Snow!!!

Daddy got home from work last week and helped the boys build an igloo/snow fort, they loved it!

 They played out in the snow that night for a long time (2-3 hours).

 The next morning they were outside again. You can not keep them inside for nothing if we have snow.

 They decided to make their own snow forts.

 Again they played outside most of the day.

 Then the next day Grandpa Murray took them sledding while Trent had his eye surgery, they loved that too and spent hours at it. Yesterday they were at it again at Great Grandpa Murray's house. They started off with Grandpa Murray when he was done (a couple hours) they got Heidi and she stayed out with them forever it seemed. Sledding snowmobiling and playing in the snow is just to much fun!! Well it was dark and past bedtime so we made them come in so we could go home. 15 minutes later they were passed out asleep, that's another good thing about playing hard in the snow....lol.

We do have to set ground rules, we learned through experience. There is one "If ANYONE throws snow at ANYONE else, EVERYONE has to come inside!!!" Since the rule they have played awesome together and help each other too. I'm so glad they love the snow and love to be outside, even though I love being toasty warm inside (however I do sacrifice sometimes...lol).

An Opportunity

My mom needed someone to drive her to the Idaho Falls airport to catch her flight. We dropped her off and it was still snowing pretty good, so I had an idea. I decided to take the opportunity to take some pictures of the Temple.

 They had this beautiful nativity.

 It wasn't the best day with the wind and snow but it was still beautiful.

 My kids were so happy to be at the Temple.

 The only complaining I heard was that they needed to go to the bathroom and the other wanted a drink.

 So into the visitors center we went. I didn't know we had a Christus.

 So I took a picture of each one of the kids with their Savior.

 So that they can have their personal memories.

 Of our little trip to the Temple.

Christmas 2012

Christmas Eve we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Rawson's house and had dinner with Abuelo y Abuela Ramirez. We got to skype with cousin's and had lots of fun. When we got home we got to open one present.

 Chad was super happy because he picked a present with multiple gifts...lol.

 Brian's very excited for his new slippers, he was jumping up and down.

 Then Santa came and visited.

The kids woke up at 6:30am, but we let them crawl into our bed for awhile until they couldn't handle it anymore. So we went out to open presents at 7am. Grandma Rawson made it shortly after at 7:15am to witness the joy.

Chad was funny he was trying to guess all the presents.

Chad opening his present from Santa.

Brian opening his helicopter from Santa.

Some of the present opening madness.

Brian got his bug (dream light) and Kylie was hugging her shoes.

 Mom putting the princess castle together.

 Kylie playing with her polly pocket Cinderella.

 Brian watching the new Tom and Jerry Cartoon's Santa brought us.

 Chad reading his instructions to put his airplane together.

 Then the rest of the Murray Clan came over and we opened MORE presents. Brian got his Darth Vader sword. (Which he spend hours crying over because we didn't buy it before.) Kylie is such a clothes girl it's not even funny.

 Chad and his new angry birds towel, and Kylie with her new jacket that she loved but was NOT going to put it on till we told her we had to go outside...lol.

 Then the kids opened their last present together. Grandpa and Grandma Murray surprised us all with a trip to Disneyland!! Well not just Disneyland......3 days in Disney, 1 in Sea World, 1 in Universal Studios, and all we have to do is get there! CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!!!! Then we finished off the day eating a Christmas dinner at GREAT Grandpa and Grandma Murray's house. Went to find the pickle at Grandpa and Grandma Murray's house and hung out till it was bed time. So happy to be blessed with family close by!

3rd Times a Charm

Kylie had a rough Saturday night. Me and her went out to get the last Christmas Presents we needed and it didn't start off well. First I told her to sit in the cart which she didn't want to do, she wanted to stand and hold on to the end of it. Okay, well she slipped and hit right under her lip and split it open. I calmed her down analyzed the situation, not a bad split, a little blood, so we would continue. Half hour after leaving that store and walking down the sidewalk she trips, she also had both hands in her pockets, and face plants into the concrete. Oh man! Poor girl!!! But she is tough, she keeps wanting to touch her face and I tell her no. So when we got to the car I show her in the visor mirror her poor beat up face. She says "I have 1,2,3 owies" even though it's more like road rash on the whole side of the face. Well we put the mirror away and she goes to jump to me from the front seat and slams her head into the frame of the car door! Yup, it comes in three's.

