Friend In Me

Needless to say, the boys enjoy Toy Story. Duncan frequently requests the song, "You've Got A Friend In Me" to be sung for him at bedtime. Found these shirts on sale and couldn't resist. Surprisingly, the shirts are the same size and fit both of them perfectly...just different.


In preparation for Duncan joining Liam in the room with the bunk beds (or as Liam refers to them "bonk" beds), the walls were freshly painted. So, Liam slept on the floor in our room for a few nights as the paint smell faded. Such a sweet sleeper.


One day we decided to make little personal pizzas with faces.


And yes...Liam did put peas on his.


Frozen wild blueberries are a favorite.


The boys worked on a Lego "castle" creation...


Most of the handy work was by the 4-year-old.


When Mimi Alice came to visit for a few days, we had a tea party with the tiny red dragon tea set that Miss Choi had given me years ago on my first trip to China.


Liam was host.


Duncan was...priceless!

Minimal Christmas 2010

Christmas was here at last and in line with most children, the Murphy boys were thrilled. Even though we had half the amount of things we have given as gifts on past Christmases, nothing was missed! There was a hot orange-cranberry drink, blueberry muffin and apple picnic ready in the living room as we all went down the stairs. Duncan was so enamored by the food that he spent the first 20 minutes sitting in a muffin coma.


Robert read the boys the note that St. Nicholas had left for the boys on the mantel. It spoke of how proud he was of them sharing their toys with each other and with children in need. They gave money from their piggy banks to a few places...


Then the opening of Lego time began. There were a few other items that the boys received, but it was mainly a Lego theme.




Much to Duncan's delight, there was the unveiling of the train table that was placed in the basement the night before. It was handmade by a father in Omaha and found for a great price on Craig's List.


Liam was so happy to sit and put Legos together with Dad.




Duncan stayed in the basement for at least 30 minutes, by himself, and was found there most of the rest of the day crashing trains.


Our good friend Koob spent the rest of the day with us and brought a fun game for the boys, Richard Scarry's Busytown.


Then I had the privilege for reading one of my favorite stories to the boys before bedtime, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas." What a lovely day!

LPM = 4

It was a beautiful day at home for the Murphy family, while we celebrated Liam's fourth birthday. He opened a first "real" set of lego blocks and 2 paris of Toy Story socks. Loved it! Liam informed us that he wanted a dinosaur cake. Robert demonstrated his artistic abilities on the top of the traditional, special occasion, family cheesecake, and the four-year-old was thrilled.


One sweet moment happened last night. As I, Jana, was tucking Liam into bed, I started crying (which I do a lot of late). He touched my face, asking why I was crying. "It is the last time that I will tuck you into bed as a 3-year-old, sweatheart" I explained. He put one hand on arm, with the other he patted my back and he just looked into my eyes with such compassion. A moment I will never forget.


Amazingly, the night before Liam's birthday, the four of us were able to turn out the lights in the living room and watch a thick, snow fall. Then on the big day, we all went out side to play!


Robert rolled a few large balls of snow all the way from the back yard, while the birthday boy and I made baby snowmen.


Duncan was content with licking snow and ice off of the driveway.

October 2010 Delights

There was a great attempt to get Duncan to actually put his face into the astronauts helmet on this display at Vala's Pumpkin patch. Alas...


Down the slide...


A great display of Duncan's most recent self-inflicted wounds.


I love caramel apples!


Me too!


First hot chocolate of the season.


A ghost and a lion.




Rrrrr....


The spoils, which Liam proceeded to give away to each person that came to our door that evening of October 31st.

A Tribute To The Wall

The last days of the wall separating our kitchen and dining room are pictured below...enjoy!


Liam wanted to climb up into the attic too!


Down came the drywall by the capable hands of Trent!


A smaller hammer was also used...


And at times it was a bit noisy in the house.


All were hard at work...


First meal where the wall used to stand.


There was laminate under our kitchen laminate, a lovely pineapple design. A pity to cover over such a beautiful print!


Stand in for the oven...


Bookshelves made from boards taken from fallen ash trees in the woods behind Jana's Ohio home. A special touch...


Mimi Alice's main task was entertaining.


A ceiling shelf.


So much space!!


This is a good depiction of the blur of activity that this week held. Trent ever steady in the whirlwind of young boys and construction.


Sweet sight. Thank you Trent!!!!