4th Of July & Moving!

We are excited to share with all of you that our house has been sold and we have purchased a new one!  This experience has been interesting to say the least but we are so thankful for God's providence in our life and for the new house He has provided.

The house we originally bought fell through as we were waiting on our house to sell.  Neither Zach nor I were really that upset about it but it left us wondering whether to keep ours on the market or not.  We had quite a few people come through and look at it but no one gave us any offers.  A week after the original deal fell through we both were set on taking ours off the market and then that very night an offer came in.  Because we had no where to go we were pretty firm on our price.  We thought when we countered back the people would walk away but they didn't.  They accepted instead.  So we sold our house contingent upon finding a house of our choice.  In that situation they give you 7-10 days to find a house before the deal is void so we spent 2 evenings house hunting in a mad dash.  After the first night we were very discouraged because everything on the market was either out of our price range or not exactly what we wanted.  But on night two, we found a house that had exactly what we were looking for.  We will be moving to the east side of Indianola, very close to all the schools and only a few minutes from our church.  We close July 31 but are hoping to move to the new house a day or two early as our current house also closes on the 31st.

We spent the 4th of July weekend with Zach's family in Minnesota.  Zach's sister flew in from Oregon and it was really nice to spend some time with her.  We went to the Austin 4th of July parade on Thursday where Isaac & Caleb came away with enough candy to last them the rest of the year.  That evening we went out to the farm and put the pontoon on the lake for some fishing.  I'm not really a fisherman but I did cast a few times into the water and came up with the prize catch...a walleye.  Zach's dad says there are only a few left in the pond and he hasn't seen one caught in over two years.  He was very excited!  After fishing we went out to the fireworks.  Isaac and Caleb both really enjoyed the show!  Friday & Saturday were spent hanging out with family and relatives around Austin.  We came home Saturday evening and used Sunday as a day to recuperate.

Isaac & Caleb waiting for the parade to start

Isaac & Caleb helping Grandpa Leif drive the tractor

This weekend we will head out to my parents to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  It was actually in May but my brothers are teachers and couldn't get away at the time.  Zach got super cheap tickets at work for Adventureland, a small amusement park in Altoona.  We will be going there as a big family on Friday and then will camp out at my mom & dad's for the weekend with my brothers and their families.  After that little adventure we will put our noses to the grind stone and finish packing for our move.  Busy times ahead for the Erickson's but we are so excited!

Happy Father's Day!

We had a wonderful Father's Day.  Zach got some outdoor work done and then had some fun in the pool with Isaac and Caleb.  Yesterday was the first day we got the pool out so the boys played in until they were shivering. We hope there will be more days to play in the pool!

Happy Father's Day Zach!

Daddy & the boys playing in the pool

Last weekend we traveled to Minnesota to see Zach's dad & grandparents.  Hard to believe but last weekend was the 1 year anniversary of Zach's mom's death.  It was wonderful to be with family and we really had an enjoyable time.  The boys went out to the farm with Grandpa and daddy to do some fishing.  They were hoping to get the pontoon out on the water but the batteries were no good so they fished the shoreline instead.  The afternoon was spent visiting other relatives and the evening we rented a movie, Here Comes the Boom with Kevin James.  Very funny and all of us had a great time watching it together.  On Sunday we traveled further north to Zach's aunt's cabin to see the extended family.  We didn't get to stay long but we enjoyed the time we had.

Caleb using his own fishing pole to fish

Isaac fishing off the shore with his own fishing pole

Grandpa helping the Caleb reel one in while Isaac watches

Caleb and daddy with their fish

With all the traveling we've been doing Caleb is not getting all his naps in.  Plus he's in that stage where he's transitioning to not needing a nap every day anymore.  Some days he is more crabby than others and we've found him sleeping at the dinner table twice now.  The other night we were at my parents for supper and Caleb was so tired he laid his head down on the table to chew his food.  It didn't take long and he was asleep again.  After a ten minute snooze he was ready to run again! :)

Tired boy

We've had numerous people look at our house the last two weeks but no offers.  Last week we found out that the house we wanted to buy had another interested buyer and we were given the option to remove our subject to sale or let the house go.  We let the house go.  We've decided to keep ours on the market for now and wait to see what else comes on in the next few weeks.  If nothing is available then we will remove our house from the market and try again later down the road.

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Last week we celebrated Caleb's 3rd birthday.  His actual birthday was Thursday and to celebrate we traveled to Des Moines to eat lunch with daddy.  After lunch I took the boys to the local mall where there is a play area.  That evening we had some friends over for ice cream cake and we gave Caleb his first present from us, a big wheel.  It makes all sorts of sounds, it's pretty cool.  Isaac loves it too!  We were hoping this would teach Caleb how to pedal.

Singing to Caleb on his actual birthday and having ice cream cake with friends

Caleb's new big wheel

We had our family over on Monday for a party.  Caleb got lots of great presents.  One of his favorites is the Woody that talks.  He also got a Buzz Lightyear with a laser that he likes but Isaac has attached himself to it as well.  Caleb shares and we haven't had any fights!

