First Big Snow!

The kids love the snow! We had a lot of fun riding on the sled behind the 4 wheeler. Cash came out and chased us around the field and only got run over once. We played and played and were completely frozen by the time we came in. But it was nothing a nice cup of hot chocolate couldn't fix. Enough snow fell that I even got to use my snowblower! I love that thing!! It sounds like we better get use to the white stuff because more is on it's way. Just in time for Christmas--Hooray!

Move Over Martha!

How I let myself get roped into things, I'll never know. I really need to practice that elusive word. . . .what is it again? Oh yeah, "NO!" The "Young Women" are in charge of the center pieces for the ward Christmas party tomorrow night, so guess who made them all. Yup--I'm a sucker. Good thing I like crafting. It is actually a lot of fun---when the kids aren't around, especially my little Tazmanian devil, Ridge. But they got done and I think they turned out cute. Besides, now I have something to give the neighbors for Christmas. Blessings in disguise, right?

Decorating the Christmas Tree!

Ok so we still have a couple of weeks before Christmas right? We finally got our tree up and decorated. I wanted to keep the tradition of going up in the hills and cutting our own tree, but got tired of waiting so we just bought one this year. The kids always have a lot of fun putting the decorations on. I put on the lights and then turned them lose and I think they did a really good job! And as Raygen said, "All that is left is putting the presents under it!"

Happy Anniversary to My Dear Husband!!

Thanks for tens years of memories! I love you more each day!

Kid's Day Christmas Parade!

Our preschool decided to have the kids join us in the Kid's Day Parade again this year. We chose a Frosty the Snowman theme. We made each kid who came a costume they got to keep. We decorated a float and put a huge 7 foot Frosty on it. It took me a few hours to make him and he was a little bit out of proportion but it worked. We even won first prize and got a personal DVD player with a screen that folds up! (We were the only float in the parade, but hey who's counting?) It was a lot of fun and I think the kids really enjoyed it. Ridge is the shortest snowman in the front with a yellow scarf. He looked so dang cute!

Gabe and Raygen were also in the parade but me being the scattered-brained idiot that I am, I forgot to take a picture of them. The next day I made them put their costumes back on for a picture but we couldn't find Gabe's Santa hat anywhere. Oh well--I'm learning to accept imperfection. Their goats looked so cute with their antlers on. Gabe and Raygen were so proud. Tyson had to walk with Raygen and keep ahold of Snowflake (that is what Raygen named her goat) because she was on a dead run and probably would have dragged Raygen along on her face! And Thunder absolutely refused to walk, so Gabe had to carry him. It was great! They were announced as "Santa, Elf, and reindeer in training". And they won second place which was a CD player. Gabe said since they both have one they are giving it to Ridge. It was a fun day!

Thanksgiving

Well we had a rockin' time at Grandma Lynda's house on Thanksgiving. We ate and talked and watched TV and ate some more and watched the men sleep and listened to the kids play and did I mention we ate? It was a lot of fun to see Lisa and Aubree and Brianne. After they left, Tyson and the kids and I tried to get Mom and Dad to go to the movie with us but they didn't want to. So we went alone. We went to see "Bolt". It was so cute! We all laughed our heads off! It is very worth seeing. We also made a "Thankful tree". All of us wrote things we are thankful for on the leaves and then glued it together. It was fun to see what the kids wrote. Ridge apparently is thankful for ants and dinosaurs, Gabe and Raygen are thankful for their goats (we got a second one by the way), Tyson is thankful for his freedom (hint, hint, wink, wink), and I am thankful for my cute little family.
It was a very good Thankgiving Day and I just want to take this opportunity to tell my family how thankful I am for each one of them. I am so lucky to be born into one of the best families in the entire world and marry into the other one. Thank you all so much for all you do for me! I love you tons!!

And I am also extremely thankful for my friends. I know that my family has to love me but you guys don't. So thanks for putting up with me. I don't know what I would do without you!

Horse Ride With Dad

Today Dad and I went on a small horse ride in Riverdale, above Olivia's house. It was a beautiful day so we decided to take advantage of it, even if it was just for a little while. I rode Spunk and Dad rode Dakota. Spunk is starting to slow down a little bit but she does pretty good for 20. Dakota is turning out to be a good horse and it was a lot of fun to ride around and listen to Dad's stories. Gabe and Raygen were in school and Ridge stayed home to take a "nap" with Grandma. He did more goofing then sleeping but I am very grateful to have my parents close by. I don't know what I would do without them. I couldn't help but think about Roo when I had this view. . .

