House Update!

Things are progressing nicely at 4205 Aspenridge Lane. We finally have some paint on the outside (although we are not sure about the lighter brown - which appears a little peachy in the direct sunlight), and the extra touches (masonry, shutters, corbels and "supports") should be added this week!

Another view of the front of the house.

My kitchen is incredible! I am so excited about the way the backsplash turned out. It is made of natural slate with copper diamond drops scattered in the field tile. The copper ties in our "brushed bronze" appliances, and we love it! The countertops are in (although hard to see), and they will hopefully add the countertops to the island shortly.

Gavin's bar downstairs is also beautiful. He is very excited to pour some drinks and watch some football downstairs!

Each of the kids picked some wall art that goes with the theme of their room. Max wanted a baseball diamond with the Diamond Backs logo.

Brighton's room features whimsical Gerber Daisies, so she chose that for her walls.

Bella's room features a large wave, which matches her "surf" them (yes, surf theme, in landlocked Montana). We are all getting excited, as our move in date is only 2 weeks away!

4506 Audubon Way

This is the house where it all started. In September 2002, Gavin and I closed on this house at 4506 Audubon Way the day before we left for Italy. We returned from Italy 19 days later, and moved in the very next weekend. We had been married for just over a year. We did not know it yet, but we were pregnant with Max and Bella. Our family literally came to be in this house, with the birth of our beautiful twins in June of 2003, and followed by Brighton in November of 2006.
We have not lived at 4506 Audubon Way for six months, and I intended on writing this tribute in late May immediately after the move. Nonetheless, and despite the passage of time, I can still see every room (and its tranformations during the nine years we lived there). I remember the slow and steady becoming that we enjoyed there - for it was in this house that Gavin and I were given the gift of our children, it was in this house that we became a family. While I am excited for our new house, the house that we have designed and built together, I will always love this first house and appreciate it for what it is, the home where we became "The Murphys".
The day after the movers had packed up and moved all of our belongings, I spent the day alone in the house cleaning. I was amazed at the emotion that washed over me as I went from room to room. When I was done, I stood in the kitchen and felt as if I were in a movie. The memories that we created in this house flipped through my mind. I watched as Max and Bella began to crawl, to walk, and then to talk. I remembered how Brighton used to put on my heels, tennis shoes, slippers or whatever else I kicked off my feet in the kitchen, and how she would toddle around the house in my shoes when she was barely capable of walking in shoes that fit. I remembered Max's love of shields and knives (and saw again his little four-year-old self with several swords stuffed in the belt loops of his jeans - calling himself attackia spiderman) and Bella's insistence on changing into a different princess gown every 10 minutes from the time she was 2 until she turned 5. I remembered how disappointed I was when Brighton did not adopt this obsessive habit when she turned 2, and realizing that she would grow up much faster because she had older siblings. I remember bringing each of my children home to this house, and how we fit so perfectly within its walls for nearly nine years. I stood there, with tears streaming down my face, and remembered all the good things that had come to us in this house, and I felt guilty for being so anxious to leave it for the two years prior to our departure. I felt guilty for not appreciating it for the beautiful and warm home it was and, although we are moving into a bigger and newer and "better" home, this will always be the house where it all began. 4506 Audubon Way is the home where we became a family.
I hope that 4205 Aspenridge Lane is every bit as good to us.

HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY, BRIGHTON!

Hard to believe that our baby is FIVE today! She started the morning by opening this fabulous new outfit from Grandma Barbi! She'll have the first of her birthday cakes today at school, with one to follow tonight and then her big Rupunzel Birthday Party on Saturday with all her friends! We can't believe she is five already. Since she's informed us that she is now too old to cry, or sleep in our bed, we anticipate a bang-up year!

With her friends at school...

HALLOWEEN 2011!

The Evil Jester, Wednesday Adams, and Rupunzel had a great Halloween! After a wonderful party at the Mainwairings we were off to trick-or-treat and see Auntie Gayle and Uncle Jock (a Halloween tradition). We had a wonderful time - and were especially excited when Grandma Barbi got into the spirt and donned her fabulous witch costume!

Brighton's Soccer Season

Brighton finished her first soccer season this year. She played indoor soccer with boys and girls her age and surprised us all with how aggressive she was on the field (four goals her last game!). She had a lot of fun and made some nice friends. Next year, she'll play outdoor soccer at Amend with her brother and sister - she's getting so big!

Soccer Fall 2011!

Max and Bella both finished the soccer season on Saturday. They both had exceptional seasons and we were very proud of their determination and the skills they've developed. Max is #2 in these photos and is quite the offensive player. His coach gave him the award "for never wanting to come out of the game."

Bella also scored her share of goals. She really got aggressive as the season went on, and started enjoying the defensive aspect of the game - the other team found it hard to score when Bella was in there!

Bella and her little friend Kennedy.

Denver!

Holy smokes did we have a great trip to Denver earlier this month. I have been running with a dear friend for about a year and a half now. We have run 3 half-marathons together and a couple on our own as well. Earlier this month, we ran the Denver Rock-n-Roll marathon and went over to Denver with our families. While we were there, we enjoyed the very generous hospitality of Cindy's dad and MariAnn...including the Denver v. Chargers game! It was my first pro football game and Max's as well, and we were able to watch it from the Martin's box at Invesco - just a little spoiled. We had a great game and Max especially was in Heaven (although Gavin was having the time of his life as well). The game turned the whole family into Tim Tebow fans . The game changed when Max hit the snacks (and, coincidently, when Tim Tebow was put in the game). Suddenly, the Broncos started scoring and everyone in the box was telling Max that he was "eating us to victory." The result - Max made himself sick with too many chips and seven layer dip, but he became a Broncos fan that day for sure (he proved this while screaming and yelling during Tebow's march to victory yesterday). At the game, he kept telling his dad, "I'll watch football in real life anytime Dad, it's not boring when you're really here."

One excited little guy just before kickoff.

Happy Gavin.

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Max and Tebow's jersey, his wig and Broncos hat.

Cindy and I enjoying the game, and nursing our sore legs with Coors Light.

Max - when he couldn't eat another thing.

The girls got in some time at the American Girls store as well. They both had their doll's hair done at the salon. Brighton and Emily don't have big girls dolls yet, but I have a feeling Santa may have a special request this year.