Caleb with his new Woody

Checking out the new Buzz Lightyear with the laser

The theme for Caleb's party was Toy Story and once again Zach decorated the cake with a Buzz and Woody.  It was comical to hear the negotiation between Zach and Caleb as to who would be on the cake.  Caleb wanted every character of Toy Story on his cake and Zach only wanted to draw Buzz.  In the end they compromised and Woody also made the cut.  This was one of the most difficult characters to draw and Zach did a fabulous job!  We also bought a pinata to fill with candy.  The boys and their cousins enjoyed taking turns to see who would pull the right string to make it open up.  Surprisingly we almost made it to the last string!

Caleb's cake, decorated by Zach 

Singing to Caleb on Monday

Trying to pull the right string to open up the pinata

This week we are potty training full time. Caleb is doing great and even pooped in the potty last night!  He is super excited and so am I!  Zach is gearing up to run the annual Dam to Dam race on Saturday, a 12.4 mile race in Des Moines.  This will be the 3rd year he has run it.

For sale

It's been awhile again but in my defense we have been very busy.  At the end of April we decided to hire a realtor and begin the process of looking for a bigger house.  Never in a million years did I think within the first month we would find a house we like and have our own house up for sale.  But that is what happened.  We've tentatively purchased a home on the east side of Indianola, contingent upon sale of our own home.  

In the rush to getting our house "market ready" we had a few projects to get done.  Our realtor suggested that we install new garage doors.  Our old door was a fiberglass door and didn't look the nicest.  We replaced both the overhead garage door and the side entrance door.  Also on the list of to do's was a project that should have been completed four years ago but the flooring guy never returned to finish it.  We expanded our front entryway and laid new tile.  We also had to repair a crack in our foundation that was leaking water into the basement.  On top of projects we did some packing  and cleaning.  We officially put our house on the market on May 10.  So far we've had one couple look and a realtor open house where the realtors came through.  We are enjoying the quiet before the storm.

New garage doors 

Front Entryway expanded to be double the size it was

The boys has been troopers through this whole process.  They love to play together anyway so it didn't really phase them much to have mommy and daddy working so hard on cleaning and packing.  It's been beautiful weather lately so a lot o their time is spent outside.  The other day I caught them playing "doctor" outside using their picnic table as the doctor's table.  Pretty cute & funny!

Tomorrow Caleb turns 3!  Can't believe how fast times flies!  He is very excited to be a "big" boy now and is even trying to learn how to pee and poop in the potty.  I play along as long as he is willing. ;)  Praying this potty training session will go much smoother than Isaac's did.  

Isaac finished preschool last week.  He is ready for kindergarten!  We are so proud of the boy he is becoming and the things he is learning.  He never ceases to amaze us with his ability to make observations. 

Here is a video of Isaac playing his drum set, as promised over a week ago.  I love that the bass drum is always the last thing hit. A sign that the end has arrived! :)

Here is a short video of Isaac riding his new bike.

Isaac's Birthday

Isaac turned 5 last week...Amazing!  We had a great time celebrating with family & friends.  Isaac's been eagerly anticipating his birthday since Christmas!  Some of the things he wanted included a Lightning McQueen with wings, a drum set, a bike helmet, and an I-pad.  The last two were encouraged by preschool since he has both there.  He wasn't disappointed!  Aunt Lacy & Grandpa Leif went together to buy the drum set.  Both boys love to sit down and "play" it.  Their interest only lasts 5 minutes so we haven't had to soundproof any rooms...yet. :)  We bought Isaac a LeapPad, which is the child's version of an I-pad.  He loves it and knew exactly how to work it before we showed him.  I guess that is a foreshadowing of years to come!  We also got him a new bike since his old one was getting too small and with that came the Lightning McQueen helmet.

The Saturday after his birthday we were courageous (or stupid) and invited 10 of Isaac's friends over for a birthday party.  It was wild!  That many boys in one place without organized activity leads to lots of wrestling and running.  Good thing we had games planned and it was nice enough of outside to let them run!  Isaac had a really great time and is so glad to finally be 5!  Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!

Isaac wanted Ninja Turtles for his theme so Zach decorated his cake with the 4 turtles.  Isaac's favorite one is the red one so he was the biggest. 

Isaac with his new LeapPad.  The Leap Pad makes coming to work with me on Monday afternoons much easier!

Opening presents from family

Isaac got a Mack truck that can hold Zach's old micro machine cars from when he was younger

Getting ready to open the drum set

Sticks in hand

Happy birthday to you!

Caleb really loves the drum set

Isaac on his new bike with his new helmet

playing a game at Isaac's friend birthday party

Opening his new Iowa State hat

Happy birthday Isaac!

Easter

I know, I know...Easter was a month ago but I just uploaded pictures to the computer and I found a couple I wanted to share.

Family picture after dressing up for church

Daddy & his boys

Mommy & the boys

Isaac & Caleb hunting for Easter eggs hidden in our living room

Caleb found one

So did Isaac