POLAR EXPRESS

Sam and I took Grandma Nancy, Grandpa Robert, and Liz along with us to ride the Polar Express this year. Dave sacrificed and stayed home with Luke. We went on the earlier train this year, and we loved watching the sun set over the mountains as we headed out to the North Pole. It was a beautiful clear night and the moon was spectacular reflected in Deer Creek. Sam remembered things from last year, so the anticipation definately added to the fun and excitement. He told Santa he wanted a train, so hopefully he is nice enough to make his Christmas wish come true (I am just thankful he didn't ask Santa for a gun like he has mentioned before. "You know, a gun to shoot animals with" I really don't know where he got that idea). Anyway we had a great time.

After the train ride, we decided to get some dinner in Heber. Grandpa wanted to go to a certain restaurant that his friend Patty told him they liked. We were driving very slowly down Main Street looking for it, when Grandpa said, " I should have asked Patty for the address." Sam pipes up from the backseat, "But Grandpa, Patty is a dog." Thanks Sam for reminding Grandpa that even he can't really talk to dogs.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

These are our new official Esplin Family Christmas stockings - thanks to Margie Dear's knitting skills. Mine is red (of course), Dave's is green, and Luke and Sam are an even mix. Just don't ask Sam, because of course he has claimed the green one, because green is his very FAVORITE. We'll see. I always love our fireplace, but I love it even more when it is decked in holiday decor. I love Christmas decoreations and the spirit they bring to our home.

It was actually a very nice, warm day when we went to pick out our tree this year. We were walking around trying to decide which tree was our favorite, and we had a helper telling us the prices on the various trees ($48, $58, $69, etc.). She asked Sam if he like a particular tree. He said, "No. Do you have and that are 3, because I am 3, and 3 is my favorite." We all would have been happy if we could have found a 3 tree.

Sam was a very good helper decorating the tree. When we finally got it all done I turned on the lights and he said, "It's a miracle!" I couldn't agree more.

We took advantage of the nice weather to get all our Christmas lights put up on the house. Of course Sam is on the ladder with Dave trying to help as much as possible. Luke and I just got to sit back and relax as we watched the real men do all the work. Sam picked out some new "twinkle-twinkle little star" snowflakes for our front porch. Once we finally got them untangled, they looked beautiful. I need to get a new picture of the lights on at night. I love them. I think the lights are my favorite part of Christmas. I always feel like everything is so dark in january when they all get turned off.

My boys

So, this is how Dave found Sam after he had been a little too quiet in his room one day.

I have to post this little blackmail picture of Sam in his undies. Yes, we all know they are on backwards. If anyone happens to point this out to Sam, he is quick to tell them, "but I like them that way." As always there is a very good reason. There is always a really cool picture on the back, and when the back is actually in front he can see the picture better. I'm just happy he is wearing them.

Here is Luke the monkey. He loves to hold toys with this feet which then leaves his hands free to play with them. This new ball is one of his favorites because he can actually pick it up with his toes. Dave calls Luke Curious George, which is a perfect description of his curious little personality and his exceptional foot work. I think he is sure to be a soccer player like him mama.

Sam LOVES swords. This sword is from his Halloween Peter Pan costume. He told me I needed to get the camera to take a picture of him because he looked so cool. He is also flexing his enormous muscles that he does with such flair. He puts his arms up slowly, then gives a little click of his tongue when he is fully flexed. Always such a performer.

Luke is just such a happy little guy!

Sam decided to join Luke in his basket and use the broom to row them in a boat. Nothing is cuter than my two boys in a "boat".

Sam got a little carried away washing his hands one night. He is going green and trying to conserve water by taking this mini sink tub. Doesn't look too comfy to me.

Luke loves to roll over to the wall and then push as hard as he can. He really loves to get his legs up on the wall and just kick as hard as he can. I have to check his heals for bruises, but I haven't found any yet. It looks like it would really hurt, but he just giggles and squeals and loves it.

