Hey SANTA!

We attended the Santa Brunch at YCC this weekend, which is always an excellent opportunity for the kids to get in their visit with Santa (although Max and Bella had already talked to him at the mall, and all three kids hit him up at Cabella's on Saturday). We had a wonderful time, and this marks the FIRST year that Bella has sat on Santa's lap! Guess she's growing up. Brighton had no problems talking with Santa before she sat on his lap, as well as telling him all about the "babies" she'd like for Christmas.

At the brunch were were lucky enough to see one of Bella's BFFs, Rylee "Rhino" Gainan, and Max was able to hang out with one of his very best buddies, Riley Bergeson.

Here they are, all three Murphy kiddos enjoying some Santa love. Brighton and Max talked with Santa for a minute as he walked into the room.

The Secret Box

Bella's class does Show and Tell a little different. Instead of having an opportunity to share something every week, her class has a "Secret Box" that each child takes home about once a quarter. When it is your turn to take home the Secret Box you come up with three clues that describe your Show and Tell, which you have concealed in the box. The student then reads the clues to the class, and the class tries to guess the Secret Box's contents. Bella chose to bring a beautiful "Joy" bell this year that her Grandma Barbi gave her last year for Christmas. The bell is in the shape of a heart. Her three clues were as follows:

Her dad tried to get her to include "it rings" as a clue. But Bella decided that would be too easy.

Bella was VERY excited because no one in her class was able to guess her Show and Tell. Her good friend Rylee informed her that it was very hard because "it is a body part AND a bell!"

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Despite the cold, Daddy took the kids for sledding adventure on Saturday while I stayed home and finished Christmas decorations. They were ready for hot chocolate when they returned!

Bella's Christmas Dance Recital

Bella performed magnificently once again at her Christmas dance recital this year. To kick off her class' dance, she and another little girl gave a little speech, where they explained that Christmas was about giving, not receiving. Her delivery was perfect.

Then, she performed with her class to "Santa Can You Hear Me?" It was adorable and the girls did a great job. You can see all that attitude in Bella's little hip-thrust above.

At one point during the program half the class got down on one knee, while their classmates gave them a gift.

Bella LOVES dance. We are very proud of her.

Max's Christmas Performance

We are so blessed to have our children attending such a wonderful daycare. They all go to (and have gone to) Center for Generations at St. John's Lutheran Ministeries since the twins were four months old. The daycare is located in a nursing home/assisted living facility. Our children interact with the residents on a daily basis, whether eating lunch with them, singing with them, or participating in parades through the facility. For the annual tree lighting ceremony at St. John's this year, Max volunteered to be in "the band" at the ceremony. He was chosen to play the harmonica, and was actually taught how to play the instrument. He did a wonderful job and we were very proud of his performance. He really jammed towards the end and was hysterical trying to get the other kids to pay attention and play their instruments. I think we have a musician in the making!

Here he is with his hat and snowmen antlers before the performance.

And during. The kids were absolutely adorable.

Doing his thing with the harmonica.

Following the performance (and a rousing applause), we sang Christmas carols, saw Santa, and went on a hayride tour of the campus. The lights were beautiful, and we sang Christmas Carols as we meandered. It was a great way to kick off the Christmas warm fuzzies!

The Nutcracker with our Girlfriends

Bella and I had a "date" on the Sunday following Thanksgiving to see the Nutcracker. We were joined by our wonderful friends Liz and Katie Nemer and Amy, Ava, and Flora Fink. We had a wonderful time eating lunch (Olive Garden), ice cream (Baskin Robbins), and enjoying the show.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Bella. She is growing up so fast.

Katie and Bella.

Liz and Katie - what a great picture.

Flora, Ava, Bella and Katie enjoying their ice cream. All the girls wore their Christmas best and looked beautiful for the occasion. We will do it again next year with Brighton!

Thanksgiving at the Ranch

Every year we head to the Ranch for some relaxation and fresh air. We always have a wonderful time hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Joe, Auntie Ali and Connor and Carter. It is amazing how removing ourselves to the peace and slow-pace of the ranch can be so revitalizing. I came back to Billings ready to kick it into high gear and get ready for Christmas!

Our safety-obsessed friends might cringe at this picture. Notice that Max and Bella have their helmets on when they're riding on their own, it was only when they were riding at speeds of 10 miles per hour with their parents that we went helmet-less. See, that's safe, right? When in Rome...

What a beautiful setting for our four-wheeler ride.

Connor, Max and Bella enjoying some pool time. I love Bella's "pose."

The two "baby" cousins at the moment, Brighton and Carter. They are growing up so fast.

An Early Thanksgiving with the Overstreets!

