Aaaahhhhhh Laguna Beach

We just returned from the Murphy family vacation to Laguna Beach. This is a trip I dreamed about each year as a kid. Now it has been 3 years and I am still loving this vacation! Really it is like paradise to me. It is nostalgic driving down Laguna Canyon smelling and feeling the humid air from the coast line, and then there it is. . . Main Beach. Which means just a couple more blocks to our hotel. How I love spending time in the ocean, (ok now that I am a mom it is more like spending time on the beach, but I did go in twice :)), then heading up to the pool to rinse off and relaxing in the hot tub. Then repeating this process all day for 7 days. Now I also have to watch and play with our kids too, but that makes it even better. Seriously the best! So relaxing and so much fun!

This year my dad rented paddle boards for us to use. I was so excited to ride them until I paddled out to the deep water. Then I realized that I could be eaten by sharks. Yikes! Yes another sign I am now a worried mom, I never would have had such thoughts as a single girl. :)

Savannah - "I caught my very first sand crab in my whole life!" She loved the water, loved reading, loved being in the sun, loved catching sand crabs and loved shopping. Yes my little girl is growing up and I love being with her!

Jonah - "My favorite thing to do in Laguna was boogie boarding. I also liked riding the paddle board in." Jonah was a little nervous out on the paddle boards, but loved the shallow waters of the ocean.

Jacob - "When I was boogie boarding the wave pulled me off and then I rolled over on the sand." That was Jacobs one and only time on the boogie board. Jacob also split open his chin at the pool and had to go to the hospital for glue and steri-strips. Luckily it was just two days before we left so he still got in some water time.

Liam - Well he slept most of the time. When he was awake he loved the pool, but face planted in the sand more than I would have liked. Not so fun trying to get the sand out of his nose, mouth, eyes and everywhere else. :)

Then there is the tradition of getting ice cream with all the family. There is now 32 of us! Holy Cow! Yes that is what everyone was saying when our family came through to order. We definitely stand out in Laguna :) It was really cool. Here is a picture of Abby and Pappy with the grand kids. (Minus Kimball who was at home and Jackson who was shopping and didn't know we were taking a picture :( )

Thanks Mom and Dad! Life just keeps getting better and we appreciate all you do for us!

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)

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!

New York City

My dear friend and college roommate Heidi Bioski informed us three weeks ago that she was getting married. We were so excited for her and didn't want to miss the grand occasion. She was ceiled to Nathan Allen in the Manhattan Temple. Amazing! Afterwards they had a luncheon at the Bouley Restaurant in Manhattan. Incredible. 8 courses, incredible food, wonderful people, 4 hours and great time. Thanks for inviting us Heidi and Nathan. You two were meant for each other. A time we will never forget! (And of course I didn't get picture of Dustin and I at the wedding).

Over the weekend we tried to do some fun things and eat at some fun places. These pictures are in the Financial District. Our first time back since 9/11. Sad but hopeful. We know we will have a second round of economic recovery since 9/11, but while we wait we enjoyed some great pastries at Financier. Yummy!

We found a MUST DO if you are ever in NY. Cross the BROOKLYN BRIDGE and eat at GRIMALDI'S PIZZERIA. Seriously the best pizza ever! Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, fresh tomato's, FRESH, FRESH, FRESH! It is one of the best in the world and one that Frank Sinatra often visited. A small little place, nothing special and nothing on the menu but pizza and calazones, so don't ask for salad. :) Pizza will never be the same!

TIMES SQUARE. You have to love the picture of Dustin below the "No standing anytime" sign. We loved the cheese cake at Juniors, but ate too much.

A Sunday walk at Central park before having to head home.

We also went to Wicked this weekend but forgot the camera. At least we had great seats!

And Yes. We are greasy in all our pictures because it was hot and humid.

Thanks to everyone for watching the kids. Maybe next time you can come. :)

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.

Seattle

We headed up to Seattle for the weekend on May 22nd. We stayed at the Westin and got a sweet deal on Hotwire. This was the view we had from the room. The kids absolutely loved it and asked if we could move there.

We got there late, but decided to head over to the Space Needle at 10pm. The monorail was just outside our hotel which was convenient and a fun activity for the kids.

The views were great!

And although the top was fun, the kids liked the rocks you can climb on at the bottom even better.

In the morning we headed back to the Space Needle and got the daytime view. The weather was perfect. In the 70's and not a cloud in the sky.

The kids liked the remote controlled cameras the best.

I had a difficult time leaving the bed at our hotel. Seriously I want a Westin bed and sheeting for my 20th anniversary. They do sell them.

Pikes Market was a little to crowded for the kids, but we had a wonderful Greek sandwich and the experience was fun. A must do for any couple without kids.

Down on the waterfront was the Olde Curiosity Shop. My grandmother (Grana) bought some figurines here back in the 1930's. My Aunt Julie told us about it and we were glad to see it was still there.

Savannah loved all the nicknacks in the store.

But was a little freaked out by the naturally mummified body that was found in the dessert about 100 years ago. This is a real body. Crazy.

Along the pier.

We took a ferry to Bainbridge Island to get ice cream. Windy but beautiful and fun.

More pictures.

Back on the pier the kids wanted to go to the arcade. Jacob loved the Wac-a-mole, Jonah the race car games and Savannah anything that gave tickets. They all loved the carousel.

On the water after eating fish and chips at Ivar's. Yummy!

Overall a great weekend with the kids and a place I will never forget. I love Seattle, especially when it's not raining. :)