Thanksgiving

I forgot to take my camara to our Thanksgiving parties, so unfortunately I have no pictures to share. We were extra blessed this year because we got to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners.

We started out celebrating with the Esplin family at Mel and Jesse's home. Paula cooked up a storm, and everyone brought their own contributions. I think we had enough food to feed 3 times as many people as we had. I think the hightlight of our party was having Will and Kellie and their 5 kids come down from Idaho. We are so happy to have them closer so they can visit more often. Sam had so much fun running around with Hunter, Tanner and Spencer. Luke kept Andrew and Addie company. They can't quite keep up with his rolling yet, but pretty soon they will all really be on the move I am sure. We missed having Aunt Dixie's family and Uncle Ken, but we still had quite a houseful.

We had to leave before the post-Thanksgiving craft to eat once again with the Frampton Family. We had all of the Frampton kids there plus cousin Richard and cousin Janet. I was in charge of the appetizers, and I think Grandma Frampton would have been proud. We have Roger to thank for our killer spinach artichoke dip recipe that has become a real favorite. Mary was in charge of the pies, and she made Grandma Grover proud. I think those are the best parts of Thanksgiving, the turkey dinner is just the filler in between. Before we ate, Grandpa Robert read this declaration from Abraham Lincoln officially making Thanksgiving a holiday. I had just heard this statement earlier this year for the first time. I was really touched to think that President Lincoln stopped to be thankful at a time when he was surrounded by war and devastation. I think we have so much more to be thankful for today, and yet I know we all take so much for granted. I want to post this quote here to help me remember that no matter how tough things may seem, there is always much to be thankful for.



"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God . . . Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, (sic) have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. . . the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility (sic) and Union.”
-Abraham Lincoln.

I don't know where he comes up with it all

It seems like Sam has had a lot of funny things to say lately. Here are just a few of the funniest.

Last week Grandpa Robert had some dental work done. I asked him if the dentist gave him any laughing gas. Grandpa said no. Then Sam turned around and said, "I have a talking bottom." Sam may not have laughing gas to offer, but he was sure to show us all his "talking bottom".

Sweet 60

Grandma Nancy actually shed a few tears. This is the deluxe fudgey chocolate cake made by Lizzy
John does the best Nancy bitter beer face. "I just love Nigeria"

These are a few of my favorite things.

Grandma Nancy celebrated her 60th birthday on October 31st. We had to wait until the next weekend for her big birthday bash. Mary put together a little book that had everyone's top 10 Nancy qualities/memories and some pictures. All the kid also gave her "60" gifts: 60 cans of Coke, 60 junior mints, 60 piece puzzle, 60 Kara truffles, and Cheetos. Jack made stuffed hamburgers for dinner, that turned out to be extraordinarily good. We laughed a lot during the night, and we even got Mom to get a little teary over her present, which is a real miracle. I think it was pretty much the perfect party. We love you Grandma Nancy!

fall fun

This picture is to prove that I do make cookies every once in a while. Sam is a very good helper. He loves to get his stool and be right where he can see and do everything.
Dave and Sam love to go on 4-wheeler rides. We are lucky to have our very own track right next to our house. It will be a sad day for us when they build 2 houses there someday.

HALLOWEEN

Sam was a very cute Peter Pan for Halloween this year. For months he has been pretending to be Peter Pan. He usually assigns Dave to be Captain Hook (he is a naughty guy), I am Wendy, and Luke is Tinkerbell. He loves to find "Hooks" to be Captain Hook: hangers, the ladle, etc. A few days before Halloween, he decided he wanted to be Captain Hook instead, even if he is a naughty guy. Too bad we already had the Peter Pan costume.

Luke was an adorable little pumpkin

Our ward had Trunk-or-Treat in the "Ghosttown". Sam went around saying Trick-or-treat and then giving our candy instead of gathering it. He is such a giver. He loved standing in his monster truck handing out candy and watching all the people in fun costumes.

