Well people...I am terrible at updates!  With 5 crazy redheads to keep track of, I have fallen off the blogging ship.  So terribly sorry.  Especially for those of you whom we haven't seen for a long while.  I would really love to say that I am back on the boat, but I can't say for sure at this point :).  I will do my best.  I have a goal of backtracking and filling things in, but who knows!  I have a goal to do many things, but it seems the littles change that in a blink of an eye at any moment these days.  So just know we love you all and wish you all the best and will do our best (or I should say I will do my best) to be better at updating.
That being said here is an update on our lovelies.  They are growing so fast! We recently got some new family pics, so here they be.  I may be a little biased, but they are pretty dang cute.  It helps to have a great photographer too.  Thanks so much Camille-as always you capture my little people (and big people) so perfectly.

This little lady is now in 2nd grade and loving every minute of life.  She is vivacious and sassy and always giving me a run for my money!  She is loving soccer, musicals, and piano lessons among many other things.  This gal is always on the go!

Ali is loving being in school this year!  She is digging kindergarten and riding the bus.  She has the best handwriting in the class!  She loves dancing, drawing and creating art, and is great at helping mom.  She just lost her first tooth a week ago.  She is growing so fast!

Oh Rees.  Love her little guts, but she is certainly at a rambunctious, difficult age.  She makes great funny faces, loves to snuggle and read stories, and go anywhere her sisters or dad goes.  She enjoys talking on the phone (though others may not be able to fully understand her quite yet).  But just try and get this kid to go to bed or help her get dressed.  Heavens.

And this one is pure joy and sunshine.  Just look at that face.  Can't get enough of those chunker cheeks!!  She is almost 10 months and is all smiles, all the time.  Her sisters love to tote her around and make her giggle with their funny faces.  She is kind of becoming a mama's girl (which is so nice since the others only want dad).  She is trying super hard to crawl, and gets a little frustrated that her legs won't quite do what she wants them to yet.

And what can I say about this guy.  He is nothing short of amazing-loving, hard-working, faithful, and strong. Man I feel blessed to have such a great guy.  He does everything to make life good for us and I can't thank him enough for his love and support.  It takes a special guy to raise 4 daughters!  Especially redheads!

This was the only picture of me and the girls...figures... At this point they were el-done-o.  Which is pretty typical of this time of the day...at this point they are just ready to hang with dad.

Baby Ryen

I'm a little behind in posting about this sweet tootsie...A-because my computer hates me, and B-because I'm a tad bit caught up in kissing her sweet cheeks and just cuddling her to death. I just love newborns..their sweet little grunts and groans, the way they smell, their soft fuzzy skin...oh I could just eat her up! She has started to make faces and sounds in her sleep, and she will focus and smile at you every now and again. Love it. Here are a few of the beautiful pics my talented friend Camille took when she was 13 days old. Thanks Camille as always! You can see more of her work HERE.

She wasn't too excited about having her picture taken.

Another Lovely Lady!

Our little darling is finally here! We are so excited! She is super sweet & easy going so far.

Ryen Melba Erickson

January 6, 2012

(born on Grandpa Von's birthday)

7 lb 8 oz

20 inches long

She has strawberry blonde hair like her dad

The natives seem to like her and are willing to keep her.

Halloween Hoopla

It has been a long time coming, but finally-a post. Oh how it would be to actually be on top of things and post regularly, but clearly, that plan is not going so hot. I think I must be starting to get old-things like sleeping and eating right, and energy are becoming rare commodities with 3 crazies running around and another one coming shortly! Enough complaining, on to the partying! Our family decided to reincarnate the family Halloween party-Halloween has always been one of my mom's favorite holidays, and we always have big plans which never come to fruition. Until this year. It was a blast. Thanks everyone for all the help! We donut bobbed, pumpkin bowled, pinned the nose on the witch, enjoyed some good grub and some ghoulish company. What could be better!

Woody, Jessie, Slinky Dog, a blue princess and a pirate

The 2 Good WitchesThing 1 and Thing 2, an adorable turtle, and 2 mean hulks!

Princess Leia, Hans Solo, an adorable ballerina and a fierce pirate!The hippies

Miss Elizabeth Bennett

A pilgrim granny?

Father Time? (can you tell grandma and grandpa rummaged in mom's costume bin)

The flapper and the project manager

The Elves--Zelda?

The Bohemian pilate?The fairy princess

Grandma getting down with the pumpkin bowling! Go Grandma!