Happy Birthday DALTON!

It may be the day before Thanksgiving... but around here it's an even more exciting day!



Our little boy is no longer a boy... HE'S A TEENAGER! So scary to think that this once 6 lb 12 oz baby boy has grown up. Dalton is even about to out-grow his big brother now. Though he's changed a lot over the past 13 years... he still has those same big blue eyes that gave him the family nickname of "Ol Blue Eyes" at birth!

He was a handsome guy at 6-months of age

On his first birthday... look at all that blonde hair!


He was just starting to lose his "baby face"
the Christmas of 2005.


And today! Still such a handsome guy!

Dalton celebrated his birthday over the weekend with friends and family. He's a bit like Tony when it comes to his birthday... Dalton doesn't like a lot of fuss to occur. It's hard to believe that he's already a teenager. Though, he was making sure last night that point was well known. Oh! Two teenagers under one roof now- WHAT TO DO! (Advice is welcome!). I hope Dalton never forgets that he will always be my baby boy:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALTON!

What a way to "Brick" in the Holidays!

The title says it all...! Tony and I had the joy of watching Jim Brickman perform in his Wonderful World concert tour tonight. For those of you that don't know, I saw him once before Tony and I got married and that paved the way for my wedding song selection. (Yes, I even walked down the isle to a Jim Brickman piano solo instead of a more traditional song!).

THE CONCERT TONIGHT WAS WONDERFUL (as if there was any doubt it would be). He performed some of his classic hits, some Christmas songs and some new ones, too. His guest performers were amazing as well. I think Tony was taken by the electric violinist who could play everything from classical holiday music to Led Zepplin and Metallica! Honestly, I probably liked Jim Brickman's imitation of Kermit the Frog singing "The Rainbow Connection" as a duet... it was priceless. What a great relaxing way to spend the Monday evening before Thanksgiving and the whole beginning of the holiday hub-bub! If any of you ever get the chance to see Jim Brickman live, GO... you won't regret it:)

Thank you Dad, Mom and Dad for taking care of the kids and their activities for the evening. It's nice to have the "village" around to help every once and a while... THANK YOU ALL!

Calling All Veterans

To all of the men and women who have protected us throughout the years... THANK YOU and Happy Veterans Day. This is the first Veterans Day since Papa Murphy passed away. He was one of our unsung heros of WWII. Dalton's 7th grade class had a very touching tribute to these wonderful men and women today in celebration. Part of this included researching a loved one's contributions to a war-time event, what they went on to do with their life, and a "thank you" letter. Dalton, of course, dedicated his time to make everyone aware of his Great-Grandpa's heroism.

A picture of a younger Papa and

Dalton's "Thank You" letter

The finished product of DJ's hard work

Also... so I stop receiving hate mail (LOL Ang!!)... here are a handful of pictures from the pumpkin patch before Halloweeen. Remember that the boys have mastered the ability to yet again escape any pictures. In fact, Dalton dropped a pumpkin and literally took off running to avoid getting his mug caught on camera!

Bethanie goofing around at the pumpkin patch

Emmalie smilin' big at her "little" pumpkin finds

Just us girls... :)

Bethanie shows off the "just her size" pumpkins

Emmalie... a little TOO attached to this pumpkin!

We have all been on the move a lot lately. Dad took the boys to the KU/KSU football game last weekend... I can't believe Aimee talked Devin into attending KSU... :0 Tony & I attended the first Dress for Success Distinguished Women Awards Ceremony last night. (It was a full house). I'm currently in the middle of traveling the midwest for work... new places every day! Tony is up to his ears in statistics. Devin is ready to schedule his first college site visit. Dalton is full force into basketball practice. And the list goes on and on. I'm just biding my time until after next weekend... I surprised Tony with tickets to see Jim Brickman in concert on the 23rd. Then Dalton will become an official teenage boy on the 25th. And, of course, Thanksgiving the following day!

Hope everyone has a great end to their week. Don't forget to say a prayer for our veterans still serving overseas!

California Dreamin'... And Halloween, Too

Happy Halloween... belated (as most things are for us these days!). The past week has drug on and on and on. At least it's over now:)

Tony got to be "Super Dad" from Sunday thru Wednesday while I went on the first of many business trips with my new job. California was beautiful as always. Though I sat in classes all day (and learned some helpful information), I was also able to get in a short visit with my big brother and his family!

A valley view - San Jose from the balcony

Ready for Halloween!
My niece Becca & nephew Gannon

I was even serenaded by an Elvis impersonater:o

I was so ready to return home to the kids! It's been a fast-paced end to the week as well. Dalton had basketball try-outs all week (he made it!). Bethanie headed to the doctor for a nasty double ear infection and is now on $50.00 worth of antibiotics and steroids. (Bet the Democratic healthcare reform plans won't help that cost any time soon).

And then there was Halloween! I only took the girls to a few houses in the neighborhood of elderly couples that we know. They still ended up with large amounts of candy. Emmalie had more fun handing out candy at our house than, as Bethie calls it, "tick-teeating".

Our Queen Fairy and Teddy Bear

I've been so busy lately that I totally spaced putting up any of the pumpkin patch pictures. Hopefully I'll get to that post soon. Until then...