My SCARY crew... Kaleb said he was the scariest thing... a dentist! (No wonder they have one of the highest suicide rates among professionals... :)) We had a really fun Halloween this year. I'm sad the month went by so quickly... I feel like a lame mom... we didn't even carve pumpkins this year!!! The kids never asked, so I didn't offer... maybe next year. But, we had a fun week celebrating with church, school, and family get-togethers. I haven't taught my kids to be efficient trick-or-treaters though and they pooped out kind of early... Kaleb said he figured Dax was just going to take his candy anyway. :)
They're learning! j/k

Millie was hilarious! She RAN door to door! When we brought Emmett home after our first round, she wouldn't have anything to do with staying home... had to collect her chocolate... my kind of girl! :) P.S. A special thank you to Betsy for the adorable ladybug costume... too fun! :)

Ethan's not a very intimidating ninja with those big blues staring back at ya, but he sure loved his costume... has practically begged me to wear it at every moment since Wednesday's Halloween Carnival at church. At least we got our $6.99 out of it! :)

Emmett went through several costume ideas before he finally decided on a ghost... how funny. I was o.k. with it... easiest costume ever! And, doesn't he look cute? This was his scary boo face... ooooohhhh! :)

Kaleb wouldn't pose for an individual portrait... it was all I could do to get him to wear a costume this year, but I told him he couldn't just go around and ask for candy, so... How'd I get a son who thinks he's so cool? Gee wiz!!! :)

Millie's 2!

While I'm on birthdays... Millie turned 2 on September 26th!!! How odd that I'd feel like a slacker for her cake this year. I mean, how many 2 year olds get a 4 layer cake with sprinkles... oh well. I've done it to myself! :)

Anyway, I really can't believe it. Who would've thought I'd ever be baby hungry again? But, my baby is a toddler now and I'm sad. Don't get me wrong. I probably only feel this need for another baby because I can't have one and because Millie only lets me hug her for an extended amount of time if she's getting chocolate in return (she is MY child afterall), but none the less... Anyway, we are having fun with our little princess and that she is. We can't help it. Just being the only girl sets her aside from the boys and since she doesn't know that they don't want a new pink purse or pretty shoes, she feels special. I'm glad she does... she is! She keeps us on her toes. She LOVES to play in anything she can get her hands on like my make-up, lotion, bandaids, towels, spatulas, etc... She's really speaking a ton now and in full sentences these days... usually, "I'LL DO IT!!!" :) I think it's funny how she immediately blames the closest brother next to her for something she thinks she's going to get in trouble for, how she puts herself in "time out" if there's no one around to blame :), and that she can hardly leave the house without "Shtick!" (lipstick... aka: lipgloss), a bow, and her purse. I also love that she reminded us to say prayers this morning before breakfast and sang "La la la la la laaaaaa" through every song during sacrament today. I feel so blessed to have this precious daughter in our lives! Considering that the kids still run to her the second they set eyes on her, I'm guessing they feel the same. And, since Dax will fully admit she owns his little finger :), I know he feels the same. Happy Birthday, Millie!!!

Millie's Grandpa Morley's special girl right now. We had a low key birthday dinner and I thought it was funny how she found the one tiny hole in her present, peeked through and yelled, "dolly"! Can't get anything past her! :)

Great to be 8!

Of course it's great to be 8 because we believe that's when it's time to get baptized, but it's also great to be 8 when you're a McMurrin... so to speak. :) My dad's family has had a tradition since my dad was 8 that allows the boys to go on "The Hunt" every September. It freaks me out every year, now with 3 boys out there and all. But, it is really exciting for them so I try to hold my paranoia in a little. So, for Kaleb and now for Ethan (I can hardly believe it!), my dad took the kids shopping before their baptisms for a pocket knife of all things and some hunting gear!!! He may as well take them to Disneyland! They look so forward to shopping sprees with Grandpa... I think he does too. :) So anyway, that's what Ethan's morning consisted of on his baptism day. (Our stake holds baptisms at 5:00pm... lame) Then I'd love to say he rushed home to put his suit on, but this is Ethan we're talking about. Although he did get ready quickly and remind me we needed to be there 30 minutes early over and over again when it got closer to the hour, he had to first practice his pocket knife skills by cutting flowers out of my garden. What a great day for him! :) But, on to his baptism...
I can't believe I haven't even posted about Ethan's baptism yet (well, I can sort of believe it. :P). Shame on me, right? Well, it was a great day! I had my friend, Celeste, take these awesome pictures and he just sat there happy as a bug. He said he wanted to get it over with, but I think he felt special and I'm glad. I think he was also just really excited. Grandma Gurr got him his own set of scriptures. Once he stole Kaleb's scripture bag, he was ready to go... gotta work on that honesty thing... especially now that he's baptized. :) I LOVE this collage of our little Ether man! He looks so handsome and I'm already sad now thinking of his mission farewell... but can't you just picture it?

