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! :)

Believing

I have lots of pictures to post, but there's always too much to do. So, those will have to come later. But, while reading a friend's blog about what to believe in and not I'm reminded of a conversation we had with Ethan after he lost a tooth not too long ago. It went something like this:
Ethan: "I know you're the tooth fairy."
Mom: "Why do you think that?"
Ethan: "Because fairies aren't real."
Kaleb: "Well, then what about Santa Claus?"
Ethan (with an annoyed look on his face as if to scream, DUH!): "Santa's not a fairy!"
Mom: :) "Good point, Ethan."
I love kids! Now I all but hand him the "tooth fairy" money... oh well. At least there's Santa! :)

A Thanksgiving Did You Know?

I like learning something every now and then and although I remember the basic 2nd grade story about the pilgrims and indians, I didn't realize it took so long to become a national holiday. So, here's a tidbit on the Thanksgiving holiday... enjoy! (kind of long, but an interesting read.) The First Thanksgiving - 1621, to commemorate the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. celebrated as a traditional English harvest feast, to which they invited the local Wampanoag Indians. All thirteen colonies did not celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time until October 1777. George Washington was the first president to declare the holiday, in 1789. A New National Holiday - mid–1800s, many states observed a Thanksgiving holiday. poet and editor Sarah J. Hale began lobbying for national Thanksgiving holiday. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, looking for ways to unite the nation, discussed the subject with Hale. In 1863 he gave his Thanksgiving Proclamation, declaring the last Thursday in November a day of thanksgiving. 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt, seeking to lengthen the Christmas shopping season, proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November. Controversy followed, and Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941 decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November, where it remains.
Thanksgiving Proclamation (abridged)- The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.
... implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
I am so touched by Lincoln's acknowledgement of the Lord's hand in our nation's blessings. Even in the time of Civil War, he found good. How inspiring! He and my mom would've really gotten along! :)

Before and After

I FINALLY found a few before pictures of our house. So, I thought I'd post a few for the out of staters. My mom says they don't do it justice, but it's all I have to show for the months, and technically years, we've put into this house. FYI: The picture of my bedroom is for my sisters who wanted to see what new decor I'd bought.

Living room. - Obviously, we replaced the old fireplace, my uncle put crown molding around all windows and doors, and we replaced almost the entire ceiling... good times.

Kitchen-We shortened the wall into the kitchen so I didn't feel like I was in a cave all day since with the way we eat around here, that's where I spend most of my time. :) We moved and painted the china cabinet and obviously redid everything in the kitchen thanks to the encouragement of Dax's best friend, Sean... the contractor. :)

Master Bed- Didn't do much here but paint the wall to give it a leather effect.

There's a lot to do still... those little things that wouldn't take too much time if you just did them, but you're sick of them, so you don't... like floor boards, some touch-ups, and believe it or not some of our doors in the basement still don't have door knobs. SLACKERS!!! Anyway, I'll post more for fun later.

Bear Lake

My parents have a condo share at Ideal Beach Resort in Bear Lake. We (thanks, mom and dad for letting us use it) had it last week. So, Dax and I ended up using it. It was a trip totally needed. When I say Dax and I, I mean JUST Dax and I... no children. I was so grateful to my mother-in-law who was willing to come watch the kids for what was supposed to be just Friday night, but we were enjoying ourselves so much, we talked her into staying Saturday night also! The greatest thing about Lynette is that she didn't have to really be talked into anything and even though I know it can be tiring... she called and thanked me Monday for asking her to do that for us. I know the kids had a blast with Grammie, too. Thanks, Lynette!





Not a lot to do this time of year, but we went for a long drive and Dax spotted the Eagle from forever away... I was impressed. We shot off the potato gun for a little afternoon entertainment. The cows delayed our ride home just a little... they would not move... how rude. Finally Dax tried to run them over. :) Not really, but he did practically budge them out of the way with his car. And, just a final shot of how beautiful it was on the way home. We decided to come over Monte Cristo and at 9000 ft, the display was amazing!

