ZOO - DAY 2

We followed up our Saturday excursion to the Zoo with another on Monday with the Fink and Nemer kids. The weather was beautiful and the kids were able to run off some steam.

Katie, Ava, Bella, Flora, Max and "happy man" Ryan hanging out at Montana Zoo. This division between the girls and the boys is interesting. Thankfully (as you can see below) it isn't something carried out with any consistency yet, the kids all play pretty well together.

Now here they are again, minus Ava and plus Brighton.

This little guy is the cutest thing ever. Happy and talkative, and very inquisitive. If it hadn't been for Ryan, Brighton and I would have been bringing up the back of our group all alone!

Max and Brighton. He is so good to her. He saw a squirrel climbing up a tree immediately before this and started yelling for Brighton to come see the squirrel. He then, ever so gently, takes her little head between his hands and points it in the right direction so she can see the squirrel, too. Someday she'll realize how lucky she is to have such a caring big brother.

ZOO - DAY 1

We had some beautiful weather this weekend (high 50s, low 60s after snow, snow and more snow), so the Murphy Crew headed out to the Zoo, not once, but twice over the long weekend. Below are some of the snapshots I took while we were out in about on Saturday. Max, Brighton and Daddy.

Brighton and Bella petting the goats.

All three Murphy Kiddos peekingout of a large hollow "tree" in the lobby.

Daddy and his baby girl.

My sweet Bella.

Maxer.

Brighton - runny nose and all.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2008

Well, we had a great time ringingin the New Year with friends on New Year's Eve. This is an adults only entry - way too much fun going on for little eyes (not really, it is totally "G"). Anyway we had so much fun at the annual party at the Yellowstone Country Club. Here is just a glimpse of a wonderful evening. These are all my girls' night girlfriends. We are missing Julie, another member of the fold. Anyway, we try to get together for dinner a few times a month and talk about kids, husbands, and whatever else moves us. They are a fantastic group of friends and even better wives and mothers. From left to right: Heather, Amy, Katie, me, Kim and Liz. In the top picture, you can see my husband peeking his head up behind Kim - what a goofball!
Hard to believe that the "30-60 Club" can get their sexy on like this, but we can do anything after a few martinis! Heather totally has the "Posh" look going. Gavin and I had a ball as well - he is such a wild and crazy guy!

I'm not sure who started the monster martini, I think it may have been Shelby. Anyway, here we are enjoying the first of several fishbowls.

In the end, I just look forward to another fantastic year with my wonderful husband, beautiful kids, and fabulous friends. We are truly blessed with all that is important in life. We wish you all health and happiness in 2009. Bring it on!

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.