Happy Days

Summer has ended and I am left to ponder if our summer made a difference for the kids. June was extremely busy with Evan in T-ball (which he loved), Hannah had summer school four days a week, Hyrum, Michael, Molli, and Hannah were busy with the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Techni-color Dream Coat" which they all had so much fun with. I was in the pit for that and really enjoyed watching my kids on stage. I felt bad that Evan couldn't be in it, he would have loved it. He was only 7 years old and the age requirement was 8 (however, I saw many children under age 8 in it). Robert really enjoyed having Evan home to help with Jonathan and Jacob and I did let Evan go to the production twice- he could sing some of the songs with the kids by the time it was all over :).

After the play, Molli had to focus on a summer school class of health. We had to cram the class in two weeks instead of four because of Girl's camp and Molli heading to California. That was a very long two weeks and stressful trying to get it all in. When it is all said and done, she got a B on the final and I think an A- in the class. Hooray! We decided to skip the next session of summer school and focus on summer.

During the last two days of the play, Michael had Scout Camp so Robert and I took turns the first part of the week and drove him about an hour away to camp, Robert stayed the first day and brought him back home, the next morning Robert took him back up, I picked him up that night, and Robert took him back up the next morning and he was finally able to stay the rest of camp. He had to miss another scouting activity that he wanted to go to because of the play, so I promised him no play this next summer and scouting it is.

Molli went to Girl's Camp on July 5th, we didn't get home from the 4th of July festivities until 1:30AM and that is the same day (July 5th) she took her Health final, so she was pretty tired heading off to camp. She got home from that and we did her laundry and two days later she was off to California for a visit with her cousin. It was her first solo flight and I was nervous for her, but we made it work out that she took the shuttle with Michael to Salt Lake (he stayed there that week to help my parents), so Molli could fly Southwest out of Salt Lake, meet my sister on the layover in Phoenix and then continue to California. She flew through Phoenix on the way back as well so my sister could help her with that layover as well. Michael and Molli both had a great time.

Hannah after a day at Zoo camp

I felt bad that Hannah didn't get to go anywhere, so I signed her up for a Zoo Education class that week. She was gone from about 8:30 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon each day. What was I thinking?! Now I had no babysitters left :), but it all worked out. Hannah also really enjoyed her time at the camp. 

Don't worry, Hyrum and Evan were not left out of the fun. The first week of August we headed to St. George to visit another sister and her family. Robert drove down with Molli, Michael, Hannah, Jacob, and Jonathan and the next day I flew down to Las Vegas with Hyrum and Evan and took a shuttle to St. George. It was Hyrum and Evan's first flight and they loved it! I got a little confused on the timing of the shuttle, so I hurried the boys out of the airport just to sit around and wait. I wish I would have let them watch the planes more. 

We watched "Peter Pan" at Tuacahn. This was a vacation with 8 months in the planning. Where Molli had just finished being in "Peter Pan" with our community right before Christmas last year, I thought it would be fun to see it from the outside perspective. I actually like our production a lot better, but both were very good.

Molli and Michael first day of school.

Hannah, Hyrum, Evan first day of school.

So, that was our summer. School has started now - uh, about 5 months ago, actually. Molli is adjusting to High School and I am adjusting to having her there. Michael fit right in with starting middle school. Hannah enjoys 6th grade, but her teacher had a baby about three weeks ago and won't be back to school until April, so Hannah doesn't really like the substitutes. Hyrum is in the 4th grade, Evan is in 2nd, and the two boys keep me busy at home.

Evan was baptized in November and coming with turning 8, he also gets to attend scouts now. He also is trying his had at basketball for the first time. He has mixed feelings about that. Hyrum  and Evan just started Chess Club this week. Hannah plays the clarinet in beginning band so that keeps her busy four days after school, she also is still taking piano lessons. She is very much looking forward to starting Young Women's in May and going to Girl's camp with Molli in June. Michael goes on a scout overnight campout once a month and tonight he gets to maybe sleep in a snow cave. He is still keeping up on the flute and is working on his audition pieces for the youth symphony try-out in May. Jonathan loves to play out in the snow.

