Keely our "Big" Baby

So, the Friday before Justin left for Cincinnati, he and Keely were playing in the back yard. She got a little too excited about getting her ball and ran her foot into the fence. She tore her toe nail off and had to go to the vet to have the rest of it removed, her foot bandaged and to get pain pills. I think she must have really put on a show to get the pain pills. :) She was fine, but we had to keep it covered for a couple of days. Mommy thought the bandage was ugly so I let her borrow a couple of my socks so she could look stylish! Needless to say she is healing just fine and is back to her silly self.

Keely in her football sock!

She had to act a little dramatic for this picture so she lifted her leg!

Justin in Cincinnati!

So, as many of you know, Justin's Horace Mann Insurance office is closing. They were scheduled to start laying off people at the end of the year and be officially closed by February or so. We found this out in July and Justin has been applying and interviewing for jobs ever since. Of course with the economy the way it is jobs are not plentiful. Justin has been working so hard to do his job and find another. I know it was stressful for him. We got wonderful news about a week before Christmas that Justin was being offered a job with Cincinnati Insurance. He will be working out of the house doing auto, home and commercial claims adjusting. He gets a car and they provide everything for his office which is great! He is in Cincinnati this week doing orientation and picking up his car.

We are so thankful that we do not have to worry about him not having a job. Of course Nana and Grandpa said they would take care of Clayton even if Justin and I had to live on the streets! HA HA HA We will miss Justin's co-workers at Horace Mann and wish all of them the best. I am sure we will stay in contact. Thank you for everyones thoughts, prayers, and contacts!!!!!

Christmas Slide Show

Well, after looking at all the great pics I had from Christmas I couldn't decide which ones to post. I found a way to do a slide show and thought that would be a great way to let everyone see our holiday!

Here are some of my top memories from Christmas 2008:

• Taking Clayton to his great grandparents farm for the first time. I spent every Christmas in Galena as a child and I am so lucky to have had so many precious moments there with my family. I look forward to Clayton enjoying the farm as much as I have.
• Justin getting to the farm early and surprising us on Christmas Eve!
• Watching Clayton open his first Christmas presents. (We should all be so happy to tear paper!)
• Going to lunch with all the ladies at Grants place. (Thanks Uncle David for babysitting Clayton, even though he was a little grumpy with you!)
• Watching my grandmother read The Night Before Christmas to my son.
• Seeing the look on Nana and Grandpa's face every time they see Clayton.
• Clayton meeting Great Grandma Willy, his Great Aunt Lisa and his Super Uncle Dale.
• Watching Keely run and "hunt" in the snowy fields.
• Learning about the Titanic and how it was a large ship that sank! Thanks for the history lesson Aunt Barb!
• Waking up with my husband, sister, son and dog on Christmas morning all in the same bedroom! (Anna warned Justin at our wedding that we would still need to sleep in the same room from time to time)
• Having brunch with some girls from High School who I haven't seen in forever!
• Having a whole week with my family!!!!!!! I miss you guys already!

We can't thank our families enough for making the holidays special for us and Clayton. In a year that has brought such joy and sadness, we truly do have a lot to be thankful for. We miss Jaxson so much and holidays like Christmas are very bittersweet.

We are looking forward to a low key New Years at home. We hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

Love The Murphys

(P.S. See more resent posts below)

Where did Christmas go?

It is hard to believe that Christmas is over and that the New Year is days away. We had such a wonderful time in Galesburg and Galena. Clayton and I went to Galesburg on the 21st and then up to Galena on the 22nd. The snow was beautiful, I miss that part of the winter season. It is amazing what 3 hours can do in regards to the weather. We mostly get ice in the St. Louis area. We got to see all of our family in Galena and Clayton was SPOILED! He had so much fun playing with everyone. Keely loved running around in the fields on the farm. She was one tired pup! I think she is still recovering. I am going to have to spread this over a couple of posts because there are so many pictures I want to post. Here are some SNOW pictures from my grandparents farm. It is hard to capture what a gorgeous place it is!

My Grandparent's barn on Christmas Eve as it snowed from the lane.

Yes, it looks like Justin and I are going to rob a bank! Keely loves her coat, we just need to get her some boots!

A snowy look at the farm

Classic picture of my mom sledding! (Mom, I am sure you were yelling shoot!)

Justin laying in his snow recliner after climbing the hill

Anna and David sledding

Another pic at the Farm

Grandpa's barn

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Braeuningers

We were able to celebrate an early Christmas with Justin's family the weekend of the 19th. Clayton's great grandparents all came and we had such a nice time seeing everyone. Clayton got a lot of great presents. Mommy was excited because she got a KitchenAid Stand Mixer!!! Daddy got his Taylorville Tornado football blanket!! Here are some good pictures of all the fun!

Clayton opening some of his first Christmas presents.

Clayton plays with his John Deere Gator that Grandma and Grandpa B got him.

Clayton drives his car at Grandma and Grandpa B's

Graco makes very sturdy PacknPlays!

So, for all you moms out there, you can rest assured that if you have a Graco PacknPlay with the bassinet feature it is VERY STURDY! How do I know you ask? Because I found our 80 pound dog in it this morning! Yes, I heard her crying while I was in the kitchen and sure enough that is where I found her. I had to pick her up out of it because she was to big of a baby to jump out. Luckily, I had my phone to take a picture because I am not sure anyone would have believed me. (Marissa, has Boss been calling Keely and giving her ideas?) No, Nana and Grandpa, Clayton was not in the packnplay. He was fast asleep in his crib! :)