We were lucky enough to get to spend some quality time with Auntie Chani, Uncle Luke, Tavia, Reece, Colton and Kienna on Wednesday night before we took off to the Ranch for Thanksgiving. We miss them all so much since they've moved to Texas, but we felt blessed to have the time with them during the Holidays. Come back soon, you guys!
The crew from left to right: Uncle Luke, Brighton, Me, Bella, Gavin, Max, Reece, Kienna, Tavia Colton and Auntie Chani.

Look at those beautiful cousins! Brighton, Kienna, Bella and Tavia. Bella styled Tavia's hair for her - fantastic.

Uncle Jock, Auntie Gayle (the kids' great-uncle and aunt) joined us as did Grandma Barbi, Papa Jerry and Pam.
Auntie Chani, Brighton and Uncle Luke. Does Brighton look like Chani or what?

CAT-GRIZ MURPHY STYLE

Oh yeah, baby. The Murphy kids are all geared up for the big Cat-Griz game this weekend. They went to school today in their gear, ready to show their spirit. In our house, the girls mimic me and are Bobcat fans, while Max is all about the Grizzlies, just like his Daddy. Gavin is hunting this weekend with Uncle Joe, Uncle Ryan, and his buddy Scott, but the kids and I are meeting Grandma and Grandpa, Auntie Ali and the boys, and Kendall over in Bozeman for the game! Hope it's a good one.

Mom's Las Vegas Girls' Trip

I have been enjoying monthly (sometimes more frequent) nights out with a fantastic group of women here in Billings for the past three years or so. These women are wonderful friends who I have come to rely on for support, laughter, and as a sounding board for those parent-related issues where I need some suggestions and feedback. While what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, I will disclose that we enjoyed at least one unbelievable meal, some fantastic shopping, some pool time and a night out on the town that will go down in the history books - 4 am, baby!

The six of us enjoying dinner at the Bellagio's Olives. Kim, Amy, Heather, Me, Katie and Liz.

Following a show, we decided to channel a little Charlie's Angels Action. Yes, Heather is wearing underwear on her head. I'm not quite sure why she had those in her purse. . .
On the dance floor with a random dance partner (givin the peace sign), Kim and Heather. We partied until the LIGHTS CAME ON! IN VEGAS! One night only, but still . . . so NOT 30-60.

Our Baby Girl Turns THREE!

The youngest little Murphy turned 3 last week, and we threw her a Dora-themed fiesta to celebrate. Brighton referred to the upcoming celebration as her "Happy Birthday" and made it known that the decorations were ALL hers. She loved being the center of attention and spent much of the evening in the kitchen twirling in her "bootiful dress." We had a closest friends over to celebrate, and the kids had a ball chasing one another around the house while the parents visited in-between the taco bar, cake, and opening presents.

Brighton and her friend Finley had a wonderful time eating their tacos. The Dora cake was delicious (rasberry almond - no, I didn't make it), and the kids sang a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Brighton. I only wish that I got her reaction to the singing on video. As the song began, Brighton bowed her head in embarassment, with the slightest little smirk on her face. As the song continued (and increased in volume), her head dipped lower and her smile became broader. Finally, as the song came to its crescendo, Brighton hit her forehead on the table. It was very funny (although you may have had to been there), as the singers all burst into laughter and Brighton giggled at their reaction.

She blew out the candles all by herself on Saturday, which meant she was being a practiced candle-blower-outer. When she blew out the candles on Tuesday (her "real" birthday), she was afraid of the "fire." But by Saturday night, she was able to do so unassisted.

Happy birthday to our little cherub Brighton. You are a delight to all of us and the icing on the cake of our little family.

The Pink Poodle, the Bumblebee, and Hannah Montana!

Halloween 09 was quite an adventure at the Murphy house. This year, we had an adorable little Pink Poodle, a incredible Auto-bot by the name of Bumblebee, and a very talented singer known as Hannah Montana.

After getting dressed, we went to the Finks for some chile and a hayride with our friends. Eric hooks the "hay wagon" on the back of his pick-up every year and takes the kiddos for a ride around the block. It is always fun - this year, the kids even enjoyed popcorn on their adventure.

Here are Max and Riley (as a Husky football player).

Daddy joined Brighton on the hayride.

Tatum, Bella, Ava, Katie and Ryan toward the front of the wagon. What a beautiful fairy, Hannah, Peacock and Supergirl, and a very handsome young Power Ranger as well. The hayride from the back - what a crew!

Brighton enjoyed her first round of trick-or-treating. She was quite a trooper, considering she had hay stuck in her costume that caused her to itch all night long.

Here are all the kids before heading out on the hayride.
And, not but certainly not least, we hooked up with Conner and Carter (who was done by this time) for some MORE trick-or-treating. As you can see, Connor was Optimus Prime. The two boys had aball running around using their "guns" and wearing the AWESOME helmuts that Grandma Bradley bought them. What an excellent night it was.