Just Catching Up

WOW! I didn't realize how long it has been since my last post. I have LOTS of catching up to do...so much I don't know where to start. I guess I will start with saying goodbye to Stephen in mid October as he headed off to Afganistan for awhile.

This last picture brings tears to my eyes. WP had a really hard time saying goodbye to his daddy after three days of saying goodbye and then Stephen coming back home because the plane was delayed.

{sweet} Caroline Boutique

A dear friend of mine Aprilmarie has started a business making monogrammed children's clothes and accessories. You can check out her stuff online at http://www.sweetcarolineboutique.blogspot.com/
Right now she is taking orders by phone but will soon have a website that will allow you to order online.

Family Vacation

We spent our family vacation at the Ilse of Palms this year. We had a great time relaxing on the beach. Will-Parks loved the sand and had lots of fun in the water....even though it was pretty cold. There were allot of "surfer dudes" (as WP would say) on the beach each day and WP would sit and watch them. After a few minutes of watching them he realized that he could do that to so he got his boogie board and went to the edge of the water and stood on the board and said "look at me I'm surfing". One day he went up to one of the surfers and said "hey surfer dude, look at me I can surf too" and the surfer replied "do you want to change boards?" WP replied with "No" and walked off. It was pretty cute. Claire wasn't real big on the beach because it was so windy but she did enjoy our morning jogs on the beach.

The last day we were there we took WP to Patriot's Point to see the Aircraft Carrier. He had so much fun looking at all the planes and even climbing inside of one of them.

Look what I can do

I can clap my hands.

I can sit up all by myself.

I can play with my brother.

I can eat peach puffs with my two new teeth.

I can always pose for a picture.

SMILES

Claire has been such a blessing to our family. Her sweet smiles have been a continual reminder that no matter what the day brings I can choose to SMILE!

Serenading Sister

Will-Parks got a guitar for Christmas and has been playin' and singin' ever since. I found him serenading his sister the other day. He is on his way to building a fan club but for now his sister is the captivated audience. Watch out Wiggles, you've got some competition!!

Like Brother Like Sister

Well, Claire has finally figured out the thumb sucking thing. I guess that means she is going to be a thumb sucker just like her big brother.

Claire McKinley Murphy

Here is the newest addition to our family. Claire was born on October 24th at 1:48 pm. She weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 201/4 inches long.

Here is the most recent picture of Claire at 7 weeks old. She is such a sweet little girl!! She has started smiling at us and loves when her big brother talks to her.

Weekend Fun

This weekend my mom, brother and his three boys came to visit. We had a full house but it was fun having them here. It has finally started to cool off here so the boys were able to play outside all weekend. I am so thankful for seasons........especially FALL!!!

Best Friends

This is Will-Parks' best friend Carly. They love playing together and just crack me up talking to each other. You would think they are all GROWN UP!

Still ALIVE

I haven't posted in awhile since life has been so hectic with Stephen leaving for the month of September to go to Sapper School. It has been a hard few weeks adjusting to not having him around.....especially now that I am a nine month preggo! I just hope this little girl doesn't decide to come before he gets back.
Now that I feel like I can breath...I will start posting again!!!!

EXCITING NEWS.........

Hangin out in Virgina

This weekend we headed to Virginia to visit Uncle Topher and Aunt Tina. It was such a fun trip.....Especially for Will-Parks. He got to ride in the canoe, go to the beach, swim in the pool, eat Dunkin' Doughnuts and build forts with Uncle Topher.

Thanks for letting us come visit!!

Playing in the SAND

So, we finally went and bought some sand for Will-Parks to play with in his sand and water table. He absolutely loves playing in the sand. One morning he woke up and told me that he wanted to go play in the sand.....the next thing I knew while fixing breakfast he had managed to unlock the back door and went outside to play in the sand. I didn't even know he knew how to unlock the door.....gone are the days of JUST locking the door...... now we have to make sure the deadbolts are locked.

Flying like Superman!

It's a.........

Stephen and I went to my doctor's appointment on Tuesday in hopes to find out what I was having but our sweet little punkin decided not to opens it's legs for the Dr to get a look. The Dr said that we would do another ultrasound at 24 weeks.

Daddy's Little Helper

WP has a fascination with lawn mowers and blowers. For the longest time he was afraid of them both but I guess something happens when you turn TWO....

HAPPY 2nd Birthday

WILL-PARKS

Will-Parks had an Easter Egg hunt to celebrate

his 2nd birthday. All of his cousins came over to

my parents house(in SC) to help him celebrate! We had

such a fun time playing with the kids and seeing our

families!

EASTER SUNDAY

Splashin' in the Puddles

Toady was a rainy day...... So after being stuck inside

for most of the day Stephen and Will-Parks decided to go

outside and play in the rain. Will-Parks LOVED

splashin' in the PUDDLES!

Building Forts

Last week while I was gone Stephen and Will-Parks made a fort using all the couch pillows, couch cushions and the coffee table. When I came home they were inside the fort watching for tanks. Watching for tanks makes a little boy and his daddy hungry.....so what do you feed them?....Chocolate Chip Cookies!!! YUM! YUM!