Hmm..

Call it cheap, wacky, or maybe even a little weird...this is our Christmas tree -

Yes, it's a branch James so beautifully "found".

We decorated it with a strand of lights and some homemade ornaments.

First Christmas as a married couple - WAY too much!

Christmas cookies

I absolutely LOVE Christmas treats! I just finished making these and here is the best recipe for them (promise, it's my Mom's recipe)

Peanut Butter Blossoms

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

2/3 peanut butter

Cream together

2 eggs

Mix

3 1/2 cup flour

1 teas. salt

2 teas. baking soda

Mix

Roll into small balls, place onto greased cookie sheet

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes

Pull out the cookies and place a hershey kiss in the middle of each cookie

Bake for another 2-3 minutes

ENJOY!

And enjoying Christmas treats is the best when you're pregnant and able to eat for TWO...or at least eat a few extra calories.

Great friends

My cousin, Candice and her husband, Moroni came to stay for the weekend. One word to describe our weekend together -

WONDERFUL.

We ate lots of yummy food, laughed until we hurt, and stayed up way too late!

It was fun to have a slumber party - even though we're married!

And we met up with my sister and her husband a couple of times for dinner.

Did you know?

Did you know that a year ago at this time, I was starting my first real job as a 2nd grade teacher? Yes, it's very true. I met James's mom and she kept raving about how I needed to go on a date with her son. So about a week later, I did. (which was on Dec. 5) I thought he was hot, he thought I was hot...we both rocked...

And now look where I am. I'm teaching for my second year, married to the cutest boy ever and we are going to have a baby. Wait...did I just say baby? Yup, I totally did!!

James and I are expecting. I am 16 weeks along and our little bundle of joy is due May 24th. Boy or girl? That I cannot tell you because we won't find out for a few more weeks - but whatever it may be, we are STOKED!! :)

Thanksgiving weekend

There are several things that I absolutely love about Thanksgiving. I love waking up to lots of family, nieces/nephews and the smell of turkey already cooking...James and I live close to family this year so we slept at our apartment alone and so this didn't happen. I love watching the parade on TV...we don't have TV so we didn't watch it. I love all of the delicious food; turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and LOTS of pie! I've had a horrible sinus infection and have not had the pleasure of being able to smell or taste for the last week! I love Black Friday - it is the BEST to get up at 4 and rush inside every store to try and find the ONE thing you're in search of! Except, we didn't get up to go that early because we we're exhausted and didn't see anything we really wanted. So, James and I got up at 9 drove to Target and Wal Mart, walked around and bought really cheap movies.

However, I DO love lots and lots of family! And we had plenty of it this weekend. I made pie with James's side of the family on Wednesday night. Yes, I made my first pie all by myself - it was a delicious pumpkin pie; James's favorite. We spent Thursday relaxing at James's house and then had a delicious feast with his family. We spent Friday with my family - playing games and eating lots of yummy leftovers (still, could not taste!) On Saturday we went to our friends Ian and Crystal and watched the BYU football game. Did you watch it? Because it was great...yes, the Cougars won - too bad for those Utes. BYU is just better :)

I have to admit - I'm quite sad that this weekend is over and that I didn't take any pictures! I promise my camera is in my purse. I just forget to pull it out and take pictures - it takes time, it gets in the way :) I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed your time off! Christmas vacation is three weeks away....perfect!

I fixed it!

Ok I fixed the blog, now you can see the text and the background :)

What the?

Guys I don't know what is going on...but my blog is messed up. I can't get any backgrounds on here and I can't even get the basic templates that blogspot offers. Does anyone have any idea what is wrong w/ my blog? If I have to make a new one...freak, I'll be ticked.

Halloween Weekend

Our Halloween weekend was fun but very busy! On Friday night James and I went with his mom, his sister, Candace, and his aunt to a witch show at Gardner Village in Midvale. I'd never been to Gardner Village - it's this cute "old town" with lots of little shops and I'm assuming they decorate and do different shows for every holiday/season. The food was good and the show was hilarious - lots of singing and the actors were funny. Sadly, I forgot my camera - Candace took a ton so maybe I'll steal some from her and post them later.

On Saturday, I made a quick trip to Blackfoot for trunk or treating with all of my nieces and nephews and a baby blessing on Sunday. James worked on Saturday and played with his family on Saturday night. He and his nephews sent me lots of pictures and videos of their Halloween costumes and their magic tricks :) I took my camera home but no pictures were taken...except, my sister, Rachelle snapped a few. This is me at the trunk or treat...I'm suppose to be Raggedy Anne but all we saw was a big fat fatty - ha!

