the third child speaks

Hello there!

Before I begin, I would like to formally announce that Shaunelle has finished a large sewing project--Everybody clap for Shaunelle!!

And an explanation on why I'm writing out of turn. Last night, in the middle of the classical radio station's creepy Sunday organ music, the power went out. Basically I was freaked out of my mind. And the lights flickered back on for a second, right as the organ played "duh duh duh duh". We were out of electricity for approximately 20 minutes, ergo I could not perform my duty as family scribe.

Here at the Esplin household, we are pretty excited for our parents. Today is their 25th anniversary!! Pretty exciting, eh? I and my sisters are planning a sister sleepover at Shaunie's house so that our parents can enjoy eachother without all the girls. Sister sleepovers are pretty much my favorite.

Well, farewell for another six weeks

-Lauren Elizabeth

Cabin Update

UPDATED SIDING PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM...

As we near winter, and the cabin project is getting close to being put to bed for the season, I thought I'd share a couple of photos of the progress we've made this summer.

[caption id="attachment_38" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The excavation is done and the footing forms are in place"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_40" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The footings are poured, now the foundation forms are up"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_41" align="aligncenter" width="168" caption="Pumping the concrete into the Foundation Walls"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_45" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pumping and working the concrete for the basement floor"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_46" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Floor joists installed, laying out main floor sheathing"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_48" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Framing the main floor walls"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_49" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Raising the Kitchen Wall"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_51" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Grandpa makes sure walls are straight"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_53" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Briana concentrating hard on sanding (it helps to turn it on though, and actually watch what you\'re sanding!)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_54" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Who knew laying out walls took four people?"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_55" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Aundrea\'s sugar fix helps here lift the kitchen Glulam up to Jayson. Briana wonders if she should actually help at some point!?!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_57" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The last main level wall goes up!!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_58" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Putting up the wall sheathing on ladders"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_59" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Putting up the floor joists for the second floor"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_60" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Taking a break from Cabin Building"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_61" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Moving the logs off the truck"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_63" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Placing the balcony/roof support logs temporarily until we\'re ready for them"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_66" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Setting the roof trusses in place"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_67" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Roof trusses minus the overhang all in place"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_68" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Logs peeled, all ready to set for overhang and balcony support"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Rachel up on the hydaulic lift before roof metal installed"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Setting the logs for the roof overhang and double balcony support"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_73" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Placing the roof overhang extension beam"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_75" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Setting the roof trusses on the deck overhang"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_77" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Finishing the roof sheathing on the deck overhang"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_82" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Lower deck logs set (creek side) and deck supports framed"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_78" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Roof wrap and tyvec installation"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_85" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Windows and flashing installed"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_79" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Installing the metal roofing"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_80" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Framing the Upper Balcony Deck"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_81" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Installing metal fascia and soffet"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_88" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Aundrea\'s eight foot front door stained and installed"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_89" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Grandpa putting the finishing touches on the front door seal coat"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_90" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Stairway up to upper level installed. Interior walls framed. Rough in Plumbing and some rough wiring complete."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_101" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Upper landing/loft, looking down stairs toward main door"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_91" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Kitchen cabinets awaiting installation in 2010"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_92" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Pulling electrical wires into the basement"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_93" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Trying not to electrocute myself at the service panel"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_94" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Pittsburg Creek in the fall after a light snowfall"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_95" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Late fall waiting for the tardy siding installers"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_96" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View looking north from the cabin"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_97" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lake Panorama -- why we love our cabin lot!"][/caption]

So that's where we are right now... still waiting for the flaky siding installers to come up and install our dark red metal siding. The cabin will actually winter fine without it, but it would be nice to have the wrap protected from the winds and snow/water intrusion over the winter.

Stay tuned next spring, when we 1) complete rough-in electrical wiring 2) Framing inspection 3) Insulate the cabin 4) Finish a bathroom and bedroom in the basement 4) Hopefully start finishing the main level.

Final 2009 Update!!! Siding is installed!

