October 2009 Happenings

Bridal Veil Falls - Enjoying the beautiful hikes so close to home.

UEA - St. George

One day while in St. George with the Murphy Cousins we went to the city park to play in their Red Rock water falls. So messy, but so fun! The kids loved it!

Losing Teeth -

Jonah lost 3 teeth in 2 weeks

Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point

For Family Home Evening we went up to Cornbelly's in Lehi. We had never been here and we were so glad we made the short trip. The kids had a blast riding the slides, jumping on the huge trampolines, riding the go carts and mini cow trains, going through mazes, dressing up and playing in the water. I had so many pictures, but not the room. Yes one day I will do the collage thing.

Hair Cut

Savannah has wanted to donate her hair to those that have cancer ever since her cute friend in Logan, Chloe, got Leukemia. We are happy to say after two rounds of treatments and a Bone Marrow Transplant Chloe is doing well. Although we have not seen her for a while she is always in our thoughts.

I love Savannah with short hair!

Halloween

Savannah/Snow White (Chose to cut her hair the day before so that she would look perfect for this costume) - Jonah/Indian (Chose this so he could have the bow and arrow) - Jacob/Muscle Man (Wore this for about one month, everywhere we went)

Visiting Colby and Annie

Hanging with the Murphy Cousins (Taylor, Mckay, Jackson, Cooper, Jonah, Jessie, Kate, Savannah, Max, Payton, Porter and Jacob)

Julie's Ranch

We always have a great time out at Julies. Riding the lawn mower, feeding the horses, and this time picking yummy fresh vegetables at Tony's farmers market farm. (This picture reminds me of the opening scene in the Savannah Smiles movie. Love that movie!)

It is so beautiful out in Spring Lake. We love the land and we love the company! Thanks Jules and Pappy!

August Highlights

Abby and Pappy took the whole Murphy family to Joseph and the Technicolor Dream coat at Scera Outdoor Theater. It was so much fun and the kids loved it. (Thanks Nana and Papa for having Jacob over for a sleepover.

Our friends Monica and Emma Egan were down from Portland and spent the day with us catching up around the pool. The kids said it was so fun to have a "real friend" come and visit. They are definitely missing having friends around that they can just meet outside to play with. Sorry your keys got locked in the car. :(

Seven Peaks. Definitely haven't used our passes enough, but still got our moneys worth. The kids love all the slides and pools there.

Abby and Pappy invited all of the older cousins over for a camp out. Pappy had a tent set up out in the park behind their house. They even had a projector and screen set up inside. Talk about a party. They had hamburgers, ice cream, and movies in the tent all before going to bed. Hope you got some sleep the next day Mom and Dad. :)

Utah County Fair

Went to the Utah County Fair with Aunt Julie, Abby and Pappy. Julie won first prize for her American Girl Doll clothes. She made the cutest European derindle dress. Way to go Julie! The kids loved seeing all of the workmanship, animals and going on the rides!

Worked on the house. Dustin was the man! He did duct work on the AC. Plumbing in the

bathroom. Electrical work on the wall outlets and cable work up in the attic for the TV. We finally got our Family Room cleaned up and settled and a TV hook up for the master bedroom. It feels so good to have all our clutter put away and now have a place to truly relax.

Family BBQ's.

NYC Baby! It will get it's own post when I get a chance.

School started (Own post as well:))

New calling as Cub Committee Chair for Megan (Pack Meetings, Pow Wows, training, oh my)

Soccer Begins.

What a month!

Payson Lakes

After Jonah's Chinese Camp was complete we went up to Payson Lakes with Aunt Julie. We had a great dinner and smores. The next morning we went on a small hike and fished at the lake. We really didn't know what we were doing but Jonah loved using his NEW fishing pole he got from Pappy last year.

Stewart Falls

Last night Nana and Papa invited our family, and Corey and Michelle and their family, to go hiking up to Stewart Falls and have dinner at their house. It is so beautiful up at Sundance at this time of the year. The kids had a blast hiking, throwing rocks and finding snakes. Yikes!

The kids showing off their "Sundance" T-Shirts.

Kennecott Copper Mine

On Monday for Family Home Evening Julie had a great idea that we go to the Kennecott Copper Mine. Even though it is only about 40 minutes from our house I don't think I had ever been there.

The visiter's center was great and gave us lots of information. It was really neat to see how they blow up the mountain to do the mining for copper, gold, silver and more. This is the job Jonah said he would now like to do. As for Jacob, he said that after he is a "Chocolate Man" he would like to be a Dump Truck Driver at the mine. FYI the trucks cost 3.5 million each and they have about 70 of them.

Julie also told the kids they could get something from the gift shop. Jonah got pins and a spoon for their collections. Savannah got a bracelet and Jacob got a CAT Wheel Loader. Thanks Julie!

Aunt Julie's Ranch

Today Savannah, Jacob and I took a trip down to Aunt Julie's ranch in Spring Lake. (Jonah was at his Chinese Immersion Camp). The kids had a blast feeding the horses . . .

riding the tractor . . .

picking fresh vegetables at Tony's farm (oh they made the best salsa!) . . .

drinking at the same time and playing with the dogs. It is always a treat to go to Julies and have so much fun! Thanks for the good times Jules!

"Y" Mountain

Y Mountain is called that because of the big Y on the mountain. :) Yes, for BYU. This is directly behind our house and it was a hike we were hoping to get the kids in shape for to do at the end of the summer. Well on Saturday we decided to see how far we could go for practice and we made it to the top with no complaints. (This first picture is right before we approached the "Y.")

This is on the Y.

On Sunday my dad asked if we wanted to hike the Y Monday morning. I told him that we had just done it the day before, but I asked my kids if they wanted to do it again. They were all for it. (The Brigham Young University campus is below. This is where Dustin and I went to school. Utah lake is in the background. Beautiful views.)

I really can't believe they did it twice in three days. Even Jacob did it all on his own. They are amazing! (1/2 way back down).

On top of the Y.

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.

4th of July

Balloon Festival with the kids

Parade with Lindsay, Jess, Jessie, Kalob, and Pappy

BBQ Party at Mom and Dads with all our cousins. Didn't get a lot of pictures, but had a great time catching up with everyone.

Cult-a-sac of Fire!

Jacob sums up our day. Fell asleep as he got out of the bath, continued to stay asleep as we lotioned him and dressed him. What a day.