Please tell me you love it :)

Sundays :)

Sleep in

Make french toast and scrambled eggs

Put banana bread dough in the oven

Put a roast, potatoes and carrots in the crock pot (the BEST Sunday dinner EVER!)

Watch a movie

Eat hot banana bread

Shower, go to church

Come home to a delicious smelling apartment

Eat roast, potatoes, carrots, and biscuits

Take an amazing Sunday nap for over an hour

Eat more banana bread and other treats while watching a movie

Get ready for bed, go to sleep

Sundays are AWESOME!

My Salary Earning Job

When I was a junior in high school, I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up. I went to college and graduated in 3 1/2 years. (yes, I'm bragging.) I taught 2nd grade last year, it was hard, but I made it through and decided to switch to what my degree is in and teach special education.

Oh...my...gosh...

Why didn't my professors warn me? Why didn't they tell me how absolutely hard it would be? I'm sure they did but I obviously WASN'T listening, all I could think about was changing the world and saving every child - which was really my life goal when I graduated :) But now, I dream about special education. Nightmares, I should say nightmares - I have nightmares about special education. I toss and turn all night while special education jargon and random strategies/methods fly through my head. I have nightmares that parents are mad at me (which they are when I'm awake), I see teachers saying rude things to me (which they have) and I dream that I have no data on any of my kiddos (this, thankfully is NOT true!) Yes, my dream profession has become a nightmare.

Ok, now for the bright side. I love working and playing with kids. They are cute and hilarious, and they make me smile. They love to laugh, play, and do anything fun. I do have wonderful co-workers, mentors, and bosses who are an amazing support system. I have made wonderful friends within my job. It is very rewarding to watch a child progress and catch on to something you've worked on for weeks. I love having the oppportunity to work with so many wonderful people and so many amazing children.

But seriously...why didn't someone smack me and say, "Tiffanie, it's going to be REALLY hard! You might REALLY hate your job!"

Mmm Mmm Good! Sweet & Sour Chicken!

So, as a new bride, I am having a GREAT time cooking for my hubby. Yes, sometimes, we just have grilled chicken with some sort of seasoning on it - but still, I try to cook dinner. Tonight I tried a new recipe from my mom/sister and it was fun to make, looked and smelled delicious while cooking and tasted A-Mazing! Now, I don't know if this recipe is healthy or good for you or whatever - but it was yummy, so if you would like to make a mean batch of sweet and sour chicken - here ya go :)

Sweet and Sour Chicken

-Two medium size chicken breasts
-2 chicken bouillon cubes
-6 T. ketchup
-6 T. water
-1 C. Sugar
-4 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
-2 T. cornstarch
-1/2 C. vinegar
-2 eggs
-oil
-Oh and more cornstarch

Combine chicken bouillon cubes, ketchup, water, sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and vinegar in one bowl. Set aside.

Crack two eggs into bowl and mix. Pour a hefty amount of cornstarch into another bowl.

Cut chicken breasts into small pieces (strips, chunks, w/e). Dip chicken into egg, then corn starch and put into pan with oil already heated. Cook each piece of chicken until light brown on each side. Place cooked chicken into large casserole dish. Repeat until all chicken is deliciously cooked! Pour the sauce over the chicken. Put casserole dish into oven and bake at 325 F for 30 minutes.

*Oh and for the side, I opened a box of Rice a Roni Fried Rice :) But you can get fancy and make fried rice from scratch...no, I don't know how :)

Office fans?

If any of you don't know, I am the BIGGEST Office fan. The show is absolutely genius! I love all of the characters, all of the awkward moments, and I have loved watching Jim and Pam flirt and fall in love over the last six seasons. (I know, I'm addicted to fictional characters!) So when I watched the episode on Thursday night, I laughed so hard I almost cried. This was the best part of the entire episode! If you've never watched an episode - please, OH, please go rent the seasons!

I did it!

I have had long blonde hair pretty much my entire life. In 5th grade, my best friend, Sarah, and I grew out our bangs. Right before 9th grade, I chopped my hair right above my shoulders. It has been long ever since...Oh and I have only EVER let my mom cut my hair :)

I went to a salon today and had a complete stranger cut my hair. I know I'm walking on the wild side. As I waited, I almost thought I was going to throw up from being so nervous! Anyone else a little too attached to their hair? I wanted to keep the "look" of my long blonde hair - so I added layers and bangs into my hair. And I have to admit, I really like it!

What a great day...

We finally got the pictures from our wedding about a week ago so I thought I'd post a few pictures. We were looking through them and we both kept saying, "That day was so much fun!" and "That day was the best!"

New blog - you like?

