Memorial Day Ranch Style!

It rained and rained over the Memorial Day Weekend, but that did not stop the Murphy and Curnow kids from enjoying the pool. Max, Bella and Connor were water-logged all weekend thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Bradley's beautiful swimming pool. Despite weather in the low 50s outside all weekend, the pool room was kept at a balmy 82 degrees. Fun was had by all!This picture provides a little insight into our lives right now. Our beautiful baby girl, Miss Brighton, has become a bit of a bear-cat. While Gavin may not like the expression on his face in this picture, the photo demonstrates Brighton's unwillingness to share her daddy with her big sister. A close look at the picture reveals that Brighton is pushing Bella out of her daddy's lap, so she can have her favorite man all to herself! This scenario was played out this morning, when Brighton did not want to share Mommy . . . even with Daddy!

Uncle Joe is definitely one of Brighton's favorites, but, then again, she did not have to share him while swimming, at least (Connor and Carter do demand her to share at other times).

Max and Connor had a great time going off the slide in whatever form struck their fancy (backwards, forwards, head first, feet first, bootie first, you name it). On Monday the Bradley (Dad's) Family joined us for a barbeque and decorating the graves in Dillon. This is a special tradition in which Grandpa Beau's family has been participating for as long as we can remember. Grandma-the-Great (in the center of the picture, a true matriarch) is joined by all four of her children, their spouses, and whatever grandchildren and great-granchildren can make it for a trip to the cemetery with a barbeque to follow. This year, the post-cemetery festivities were held inside, but there was still lots to do for Grandma-the-Great's little-ones. The food was excellent (I won't make anyone salivate by going into details), and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to talk and enjoy the rain.

On Monday morning we all went to the famous Blue Anchor in Twin Bridges for some sustenance. Bella, Connor and Max were lucky enough to sit at the bar and enjoy some quality time together, while the rest of the crew (in the background) watched on.

POTTY TIME!!!!

And so it begins...POTTY TRAINING. Brighton has recently taken an interest in the potty, so we have pulled out the potty seat and allowed her to sit and sit and sit . . . no potty so far. Nonetheless, she obviously enjoys the process (she is saying "cheese" for the camera) and we will patiently await that first pee pee in the potty.

CONNOR'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

What a wonderful time we had at Connor's Birthday Party at Chuck E. Cheese's, Max and Bella's favorite place to catch dinner. Connor's birthday theme was Spiderman, and what fun everyone had donning their masks. Above, Bella, Connor and Max pose in their Spidey-masks. Below, Daddy and Brighton show off their Super Powers (although before we realized there was some assembly required).

Above are Connor and Max with Connor's second cousin, Cody. We were so lucky to have Cody at Connor's Birthday Party, as he was the best baby-sitter. He kept Connor and Max in line and set a perfect example of proper Chuck E. Cheese behavior.

Here Brighton is enjoying her Grandma's soda (I'm not so sure it was decaf).

Montana Women's Run and Mother's Day

The Murphy Girls attended the Montana Women's Run for the second year in a row (Mom attended with Max and Bella the two prior years, but now Max does something "cool" with Dad on Women's Run day - this year he helped our friend Scott Mackney move). We had a spectacular time, with Bella finishing on foot this year. She only piggy-backed for short spurts, otherwise she was RUNNING. This is a fun tradition we've started and one I, at least, plan to continue as the girls get older (we'll see if they're interested in walking or running with Mom when they're 13).

On Saturday afternoon we took the kids to Veteran's Park in Billings. Max and Bella had a wonderful time on the slide, while Brighton loved playing in the rocks (below) in between swinging and taking a few runs at the slide herself.

Grandma Barbi joined us for a wonderful Mother's Day brunch on Sunday, after which the kids and Gavin took us out to Laurel (Big Sky Nursery) to purchase my flowers (a Mother's Day tradition).

Grandma Barbi and Max pose for the camera (it is very difficult to get Max to smile nice for the camera these days, this was one of five shots - and the only one suitable for publication).

Bella and Brighton walk toward the brunch. Brighton is very independent and will insist on being a "big kid." Here, she was not willing to hold Mom's hand, and was only willing to walk peacefully (you read that right - she can throw incredible tantrums) clutching her big sister's hand.