Skip to main content

Merry Christmas from the Carlsons

 Merry Christmas friends and family!
We didn't send out a card this year, so here is our letter with our 2016 favorites:

We kicked off the year in Mexico with my family. It was the vacation of a lifetime. We had so much fun swimming in the pool, playing in the sand and enjoying time with the fam.
 
Below is a recent picture of the kids. Lucy turned 3 in September and Olle turned 1 in July. 
Lucy is full of stories and has the most amazing imagination, she loves princesses, watching shows, art projects and baking with mom. When she grows up she wants to be a princess so she can help people. 
Olle is an absolute joy. His laugh will turn any day around and he is 100% boy. Loves trucks, tractors, and throwing balls. He doesn't know many words, but he gives the tightest hugs and we just love him so, so much.
 Here we are hiking around on the North Shore this winter. We love exploring with the kids and it's fun to think of how these vacations will only get more exciting as they grow. 
I ran the Eau Claire Marathon. It was the perfect day and the race was great! Loved having some fans along the way-- this year I'm heading to Boston!
Sten was ordained in Phoenix in June! SO proud of him and the hard work it took to get there! The whole family flew down plus Sten's mom, my parents and tons of friends from our time in Chicago. It was easily one of my favorite trips, full of: heat (120 degrees!), people we love, and super early mornings due to the time change (think- 3:30 am). #worthit
 
 WE LOVE STEN!
 THE CABIN. We did not luck out with the weather this year, but that didn't stop us from having ALL the fun in the world and making tons and tons of memories. We spent an extended time with the CO Carlsons which was really special and filled that little cabin with so much love.
 Fall was SO good to us. It only started to get cold here the week of Thanksgiving, so we spent so much time outside- drawing with chalk on the driveway, pushing Olle in his little car, going on runs, walks, playing at the park, BUT our favorite pastime was biking! We purchased some new bikes this Summer and it brought us so much joy.... loading up the kids and going wherever we wanted! Here we are making our weekly trip to the Farmers Market. 
Biking is FUN!

As I look back on this year I am super thankful! Thankful for an amazing husband and 2 great kids. I am thankful for friends and the people that get me through motherhood on a daily basis. I am thankful for our families, near and far, and the way they've shaped, challenged, and cheered us on this year.
Merry Christmas!
XO, erica
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dan and Pam +

 One of our favorite weeks of summer came and went: When Dan and Pam visit. This means lots of family time at Big C. Everything is a game and there are lots of laughs-- never ending fun. It always goes by so fast and it’s sad to see them go.  This year we did something super different and took a 24 hour trip to show off Duluth to Pam. J is the best trip planner and when she sent me the itinerary I knew it was going to be a good time.  Here we are in our little hostel room. I slept like a rock thanks to half a sleeping pill. Seriously. I slept over 9 hours and didn’t even wake up to go to the bathroom!  Found just a couple rocks to skip 😂  Here we are at split rock lighthouse. We were too cheap to go into the actual park and get the tour so we listened to a podcast on the way home instead haha  The fog hadn't burned off yet and it made for the most beautiful backdrop.  Perhaps the highlight for me: burrata and wine on the rocks of gooseberry falls. We ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Wolfpack.

We had a good day with these lifetime friends of mine. PHS class of ‘04.  Linds is so good at getting everyone together. She planned this whole day and then everyone took the day off work/ got kids out of activities and sports and made the effort to see one another.  Friendship of 35 years is a true gift. I feel like these girls watched me grow up. From playing boxcar children in the basement to jr high shenanigans/ all the trips to Treasure Island to studying abroad together in Italy to visiting each others first homes/ attending weddings /welcoming in motherhood and most recently keeping up on Marco Polo I am thankful for these gals.     Recreating a picture from 7 yrs ago 😂  As we were saying our goodbyes we looked down and BURST into laughter. Must be a 40 yr old thing.  Memories upon memories with this crew.  xo. edc.   
Post a Comment
Read more

goodbye summer 2026

I headed back to BHP today after what may have been the best summer ever. If you would have asked me a week ago if I was ready to go back I would have said no, but I think God does a good job of preparing our hearts for big changes if we allow him to, and I truly felt prepared walking into school today.  My classroom has a ways to go to be ready to welcome in students to meet the teacher night on Wednesday-- but I know I'll get there.  Routine is good, and I packed my lunch last night, laid out my clothes and after work today headed to the grocery before grilling up some chicken for dinner. I needed something to remind me that I love feeding my family well, being somewhat organized and nights at home after a day away. Here are some summer lasts: Mornings on the front porch with coffee + 1 kid + a game?!?!? THE BEST Also a LOT of Rummikub lately a Friday morning of cinnamon chip scones might be the best way to start the day family bike ride on the Brown's Creek Trail 12 miles w...
Post a Comment
Read more