erica danielle

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CARLSON FAMILY! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! I've decided to do a year-in-review a little early, since we're heading to warm weather at the start of the New Year. We had a wonderful 2015, with the biggest blessing being our little baby Olle boy. Here are some other highlights:  1. We kicked off the year with a family trip to The Dells, where Lucy stole the show in this teeny bikini.  2. We're praising God for Lucy's continued progress with her eye. Every appointment this year has been positive and we know that is because of God's provision.  3. At 31 weeks I ran a half marathon. It was a fun run, and I am thankful for strong legs and that I was able to finish all 13.1 miles  4. At the beginning of July we spent a day in Stillwater. We celebrated our last weekend as a family of 3, and had the best time giving Lucy all the love and attention she could handle.  5. Sleepiest/best/most handsome Olle Roger e...

This has become a favorite dinner in our house. The flavors are outstanding, its quick and easy and it makes me excited for our trip to Mexico in January.... 3 pretty great reasons to make it tonight! Carlson Street Tacos. 10 oz. can of chicken in water 1/3 C. Pioneer Woman Chipotle Salsa- link HERE 6 corn tortillas onion, peppers, cilantro, cumin, s + p, lime juice heat salsa over low heat, add the chicken until warm. heat the tortillas in a  skillet until warm assemble tacos serve with black beans and rice. November was a blurrrrr and December is going by so fast. I am loving these warmer than usual temps and all the fun things we've participated in: gingerbread house making, cookie bake, christmas tea, special time with family, our tree and our house all re-arranged. I just LOVEEEE this time of year!  jammie time at grandma and grandpas  the Vikings game!  Erik and Olle!  Lucy and Luke  <3!  decora...

I am so in love with Olle Man. He has been such a joyful addition to our lives. I love his little jammie-bod and the way he giggles at nothing. I love the way he snuggles into his blanket and how he is constantly straining his neck to see where/what his sissy is doing. I can't wait to see what this next month holds for our little guy as he continues to explore his surroundings. His stats: He's 16 pounds and 26 inches. The perfect size for the greatest snuggles. Our lives feel complete with Olle as part of our family. XO.erica

Gosh, can't believe it's been seven years since Sten and I tied the knot. This time of year always makes me nostalgic and I love thinking back to each anniversary. Where we went, what we ate, what we talked about. This year was my favorite yet. We splurged big time and got a hotel downtown Chicago. I called the day before we were going and asked if there was any way we could do something to surprise my husband since it was our anniversary-- when we checked in at the front desk they had bumped us up to a King Suite! We went for HH at Eataly and I just LOVED walking around looking at everything Italian and smelling delicious smells and drinking delicious wine. We went back to our hotel, then set out for a loooong walk around the city before dinner. We talked and walked, blocks that we knew and loved and the evening just felt magical with lights glimmering and the hustle and bustle of Christmas season. We had a great dinner at Cantina Laredo, talking about nothing and everything ...

These kids are growing up too fast... Motherhood is such a pull of the happiest happies, the deep fear of complete failure, and the undeniable sense that your life is not your own. Everyday all these emotions flood into my head and by nighttime I am so exhausted from these feelings that I fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow. I only write this to capture how I am feeling at THIS moment. So that one day, when I look back and read my blog I can remember that my days were FULL. I know people tell me all the time how fast it goes, but lately, I've been telling myself that. That my days are long, but this year went by like a blur. That as angry and frustrated as I can get, it doesn't change even an ounce of the love I feel toward Lucy and Olle. After watching the news for hours on Friday night and seeing the tragedy of a city struck by a horrible attack, I was reminded yet again, how short our lives are and to be truly grateful for each moment, never knowing when it will b...