A Whole Lot of Fun

So while I got to spend some much needed time with awesome women, Josh got to spend some much needed time with the boys. It isn't an easy feat, parenting alone for a weekend, but he makes it look easy. They played, ran some errands, built some forts, and ate a lot of bacon. It was a weekend to remember, for all of us!
But then it was back to real life :) a life that I have nothing to complain about. 

The best grocery helpers around.

Snoopy tales while the boys swim.

The cutest!

Deep fried bacon for dinner.

It was a hit!

Dad is the best fort maker around.

Bacon, eggs, and crispy hashbrowns for breakfast!

There wasn't any dilly-dallying around on Monday morning. It was right back to our regular schedule for us and I don't think Josh or I complained about it one bit...even though we may have been a little slow going. Our lives are pretty predictable when it comes to the every day but ya know what? I will take it. Over and over again, I will take it. :) Life is pretty unevenful here in the Murphy home, just the way I like it.

Oliver loves the Peatots. 

And the leaves!

Obviously he loves pictures with
his Mom too. 

That frowny face was just a ruse.
CHEESE!

The big boys passed their first level
of swim lessons!

We got to play with Uncle Ty for a few days since
he was here studying for and taking a big test
in Chicago. He is definitely a favorite.

Fred treated Josh and Ty to a Bucks game. 

Hide and Seek at the park.

This kid is holding onto any ounce of
warm weather he can (hence the sandals).
Socks because it was about 35 degrees outside.

I'm going to miss seeing Lake Michigan.

We love a good park in the city!

"Mom, help me up here. I can pretend to ride a bike.
But it isn't really a bike! Won't that be funny?!"

"This is so cool, Mom!"

All is right in the world. 

A big jump for Milwaukee!

A very valiant effort 

We are determined to get one good photo
of us jumping. Here we go! 

Hey, that's a good one!

When Mom doesn't know how to work
the self timer. 

I love our city. 

This kid provides the show
during dinner. He is too funny!

Seattle, WA

The amazing view outside our
hotel window. 

While Jamie was here in September we casually and kind of jokingly brought up the idea of doing a girls trip to Seattle to see Savannah. Only jokingly because the idea of me finding plane tickets that worked with Josh's schedule and our budget and the boy's schedule was a little laughable. But the idea of going to see Sav in and of itself sounded amazing!
A week or two after Jamie got home we decided to make the trip happen. She said she was serious about a flight and invited me to tag along! Miraculously we found tickets that worked with Sav's weekend and Josh's weekend and got me home in time for Monday morning. Long story short, I lucked out on a weekend with my amazing mother in law to see the favorite Savannah.
It was a very quick trip with just Saturday to see the city, but we packed it full of fun! But really, anything is fun with Jamie and Savannah around. I'm so grateful for the getaway and for the awesome friends I have in these women! I'm already looking forward to the next girls trip.

Up close and personal with the
Space Needle. 

The amazing view! 

Puget Sound, it was/is beautiful.

I took a lot of photos. This was the
one thing the boys were sad to miss!

We definitely wanted to be like all of the 17 year
olds taking pics for Instagram. 

Let me tell ya, I felt 17 again. 

On to the Public Market! WAY cooler than
Milwaukee's public market. 

Cheesy smiles with some Macaroni and Cheese. The
best mac and cheese I've ever eaten. I licked the bowl.

The gum wall because, why not?

Why not get five chowders to share?

YUM!

The Troll Bridge

Seattle from one side

Two of my very best friends. 

Until next time, Seattle!

Happy Birthday, Oliver!

November has been cold and full of snow but that hasn't slowed these boys down one bit. We have filled our days with visits to libraries, the Domes, Basketball class, and swimming lessons. It feels like we are constantly going but I can't complain one bit. These boys make my whole world, well, whole, and I can't imagine doing the every day without them. 

He is one cool kid. 

Nice castle, Benji!

Deep in thought, this one. 

The big boys loved the Hundred Acre Wood theme
in the show dome this month!

Tigger is a family favorite. 

He was so proud of his goggle wearing.

This kid...

:) this is how his face looks
80% of the time. 

We moved Oliver into the room with his brothers
because his room just wouldn't stay warm enough.
...I have a feeling that we will never go back. 

I don't know where the time goes, but I need it to stop leaving or go slower or something other than go too fast. My little Ollie is two years old! He is really starting to use his words and loves to chat with anyone that will listen. He goes back and forth between being a Mama's boy and Dad being the go-to-guy. He knows what he wants and isn't afraid to tell us. We often hear, "No. No say dat." or "No. That is MY _____" with an animated point to whomever he is addressing at the time. He loves candy, especially suckers, and wants so badly to be able to keep up with his brothers. We love this sweet boy! Happy Birthday! 

A bike, from Nana and Papa. Apparently they aren't
as worried about more broken bones as I am. 

I love this crew. 

Hooray for Paw Patrol! 

A bag of suckers. His favorite gift, by far. 

It was not perfect but I am pretty excited
with how it turned out!

Oliver was very particular about his cake this year.
He asked for a pink spiderweb and train cake. 

Happy Happy Birthday, Oliver!

The cake was a success!

Hi, Mom!

My favorite view at the library.