Hoover Dam Bridge

Las Vegas Temple

For Christmas, church was cancelled. Too much snow. That was okay, we just headed out to Hyde Park a bit earlier than we would have. We left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa and Robert and I headed to Las Vegas. I was hoping for warmth, but 64* would just have to do. I guess I shouldn't complain - that is an 80* difference from what we left in Idaho Falls :).

We have had record snowfall this year and three snow days already - two because it was below -20* F with the windchill, and one because we had received about 10-12 inches of snow the night before.  If there are any more snow days, they will have to go a few extra days at the end of the year. I hope that doesn't happen because the three oldest get to participate in the Youth Culture Celebration for the re-dedication of the Idaho Falls Temple in June and the dress rehearsal in Pocatello is on the last day of school as it is. I am so looking forward to our temple being opened again. It has been closed almost two years and will be over two years by the time it opens again. Can't wait! 

Jakey's new "violin"

A handcart at the campsite.

Robert is still plugging away at work and gets to go to Detroit this March for a conference, and then Anaheim in October for another one. I am still playing my violin in the Idaho Falls Symphony, and other community productions. I have 11 students currently and that makes my weeks full. We are looking forward to Spring Break when we can get away from the snow for awhile and head to San Diego. Life is good, and I think that catches y'all up on our life, busy, but happy.

Now here are some random pictures for your enjoyment. 

The kids playing Ring around the Rosie

Evan's toasted marsh mellow face

Trying on Halloween costumes.

Hyrum got to race the mascot at the baseball game.

Evan getting his baptism pictures taken.

Jacob and Jonathan at a park while the kids were at school.

Yellowstone Bear World

At Tuacahn waiting for "Peter Pan" to start.

Happy 15th Anniversary, Robert!

I have been married to my best friend for 15 years. They really have been great year. I love Robert because he loves me unconditionally. He is my better half and even though he has, at times, seen me at my worst,he never gives up. The Lord definitely has had His hand in our dating, courtship, and continues on in our marriage. Robert is my shoulder to cry on and a fantastic listening ear. He knows what to say to make me smile and even laugh.

He will take the kids on car rides or long walks so I can clear my head and be a better mother and wife. I have been able to take the older kids on one-on-one outings to anything from Saturday errands to flying to different states. He supports me in my endeavors in that he will take time off of work so I can do this. I also have been able to go to "sister's weekends" with my sisters to different places while I leave him home with all seven kids. No worries, he has also been able to get away to places such as Texas, Washington D.C., Nevada, Canada, Missouri, and others I can't remember. Sometimes he has also taken me to business trips such as Italy, San Diego,  and Las Vegas. We also have been privileged to get to other destinations with help from family to watch the kids.

He also is very supportive of my violin endeavors, as I call them.   He has been to many symphony performances, plays, guest artists, musicals, and more. I enjoy teaching violin lessons and he is great to help me pursue that decision.

I honestly don't know where I would be without him as my confidant, my rock, and my best friend. I love you, Robert. Mahal Kita.  Here is to eternity :)

15 years ago was a beautiful day at the Logan Temple 7/11/2001

A new level of love as I watch him as a new father

Esplin, Family of 4

Days away from having Hannah, I was excited to support Robert at his graduation of concurrently getting a Bachelor's and a Master's in Engineering. He is a hard worker.

Hannah's blessing day at just a week old so we could move to Idaho Falls the next week.

Our new Temple when we moved in 2005. Robert has always had the Temple as a central focus in his life.

We try to get to a temple when we are traveling. The San Diego Temple is beautiful.

Robert is a great dad. He told me before we were even dating that he wanted 20 kids. I may have heard him wrong.

He is also a fantastic son and brother.

