We've had a busy month so far (just like a lot of people). Sam and Ryan were both in band concerts and Ryan's sixth grade class put on Macbeth. Both kids did really well in their performances. Sam looked beautiful in her dress and Ryan was the funniest non-speaking ghost of Banquo (sp) ever. I just wish I had some pictures of them.

Here are some pictures of the kids decorating the Christmas tree and making a snowman.

Merry Christmas!

Ryan is 12!!!

Ryan had a party with some friends at Boondocks.
What a handsome guy!

Ryan turned 12 years old on November 6. I can't believe it! His voice is deeper and it seems like he has grown a foot in the past couple of months. This from the baby that was 6 lb. 7 oz. at birth (smallest of the Murdock babies). Time needs to slow down just a bit.
Ryan is a super smart and funny kid. His secret talent is that he is an origami genius. He's also pretty nice when the testosterone is at a low ebb.

Halloween!

So I really am one of the bad moms. I forgot to take a picture of Sam when she dressed up for Halloween at school. She was really cute. She was a doctor and wore my pink scrubs. She accessorized with my stethoscope, some tongue depressors, and a mask. Perfect for swine flu! She also put pink stripes in her hair. Sorry Sam!

I did get the boys' pictures taken. Ryan was a mad (Connor liked us to say crazy) scientist, Ethan was a zombie, and Connor was Lightning McQueen. They had a good time and scored a lot of candy. Ethan came down with the swine flu the next day. He definitely picked up a trick instead of a treat!

My Kids are Weird (but yours are too!)

We all think our kids are the greatest. Isn't that how generations are saved?

We went to a ghost town called Bannock in Montana this summer. This is a picture of the kids "fighting" in the old saloon. Which kids are the dramatic ones?
Since Halloween is only days away, I thought I'd show what the kids were last year and then post again after Halloween. I love to compare their costumes year by year.
Ryan was a zombie and Ethan was Luigi of Super Mario Brothers.

Connor loves Thomas!

Sam was Dr. Who from the BBC series, but no one knew who she was. There's not a lot of Utahns that even know what the BBC is!

Connor has been having a really good time with his building blocks lately. He likes me to take pictures of his latest creation!
I went riding with my sister and my dad up AF canyon a couple of weeks ago. They (and the horse) were very patient with me. It's been quite a few years since I've ridden a horse. The autumn leaves were beatiful.

Ethan turned 10 years old in September. Happy birthday Ethan! He's a great kid and turning into a fast typer. He helped me with today's typing. Thanks Ethan!

New Church Calling!!!

Eric and I have been called to "teach" the nursery kids in our ward. This was our third time in the nursery today and let me tell you, Eric could just as easily have gone into daycare as school counseling. The kids love him! He made a "kitty house" out of blankets and chairs today and we had 9 little kittens meowing for about 20 minutes. They cluster around him for all of free play for the first 50 minutes of nursery begging to play with him. It's so fun to watch. We're so happy to have a calling together. It's been great!

This is a picture of Ryan in the Uinta Mountains this year on the third annual Todd and Eric backpack trip.

The kids and I went to Tibble Fork a couple of days before school started.

Eric, Ryan, and Ethan went backpacking in the Uintas overnight with Todd and his girls. They had a lot of fun. No fish caught, but it was still a success!

Well, school has started for everyone but Connor and we are a very busy family. Soccer has also started for the big boys and that makes us even busier. Ryan is playing on two teams so that boy is going to be in very good shape. Connor starts preschool in September and he and I are both very excited. I start a medical coding class next week that runs for 7 weeks so I'm going back to school for the first time in 15 years. Man, I am old. Eric says it will be a piece of cake, but I'm not sure. Wish me luck!

Yes, I know I am destined to be an old cat lady, but she's just so relaxed.

We took the kids to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. They were good, but they weren't as impressed with it all as I thought they'd be. I guess Eric and I are doing something wrong!

Eric is back at school and let me tell you it was really rough the first week he went back. The kids know that I get a little crazy when I am stuck alone with them after having so much fun with Eric for 5 weeks. They were patient and nice. I'm really grateful to have four smart, funny, and good kids. I'm still excited for them to get back to school, though!

Hooray!

Eric and Connor sliding down the fun house slide at the carnival.

Connor is potty trained! We are all so excited. He looks really cute in big boy underwear.

Busy Summer

Redneck summer in the our backyard. There's nothing like roasting marshmellows over a washtub fire!

So it's been over three months since I posted anything. It's been a fun summer with a trip to Montana, Eric getting over pneumonia, and lots and lots and lots of yard work. We are all really grateful for our overall good health because Eric's month long illness was a major bummer!

Utah's weather is the worst!

Ethan can't stand getting water in his eyes so he has to wear goggles to swimming lessons. I can't wait until the summer!

If it doesn't start getting a little warm soon I think I may go absolutely insane!!! It's been snowing and cold for the past 4 days. I understand in my mind that Utah has very fickle spring weather, but my heart needs some warmth. Sam and I just planted over 30 flowers, ground cover, and bushes in the mailbox patch on Saturday. Luckily, they are are perennials and should be fine. It was fun to work with Sam. I think she had a good time, too.

We are so lucky!

Polly and Connor: We're bored!

I've been reading this book about a woman who goes back in time from L.A. 2000 to Austria 200. Of course, it's fantasy (one of my favorite genres), but the author does a good job making the year 200 authentic. It's amazing how many things we take for granted. I am so happy to have a dry house when it rains and no lice in my hair. Thank heavens for all those little things. The economy might be awful right now, but at least the typical American doesn't have to worry about getting sick from drinking water or having lice as part of her daily life.

Valentine's Day can be nice!

How good looking is that tall guy? Wow!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I have to admit that I have always hated Valentine's Day because I build it up in my mind and the real thing never meets my expectations. This year, though, my husband was very sweet and despite his non-materialistic self bought me flowers and a gift card to Barnes and Noble. He picked two of my favorite things, books and flowers. Thanks for being sensitive to your romantic, silly wife and really going past your comfort zone, Eric. I love you!

Hair grows back!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Connor. He has that look of wonder that babies get sometimes. So cute!

Last night I got my hair cut. Today I am grateful that hair grows. No matter how bad your hair looks it usually improves with time. CherRon does a great job on my hair, but I am a total idiot when it comes to actually doing my hair. The big change for me was getting bangs. I haven't had them since I was a senior in high school so it's been a long time!

"Readers Can Do Anything"

This was Ethan's last birthday. Remember when you could wear shorts and not feel like a popsicle?

I'm grateful for children who will read. Right now all of my kids who can read alone are reading a book. Admittedly, Connor is watching a Thomas DVD, but I have to have a little peace.

When bad stuff happens, you have to be grateful for something!

This is my very best friend in all of the world!!!

I am not going to say what the bad stuff was, but I'm sure all parents go through it at one time...

I am thankful today to have a team teacher for my primary class. Tonya Gray seems like an intelligent, understanding, and kind person. I'm very lucky to have her to teach with. My new class will be challenging, but it will help that I only have to teach every other week!