James had gotten up early Sunday morning to put a roast in the Crock-Pot. He and Sage had dinner ready for everyone who could come. It was a very yummy roast! Dad and I felt very grateful for the opportunity of being around family. It gave us such a boost! 

January is also a month full of wrestling.  We feel blessed with the technology to watch Ethan and Zayne. Some videos of some favorite matches.

       

ETHAN

                                        

ZAYNE

We feel inspired by the toughness and resilience of these young men.  Wrestling is a tough sport.  Both of these grandsons work hard and persevere.  We're very proud of them.

A new year brought a new job for Esther. These are her words from the Better Together chat on WhatsApp.  "So some news from me.  I started a new job this week! End of an era for Ultradent.  I stocked up on toothpaste and said by to my people there.  Monday I started as a safety coordinator at Olson's greenhouse gardens!  They supply the plants for Home Depot, Walmart and somc Costcos here in the west.  This week was a lot of getting familiar with people and systems.  I am the first and currently the sole safety professional here so there's a lot of work to do.  I'll cover all 4 sites in Ut, Co, Az, and ID so there's some travel involved."

First Day on the new job!

She traveled on the company plane to AZ to observe the company site there.

Again we feel inspired by amazing children/grandchildren with Esther's courage and her intelligence as she goes forward in this new path.

We traveled to Garland, Jan 23 after our temple shift.  We spent the night at John's and Heather's.  They were gracious enough to give us their bed.  The next morning, we hoped to give John and Heather some "date" time while Jane was napping.  They went to a gym to work out and planned on a local restaurant for breakfast after.  When the arrived at the restaurant they were told there was no more sausage or bacon, and hey! isn't that what breakfast is for?  So they just came back home.  

We had fun playing with the children.  I especially enjoyed some games with Samantha.  She seemed to warm up to me better than ever.  We played Don't Break the Ice, Old Maid, and Go Fish.

Later that morning we got ready for McKaylee's and Joe's wedding in Brigham City.  It was a beautiful time.  So much family came.  Nine of Grandma's twelve children and spouses were there. Cute boys of Brennin and Janessa were the ring security. I'll have to let the photos tell the stories because I'm running out of steam right now.

All the Erickson side that were there in this last photo.