SNOW DAYS!

We have more snow in Billings right now than I have ever seen. Last weekend, we took full advantage of the snow pack and the warmer weather (we've had temperatures hovering around zero and below for weeks) and spent some much-needed time out of doors. On Friday, we went sledding with counsins Connor and Carter and Uncle Joe and Auntie Ali. I did not get any pictures (the camera remained at home) but the kids had a great time. The adults actually took a run or two as well. Gavin broke his back and I sprained my ankle, but I guess that is what getting old is all about. Anyway, I managed to get some shots of the kiddos in their attempt to build a snowman on Sunday. Unfortunately, the snow was still too dry to allow us to create snowballs, but we had fun rolling around in the accumulation nonetheless.

Bella-Boo.

Brighton.

Maxer.

FINALLY, CHRISTMAS!!!

We were so lucky this year to have lots of family and friends close for Christmas. My parents came over from Twin, as did my grandparents on Mom's side. Papa Jerry and Pam joined us for dinner, as well as Pam's youngest son, Justin. We missed my sisters and their families, Grandma Barbi and Gavin's sisters and their families, but it was great to have the rest of the family here.Great-Grandpa Rice took some time-out to read Brighton her new Sasafras Tee book. And Max enjoyed playing the new Wii that Santa brought the kids. Finally, video games that get you up off your rear-end and provide some physical activity. We have had a ball learning how to play all the games (including a wonderful dance game that Mom and Dad bought us).

Here they are, ladies and gentlemen, the Murphy kids with the wonderful gifts SANTA brought this year. Bella was lucky enough to receive an American Girl bed for her doll and a beautiful robe (Nikki's matched). Brighton received a boy-girl set of Bitty Twins, whom she promptly named "Max and Bella." And Max received the ONLY thing he asked for this year, SPIKE the dinasaur that "rocks the floor." The kids must have been VERY good this year.

Christmas Fun

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas this year at the Murphy house. So much of the fun was watching the kids and hanging out with our family and friends. During the days before Christmas the kids attended a Teddy Bear Tea Party at Art and Kitty Lusse's house (in honor of their grandaughters, Riley and Ellie), made ornaments for their grandparents, and made sugar cookies for Santa! The excitement meant that bed time came easy and early throughout the week.

Here is my Miss Brighton holding her friend Micah at the Teddy Bear Tea Party. Micah is Amy and Eric's youngest and the whole family (including me) is quite taken with this special little guy.

Max joined the Micah love fest. Brighton held this little guy for 15 mintues, her affinity for babies clearly carries over into the "real" kind!

On Tuesday night some of our friends came over for some chili and pomegranate martinis along with the Finks, Bergesons, and Dolans. A Christmas program took the Dolan and Bergeson crew early while Micah demanded bedtime. The Waldron and Murphy kids, however, stayed up late enjoying some Christmas shows (in their jammies) while their parents enjoyed conversation.

Finally, I had to throw this picture in of Max and Brighton. My Maxer is such a wonderful big brother to his little sister.

Christmas with Grandma Barbi

We celebrated Christmas with Grandma Barbi a little early this year because she took off to sunny Texas to hang out with Chani, Luke, Tavia, Reese, Colton and Kienna. While we were sorry to see her go (and jelous she was leaving our sub-zero weather) we were happy to have the opportunity to celebrate the season with her before she took off.

Bella received a gorgeous torqouise velour sweatsuit from Grandma for Christmas and immiately put it on. She then put on her hat, my scarf, and a lovely beaded blanket and proceeded to put on a rock show for us. Brighton got into the spirit, immediately requesting her hat and joining her big sister in the song and dance.

Max was thrilled with his Iron Man toy - that Grandma Barbi sure knows what she's doing.

Santa Brunch

We had a wonderful time this eyar at the Santa Brunch out at the Country Club. Grandma Barbi joined us for a delightful morning with good food and good conversation.

Max and his friend Riley cheesed for the camera. What a strapping young pair!

Max loves Santa. Bella and Brighton love Santa as well (or "ho, ho, ho" as Brighton calls him), but they do NOT like sitting on Santa's lap. So. . .Mom decided to sit on Santa's lap with Brighton, hoping this would alleviate her concerns. It didn't work, but we got a picture (and some laughs from our friends watching) in the process.

The Murphy Family Christmas Card

As you all know, each year we do a photo Christmas card so our friends and family can see how fast the kidlets are changing, which is much faster than their mom and dad would like. As I was struggling over which of the 80 photos to utilize for our card this year, I decided to give those of you who have forgotten the TORTURE that is getting three (or two, or even one) little ones to look at the camera and smile SIMULTANEOUSLY a little refresher. These are only a fraction of our cast-offs; there are many, many more. When you receive your Christmas card you will see which picture (none of these, thankfully) made the final cut. It wasn't perfect, but after 80 shots I was pleased to get one with all three of my little cherubs staring into the camera lens at the same time. Now, if I could only finish my shopping.