Row Your Boat

So my cute little sister's daughter knows all the words to "I Love To See The Temple". She has the sweetest video of Kadrian singing it on her blog. I was blown away when I saw her two year old body singing a whole primary song! This morning I noticed my handsome little boy singing a song of his own and thought I would share it. He learned it when we went to the corn maze. There was a group of girls next to us singing it at the top of their lungs and I didn't realize he had such a good memory! At least it is a classic. It is his very own version of Row, Row, Row your boat, only he says "ship" and "throw your teacher overboard and listen to her scream"
I know---I'm so proud.

Thomas

I was talking to Beth Ann on the phone this morning while I was making Thomas the Turkey. She told me to post a picture of him on my blog in case she didn't get to my house before Thanksgiving. Here it is but that is not an excuse for us not to get together before then. I made this one for my house and one just like it for mom's house. I was a little worried that he wouldn't get to debut before the big day since it takes me forever to do anything. I don't know about the rest of you but I get about 200 times more done when the kids are in bed. (Of course by then I am usually too exhausted to start a project.) I guess I better get started on my Christmas stake soon. . .

What I'm Reading Tag---

Well I was "tagged" for a blog game - these are the rules...
Rules:
1. Get the book that's on your nightstand (or whatever you happen to be reading).
2. Open it to page 56 and find the 5th sentence.
3. Post the next couple of sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
4. Do not go and find your favorite book; it has to be the one you are reading now!
5. Tag five other people to do the same.

OK, this is kind of embarassing. I've read all the "grown-up" books in the house so I have to admit that I am now reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It is part of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Here is the 56th page, 5th sentence, and a few more..."Caspian nodded to Bern and then stood aside. Bern and Drinian took a step forward and each seized one end of the table. They lifted it, and flung it on one side of the hall where it rolled over, scattering a cascade of letters, dossiers, ink-pots, pens, sealing-wax and documents. Then, not roughly but as firmly as if their hands were pincers of steel, they plucked Gumpas out of his chair and deposited him, facing it, about four feet away."
I tag Lacey, Brian, Jeanette, Mom, and Candice. . . .

Krazy Kids!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! The kids enjoyed our ward party that night and loaded up on candy. Raygen won second place in the 4H Halloween Carnival costume contest. The announcer called her Little Bo Peep but she was sure to correct him--she's Scarlett O'Hara. We even rented the movie to watch so she would know who that is. Now she walks around saying, "Fiddle-dee dee!" Gabe was Hercules and Ridge was a triceratops. He was suppose to be a chicken but after a lot of protest and a screaming deal on the costume, I finally gave in. I am glad I did too, because he refused to take any part of it off all night. He loves it and still always wants to wear it.
We had a lot of fun with pumpkins this year also. We made our annual trek to the Hobbs' Pumpkin Patch to make our pick. The kids each chose 2, one to carve and one to paint. The Passeys were able to come with us so it made it a true adventure and a ton of fun!
We also went to the Pumpkin Walk in North Logan for family night. It was neat but I could not believe how many people were there. Talk about insanity! (What did I expect on a Monday night in Utah?!)
All in all--I'd say Halloween was a success. Now if only the kids would come down off their sugar highs. . . .

Halloween Fun!

Rare sighting!

Tyson and Gabe were actually outside--playing basketball--together!! It was so amazing I had to document it. I was so glad to see the two of them enjoying each other's company and playing a sport that doesn't involved killing anything. Way to go guys!!

Cheer!

On October 24th Raygen participated in the mini-cheer halftime show at Preston High School's football game. She practiced with the cheerleaders all week to learn a small cheer and dance. She had a lot of fun. Her little friend, Carly, did it with her so we took turns taking them. It was a little cold that night but she just smiled through the whole thing. It was really cute! Gabe said she was the best one, but they all did good. It tortured Tyson to sit through 1/2 of a football game (we left right after halftime) and Gabe complained too but decided it wasn't so bad. Ridge loved it! He wanted to get out on the field and play with them. I guess I will have to get a football out and teach him how to play. Heaven knows Tyson won't. ;0) It was fun to watch Ray and we are really proud of her! Sorry,I couldn't figure out how to flip the video.

Tag--I'm it!