SAM - SAM THE FIX-IT MAN

The other night Dave tucked Sam into bed. A few minutes later he came wandering back out.

Sam: Dad, I have a problem.
Dave: What's your problem?
Sam: I just can't sleep this time.
Dave: Well, how are we going to fix your problem?
Sam: Maybe with a hammer, and wrench, and a screwdriver, and a tape measure, and another hammer.

BABY IN A BASKET

Luke is getting to be very good at sitting up, but he still gets too excited sometimes and flops over. He loves to sit in a laundry basket with some toys and then he can't fall over and bonk his head. Isn't he just cute with his little cabbage patch doll smile?

PUMPKIN PARTY

Sam finally did decide to join our pumpkin party with Grandpa Robert and Grandma Nancy. Sam got to carve his pumpkin he brought home from his preschool field trip to the Red Barn last week. The rest of us carved some very nice pumpkins from the Frampton garden. Grandpa Robert and Liz carved extra fancy pumpkins with a pirate and a spider web. I don't have pictures of those yet since they weren't done yet when we left.

Work-a-holic Sam

Sam helped Dave re-build a very deluxe dog run for Grandpa Reed's dogs on Saturday. Sam loves Rufalo, Deputy, and especially Snidely-whiplash. He had so much fun climbing in and out of the fences, working with tools, and pretending to be an engineer driving a train. It was getting cold and dark and I went out to get him to take him home to go carve pumpkins. Every time I tried to talk to him he told me he was too busy. I finally got him to stop for a minute and come talk to me. He has been very excited about carving pumpkins, so I knew that if I told him that is what we were doing he would be ready to go. Instead, Sam told me, "Mom, you will just have to carve pumpking by yourself, because I have work to do."

EEC SOCCER TEAM CONTINUES WINNING STREAK

Saturday was our last Saturday soccer game of the year. The weather was absolutely perfect for soccer. Our last few games have been real blow-outs. I think the scores have been about 6-0 for us, even when we all changed positions the second half. I think those games gave us some good practice, so we really played well this week. The team we played was good and fast, but so were we. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie, but we came back strong the second half and ended up winning the game 2-0. It was such a fun game. The perfect way to end the season. We ended up with a 7-2 record for the season.

the tournament starts this week. We won the tournament in the summer, but I don't know if we can pull that off this season since they put us in a bracket with the winners of the upper division. We are very good for Moms, but we aren't quite as fast as the younger girls in the upper division. I hate to see the season end. playing soccer is my big escape for the week. I better find something to get me through the winter, or I may not make it until we start up again in May.

GOLDEN SUNSHINE

On Friday we spent all day outside. We took Dave lunch at the office and then played at the SF park. Luke and Sam both loved the swings. It was Luke's first time in a park swing. I never feel like I get good pictures of how smiley Luke really is, but I think these swing pictures are some pretty good ones. When Luke got tired of the swing I held him and we tried to "get" Sam every time we could reach him on the swing. Sam and Luke both thought that was so funny and laughed like crazy. I wish every moment could be as happy as that time we spent soaking up the sunshine, laughing, and just having fun being together.

Then we went to the park by the new ballpark, that Sam calls the soccer ball park since that is where I play my soccer games. Sam had to play on the playground for a little while, and it really is the best one. I finally convinced him to go for a walk to go see the bridge and the river. We loaded up the monster stroller and enjoyed the most beautiful walk along the river trail. Sam loved going across the bridge the most. We spent quite a while on the bridge throwing rocks and sticks in the river and watching our leaf boats sail away. The late afternoon sunshine made the yellow autumn leaves burst with color against the deep blue sky. It was one of my favorite days that I want to remember forever. I hope no matter how big my boys get they will always still want to play with Mom.

p.s. Another great thing about our day was that Sam went to the bathroom at both parks, even though he tried to tell me that "It's ok to pee outside at the park". Hurray for Sam finally being potty-trained!!!