I should have taken a picture of her face it looked HORRIBLE but I slathered it with Neosporin and stuck the gauze to it so she wouldn't have a pillow full of it, a little Tylenol because it looked like she was going to be bruised to kingdom come and sent her to bed. The next morning it looked fantastic from what it was! Thank you Neosporin!

I LIVE!!

The room mom excitement continues. At Halloween I had many phone calls to volunteer time and things the day after the flyer's were sent out. This time it was 2 days before the party 2 weeks after the flyer's were sent out, and I had canceled some of the things I wanted to do and replaced them with other things since NO ONE had called to volunteer anything! I called my dad and pleaded desperately for him to help me, (which I did not need to) because he was completely willing. I had bought things around Halloween for the goodie bags which I was glad I did. My dad bought some extra stuff for the kids too, he is amazing.  Then after talking to my dad I still felt so overwhelmed, and got on my knees and told Heavenly Father, I know it's just a class party not the "Mayan end of the world" (even though it was on the same day) but that I was overwhelmed and if just one more person would call I would be completely stress free (ok not completely but I'd be happy). About 2 hours later a mother did call and said she was willing to help!!! Yup, Heavenly Father does answer simple some what meaning less prayers to other, but after the phone call I let him know of my gratitude. At 9pm that night another mother called (it was perfect). I reinstated my plans and began to get everything ready for the next day.

Here they made reindeer ornaments which not only the kids loved but the adults made one too....lol.

 Since Brian and Kylie come with me and there where 2 children absent, we let Brian participate. Here they played "don't eat the reindeer" aka "don't eat Pete". They had a lot of fun with this.

 Here we made our bead and ribbon Christmas tree ornaments. Each and every kids tree came out beautiful. It was fun to hear the kids call me "Mrs. Murray" and my dad they called "Grandpa". Thank you so much grandpa!

 I took the drawing/treat station so I could still run around and help where I was needed. We cut it close but we did it! It was fun, kids were happy and very proud of what they made, and yes we are all STILL ALIVE!

Mini Salt Lake Vacation

We traveled to Salt Lake this last weekend for a Murray mini vacation. Trent's side of the family wanted to get together and have family pictures there. So off we went to have some fun.

Kids passing away the time on the electronic devices.

 We stayed at Trent's uncles house the first night, which the kids loved!

Kylie playing ALMOST just like her brothers.

The next day we went into Salt Lake. The kids wanted to ride on the train. They we pretty excited and convinced cousin Jaxon to come with us.

 Riding the train.

 We stopped at City Creek Mall, to meet up with everyone else.

 I had to take pictures on our walk to them...lol.

 Going over the Sky Bridge.

 Where we wanted to eat was quite busy so we went shopping for awhile.

Kylie found a toy she liked..lol.

Cheesecake Factory, need I say more, so delicious!

 Kylie had 4 slices of bread, half my meal and french fries, this kid can eat! Or it's just so good you can't stop, hahaha.

Everyone waiting for their food...hanging out.

Kylie had a major wet pants accident so while I helped her everyone went shopping again. Well I guess because of my super speediness, I beat them back so we took advantage of our time and took our own little family picture.

 Brian wanted to take his own picture and this is what he took, yup he's a natural!

 Chad loves to hang out with uncle Jordan.

 Group hug! I mean say "cheese!" The Murray gang all accounted for.

 I love to see the Temple!

 Grandpa helping Brian take a picture.

 Everyone is still happy.

 We stopped here and if you look right behind Trent there is a little boy about Brian's age falling into the water fountain. Trent grabbed him out quick but the damage was already done, his parents stripped him down quick and took clothes off there other children to dress him, poor guy.

 It's us again!

 Starting to whine a little, but still having fun.

 Look at the lights don't you love them? Brian- "I've seen them all already".

 "Just a few more pictures guys, keep smiling".

 After this picture Brian was DONE!!

 I still drug my family over to see the Nativity. I remember coming here as a little girl and hearing the story in the loud speaker and feeling so good. The same feeling comes over me just being able to see it. I love Christmas time!

 This picture has a story. You can not see the tears running down Brian's face but like I said before he was done, he didn't want anymore pictures, he wanted to go to the Hotel! Well daddy said we were going to stay here till he smiled, so there you go, he looks so happy...lol.

 Chad said I could take as many pictures of him as I wanted, and not to make Brian. He said he would smile for me too. What a good big brother. Love my family so much!

 I'm blessed with a wonderful husband that took me to the temple so my family can be forever.

We had a fantastic weekend with everyone, we need to do it again sometime.