[caption id="attachment_108" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="East View with the red siding finally installed!!!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_109" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="South View -- Siding installers 40\' ladders still up "][/caption]

Tweaked

I’m assuming that it’s just my family that reads this blog and so I’m sure that it comes as no surprise what I’m choosing to blog about- The Boy. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the boy I’m dating or even surprised to hear that I have a boyfriend I encourage you to read on and it’ll become clear why this is such a perfect companionship. The boy’s name is Eric Bradford Nielson. His personality is almost identical to mine (so it’s like hanging out with another me- which I really enjoy). However we have something just a bit different- our style.
While driving in the car one day I mentioned that my sister, Shaunelle, wanted me to go shopping for her new apartment with her because we have similar styles. Eric, perplexed, asked me what my “style” was. I fumbled around trying to explain it but I think I got the image across. Eric then (with a face that makes it easy to imagine what he looked like as a little boy) determinedly stated, “Well, I want a style.” I cleverly told him that he could share my style (thinking that if we got married it would make decorating quite easy). However, that wasn’t good enough for him and he stated that he wanted his own style. After thinking for a while he decided on his style- it was just like my style, just tweaked. He then continued to carry his “new style” into my dream wedding plans that I had divulged to him earlier. He started explaining his dream wedding… and it was just like mine, just tweaked. Instead of a typewriter for the guest book he wanted a computer, or people to text in their congratulations. Instead of a receiving line at the wedding he wanted to do it all virtual, over webcam. Instead of sending out invitations he wanted to email them. Where I want a vintage wedding, he wants the same thing, just tweaked into a futuristic wedding. Luckily I know him well enough to know that he is kidding…. I hope :)

OK...Mama Esplin's turn to add to the family blog and I'm technically challenged and can't figure out how to add a picture or music or anything! I'm hoping the family will forgive me and let me off the hook until I learn this stuff!

Fall is my favorite time or year
You know it's fall when...

The pumpkin plates are on display in the pine hutch

We've EATEN our way through two days worth of the the fabulous talks of October General Conference. Ham and Cheese roll ups are still the main food staple for that weekend

Gardner Villages displays all their fun witches (pretend you see great pictures here of the fun time we had there!)

We get to see the the beautiful colors of leaves changing in the mountain via "mini" rides with Rick and Sherie

UEA and no homework for 3 whole days!

The air conditioner goes off and we freeze seeing how long we can make it until we have to turn the heater on

Hot chocolate and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for after school snack

I sure wish I could post some great pictures of the beautiful autumn colors and fun fall memories, but maybe your imagination will have to do this time around. I wonder if there's a way for my darling daughters to add pictures when they add comments? Maybe there is a little pumpkin treat for anyone who helps me out here!!

HAPPY FALL!

This Will Not Be Like My Other Projects (Repeat 3 Times)

By: Shaunelle

Hello Nation! And welcome to the official Esplin Family Blog. The first order of business I'd like to take care of is assuming the role of official "Queen of the Family Blog." I know my other family members will approve and support me in this decision. Moving on...

There is a lot of pressure being the first family member to post on the family blog. I mean, besides serving the purpose of keeping the family in touch and up to date on current events we're also hoping that this blog can serve as a sort of "family journal" to share with our posterity. And we really want to impress them. Plus there's my track record with projects to reckon with. It's hard to believe, but besides being the Queen of the Family Blog I am also the Queen of Unfinished Projects. I literally have a drawer full of them at home...sitting there waiting to be finished...one day. Every so often I go through the drawer and get nostalgic and renew my goal of finishing them. Then I smile, close the drawer and promptly forget they exist for another year. There were the cross-stitched hand towels I started in seventh grade. Then there was the skirt I started to sew in eighth grade that ended up being the wrong size so I stopped with only the zipper left. Oh, and the pajamas pants I tried to sew for Rachel at Christmas but ended up cutting out the wrong part of the pattern instead. I had used too much of the fabric and didn't have enough left to finish the pants. (Come to think of it...most of my unfinished projects have to do with sewing.) You'd think I would have learned my lesson but recently the creativity bug bit me again. So I consiously suppressed the memory of all of my past failures and allowed the crazy idea that I wanted to save money by knitting a yellow blanket instead of buying a similar one from Ikea take over. This was a month and a half ago. You can see my progress in the photo above. I've got a 7 inches sewn. Sooo yeah.

This blog will not be like my other projects. I promise. You know why? Because this is a team effort. You see, I have the system figured out. In the past, whenever my sewing expertise would fall short my dear mother would come to the rescue. She would help me see past the tears and frustration, give me a pep talk and then she would finish my project for me. I have at least 2 quilts, a pair of pajama pants and a Christmas skirt to prove it.

I know my family won't let the blog project fail (see now the pressure's on them). Phew. So here's how it's going to go. Each family member will be take a turn posting once every six weeks. We all think that's pretty doable. And now, without further ado (or further confessions about my failures) - -

Tag Mom...you're it. :)