tastykake

why oh why do u not sell these in the west coast.  these are the most amazing cupcakes ever.  they also make some other yummy things too.  but i think these are my favorite. i grew up on these and only get them twice a year when my friend sends me some for christmas and my birthday.. but what do u do when they dont sell them in idaho..oh well i guess i wait for some more...A-

birthday girl

it was samanthas birthday yesterday.  she had a pretty good day.. she went shopping with her

birthday money and got the shoppping cart and that cardboard coloring thing.. she also

got a cradle that her dad made for her new doll..we had pizza rolls for dinner and then cake and

ice cream.  i still cant believe that my baby girl is 4..

12 years

happy anniversary to my hubby..we were married 12 years ago.. we have owned 2 houses..moved 5 times..have had 5 kids..1 carrier change for him and 2 more years to go on his education.  lots of memories, tears, laughter, happines and also alot of craziness.  it has never been easy but it has been worth it.  i love my husband and would not change a thing.  i just hope the next 12 years are a little easier...A-

christmas

 well we started of christmas with a polar express night at the kindergarten center where carter goes.  they had activities, hot chocolate and a ride around the block..plus of course santa.  we had to miss the ride because emmett was done.  the kids had a good time though.

 my parents came up for a few days and we started out with doughnut day on friday. 

 my dad enjoying one

 we played in the hot tub as a family and watched a movie which the kids loved.  we ate lots of junk, visited a ton and my parents even watched the kids so corey and i could go on a date.  (we have not been on one in months)

 after visiting with grandma and grandpa and uncle james we started getting ready for christmas

 we made lots of yummy food.

 omg and the turkey was amazing

 good spread huh. 

 christmas was good at our house.  it was not big by any means but its was good.  each of the kids got clothes and some kind of toy and a few got books. 

 we had the annual esplin christmas party on monday and we ate and had the fun opening christmas presents. its always crazy but it is fun.

i hope everyone had a good holiday.  i am grateful for a good season but ready for a new year.  hopefully 2012 will be better than 2011..

cookies and humility

i made these for corey today.   after a good breakdown last night and then my good friend katie whom i love so much telling me today to pull my head out of my @#$ today.  she asked me if having money would change me or what i am doing for christmas and i said no.  i still would not be buying t.v.'s or game systems.  maybe a few more necessitites but nothing big or crazy.  i also came across a great post on facebook by one of the general authorites.  he was saying that it is ok to go to the lord and say i am having a hard time.  it could be about your health, your job or even anything.  the lord knows what u are going through.  so do something for someone else to help ease your pain.  so i did something little like that today and made coreys favorite cookies that he has been asking me to make for a year.  i know that this trial of survival and living off of no money wont last forever but it will still be a while.  i can now face it again and hopefully get through it.  its hard and it will be hard but  it will end and i hope i can understand what the lord is trying to teach me.  but until then its day by day and sometimes hour by hour.  A-

christmas concert

wyatt and cameron had there christmas concert tonight.  it was so cute.. the whole school puts it on with each grade doing a couple of songs.  the 5th graders (wyatt) danced in couples.  he of course was embarassed by the whole thing but it was adorable.  they also sang and song with sign language.. camerons songs were really good too.  i was inpressed with both my boys tonight. 

christmas spirit

i was/am having a hard time this year with getting into the christmas spirit.  i dont know if it because it has been a really hard year finanically and christmas is just another thing that i dont have money for or if its everything in general.  we finally got our christmas decorations up this past weekend and the kids wanted to make cut out cookies so we did.  it was fun and the kids had a good time.. (if u cant tell)..but i am still just struggling with this time of year.  i am so grateful for the saviors birth and everything that he means  to our family.  the rest of it i can do with out this year.  i hope that does not sound awful but that is just how i feel this year.  i am just ready for it to be over and to move on..  A-

camerons babtism

cameron had his birthday on dec 1st and had a great day.  (sorry no pictures cuz i cant find my camera).  he got 20 bucks from us and had pizza and cake and ice cream for dinner.  he was also super excited because he turned 8 and was able to go to boy scouts for the 1st time that day too.  we also had camerons babtism on dec 3rd.  it was a great day.  we had  great support that day with family and friends coming to celebrate with us.  cameron did really well esp since the water in the font was freezing.  afterwards we went to my parents and had a taco bar and cobbler.  (camerons idea).. it turned out to be a fabulous day and am so grateful for all of those that came and could be with us on that special day..A-