Finishing out 2009

Sledding on the roads of Marrcrest

Savannah is 9

Birthday breakfast - Cinnamon rolls.


The night before Savannah's birthday, we had a plumbing problem. Chris, our wonderful plumber, spent two days trying to unclog our sewage back up (Gross I know). Yes, those are tree roots that had grown into the pipes causing the problem. We just felt blessed that we didn't have to get a back hoe involved (that was the next option).

Anyhow, with our house out of commission we moved the party to my parent's house. The kids had a great time with a pinata, pizza, cake and movie.

Christmas Concerts

Savannah's Christmas Choir Concert - I couldn't get her video to upload, but she looked tired.


Jonah's class did Christmas caroling and a play- The Gingerbread Man. (I am hoping to get a copy from someone - He was the fox:))

Jacob and "best buddy" Fynn. But he really misses his cousins Maddy and Taylor in Oregon. Jacob's class caroled to Great Grandpa's retirement home (hoping to get video of this too).

Christmas Eve

Mallory Narrating the Christmas Story as the family followed along on the TV

Jacob got a hold of the camera and got a good shot of Abby

The cousins awaiting "Musical Money" and gifts. :)

Porter and Jacob

Christmas Morning

Savannah with her DS


Jonah with his coaster


Jacob and mom with the Batman set

*We forgot our camera when we went to Nana and Papas for Christmas Brunch, but had a fun time hanging out with everyone.

Julie and Beck

After Christmas celebration with Julie and Beck. Beck isn't feeling so well, as he is getting older. It was nice of Julie to bring him up for the kids to play with.

Gathering with the Gals

It has been a long time since I had gotten together with my high school friends. Katie was so great to invite us all to her beautiful home to catch up. So much fun! So many laughs!

September 2009 Happenings

Jacob Turns 4

Jacob had his best friends (or cousins - Porter, Jessie and Cooper) come to his party at Chucky Cheese. They had a great time putting tokens into the machines and walking away.

Labor Day Weekend - Fish Lake and Koosherem

We packed two trips into one on this fabulous weekend. We planned for camping with Julie at Fish Lake. Had a blast! Julie bought us these great hats that we all love. Dustin and I forgot the tent so we made one out of the back of the car - wish I had a picture. The kids slept with Julie in the camper. I'm guessing she did not get much sleep. Sorry Jules!

During the weekend the Cochran cousins came up to be with us. The kids caught (found) this great fish at the lake.

Then we all spent a day down at Koosherem at Nana's and Uncle Ell's place. Ell let us play with the animals and he took us on a great wagon ride. Good times! (Unfortunately Jonah is allergic to all animals. So if you ever see pictures of him around animals you will see that his eyes are always swollen. Poor kid. Good thing he recovers quick!)

Girls Trip to Vegas!

Abby planned for a girls trip. That's right. . . No husbands! No kids! No Worries! We stayed at Caesar's Palace, went to the Donny and Marie Show, did LOTS of shopping, ate at lots of yummy restaurants, stayed up super late and laughed harder than I can ever remember doing.

This is a pose we thought would be really great! I think I was the only one thinking I was real funny. (At the D & M show - "W.E. - Whatever")

We stayed two more nights in St. George and relaxed by the pool, stayed up late and again ate yummy food. This is a picture of Lindsay at our stop in Beaver on our drive home. Yes she was intoxicated from our trip. Seriously we NEVER stopped laughing the whole trip. Ahhh to be twelve again. Thanks Mom for so much fun!

What A Week - Lake Powell '09

I don't know where to begin with this post as I am quite emotional at the moment. The week started out a good one. Lots of surfing, tubing and sun. Cousins hanging out and lots of laughter. This is the first time in a long time where the whole Murphy family has been able to come to Lake Powell at the same time. Awesome.


One trip to the ER for stitches in Jackson's ankle, but all is well. That is until our last day (Saturday) on the lake. Steve and Max were fixing the Wave Runner that wasn't running well, when the thing blew. Steve and Max flew in different directions into the lake and came out with serious burns, singed hair and in a lot of pain. Everyone did what they could to help. Ointments, ice, cold water, blessings, fire fighting, babysitting and love. Rhett, Angie and Jess took them and Stacy to the marina where they were life flighted and ambulanced to different hospitals. By the end of the night they were both at the Burn Unit in Phoenix where they remain at this time.


At one point they were going to intubate Steve (for 3 days min) and possibly Max, but Steve put up a fight. I guess this was good, because his lungs are doing well. They have been so strong through this. I am sure a lot of pain and a definite roller coaster. But we have great news today. Steve was released and will stay with Max and Stacy, and Max will be there for probably a couple of more days. They don't think there will be scaring or skin grafts on the face and they are healing well so far. We feel so blessed as this could have been much worse, but I still ask for all your prayers on their behalf.


We have had tremendous support from neighbors, friends and family. Thank you. My personal thoughts and prayers go out to Stephanie and Christian Nielson www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com and her family as they have gone through so much over the past year dealing with their burns from their plane crash. Her mom came over last night as we got in and her brother to see my parents as they got in. What a great and kind family.


Last night as we talked to Jonah about Stephanie in relation to Max and Steve he asked if he could pray for her as well. I feel so blessed to have a boy with such a tender heart.

We are truly blessed.

* Added note: Tues. July 14th - Stephanie and Christian were down in Phoenix yesterday and stopped in to visit Max and family. They said Stephanie and Christian were precious and the experience was touching. What amazing people. Max and Steve are doing well on their recovery, but they say the scrubbing down of the face and arms are very painful.

Feel The Love

Really. Can you feel it?

The Jarvis family was so thoughtful and let some people in the neighborhood and ward know that we were leaving. I was shocked to see the support of those around us. I thought we might say good-bye to a few families, but was overwhelmed by all those that came. We will never forget our wonderful neighbors and hope to always stay in touch with everyone. Thank you all for your friendship and kindness you showed our family while we were up here in Portland. We hope to return and see you all!

Thank you Lori for taking all these (and more) pictures. We will cherish them forever.

Thank you Andrea for putting this night together so we could have a fun time to say our good-byes to all we loved so much in Portland.

Thank you Portland. Our family will never be the same.