erica danielle

The last week and a half has been a blur of Kleenex, wrapping paper, Lysol, LEGO’s, more wrapping paper, Christmas services, toast and more toast. I caught the influenza and then Sten came tumbling down after. Having the 2 adults in the house down for the count the week of Christmas is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. We survived on toast and movies and the small amount of Christmas cheer we could muster. I haven’t felt so sick in a long time and it’s crazy how when you feel so terrible you can’t even function long enough to peel an orange for your child. I literally am not sure where the days went, but we spent them trying to get healthy and I think Sten and I made a really good team. All 3 kids are still alive and despite Sigge choosing the worst possible time to start crawling, he didn’t pull the tree down or choke on one of the thousand tiny LEGO pieces the kids have sprawled everywhere. If you read my Christmas update and thought to yourself: “wow, that family really...

It's that time of the year again when I realize I will not have enough time to send out a Christmas card. I love checking the mailbox in December and seeing who, despite my lack of reciprocation, sent us a crisp envelope with a gorgeous picture of their family and a brief description of their year. THANK YOU! Here is our card and a recap on 2019. 1. Sigge William joined our family on February 15th. Filling our hearts to the brim and showing us all that miracles come in the form of tiny humans. We love this guy more than words can say. We've adored showing him all our favorite things. Like Saturday mornings at Panera, game nights by the fireplace, cabin life, Portage Lake, and sleepovers with cousins. Sigge makes us all better people. 2. We slugged our way through the coldest, snowy-est winter I can remember and FULLLLLLLY soaked up everything summer had to offer. We spent countless hours at our family cabins in Minnesota and got to spend some very special time with exten...

Olle had his Christmas program last night, and he took it very seriously. I don’t think he ever cracked a smile, but he looked as cute as can be up on that riser, and he was looking forward to it all month. Grandma and Grandpa and the Bernards came to watch and it felt so festive! We tried to get a picture of all the kids and it is hilarious. You win some, you lose some! Love these 5 silly kids. And Olle’s classmate Nora ♥️ Way to go Olle man! You’re a stud! xo. edc

Year 3 and the girls got the medal this time around. It was definately our turn to win, and we brought our A game. I did something new this year and saved our Halloween candy to use to decorate and it made it SO fun because we had a million different options to choose from. I don't know who loves this competition more... Sten and me or the kids?? But needless to say, it is a tradition to keep. HERE is the recipe (and the story behind my gingerbread making) in case you're looking to make your own gingerbread, and HERE is the icing recipe I used. Royal icing is key, otherwise your gingerbread house will fall apart! xo. edc

we headed back out to Chippewa Falls to get our Christmas tree last week and it was just as magical year 2. So thankful to my aunt and uncle for this fun little adventure we've been able to embark on 2 years in a row. We were all pretty excited that Sigge was along for the ride, and I think he enjoyed himself too. We decorated the tree with EVERY ornament from our box, and this morning I sat under it while I had my quiet time. I loved the light it gave me, the evergreen smell it provided and the cozy warm feeling only a Christmas tree can provide. Feeling merry & bright, and soaking up this season as it is going by so quickly.

This week seemed to zoom by, as all of December typically does. But that just means documenting all the things is that much more important so I don't look back and say: what in the world did we do last month?! Here's 1 thing: a hike to the Falls with Grandma, Olle and Sigge. We ended up finding a fun new trail that was a little over 2 miles round trip. Olle’s little legs continue to amaze me. He walked the entire time. Telling us stories and making us laugh. He is a fun boy, and when life is good for Olle, life is good! Love getting outside and doing things that make our bodies move. xo. edc.

I’m experiencing the quietest portion of my day as I put Sigge to sleep. I’m enjoying this moment of not trying to rush to the next thing, but instead holding my sleeping baby just a little while longer. I thought this is how motherhood would be. Instead, if motherhood was a pie chart mine would be 1% snuggles, 99% everything else. Today I started off on the wrong foot, and though I tried really hard and intentionally to bring myself back to a place of peace and joy, I struggled. I snapped at Sten this morning, I yelled at Sigge while he was moaning endlessly, and I pushed off reading books to poor little Olle who was just an innocent bystander of the whole thing. But I’m ending the night well. Enjoying my sleepy baby, an early bedtime for the big kids and the promise of tomorrow. xo. edc.