Ok, so it took me a while but Tracey tagged me so here it goes. . .

What's his name? Tyson Rex Murphy
How long have you been together? Our 10 year anniversary is in December and about a year before we got married
How old is he? 33
Who eats more? I eat more candy and way more vegetables but he has me beat on everything else!
Who said "I love you" first? I did. It has been a running joke ever since because it terrified him when I said it so his response was, "No you don't!"
Who is taller? He is
Who sings better? I think he does
Who is smarter? Oh me of course ;0)
Whose temper is worse? I'm not sure. I mean Tyson loses his way more often then I do, but my temper isn't the best when it goes off.
Who does the laundry? I do. Unless he is going hunting the next day and needs his hunting clothes washed in No Scent detergent and dried with sheets that smell like dirt. Then he does it.
Who does the dishes? Me. He has done them exactly 4 times since we've been married. (but who's counting?)
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does.
Who pays the bills? We both do.
Who mows the lawn? I do because I like to. But he does when I can't get to it.
Who cooks dinner? Usually me. Tyson is actually a really good cook when he makes dinner
Who drives when you are together? Tyson does most of it unless he just drove 14 hours home from work, then I do.
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine. His moved to Montana and we don't get up there near enough.
Who kissed whom first? We were coerced by some friends
Who asked whom out? We were set up on a blind date
Who proposed? He did I guess--he sort of chickened out, it is a long story but I married him anyway
Who has more friends? He does. He can make friends with anyone, anywhere.
Who is more sensitive? We are about the same on that one just in different ways
Who has more siblings? I have 6, he doesn't have any
Who wears the pants in the family? I think he does but he thinks I do
Where did you meet each other? At his house in Bancroft, Idaho
What was the first thing you said to your husband? Um. . . .probably "Hi"
Where was your first date? The pizza place in Soda Springs (we argued the whole time)
Where was your first kiss? On the lips … oh, I mean at his house
Where did you get engaged? At the car races in Pocatello
Where were you married? In Afton, Wyoming
How was the honeymoon? Cold. Very, very cold.

I tag Candice, Jeanette, Braydon, Mom, and Brian.

Happy Birthday Raygen!!

Today is Ray's 7th birthday. I can't believe it has already been seven years since her chubby, hairy little body exploded into this world! She told me the other day that next year she will get to be baptized and I about choked on the cinnamon bear I was eating. I told her she could do anything she wanted on her birthday (thinking she would want to go shopping or to the show or something like that) and she told me she just wanted to go fishing. Her Dad grinned from ear to ear. But wouldn't ya know it, of all the days to snow it had to snow today. So she invited a friend over and we all went to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua. I think Tyson has found his new favorite movie in the whole world. ;0) But the kids loved it. I decorated her door for her to wake up to this morning and had balloons and flowers on her spot at the table. Her reactions are always so cute to everything like that. She got a huge smile on her face and hugged me. Grandma Lynda came by and took her to the store to pick out "a present". She came home with so much stuff, she could hardly carry it. Her grandma sure does a good job of spoiling the crap out of her. Ridge got her a Sleeping Beauty DVD and Gabe got her flannel horse sheets for her bed. Her Dad and I gave her a Barbie stereo and a few other things. All in all, I think she had a good day. And can I just say one more time---I sure am glad she was born!!

Fat Lip!

My poor daughter seems to have inherited my incredible grace and coordination. On her way to school this morning, she got off the bus, started to run for the school, and fell right on her face on the pavement. I have no idea why she didn't use her hands to break her fall. Tomorrow is her birthday and she will have a great fat lip and scratched up forehead for her pictures. Her Grandpa Benton and her Daddy couldn't contain their laughter when she tried to tell them the story of what happened. Not because it was funny but because she talks with a lisp now. She is my cute little darling girl and I will one day apologize to her for her bad genes. . .

Marbulous!

With the kids at school and the rain pouring outside, Ridge and I decided to build a marble maze. I am proud to announce that I only taught Ridge one swear word while building the stupid thing! He loved it and was so excited to put marbles down it time and time again that it was well worth the time (forever!) it took to build it.

Driveway Chalk!

Gabe got the sidewalk chalk out the other day. We had a lot of fun coloring the drive way all different colors. Raygen likes to draw hearts and flowers and Gabe was busy drawing butts--"monkey butts" to be exact. Ridge had fun just drawing on himself and they all chalked the poor cat. No wonder that cat hates us! It was a great activity for a while. And now today it is raining like crazy so I don't even have to worry about clean up! Can't beat that.

