erica danielle

 The air was crisp yesterday and the sky was blue. I love those kinds of days. I’m trying to spend at least an hour and half outside no matter the weather this month and yesterday was easy.  There’s a contact through Bethel who owns an old school tractor and offered to take our kids on tractor rides through the back woods of school. It was  such a thrill. A tiny piece of whimsy on a day I needed it. My 4 yr olds were the best about it: “this is beautiful, this is so awesome, we’re in the forest!” — all things I heard from the back as we bounced along. Then we played on the frost covered playground zooming down the slides and running on slippery wood chips.  Thankful for the outdoors and for seeing the world through a child’s eye 🧡 xo. edc  

 For the first time since moving to Hudson we switched things up and went trick or treating in St. Paul. Perhaps less full size candy bars were given out, but we made up for it by seeing new sights and had fun strolling the neighborhoods around Lake Phalen ❤️🎃 Thankful for people to celebrate Halloween with. In the words of Lucy last night: “it’s always sad when something you’ve been excited for is over.”  Happy November. xo. edc This year we had: a pirate, a ninja turtle, a ginormous shark and Wednesday.  I was wearing snow pants. 🥶 

 There’s a song I’ve been listening to lately that goes:  Who thought I'd find You at the lowest place? Who thought You'd feel me in the crowd? Who knew You make good of my mistakes? You're nothin' like I thought You were, You're better Then the chorus goes: What a God, What a God I think about that statement a lot when things are really beautiful and life is good . “What a God”. Because seriously, how could you not when you’re out on the Willow River Trails and you see this sunrise and you’re with your friends? There’s been a lot of October moments when this song has popped into my head. Sitting across the table from Sten on dates and having really meaningful conversation, laying out a blanket in the sun and lugging out the Lego bin to build with my kids. A cousin sleepover with a walk down the pier and red light green light on the beach. Pumpkin cookie delivery from Haley on a random Thursday. Reading in bed with Lucy after a long day. What a God. Dreaming with S...

 That was the best I’ve ever felt in a race. The miles flew by and never once was I like: I can’t do this. My mental game was strong, my legs felt spring-y and my smile was wide as I ran through the city.  I ate my typical meal the night before but went to bed feeling so full and slept poorly due to a bad stomach ache…? I don’t know. Carbo loading is actually hard bc it’s so unnatural (even for me) to eat that many grams of carbohydrates. I need to work on that. I woke up at 5, had toast with PB and honey on it, left the house at 5:40 and drove to the intercontinental. I parked, sent myself a pin of my location 😂 and then used the hotel bathroom a couple times before getting on the bus to the start. I drank skratch mixed with perfect aminos on the way to the start line then used the bathrooms about 3 more times. I had 1/2 a bagel while sitting around trying to keep warm then headed to the start around 7:50. I wanted to get right next to the 3:20 pacer. I wasn’t sure I could r...

 Tomorrow’s the day! Hip hip hooray!  No idea how I’ll do on this marathon. It’s the least I’ve ever cared. I just am feeling excited to run on a beautiful day 🩵 This sissy of mine makes me laugh. Splitting pizza, Brussels and Brews under the twinkle lights at St. Paul Brewing.  Dakota was at the expo… slightly creepy that I snapped a picture?  Sten’s in Chicago- but me and the kids had the best time going to expo. Lots of candy at the booths :)  Thankful that I get to spend time with my 3 favorite kids doing regular ‘ol things.  xo. edc. 

Lots of starry runs.  Started to get pretty dark at football practice, but it was the prettiest night ever.  Falling asleep and ready for surgery. Such a baby yet so old girl… love her so much.  Might have been the last boat ride of 2024 😭 we whooped it up and had a blast at the cabin on Sunday.  Also— what a kid.  High school reunion. Being with these gals before hand was really the highlight! It was interesting to see so many people from the past… I think I’m still processing this night. 😂   It feels like I lived an entire month in a week. Have you ever felt like that? From last week to today I have felt every single emotion and have had to squeeze morning runs in at 4:25am and then do dishes at 9pm. I’ve never known what people have talked about when they say: ‘I don’t have time to exercise’… until now.  I keep shifting my perspective — bc you know what? I GET to run, I GET to have my boys in football. I GET to play a role in peoples lives yo...

Look who’s 11!!!!!  Isn’t this pretty? I snapped it while out on a run the other day. I turn this corner nearly everyday on my morning run and this time of year it looks like a Wisconsin postcard.  Finished this book in like 4 days. It was an easy fun one.  Football Saturday! This guy had a TD and a pick 6!!!! He was pretty excited 😊  We didn’t plant a garden this year— BUT we harvested these 2 things! Amazing 🤩  And on Friday our favorite girl turned 11🥹😍 We celebrated with donuts before school and Culver’s for dinner. Lucy’s a dream. There is no other way to describe her. Happy birthday to the girl that made me a mom. 11 looks good on you. I feel so lucky we get to raise you.  Lucy chose a bday party at Feed My Starving Children. And altogether we packed 81 boxes which means 48 kids fed for an entire year. If that doesn’t make your heart swell I don’t know what does.  It’s a slow Sunday morning around here. I think the germs from being around twe...