Pictures Found

So, thanks for sympathizing with me, but there's no more need... the pictures have been found! I was lying in bed and thinking how odd it was that a little person was able to delete just the right pictures and not touch any of the birthday or diabetes walk that was still on the camera. So, I checked and voila! My camera card was missing. I'm sorry Millie and Ethan. DAX and KALEB are actually the culprits... glad I didn't point fingers too soon. :) Dax told Kaleb he could use it for the Wii if he put it back. Kaleb has a problem putting back. From now on, the rule is... hands off, thank you! Actually, I'm just grateful I got my pictures back. Funny. They're not as cute as when I thought they were missing, but it makes the posts a little more fun!

Where's Millie and All of my Pictures?

Well, Millie was under the chair. I could hear some slight squealing from the dining room while cleaning the kitchen and realized Millie had gotten herself stuck under a chair... silly girl. So, what did I do? Took a picture, THEN saved her! She didn't really seem too upset. :)

But, where are all of my pictures? I think that sweet little girl deleted them all this week when she found my camera in her diaper bag. Of course, I hate to point fingers since there were some incriminating pictures taken from a small person. Those photos were taken of Dax, Millie, and Emmett which leaves Ethan or Kaleb. Like I said, I hate to point fingers, but Ethan does get curious... I'll try to refrain from freaking out on anyone. I had written a bunch of posts Nov. 2 (Don't feel like you have to read them now. I only posted them anyway for my own sake.) and thought I'd add the pictures later. So much for that idea. I'm so sad, I just about cried. As you can imagine, I had some pretty good ones on there. Note to self: Download pictures right away in case little fingers get delete button happy. Sad day, but at least Grandma thought to get a Halloween picture of the kids with her "throw away." Better than nothing, I suppose. :(

Movie Quotes

My friend, Shannon, posted a few quotes on her blog and I thought it was kind of fun to try to guess where they all came from. I was going to reply some of my faves, but the list was starting to get long, so I thought I'd add them to my blog and see if anyone else can guess where they're from. Also, it's fun to hear what your faves are as well.
- "Where you from, boy?" "Oklahoma City, Ok, sir!" "Oklahoma City? Only two thangs come out of Oklahoma. Steers and queers. I don't see any horns on your head so you must be a queer! You a queeeer, boooyy!?"
- "Beautiful, gorgeous, wish you were here!"
- "That ain't no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can't be un-did, homeskillet!"
- "It's ok, kiddo. You're home, you're safe, you're alive! She almost spun to death on the uneven parallel bars!"
- "FREEDOM!!!" (Dax's quote from guess where!)
- "Does this suit make me look fat?" "No. Your face does."
- "You see? That is just like you, Harry. You say things like that, and you make it impossible for me to hate you. "
- "Doctors are sadists who like to play God and watch lesser people scream. "
- "Fester, fester, fester. Rot, rot, rot... You people make my a__ twitch."
- "I want my 2 dollars!!!"

Happy Halloween!

October 30th was a very busy day. That was my volunteer morning. When I was done volunteering, I came straight home to get Emmett dressed in a costume and take him and Millie to the school Halloween Parade and class party. I was at the school the rest of the day. That gave me 2 hours to get dinner done and my house clean before Marcia and Ben came to dinner. It was a great day!

Halloween night was a beautiful night. The kids didn't even need coats over their costumes which was nice. It did rain a little, but it wasn't bad. We walked around with Zona and Nate and met up with some neighbor friends, Shannon and Jennifer and their kids. If I hadn't been throwing up all day, it wouldn't been perfect! Luckily, the fresh air did me good and I wasn't sick the entire time we walked around. But, the minute I walked through the door, it was time for bed!!! But, not until after I got a kick out of Millie loving all the candy! She's so my daughter!


There are pics, but I'll still just say... Kaleb was a clown (I was surprised that's what he chose, but it stemmed from him being chosen as the class clown in Mrs. Young's class last year), Ethan was the cutest vampire (we painted his hair black and gave him blood running out of his mouth at his begging request and he was still adorable... not scary at all :)), Emmett was a dinosaur (let me paint his face green... again, not scary, just adorable), and Millie was a pink poodle (I managed to get somewhat of a black nose and some freckles on her cheeks).