CUTE COUSINS

On Sunday we celebrated Grandpa Reed's birthday. Lindsey was in town with Avery and we had fun seeing all the little cousins together. Avery had to show off her skunk Halloween costume a little early, since she won't be here to trick-or-treat. She was so cute. I don't know why we love to dress up little babies so much, but they are just so cute.

3-YEAR OLD THINKING

Of course our St. George trip was full of funny things Sam said and did. This is my favorite Sam story. Sam woke up too early on Saturday and he wandered out to the family room where Grandpa Robert and I were. Grandpa cuddled and rocked him in the rocking chair for a little while, but then he had to go get ready to go to work so he told Sam to go lie down on the rug where it was soft. Sam took his blanket and cuddled up on the rug.

Grandpa Robert: Sam, did you know that Grandpa brought that rug back all the way from Turkey?

Sam: I love Turkey. (pause) And I love bologna. And I really, really, really love watermelon.

St. George Trip

We also celebrated Uncle John's 23rd birthday. Wow, he is getting to be an old man.

Aunt Melanie gave Sam a new drill kit complete with carrying case. The case is now one of his favorite things to pack his treasures around in. I told him to get some things together that he wanted to take to St. George. He packed some golf balls and a water bottle. Wow, that boy really knows how to pack.

Grandpa Robert had a lot of fun decorating for Halloween.

Sam spent the morning outside helping me dig up old flower bulbs in the yard. He was a very good helper to put the bulbs in the wheelbarrow after I dug them up. Then he had to go play with Trixie the neighbor dog. I didn't hear him for a little while, so I went to go see what he was doing. Our neighbor Marie opened her back door and said Sam was inside with her. He had gone around to her front door, rang the doorbell, and asked if he could play and have a cookie. After playing with Marie for a while he rode his bike down to The Cushings to play with Alexa and Malie. We are lucky Sam has so many good friends in the neighborhood.

We spent the weekend down in St. George with Grandma and Grandpa. We had lots of fun swimming, shopping, and then Dave and I escaped Saturday night to go see Les Miserables at Tuachan theatre (thanks to Grandma Nancy for babysitting). Liz, John and Tawnie came down Saturday afternoon and went with us to the play. The weather was perfect and the boys were both very good travelers. What more could I ask for? Well, I could ask for some pictures of the trip. I was so smart to remember to charge our camera battery before we left, but just not smart enough to put the battery back in the camera. Liz did bring the battery down to us when she came, but by then I had missed some pretty good photo opps. Here are two pictures I wish I had to post here (just use your imagination).

1. We went swimming Friday evening after we arrived. Of course after swimming I had to get Luke, Sam, and then myself all cleaned up and ready for bed. I got Luke ready first, then he laid down on the floor to play with Dave. By the time I was all ready and went in to get Luke to feed him and get him to bed, he had fallen asleep on the floor. He was all curled up with his blanket, sucking his two fingers. Nothing is sweeter than a sleeping baby, and how I wish I had a picture of what a cutie our Luke is. He is such a nice baby, he just decided to put himself to sleep.

2. I also forgot to pack Sam's swimming life jacket. Again, Liz came to the rescue and brought it down, but then John took off in Liz's car Saturday without getting the life jacket out. We found another life jacket and wet-suit type suit with floaties in it on super clearance at the outlets, but they were both a little too big for Sam. Dave rigged both life jackets on Sam, and it worked pretty well. We also found a couple snorkel sets. Sam loved wearing the mask, and Luke really loved chewing on the snorkel. I wish I had a picture of Sam in all his swimming gear: Swim suit handing out of his wet suit floaty, life jacket tied all around him, and snorkel goggles. He looked kind of like an aqua astronaut. He didn't care. He just loved swimming.

Luke loved the pool too. He kept kicking his feet like a little frog and splashed and splashed. Liz got him laughing his donkey laugh and he just couldn't have been happier.