Last day of my thankful posts. I’m sure the 3 people that read my blog will be glad this month is over 😜. Things I’m thankful for today: 1// my sister and bro-in-law who had our kids the last 2 nights. I am so glad my kids have somewhere fun and safe to be when Sten and I need a break. 2// yesterday! Sten and I watched shows, went to see Downton Abbey, went to a brewery, and had the absolute best and most relaxing day celebrating year 11. So thankful that we still love being together, so thankful he still makes me laugh, and so thankful we have each other! 3// I DID IT! I got a sub 20 5K yesterday on the treadmill!! Whoop whoop! Check that off my 2019 list!! 4// a quiet morning— kids are gone and Sten is still sleeping, we got snow last night so everything is cozy and white and I have a couple hours to myself. Gearing up for December, ready for it! xo. edc.

Here I am sitting in an empty house, pumping, listening to Christmas music. It’s easy to turn the page to the next thing. But what if I lingered in November a little longer? What if I stayed grateful for the littlest things in my life? Like my washer and dryer? My oven? My electrical toothbrush? Modern conveniences that are over looked every single day. How would life look different? As I watched my girl run into the woods yesterday with her girl cousins I couldn’t help but look at the  cyclical nature of the whole thing. We mom cousins standing in a circle watching our daughters play the EXACT same way we did. No worries in the world, complete abandon, eating snow and completely drenched from being in the snow for HOURS. I want to freeze the camera roll, and not move into the season of wanting, wishing, greed, disappointment, envy, and fatigue. I’d like to stay in this season of gratefulness and contentment for a little longer. I know there will be opportunities to be grateful as...

So many things to be thankful for today I’ll most likely have to report back tomorrow, but today I am thankful that Sten has been by my side for 11 years. He is the one who makes me feel the most special, loved, cared for and appreciated. He is without a doubt my biggest fan and my loudest cheerleader. I know I hit the jackpot with him as my husband. I’m also thankful that there’s an entire day dedicated to being grateful and eating food. 2 of my favorite things! We are heading to Chippewa Falls to spend thanksgiving at the farm and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I’m heading out now to run my own turkey trot with Hannah on the Y treadmills (free and I don’t have to worry about ice!) 😂 Happy Thanksgiving 🍽🦃🍁 Happy Anniversary ♥️ xo. edc.

Thankful for full days like today. I think I squeezed every last minute out! Tenly spent the night and just like I expected they went right outside and played in the snow until she was picked up. Then we packed up and headed to the Y in Woodbury to meet Jessica and the cousins, J and I did a circuit, then picked up the kids and drove to moms. There the kids put back on their snow stuff and did some sledding in the backyard, then had some hot cocoa. Came home, had dinner then Sten and I put the kids to bed and finished up the sweet potatoes to bring to thanksgiving tomorrow! Not a spare minute, but all fun and good things! Can’t wait for tomorrow! xo. edc

Thankful today for the anticipation of a big snow storm tonight. I’m not really a winter person, but I can always get excited about the first big dump of snow. I’m excited for Lucy and Olle to wake up tomorrow and see tons of snow and to get all snow-geared up and head outside! I might be making this more magical than it will turn out to be IRL, but I’m here for it nevertheless :) xo. edc

5 days left of November??!! What?!?! I'm destined to make it great. Thankful today for: - boot camp at the YMCA, we did a lot of drills today, and I literally came in last at almost every drill-- until we did sprints, and then I came in 1st! whoop whoop! ....might need to work on my high knee skills :) - banana/egg pancakes with protein powder that my kids ate this morning . - a short school week as I am ready to have fun with the fam this week - book club tonight! - The sun that's currently shining - Sigge who is currently napping - Olle who is currently doing a quiet activity - Lucy who is so excited to be a part of book club after school today - Sten who worked so hard yesterday and attacked the day this morning - A rare moment of snuggles between my 3 yahoo's after breakfast It is going to be a good day. xo. edc