Ethan was baptized over Labor Day weekend so there were only 2 baptisms that day... Ethan and a litttle girl. Before the baptism, we were able to shoot this picture really quick with Dax's camera phone (my camera ran out of batteries).


He was so cute standing there looking into the font. He had said all week he wasn't really nervous, but as he looked down into the water he asked if I thought Duncan (his best buddy) was scared when he got baptized. After I assured him that most people are nervous to get into the water, but reminded him of what it was he was about to do, he was fine. Anyway, having a Stake Baptism Day is nice in some respects and not in others. Usually, you have nothing to do with the program and you don't get to pick the time. We've been lucky with both Kaleb and Ethan's baptism because for Kaleb's, he got to sing the Baptism song which made his day a little more special and personal and for Ethan, my mom was asked to sing. She wrote some new words to a Hilary Weeks song (sshhh... don't tell :)) and my friend Jennifer Ormsby played the piano (on very short notice I might add... thank you again!!!) It was BEAUTIFUL! I especially liked how Ethan watched my mom sing (even though my mom said he kept looking away... he seemed to kn0w she was singing to him). Not to mention, the other little girl just sat smiling up at my mom the entire time... too sweet!

Well, Dax baptized Ethan, of course... with Grandpa Mac and Uncle Slade as the witnesses. Dax also confirmed Ethan with Grandpa Mac, Uncle Slade, Great Uncle Bob, and Bishop Ulrich in the circle. It was a nice blessing. The entire day was filled with the Spirit and I'm so grateful he made the choice to be baptized. I hope he never forgets the Spirit that was present and how much joy the gospel brings. He's young, but I think he understands at least that much. I'm so proud of him and grateful he's my son!!!

I did get the battery for my camera, but by that time, it was too late and this was all we got. At least it's something! :)

Millie and Emmett

Millie and Emmett are great buddies! They always have so much fun playing together. We missed Dax, Kaleb, and Ethan while they were hunting, but we had some fun of our own. We hit McDonald's a FEW times. :) We played games, went to grandma's, and went to church. Here's the two before church. It was the Primary Program and Emmett did a great job memorizing his part... that he wrote no less. "I love my mom and dad because they are my family and they help me do stuff." :)

Here they are having fun before we took off for the "circus". Actually, it was the parade of elephants before the circus started, but the kids were excited to see 'em none the less. But, that adventure will have to be another post. Anyway, aren't they too sweet? I hope they can be great friends their entire lives! I love how he takes care of her and watches out for her... she is really lucky to have a big brother like Emmett. Her dates however... not so lucky! :)

This is just a sweet one of Millie I thought I'd share.

Facebook vs. Bloggin'

Can't sleep... Anyway, I've been thinking about how much time I spend informing people of my where abouts, random thoughts, photos, etc. For the past while I have posted on FB because I've been lazy and it's an outlet that is short and sweet for everyone. Because of this, I've gone back and forth about just FBing and ditching the bloggin' world but, I miss blogging. I enjoy reading my friends' blogs and getting a better understanding of where they're coming from instead of just a blurp. Will I stop FBing? I doubt it. But, I intend to attempt to use my time more wisely to post more... if not for you, for me... so prepare yourselves! :)

Being a Mom

I feel sort of badly right now. I had a "girl's night" at my house since Dax, Kaleb and Ethan are at the annual hunt. It was a lot of fun! We watched "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" because a couple of them hadn't seen it and it's a must! :) Unfortunately for them, I still can recite it just about word for word... so can my friend Celeste. It was awesome! Anyway, I mentioned to them I never wanted kids when I was younger. It's true I never imagined myself as a mom... I really always thought I'd be the cool aunt. But, being that WAS true, I don't want anyne to think that means I don't love being a mom now. I really love it! Some days are harder than others. I'm especially grateful for something I read in Dax's cousin's blog that said if I can forgive and love my kids so much despite their imperfections, surely they'll forgive and love me despite mine. That'll help get me through a lot of days. :) I have fun with my kids and love them to pieces!!! I'm so happy to be called mom. :)

Emily's a College Grad!

