Murphy Family Cruise

Mexico, Belize and Grand Cayman Oh My

For Christmas this year my wonderful parents (Abby and Pappy) gave each couple in the family a cruise. We had so much fun. I wish I could post the 300+ pictures, but I won't. On the ship we had a blast surfing, eating, rock climbing, playing dodge ball, eating, laying out, doing karaoke, eating, laughing, going to shows and did I say eating.

Costa Maya: Shopping, riding the wave runners, eating, swimming, getting $20/hr massages and laying on the beach.
Belize: Zip line/repel course and cave tubing in the rain forest, and barely making it back to the ship before leaving port.
Cozumel: Renting scooters to ride the island, snorkeling, eating and laying out.
Grand Cayman: Sting Ray City, snorkeling, eating, shopping and laying out.

So many stories, so many laughs, and so much fun! Thanks Mom and Dad!

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!

November 2009 Happenings

Playing in the Leaves

We don't have any other pictures from November, but we had a great time down in St. George with both the Murphy and Cochran families for Thanksgiving. :)

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!

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!

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. :)