Murphy's Memories

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Our First Week Up North - Minnesota

This summer we headed up to see my sister and her family in Minnesota for a week and then to see the rest of my family in Wisconsin for another week. Scott hurt his back before we even left to go up north and so we weren't even sure he was going to be able to make it or not. I didn't think I would go if he wasn't because I didn't think I could handle driving to Bush Airport in Houston and parking my car and bringing in all my luggage and infant car seat all on my own. So the day before we left Scott finally decided he wanted to try and go. The kids did great on the plane and everything went really well. Scott did okay, but was in a lot of pain by the time we got there. Below are a few pictures of all of us around Melissa's house and the kids playing in the kiddy pool.

Mel and I hanging outside with the kids

Our sweet little boys...sitting where they are not suppose to

My niece Valerie...pretty little thing (just like my sister)

Taylor trying to be just like her cousin

Jacob filling the kiddy pool

Hayden being silly

My cute little nephew Ian

Valerie teaching Taylor how to mow the yard

We went to a few of the parks in Minnesota. The kids enjoyed staying busy and it was so nice to be outside where we are not pouring sweat when we sit or stand outside. The air feels so fresh and clean up there!!

Jacob posing for a picture

Valerie and I hanging out at the park watching the kiddos

Taylor climbing the ropes in flip flops

We were also able to go to the Mall of America. Since I have seen the Mall Cops show, I thought it would be sort of cool to go and check out the 4 story mall. It had sooo many cool stores!! The bad thing was that I really couldn't shop (which is super hard for me) because we had our 3 kids plus 2 of my sisters kids. It wasn't to bad though...except for the part of losing Hayden's croc. I was so mad because I had just bought them. When I called the lost and found, they said they found it but threw it away. That's what I get for spending a lot of money on a toddler shoe. Anyways, the kids had a lot of fun riding the rides inside the mall. Their favorite part was the butterfly room. They spent a lot of time in their holding the butterflies. Here are a few pictures from the mall.

Valerie and Jacob on the big swing.

Valerie and Jacob on the train in the front seat

Ian and Taylor on the train in the back seat

Ian on the blues clues ride

Jacob loving the butterflies

Ian so excited he finally was able to get a butterfly

Taylor posing with one of the many butterflies she held

Hayden just couldn't take the excited much longer

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Toledo Bend

The begining of June we decided it would be fun to take the kids to Toledo Bend and go camping. As most of you know...I'm not much of a camping in tents kind of girl. Done that and don't want to do it again with young kids in Texas or Louisianna heat. So, we rented a cabin...a really nice cabin. The kids had their own room with bunk beds which they loved. We rode our bikes, played on the playgrounds, swam in the turtle infested waters and went on boat rides. The kids played hard and seemed to really enjoy their time. My favorite part was when we came home Scott and I went out of town without the kids. Just kidding!! Well...sort of. Thanks to our wonderful sitter and her husband we were able to run away for a few days. Here are a few pictures from the trip. We are hoping to go back sometime soon, it was really nice camp grounds.

Hayden playing in the water, while Scott is catching little fish for the kids.

Hayden....so tired from all the fun

Scott and Jacob getting ready for a boat ride

Taylor and Hayden in the background on the fishing pier

Scott messing with the turtle he found

Scott and Jacob biking all over the place

Hayden fell asleep at the beach with me

Taylor, Jacob and I hanging out in the water...look at the view behind us

The kids being silly and splashing around

Our cute Jacob

Taylor and her mis-matched swim suit

Hayden lagging behind...he looks so tired

Jacob and I posing for a picture

Our sweet boy looking sooo tired

Taylor took a picture of Scott and I...notice Hayden standing by Scott. Hayden was so grouchy this morning, he had to be by daddy

Moody Gardens

Okay... so it has been way too long since my last posting. So I am going to back track to the end of May right after the kids got out of school. Once school was out we headed for a weekend in Houston. We love heading over there!! Scott went to help his brother with his new house, while us girls took the kids to Moody Gardens Aquarium and hung out at the house. The kids were well behaved as they could be with the excitement of being together. However, I think they had just as much fun at the house "helping" build Uncle Calvin and Aunt Laurie's new house. I was also able to visit with my cousin Matt for a little while and go to Lakewood Church with him Saturday night. It was really nice to go back and visit!! Here are a few pictures of our visit to Moody Gardens.

Jacob touching a real starfish

Claire, Connor, and Taylor with the Penguin

Just how I like them....Connor, Jacob, Taylor and Claire locked up!!

Hayden hanging out in the stroller

Another silly pose!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Playing Catch Up

May was a very busy month for us!! Here are a few things that happened this month. Taylor had olympic day at school. She ran the 100 meter race and won 3rd place!! We were so happy that she tried this year. Last year she didn't even try to win, so with a little pep talk she put forth the effort this year.

taylor getting ready to go

she's getting a little tired yeah!!! 3rd place!!
Jacob had a picnic outside with his friends on his last day of school. Jacob really enjoyed his teachers...Ms. Amanda and Mrs. Beth. He says he is gonna miss his teachers but not his school.
jacob and ms. amanda
jacob and mrs. beth Taylor at her First Grade Award Ceremony. Sorry the picture is blurry. I was so worried I was gonna miss it, I started snapping away too soon. So, all I have is a bunch of blurry pictures of Taylor receiving her award. Taylor received a trophy and/or certificates for....Outstanding Conduct Recognition, Honor Roll for the entire school year, and Certificate of Merit for having read at least 100 or more approved books. We are soooo very proud of her!!

Taylor recieving her awards taylor sitting at her desk in her classroom taylor with mrs. brandi (we love her!!)

Sea World...again!

Mother's day weekend we took the kids to Sea World. It was a blast and the kids were super well behaved! We spent the first day watching the shows and playing in the kids play area. The second day we went to the water park in sea world. It was a really nice water park and the kids loved all the slides and wave pool. Hayden was hesitate of the wave pool at first and then he ended up enjoying it. Here are a few pictures of our trip.