Chicago!

The wonderful city of Chicago, taken from the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center.

For the partnership meeting this year, my firm decided to carry on some business from the wonderful city of Chicago. Myself and Gavin joined Carey Matovich and her husband, Bob, and Geoff Keller, and his significant other, Paige, for a long weekend in the Windy City. We had so much fun eating and drinking, shopping and eating and seeing the sights and . . . eating. Wonderful food, great Christmas cheer (the decorations on Michigan Avenue were spectacular), and fabulous company; we truly had an amazing weekend. I just feel so blessed to work (and play) with such terrific people.

The second night were were in Chicago, Geoff and Paige and Gavin and I headed to Kinston Mines for some Chicago Blues. It was AMAZING music, and a casual (but packed) little joint that turns out to be famous for its blues. The singer in the band pictured below is actually up for Blues Singer of the Year. We were fortunate to catch him. Paige and I had an amazing time dancing while Geoff and Gavin watched (and shook their heads).

Below is the crew at 3:00 a.m. (I know, we are party ANIMALS) leaving Kingston Mines. Tired, yes, but only after some good cheer and great blues.

I love the below picture of Gavin and I. We were outside the Chicago Blues Center and it was snowing (obviously). The camera picked up the snow and the activity at this early hour on Saturday morning. The next day we headed out for an authentic Chicago hotdog and fries at Al's Italian Beef. It hit the spot. We also saw Jersey Boys, which was a great production (story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons).
Gavin and I missed the kids, but enjoyed the opportunity to have some adult time and remember how much we enjoy each other's company even without the pitter-patter of little feet. It gave us the chance to remember the little things that drew us to one another before diapers and kids took over our lives. We had an amazing time.

The Polar Express

On Saturday Dad treated us all to a wonderful trip on the Copper King Express' Christmas train ride, which the kids called "The Polar Express." It actually was once referred to as the Polar Express before they got busted for copyright infringement and had to change the name to "The North Pole Express," but, that is another story as told by one of the "elves." We all had a great time and really enjoyed the train ride. Ryan, Dad and Gavin enjoying some very manly conversation before we deparated from the station. Ryan is Kendall's boyfriend.

Mom, me, Kendall and Bella (representing three generations) pose above. Bella spent most of the trainride protected from the Grinch between her Grandma and her Auntie.

Max and Bella were more than happy to give Santa a big hug, while Brighton sang Jingle Bells with glee below. She screams "hey" at the top of her lungs everytime the song gets to "laughing all the way. " It is rather adorable, and here she is throwing her arm in the air to scream "hey" while the whole train sang. The Grinch jumped on the train in Fairmont and stole our packages. Santa was able to get them back, however, much to everyone's relief.

Flying with Grandpa

I got to go for a flight with Dad in the Husky on Friday. It was a beautiful day for a flight, and a great opportunity to see the Ranch from the air. This little plane allows Dad to fly low and check cattle, as well as check for trespassers hunting without permission, which is what we did. I felt like a vigilante! It was fun and invigorating, but I was glad to be back on firm ground (my stomach was pleased as well).

The big thumbs up before take-off. And finally, our take-off, from the field right in front of the house.

Ranch Life, Continued

Ranch life is the good life, especially when your five and your grandparents like to spoil you. Grandpa and Grandma have four wheelers (five year old size) for the kids to ride when we are at the Ranch, and boy do we like to ride them. Thankfully, Grandpa and Grandma also have great helmets (stylish, too) for the kids to wear while they're cruising.

Daddy and Max enjoyed using the binoculars to look at the deer that were ample in the fields behind the house. Gavin thought about stepping off the back deck and shooting one, but decided against it (he did hunt on Wednesday with Uncle Joe and his buddy, Scott Mackney).

Below is my Maxer checking out the deer with Dad's binoculars. It was very exciting once he discovered what he could actually see with them.

Here Max and Bella pose with their Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Rice. Max told Great-Grandma over the weekend how lucky he was to have "three Great-Grandmas." He actually has two, but thinks that Cindy Curnow, Connor's Grandma, is also a Great. We think this is because he knows that Cindy is not Daddy's mom or Mommy's mom, so she must be a Great!Max and Great-Grandpa enjoyed watching some good boob-tube together.

And the next night, Maxer watched the boob-tube with his Great Grandma.

Auntie Kendall, Grandma, Brighton and Bella snuggled up to watch movies (below).Finally, we spent a fair amount of time in the pool. Auntie Kendall was nice enough to give Gavin and I a night off (from the pool) on Friday. She swam that night and . . .
Gavin watched with a beer and a cigar. Ahhhhh . . . Ranch life is the good life.