Esplin, family of 7

He makes family home evenings fun.

Taking Molli on a one-on-one to Arizona while Robert stayed home to watch the other kids

Robert supports our kids in their activities, even if he doesn't want to sometimes.

Robert has even run a race or two (or more..) carrying a child on his back or pulling the wagon.

Visiting Washington, D.C.

We have fun as a family.

Happy Anniversary! We love you :) !

Thinking over the past 20 years

Disclaimer:
This is a bit long, and not really updates on my family or kids, but a history of the past 20 years of my life. Have a fantastic day :). 

This year is my 20 year class reunion of Olympus High School class of 1996. I will not be making it to the reunion in Salt Lake due to the production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" that is being put on in our community and I am in the pit. The 2nd night of the production is the same night as the reunion. Also, four of my kids are in the cast so I will be there to support them.

So, in honor of my 20 year year reunion, I wanted to think back as to what I have done these past 20 years.

1996 - year of high school graduation - I worked for the summer at Los Hermanos and C. Kay Cummings Chocolates in Salt Lake and then headed to Snow College in Ehpraim, UT for two years. During the summer of 1997 I worked in Jackson Hole, Wyoming as a housekeeper at the Antler Inn and as a server/ hostess at the Westerner Family Restaurant.

Heading back to Snow College in the fall of 1997, I participated in the dedication of the the new Student Building on campus.

1998- I graduated with an Associates Degree from Snow College (I walked for graduation, but because of the switch from semesters to trimesters I was one credit short to get my degree and ended up playing in "The Messiah" one more time in December to get my degree in December). I worked in Jackson Hole again until October when I went back to Salt Lake to await my mission call for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I worked at Deseret Book and Los Hermanos for four months. I received my mission call in December of 1998 to the Philippines Baguio Mission. It was really quite a surprise.

1999- In February of 1999 I left to serve my mission for 18 months. I was able to teach many people and was honored to serve a mission to such humble people. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but truly rewarding.

2000- Four days after returning from my mission I went to USU to continue with my education. It was a very fast transition. I had tried out to be in the orchestra, but with a somewhat hiatus from playing the violin for 18 months, I didn't get in. I registered for Institute Choir instead and that is where I met my future husband, Robert.  Robert and I had a short dating and courtship- meeting in October, first date in December, engaged in April and married in July of 2001 in the Logan Temple.

2001- For our honeymoon, we returned to the Philippines in August to visit our missions (he served in the Philippines Ilagan Mission) and to introduce people to my parents who came with us. We spent two weeks there and got back about two weeks before 9/11 happened. I worked as an assistant to an administrative assistant on campus. It was nice to have a job as a college student.

2002 - Our first child, a daughter, was born eight weeks early in August of 2002. She spent four weeks in the NICU, but is a happy and healthy almost 14 year old now.

2003- I graduated from USU while pregnant with our second child. My degree was in Marketing with a minor in International Business.

In 2005, two weeks after our third child was born, and Robert had graduated concurrently with a Bachelor's and Master's in Engineering, we moved to Idaho Falls where we still live today. By October 2008, we had five children six years old and younger. Four years later we added another son and 14 1/2 months after that, our seventh and final child was born. Our youngest was also early (6 weeks) so he spent some time in the NICU as well, but is doing great as a rambunctious two year old.

In 2010, Robert and I took a quick trip to Italy for business. 2012-2014 I was PTO president at my kids' elementary school. Christmas break of 2014 I took my three oldest kids on a humanitarian trip to Guatemala.

Since 2010 up to the present time, I have been keeping busy with my violin, currently teaching 12 students. I have played in over 15 productions such as plays, musicals, and operas. I will be entering my 4th season with the Idaho Falls Symphony in the Fall.

So that sums up what I have been doing since High School. If anyone will be visiting Yellowstone or heading to BYU-Idaho for any reason, feel free to stop in and say "Hi." We love visitors and I would love to chat for a bit.