I didn't realize how addicting blogs could be. I think I spend a little more time than I should checking out other peoples blogs, figuring out ALL of the different ways you can set a blog up, and previewing the free backgrounds. I really wanted an awesome background and a new picture of James and I as our "title". What do ya think? :)

Four Weddings

This summer, Summer 2009, was a big one for the Esplin Family Clan. Four grandchildren got married in less than 6 weeks. Here's the low down on how it all happened.
Jennifer got engaged to Leo in February - yah! (I was there helping!)

James and I got engaged on May 9!

Quinn got engaged to Kaysie...I think the day after me and James?
Candice got engaged to Moroni a few weeks after that.

James and I got married first in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 17.
Jennifer and Leo got married on August 7 in the SLC Temple.

Quinn and Kaysie got married on August 14 in the St. George Temple.

The final wedding was yesterday. Candice and Moroni got married in the Mount Timpangos Temple.

When we finished cleaning up the open house, I actually was a little sad. It had been a lot of fun to share my engagment with my sister, and two cousins. It was fun to take pictures yesterday of the couples that had been married this summer. It was fun that three weddings after James's and mine, everyone was still asking, "How are the newlyweds?" I absolutely love my extended family and it was so wonderful to share so many great memories this summer with them. Thank you to everyone for welcoming James into the family with excitement and love! I appreciate all of you. Congrats Jen & Leo, Quinn & Kaysie, and Candice & Moroni!

Ten Reasons Why Having a Husband is so GREAT!

This picture has actually nothing to do with the post - this was when we booked our Honeymoon to Mexico!

10. A husband lets his wife snuggle up to him in bed
9. A husband has MAD cravings for PB & J sandwiches or milkshakes really late at night - and of course, you have to make them and they're so delicious!
8. A husband comes up with the best ideas: long walks to Bed Bath and Beyond to check out what "sweet" things we can buy with gift cards.
7. A husband will do his wicked awesome dance moves every time a song comes on.
6. A husband loves to make lots of yummy treats, sit on the couch and watch a freaking awesome episode of The Office. (Our main snack right now is chips, cheese, and salsa...mmm!)
5. A husband works very very hard at everything - work, school, etc.
4. A husband will totally play along with his wife and indulge in her "synchronize swimming" in the pool. (We laughed so hard I peed in the pool - no joke!)
3. A husband tells his wife everyday that she's beautiful and that he's so stinkin' lucky. (And of course, the wife feels that way about her husband!)
2. A husband can make his wife laugh so hard - impressions, silly voices, and funny faces.
1. A husband loves his wife...and I freaking love him!

Construction Workers and a couple of BIRTH days

This past weekend James and I drove to Hatch - no not Fetch, and worked on the Eldridge Family Cabin. It was quite an adventure. I have absolutely no handy-work ability. I took a wood working class in Jr. High and I can remember thinking that my birdhouse would never come together, and actually I don't think it did? And I am afraid of heights. James, on the other hand - well...he was probably born with a hammer in his hands. He's awesome at everything!

So you can only imagine what it looked like as we stood around the already framed cabin - James climbing up and down ladders, doing flips from the loft to the first floor, walking all over the roof...and myself screaming as I climbed up two steps on the ladder, begging James not to make me come up on the roof with him, and pounding the hammer into my fingers NUMEROUS times.

But we actually had a really good weekend. James's mom made delicious meals, James's best friend and his wife came and we had a lot of fun with them, and I was quite proud when I looked at the few sides of the house I had so dilligently nailed the siding onto. James and I also forged the small river with the "challenger raft" - it only lost air four or five times, and by the time we had gone MAYBE 100 feet, we were completely soaked and had laughed so hard I peed in the water :) We had yummy apple pie at this awesome little town diner.

A few more pictures of our weekend: Crystal, Ian, James and I were a pretty good team :)

The finished product when we left - oh yeah, we put up the siding

James and I climbing on the roof - I'm telling you, I almost passed out!

ALSO, my Mom's birthday was on Monday AND my sister Rachelle had her baby - a baby boy. Happy Birthday Mom and Forest! I now have 5 nieces and 5 nephews - yeah! :)

Camping...Eldridge style :)

So around 9:45 last night, James got really excited and said we should go camping! I, of course got really excited and said, "Yeah let's do it!" James started looking online for nearby places to go camping and then I realized, "Do we have tents, sleeping bags, stuff to make a fire?" But according to James, you don't need ANY of those things to go camping. He found a place online, we found a sleeping bag in our closet, packed some goodies and drove about an hour up this canyon to go camping! I have to admit, the drive up there, I kept thinking, what are we doing - we don't even have a tent! I like to camp....with tents and air mattresses and sometimes even a microwave plugged into a lovely outlet at a nice camp site.