Memories. . .

Ok so here is a fun game to see who and how many people read my blog.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.EVERYBODY PLAY! I want to see what memories are out there!

Another One Bites the Dust!

Tyson filled another tag today when he arrowed this nice cow elk. I was very pleased. Now we will have meat in the freezer and I won't have another head hanging on the wall. It is a win/win situation for all. . . .except maybe the cow. Tyson went hunting this morning after a bull he had been seeing. He told himself that he would shoot anything that presented a good shot. So when this cow wandered in range, he let his arrow fly and hit her with a perfect shot. I am proud of him for sticking to his goal. Besides, now that we have a freezer full, I can concentrate on bringing home the BIG bull in October when my hunt starts. ;0) Ridge thought it is pretty cool. And yes, he is saying "Holy crap!" in the video. It is his new phrase and he says it ALL the time.

One Down More To Go!

Congratulations to Tyson for starting this hunting season out with a . . . twang! He arrowed this nice antelope somewhere in Idaho. He and his sidekick, Squeaks, enjoyed a couple of days without kids, wife, or work to chase critters through the sage brush. He came home thrilled, exhausted, and very sunburned (he had to lay still on his stomach for 3 hours waiting for the perfect moment to attack). What can I say about a man so crazy---I mean "determined". I guess we will have plenty of antelope jerky for a while.

I, for one, am glad he came home with something. I was beginning to wonder if they were really hunting all that time or just enjoying being away from the wife, kids, and work. . .

It's All About Ridge!

With the older kids off to school, Ridge find lots of mischief to get in. He is very entertaining and exhausting.

He likes to help himself to the garden. If you follow the trail of corn husks, you can eventually find him eating a raw ear of corn.

When he eats breakfast he has to have a bowl or plate for the toy he has picked to play with that morning. I tried to give his toy goat just cereal but he wanted it to have milk in it and a spoon too. It is cute but wastes food so hopefully it is just a short phase.

First Day of School!

The kids survived their first day of school. Gabe wasn't very excited about going and Raygen couldn't wait. She gets to go all day now and even gets to eat in the cafeteria! It is Raygen's teacher's very first year teaching and Gabe's teacher has been teaching for 24 years. It will be interesting to see how this year goes. They both enjoyed their first and second day of school. They both really like their teachers. I am glad. Gabe's teacher told him that they will rarely have homework so he is VERY excited about that. And Raygen's teacher told them they will have homework almost every day so she is very excited about that. It is so strange how opposite they are. Maybe it is just the age. Ridge was very lonely without them. He followed me around the whole day. It was very quiet and relaxing and I am getting a lot done. (I finished a book I have been reading :0)) I am going to enjoy all the free time before preschool starts!

Rafting Racket

The kids have decided that they love to raft! The little green raft from my childhood (aka Fish Hunter) has been resurrected this summer. I have spent many hours at Cottonwood Lake with friends and dates on this raft. It is very strange to watch my three kids paddle around in it. After a few instructions from Grandpa Benton, Gabe and Raygen went around and around the reservoir in it. Gabe thinks he is the captain and loves giving commands to his little sister. When she doesn't listen to him, a riot breaks out onboard. It is really hilarious to watch. It has been a good way to teach them to cooperate. When they argue, they just go around in circles but when they work together, they are able to get where they want to go. Ridge loves to ride in the raft too, but it is hard to keep him in it. He is always wanting to bail out to swim. They even talked Grandma Lynda into going for a ride with them! We have had a lot of fun and will spend our last day of summer vacation enjoying the water and the sun.

Thunder--

We would like to welcome the newest member of the Murphy family. As if we didn't have enough critters running around already, now we have added a pygmy goat to the collection named Thunder. He is Gabe's reward for reaching his reading goals. Gabe wanted a rabbit, but his dad successfully talked him into getting a goat instead. He is only about 3 weeks old and we have to bottle feed him every few hours but I have to admit that he is pretty cute. We keep him in a dog kennel in the garage for right now and he gets lonely. He even lost his voice from crying all the time! He has been a lot of fun so far. I just worry about keeping the little thing healthy for Gabe. He cried for an hour after Thunder lost his voice because he was convinced he was going to die. As long as we keep him away from Ridge and the mean old cat, he should be just fine. . . I hope.