Go Big or Go Home

On Tuesday, Brad and Beth Hutchings invited us to play hookie and ski with them at Sundance Resort. We had never skied there and were totally up for the adventure. Brad and Beth both are snow boarders and they do it beautifully. Beth and I enjoy the same kinds of runs so we let the boys take off and we would meet them in time to get on the lift. Half way through the day, Beth and I discussed the fact that we didn't have grandmothers who did what we were doing when they were our age---it put the whole day in perspective---here we were---two mothers of 5 and 3 children and grandmothers of 1 and 3 darling grandchildren. So---to Celeste, Carsen, Raegan and Alexander---be proud!!! You have grandmothers who do what theirs never did! And to Beth and Brad---thanks for another fun adventure! Everyone should be so lucky to have fun family like you!!!

December 9-Grandpa Steve and Grandma Dudy declare this a "No Crap Christmas" and begin working on gifts in the garage. We encourage everyone to give of themselves and of the heart rather than worrying about purchasing. The feeling is that the meaningful expressions of love will last longer than stuff.









December 20-Neighborhood Party. Steve and Steven don chef apparel and cook made-to-order omlets for the 400 people who attend. Carsen and Raegan feel at home in the building and run around greeting everyone. Catherine and Mike socialize with the neighbors who are always glad to see them! Santa continues to be a big draw. Thanks Santa!





Could her mother get her to do this 20 years ago---I don't think so!! Next thing you know, she will be hanging out with clowns...


I saw mommy kissing "you know who"...


December 25-With everyone home for Christmas we enjoy the day. Dinner is interrupted by a presentation of "The Boars Head Carol" by Patricia and Patrick Barnes which is, in fact, an actual English carol of some aclaim. Everyone is amazed---at least. "Nice" (Grandma Linda) is worried that Carsen will try to share the experience with his friends at school and that no one will believe him so she prints him a photo to take to school. Steven is sorry that when he was in the Beta House that he didn't know that a pig's head could be purchased locally. Mike (on behalf of his Sigma Chi brothers) is relieved! The snow starts up big time and Catherine and Mike (and our grandbunny, Aspen) have a slumber party on Hilltop Road in front of the fire. Carsen and Grandpa Steve explore the lego table.


Steve helps Raegan discover her cherry wood doll cradle.



December 27-Grand Experiment in Family-we hold the first Eror/Error reunion-open house. We meet cousins that we had never before met. Patricia and Patrick get to meet more of Sandra's family (up to now known to the Boston Barnes as "phantom brother and crew"). We loved seeing everyone. We hope Celeste doesn't think that we stole her purple sippy cup---we promise that we will work out a time that we can return it to her. We are grateful for extended family and the opportunity of sharing the holidays with them. We definately missed the family members that are out of town.

December 28-Game night at Grandpa Steve's and Grandma Dudy's. Mike surprises us with a version of "rock, paper, scissors" which is entitled, "hunter, hooker, bear".

Whatever happened to rock, paper, scissors?

Alex has his own preferences for games.


December 31-Mike organizes a Paint Ball game for the guys. The girls watch and are, once again, glad to be girls. Raegan gets bored and opts for shopping with Aunt Faf and Grandma Dudy. Games at the Hilltop House until everyone is tired. G and G sign off early after a call from GP telling us that it is new years on the East coast so there is no need to stay up and wait for it to arrive in SLC.



January 1-No Hang Over Ski Day. We all hit the mountain and enjoy the fact that so many skiers are unable to ski due to hang overs. We always dreamed of this kind of day---adult children and spouses, grandchildren---a whole family playing together and making the ski lessons of the past pay off. Success!! Everyone does really well. Carsen wants to go faster and Alex is happy in a backpack.



January 2-Sugar Bowl Party at Hilltop Home. Garffs (Karen and Bill), Healeys (Lindsey and Aaron) and Nancy Barlow and crew join us. We top the evening off with a toast of Martinelli's. Great year to be a UTE!!!

January 3-Girls Nite Out and Boys Play In. We have dinner at Cafe Rio and see the Twilight Movie. I sit between Catherine and Patricia and listen to snide social comments in stereo. They each have the same funny comments at the same time. We try not to be too amused but---not lots of success. We owe Karen Garff another Girls Nite Out to make up for the fact that this movie really sucked!! Sorry Karen---keep in mind it is the company that counts.

January 5- Sledding at Lindsey Gardens. Alex is quite a trooper and has decided that snow isn't so bad after all. FHE together. Dinner at Hilltop Home and basketball and other dandy games at the church. Melissa may play one armed ball but she is tough!





January 7-Dinner with Ted and Nice Barnes, Patrick and Patricia and Grandpa Steve and Grandma Dudy. Patrick and Patricia get blessings prior to leaving for school. Then the rest of the crew comes for dessert. Chaos abounds. We love it! Some of us stay up til 1:30am finishing the Christmas puzzles. These were REALLY hard! Boo to those who chose sleep over puzzle dedication!


January 8-Catherine brings lunch for the packing travelers. Patrick, Patricia and Alex leave for Boston and their last semester of school.









January 9-The Eror Family Christmas Tree finally comes down and the house is put back to normal. What a wonderful holiday season we had with our wonderful family---I am so grateful to all of them---our children, grandchildren, grandbunny, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc, etc, etc. Thank you for sharing this wonderful time of year with us. At dinner on, January 7, Linda (Nice) Barnes asked each of us what our favorite Christmas was. I think that this one will go down in my memory as my absolute favorite. It was full of friends, family, love and all of the things that our Savior would want us to fill our time with. It was not filled with stuff. We felt the love and appreciation of family which was not overshadowed by those things that detract. Thank you for being you. Thank you Steve for being a courageous fearless leader and father of our family and suggesting a resetting of expectations and traditions. Thank you all for being part of our celebration!!