My baby sister, Emily, graduated from San Diego State University Dec. 2008 with a degree in Graphic Design. My dad was so kind as to fly me down to surprise her for her final portfolio show (examples above). I was so proud of her! It was awesome to see how all the hard work paid off in her designs. She's so talented! We had her design a logo for our new insulation co. and have gotten lots of compliments on it, too! (it sort of looks like this)
Anyway, then my dad took her out in Vegas for a grad dinner of her choice... Yummy! Some barbecue place. It was fun to be all together even though I had to go rescue Millie (or the sitters) because she wouldn't stop crying. It was all good. Anyway, a late, but well deserved shout out to Emily...

CONGRATULATIONS... "Oh the places you'll go!" Love ya!

The sibs and myself... Mary, Emily, and Jimmy.

Mom and Dad with Emily.

Millie's happy now... spoiled turkey! :)

Coupon Clipping

I don't have everyone's email, so I thought I'd post regarding the class I told some of you about that Kim Story told me about. :)

Jane Maughan is a stay at home mom of five. Jane helps moderate the Pinching Your Pennies website and she has been teaching “coupon” classes for the Standard Examiner and Pinching Your Pennies for three years.

Date: Wednesday January 28, 2009
Time: 12:00-1:00
Location: McKay-Dee Hospital, Education Department, (level 1)
4401 Harrison Boulevard
RSVP: 387-7800 to reserve a lunch by Monday January 26, 2009. $6.50 each; no charge for the education portion only. Lunches need to be picked up no later than 12:00.

Let me know if you want to go and maybe we can meet up or something. Anyway, happy clipping!

15 1/2 Months Old and Finally Walking

Kaleb was 12, Ethan was 13, Emmett was 14, so it just fit that Millie was 15 mos. old. Maybe it worked out that way because I get less and less in a hurry to see each of them walk. I am happy. Kids seem to be happier with every bit of independence they get no matter what age they are. But, it means she's getting bigger and she'll get into even more trouble. Both of which make me sad. But, she is cute teeterin' around! Don't you agree? :)

She's Such a Girl

Growing up, if I ever thought about having kids, I thought I would have boys. I wanted boys. My aunt used to make everyone a customized porcelain doll and I asked for a boy. Then I had 3!!! Don't get me wrong. I love my boys! I wasn't even really upset or anything when I found out Emmett was a boy. I wanted to know what it would be like to have a girl, but was totally cool with three adorable boys. Well, I can remember the feeling I felt when I found out Millie was a girl. I was so excited. Yet, it seemed to me that everyone who had both boys and girls said they would trade to have 4 boys for 1 girl... emotional, whiny, emotional... :) Not my daughter. No way. I'm not like that so she'll be perfectly stable. Hee. Hee.

Here's Millie upset that I won't let her have the camera or something.

And TWO seconds later... :)

I love girls!!!

Primary

I know I am really behind in posting pictures, but that'll have to wait. I just wanted to express how sad I was today that Emmett's now in Primary. Of course, not because I didn't want to see him, but because he's getting too big. (and according to Kaleb, it's because it means I'm getting old... smarty pants! :)) I don't think that's the reason, but it could be part of it... not gonna lie! But, mostly I just know how much I'm going to miss him when he's bigger and not cute anymore. :) You know what I mean. I just love this age when they're learning so many fun things, and saying so many cute things, and they still don't want to disappoint you TOO much! :) I just remember Kaleb at this age and I can't believe he's getting so grown up, too. He's really maturing early and is starting to remind me of a young man already instead of a boy. And on top of that... Ethan's getting baptized this year!!! How much more can I take? I can totally see why people hang on to their babies when they realize they're the last baby, ya know? Poor Millie has no hope of growing up too quickly. Good thing I'm o.k. with it since she's NOT EVEN WALKING YET!!! All in good time. It does keep her young I suppose. Anyway, I'm babbling, but do ya know what I mean?

Poor Emmett

The other day I was baking Monster cookies (peanut butter, oatmeal, peanut m&ms, and m&ms). Emmett came upstairs and said with a sad tone and an even sadder face... "I smell something I can't have." (He's allergic to peanuts.) Don't worry. I had backup chocolate cookies just for him! :)