Christmas and now New Years

As you can see from the slideshow we had a wonderful Christmas at Justin's parents. We got to see tons of realtives and eat some super yummy food. Thanks Julie! Clayton got a ton of new toys and is having so much fun playing with all of them. Christmas seems to just fly by.

We are off to Galena tomorrow for New Years!!! Clayton can't wait to see Nana, Papa, Aunt Ellie, Aunt Anna, Uncle David and long lost Uncle Danny! :) I am sure Clayton will be doing some sledding, Justin will be snowboarding and I will be RELAXING! (I have 3 books to read) Yippee!

We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! We are up bright and early this morning so I thought I would post a couple of pics! Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful day!

Clayton Christmas morning, waiting in the bedroom to go see what Santa brought.

Clayton having a last minute discussion with Santa on Christmas Eve. His shirt says "Dear Santa, I can explain". Thanks Super Aunt Jane.

What a big boy!

Clayton has discovered that it is a lot more fun to sit at the kitchen table in a chair than in his booster seat. He knows he still has to sit there for dinner, but usually before bed he climbs up in a chair and wants a snack. It is sooooo cute. I had to go get my blood sugar checked this morning for my pregnancy and when I came home, he was sitting in the big chair eating breakfast. Oh, time goes to fast. I told Justin next thing we know he will be eating us out of house and home!

Thank you Great-Grandma Willy

Clayton's Great-Grandma Willy had this snowman and wasn't using it anymore. Oh my, Clayton LOVES it! Every morning we have to make sure Mr. Snowman is lit up when he gets out of bed. He can tell you where his nose is, where his hat is, etc. Gotta love the simple things. Thanks great grandma!!!

My New Job-Working at a Prison

Ok, so I am not going to really work at a prison, but I want to. :) Thompson, IL not far from Galena is getting all the terrorist prisoners. After having my mom and dad here for 4 days I would be willing to work there if we were closer to Nana and Papa! I miss you guys already! Not sure how my co-worker felt this morning when I got in the car to carpool to work and I was crying! :) I know she understands though since she is far from her family too. Some days it doesn't bother me, but with the holidays coming and not being with my parents for Christmas, plus my "condition" as my dad calls it, I am a mess.

I didn't do a good job of taking pics while my mom and dad were here, but Clayton had sooooo much fun staying home with them on Monday and Tuesday. So much so that he is reaching for Nana and Papa instead of Mommy and Daddy! They took wagon rides, played with Clayton's new chalkboard, he took naps and rocked with Papa, got anything he wanted from Nana (including her yummy pancakes), and so on. Plus his second favorite dog dog Aunt Ellie was there. I know he is going to be sad when he comes home this evening and everyone is gone. We can't wait to see you guys for New Years and Aunt Anna and Uncle David! Thank you soooooo much for all your help around the house and with Clayton! We love you tons!

The Story of the Christmas Tree

This is the picture story of the Murphy Christmas Tree 2009!

The Christmas Tree came in and Daddy and Clayton checked to make sure it was straight.

Clayton did quality control to make sure the tree was in good shape.

The ornaments came out and Clayton saw a ball, a ball that should be thrown on the floor. Oops!

Keely opens her eyes to say, "Ha, wasn't me"

No mom, I am not making a mess of knots with the beads.

Daddy and Clayton put up their barrel of Jack Daniels ornament from Lynchburg.

Mommy was given until noon, at which time this is what happened to my help when the Bears came on.

Half time! The star goes up.

Not a great pic with the glare, but the Murphy Christmas Tree is up!

(Mommy was busy being OCD about the lights and beads, plus she was still in her pjs, so pics with her have been edited)

Clayton's Friend Kate Turns 1!!!!!

We had tons of fun at the Beelers tonight for Kate's 1st Birthday party. Clayton always loves to go there to play because they have all kinds of fun toys. It was great to see everyone too. Happy Birthday Kate!

So not only was it really cute that Clayton was pulling Kate around the house in the wagon, but also pretty impressive. Clayton is about 9 months older, but only weighs about 2 pounds more than Kate.

Kate and her bike

Not a good pic of Clayton, but this was the tricycle that he got Kate for her birthday.

Christmas Tree O Christmas Tree

We set off today to go cut down a Christmas tree. I thought this would be a fun tradition. We went out to a farm, got our saw and began to search. Ok, so maybe I was delusional or maybe it is ok to go look and then end up buying the pre-cut Fraser fir. :) Yes, we did look, but I am fairly picky when it comes to a tree and am a tree snob that likes Fraser firs! We did have fun, and Clayton liked touching all the tiny trees. In the end, great morning and we have a beautiful Christmas Tree! Now, Clayton is taking a nap and Keely is on her way to the dog park to play!

The Murphys with our Christmas tree! Hey, someone cut it down right!

Clayton and Daddy posing like this was going to be the tree. :)

Clayton searching

Still searching

"Ok mom, lets get the one you like."

Let it Snow!

Ok, so by the look on that face maybe we aren't ready for snow??? Clayton got his snow boots from Lands End in the mail this week and he has been testing them out. It will be so fun for him to play in the snow this year. I am not sure what he will think of it. As I type there a a few flurries coming down so maybe we will know sooner than later.

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving this year in Galena! So much to be thankful for. We got to spend time with Clayton's great grandparents, grandparents, super Aunt and Uncle, second cousins and of course Aunt Anna and Aunt Ellie! Clayton loves Nana and Papas new house. There is so much to get into, like spices and Tupperware! Clayton even got to try out the whirlpool tub. (He was not a fan of the jets going) My mom had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for us as usual. Dad, started up the fireplace which was a great treat. Anna and I just feel like Galena was and always will be our home! Yes mom, we know, we all need to move North!! :) Love you guys tons and thank you for making the holidays so special!

We have a fun weekend planned, getting our Christmas tree, going to Kate's 1st birthday party and finishing our Christmas decorating. I can't get over that I am 23 weeks today! Our little one is very active! I love feeling little buckeye. Clayton now comes over and pulls my shirt up to give the baby a kiss and hug! Sooooo cute! I guess I should mention he also pokes at the baby, much more the reaction we would expect! :) Hope you all have a great weekend!

P.S. I added some more pics to the Thanksgiving slide show today!