We drove around for a while and finally found this awesome little place right next to a creek. We laid out a blanket, then our sleeping bag, ate some yummy treats, laughed hysterically and fell asleep. Before we fell asleep, I thought "This isn't so bad. It's kind of fun sleeping outside with nothing over your head."

Around 5:00 this morning, I woke up and there were light raindrops bouncing off my face. Of course I thought, "Oh no, it's raining, we have to go home!" I nudged James and said, "it's raining!" He said, "Let's see if it stops." So we laid there - me totally under the water proof sleeping bag trying to not touch the wet blanket outside of the sleeping bag and James just laying there letting the rain bounce off his face. All of a sudden, the rain picked up really fast and then lightning struck, the thunder boomed and we were done. We quickly gathered up our stuff, ran back to the car and were home around 7:30!

A little bit of paradise...

Alright, pictures are coming slowly but here is a look at our Honeymoon :) Sorry, I posted a lot - but isn't that what blogs are for?

We went on this "Tulum Adventure". We did a zipline in the jungle, rapelled into a cave, snorkeled in a cave, and went to the ruins of the ancient Mayan city, Tulum. Here I am flying through the jungle! Yes, I screamed the whole time :)
Here's James rapelling - so hot, I know.

This was the cave we snorkeled in. It was awesome!

A little view of our resort...sorry don't mean to brag, but it was beautiful!

We saw iguanas everywhere! James discovered they liked Cheese Itz.

At Tulum...

Jennifer and Candice :)

Oh and it's also my little sister and favorite cousin's birthdays today! Happy Birthday - love you both!

Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge

Yes, it's true. We are now Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge. Has a nice little ring to it huh?

Our wedding was awesome. The whole day was perfect. It was a tiny bit hot (93 degrees) but it still was so fun! It was fun to take pictures and to kiss as newlyweds. Our reception that night was awesome. Some people say standing in a line greeting everyone is boring...but it wasn't too bad...and to watch that present pile grow - it was all worth it :) We ended the night with a stompin' dance performance by James and I and then a dance party!

We spent a week in Riveria Maya - just south of Cancun. It was awesome! Beautiful beaches and all you can eat - it was bliss.

Just last Saturday we had our second reception in James's parents backyard. It was beautiful! And it was great to see and meet lots of family/friends.

We have amazing families and friends who always seem to go above and beyond what they are asked. Thank you everyone for your love and your support! We promise to post more pictures from the wedding, receptions, and honeymoon!

Are you coming?! It's our wedding!!

It's coming up! James and I are getting married this Friday! I thought you'd all like to see our awesome invitation. We'd love to see EVERYONE there! We're freaking excited and I can't wait to be married to this handsome guy in the picture. Oh...and we're totally registered at Target :)

A-mazing!

James, me, and my brother James just got back from seeing Transformers 2! Now, if you have read the reviews, ignore them and go see the movie anyway. It is awesome!! The action scenes rock, it's great to see the Autobots fight along side those hot soldiers, and Optimus Prime is just the best super hero EVER! Oh and Bumblebee is the greatest guardian! It's wonderful, I loved it! :)

Sail Away With Me...

This past weekend, James, my brother James, my cousin Kelley, and I went on a cruise to Catalina Island and to Ensenada, Mexico. It was a blast! The food was delicious and plentiful (no joke, we ate full meals every two hours), there was tons of fun activities on the ship, the weather was decent, and none of us got seasick! This is us at our "elegant" dinner - which we didn't realize how fancy it was. No joke, women were in formals and men were in tuxedos!

We rented pedal boats on Catalina Island.

We played a few mean rounds of table tennis. We rotated teams I lost all three times

I don't know? It looked cool...or maybe weird?

Walking around Mexico....it was great!

As we were leaving San Diego.....

Yeah! We were freaking stoked!

Bridal Shower

It's casserole dishes....wow huh?

James's Mom and sister threw me an awesome bridal shower tonight. I met all of James's family, ate some delicious strawberry salad and chicken salad sandwiches, and got freaking awesome presents! Enjoy a few photos of the wonderful evening. Thanks Colleen and Candace!

My Day!

Did you know that yesterday I turned 22? Yes, it's very true. Did you know that James took me out for yummy Olive Garden? Yes, he did. And did you further know that my students in school made me awesome birthday cards and sang Happy Birthday to me with the loud "cha cha cha" after each phrase? Yup, they did! Birthdays are great!

Engagement and Birthday

So...I think the DAY James and I got engaged, I told him we should start a blog! And what a better day to start our blog than on James's birthday?! Yes, today is James's birthday and he is 3 hours away being an awesome son - helping to build a family cabin. Happy Birthday James! Enjoy some of my favorite engagement pictures and James's birthday dinner.