The Murray Family

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Oh Say Can You See....

I love to decorate for the Fourth of July. I put flags in the flower pots out front, and Hoyt (of course) loves to help. Last year I did a little photo shoot with Hoyt and the flag, and it turned out so cute that I thought I would make it a tradition. When I took out the camera this time Hoyt looked at it and said, "Mom...a camera...cheeseburger!" (Whenever I take his picture I tell him to say "cheeseburger"). He obviously gets it!!

We had a fun-filled Fourth, and are grateful to live in this country and have all of the freedoms that we enjoy. God Bless America!!

He decided that he really liked waving the flag!

A close-up of that cute grin

Waving....once again

I think he was telling me here, "Mom...ah wave ah flag!"

Handsome Hoyt

My camera was on the wrong setting for this picture, but I loved the look on his face so I had to include it!!

One of the flower pots Hoyt helped decorate

Roping on the Fourth

Ryon and Matt had a great day planned for the families on the Fourth of July.... an all-day roping. I think Allison and I were pretty good sports to pack up the kids, some snacks, and the cameras and head out to Spanish Springs to cheer on our men!

We all had a great time, the guys were excited about how they roped, and the kids loved it. I'm not sure if we're ready to make it an annual event, but if it were up to the guys I think we'd do this every year!

The boys waiting patiently for their turn

Ryon and Annie - when Ryon asked why I didn't get any "action shots" of he and Matt roping I politely reminded him that I was also working the video camera. He got some great footage of the roping, but no still shots. I guess I need a few more arms!!

Posing for a picture after placing fourth out of 80 teams. Not bad boys...not bad!

"I Love You Man" (sniff...sniff)

Hoyt enjoyed riding Annie when Ryon had a little "down time"

He rides all by himself while dad leads Annie. However, he has to be reminded pretty often to "hold on with BOTH hands"!

The kids getting a bird's eye view of the festivities!

After the roping we got to spend a little time with Grandma Hoyt, Aunt Marissa and Aunt Tarsus

Even though the guys didn't get home until about 8:00 the night of the Fourth, we managed to take Hoyt out and catch a few fireworks. He loved them...

as you can clearly see!!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

"Big" Boy Pool

I bought Hoyt a "big boy pool" (to him it's big!) and he has been taking advantage of it this summer! He loves to go down the slide, and sit in front of the dolphin that sprays water. I'm sure we'll be spending many afternoons in the backyard over the next few months soaking up the sun.

Waving to mom as he slides

Can you tell he's having a good time?

Ready....set....slide!!

Beatiful Day + Costco Cake = Great Birthday!!

Last Friday was a pretty phenomenal (as Ryon would say) day! Hoyt loved spending 2 1/2 hours at the park, the weather was perfect, I had just had my hair done, I went on a double date (dinner and a movie) with Ryon, Matt and Allison, and yes...it was my birthday.

I have decided that I don't feel a day over 25, in fact I want to know where a decade has gone? Personally, I think life gets better with every passing year - bring on 36, I'm ready for it!!

Just a little family picture at the park

Ryon and Allison surprised me with a birthday cake. Ryon was pretty proud of himself, but I think Allison was the brains behind the operation! (just kidding babe)

Hoyt and dad enjoying a little birthday cake

Spending your birthday with wonderful friends and family...it doesn't get much better!

Hoyt on the "big boy" slide

Here we go....

Hoyt used to cringe every time I put him in the swing. He has decided over the past few weeks that he loves it, especially when Ashlan will stand and push him for about 20 minutes! I think he laughed the entire time he was swinging, and of course he cried when I told him that it was time to go and he had to get out.

Swinging with Malorie - what will the Murray family do when the Bigler's move???

RODEO!!

What would June be without a trip (or two) to the Reno Rodeo? We went to a few of the slack events and were able to sit in the box seats, which was great because you could almost reach out and touch the horses and steers. Hoyt was so excited, all he could say about every horse was "Annie...Annie...niegh".

He and the girls even went down to the arena and got to take a look at the chute where the steers run out - oh what fun!

Great photo-opp!!

Had to get a picture of Hoyt and Ryon in their cowboy hats. Hoyt's is a bit small....looks like we need a new one!

Taking a look at all of the roping steers

This nice horse let everyone pet him

Hey...we had to get one picture with me in it!!

Hoyt and Malorie climbing up the rails of the steer pen

Off into the sunset with his favorite gals

Merry-Go-Round

Ryon wanted to go to a roping that was being held at the indoor arena at the Livestock Events Center, so Hoyt and I decided to tag along. Hoyt had fun watching all of the horses and steers, but the best part was afterwards when he got to ride the merry-go-round.

Hoyt and dad on the merry-go-round. Hoyt, of course, called his horse "Annie".

This was during the ride - it actually went pretty fast, so Hoyt held on tight. Good thing dad was there!!

After the ride Hoyt was ready to take his rope and find some steers (he loved the fact that he had his own little rope). Now when we are at home he will take his rope, swing the end of it, and say "Mom...ah rope a steeeeer!"

Monday, June 29, 2009

Hooray for Tahoe!!

One of the things that we are definitely going to take advantage of this summer is Lake Tahoe! Hoyt is now at the age where he loves the sand, the water, the "floaties" and being with all of his friends.

Last week we took a trip to the lake and Hoyt had a blast! He wasted no time getting into the freezing water to splash around and entertained himself for hours on the beach with a bucket and a shovel. (It also helped that there were plenty of kids to play with!) He loved the water so much that he waded out a little too deep (up to his thighs) and as he tried to come back to shore did a "face plant" in the water. Luckily I was standing close by and pulled him in. While he was a bit startled, it only took about 10 minutes on the beach telling everyone he could that he "fell in the big wa..wa", and a cinnamon graham cracker, and he was ready to go back in.

I have decided that going to the lake is the best way to spend a hot summer day in Reno, and we will be taking advantage of it as much as possible!!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Park Day

Every Friday we get to go to the park with lots of kids and moms from our ward. This past Friday we went to Rancho San Rafael and had a great time (thanks Lisa!). Hoyt and I picked up his two favorite people, Ash and Mal, and we all headed to the park.

Hoyt thoroughly enjoyed running around with the kids, playing on the slides and the dinosaurs, looking at the animals in the petting zoo and taking a pony ride. There was also a log ride at the park, but we saved that for another time. Hoyt was more interested in watching all the other kids come down the log ride than getting on himself!! What a great way to spend a Friday!

Admiring all the animals at the petting zoo

Waiting in line to ride the pony

Ryon wanted to know why we rode the pony when we can ride a horse at home....my answer, "All the kids were doing it!"

The three amigos on the slides. Hoyt loved the play structure - I had a hard time "pulling" him away from it. At one point he wanted me to come play with him and was yelling "MOM" until he saw Ashlan run up and then he yelled "ASH"! With his two favorite girls around I must admit I am an afterthought!

Kissing one of the dinosaurs - he loved them!

Finally a smile for mom for such a wonderful day!

Mornings

The morning ritual around the Murray home includes a sippy cup of milk (in mom and dad's bed), reading stories to Max and George (in mom and dad's bed), then getting ready for the day - you know shaving, combing hair, brushing teeth etc. - while standing on a stool (in mom and dad's bathroom). Whew....what a morning!