Happy Birthday Mark and Kaden!!!

Mark and Kaden share December 23rd as their Birthday!

Kaden came 5 1/2 weeks early, I think just so he could be so close to his dad. They share a lot of favorites: Orange being their favorite color, they both love cheese, music, to read and they both love to tease. They also both make my life extremely happy!!! I think their biggest difference is what they would choose for dinner. Mark is definitely a Steak and Potato type of a guy, Kaden's very favorite thing to eat is Macaroni and Cheese. Mark won't touch Mac & Cheese and Kaden won't touch potatoes, even if they are french fries. Maybe this will change as Kaden gets older.

They are so ADORABLE!

Kaden trying on the hat Tyler bought him.


Who's turn?!

Kaden wanted a suit for his birthday, he looks way too grown up! What 5 year old asks for a suit? I guess my cute little guy.

Kaden with his Iron Man cake! Only enough room for Kaden's candles, Mark is the BIG 36!

Party time at Chuck E Cheese!

Melanie and Grandma
Heather and Christian

Justin, love the face!

Even a better face!

The kids with Chuck E. Cheese himself!!!

Kaden absolutely loved his time at Chuck E Cheese. Ya know, Where A Kid Can Be A Kid!!!

Christmas Past and Present!

Christmas 2008!!!

This is the first year we have had a fake tree. It was so much easier and way less messy to set up, but I miss the smell of a fresh tree! Yes, the Scentsy Christmas tree scent helps but its just not the same! We do love how tall it is and that it will pay off financially for us in the future.

This year for our Christmas Card we took a picture of the kids playing their instruments. I thought it turned out really cute! We used individual pictures, but this was a fun one too!

2007

2007

2006

2005

Thanksgiving Day Highlights 2008!!!

Thanksgiving this year was probably one of the most relaxing days of our whole past year. It was really nice!!! We went to my parents in Farmington for the day. We of coarse ate lots of good food and played many fun games. It was a smaller group this year, my Dad, Mom, Greg, Melanie, Justin and then the six of us. My plan was to take a picture of us all at the table, but of coarse I didn't remember!!! By the time I did remember, it was only Kaden eating. I think this was his third attempt so he could have some pie!

Forget the pie, we just like the cool whip!!!

Yes, we were on a sugar high the rest of the day!!!

"Ticket to Ride" This is one of my favorite games!!!

Greg, Justin and Mom

This made it real fun! I think this was my prize for winning!?!

Dad and Melanie

Creative Snowflake by Tyler

Battle ship!!!

Happy 10th Birthday Madison!!!

I can't even believe Madison is 10 years old. Actually she is very mature and sometimes seems even older than 10. I just can't believe I am old enough to have children that are 10 and 12 years old! I am so glad that Madison came to our family, she is such a gift! The boys were very nice to her and spent much of their hard earned money picking and buying gifts for her! She should feel very loved! Madison got to have a friend party this year. She seemed to really enjoy it and have fun with her friends. Grandma Forbush came and took her to lunch on Friday and then took her dress shopping. On Saturday, we made her favorite breakfast- Cinnamon Rolls, Her favorite lunch-chicken sandwiches and her favorite dinner- Navajo Tacos. I hope she had a great few days! I know I enjoyed trying to make it special!

Madison wearing a new birthday outfit and showing off some of her gifts!

Her friends gave her some very fun things!

Saturday morning, opening her presents!

Madison with her cake!

Madison and her cute friends that came to the party!

Halloween at the Office!

Everyone had fun dressing up for the patients on Halloween. What a fun tradition!!! We have such a great office staff!

Costume of the year... maybe even the century!!!

Mark was so fun this Halloween! He and his staff always dress up on Halloween, and he thought it would be very fun for a Dentist to go as the tooth fairy! After he got his costume he found out he was to be the Auctioner at our Elementary school carnival. He was a huge, HUGE hit! He also won BEST costume at the Young Men/Young Women's Halloween party.

Mark discovered just how uncomfortable tights really are!!!
Tyler, was a great Zoro! He decided he was too old for trick-or-treating so he handed out the candy!

Jacob, such a great Karate Master!

Madison and I had a great time both dressing as Hawaiian girls.

Kaden was the ORANGE power ranger with all the coolest moves!!!

I think this is the first time EVER, we all dressed up!!! I am usually the party pooper!

Christopher's 11th Birthday!

Eleven years ago on October 15th, Christopher Mark Murdock was born. Even though he was only with us for a short time we love him and feel so blessed he is a part of our family. We like to celebrate his birthday each year by giving each of the kids a present to open and by blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. We also try to do a service project for someone, but sadly it didn't happen this year, at least not on his birthday. (the service project) Mark and I feel that celebrating Christopher's birthday is a great way to remember him, to help the children realize he is a part of our Eternal family, and it also helps the day not seem quite as sad.

The Cake!

Ready and excited to open their gifts!

Kaden liked his Star Wars Lego Set!


Tyler was excited to get the book "Brisingr" the third book in a series he enjoys!


Madison was thrilled with her new earrings and halloween socks!!!









Jacob also loved his Star Wars Lego Set!

Happy Birthday Christopher, we love you!

Teeth, teeth and then no teeth!

Madison and I both got our braces off in the same week, so this is a picture of us showing off our straight teeth! I'm hoping it was my last time in braces, but I think Madison will have to have them again after all her permanent teeth come in!

Don't our teeth look great!

Showing off our lovely retainers! Madison is much, much better about wearing hers.

I just couldn't resist taking a picture of Jacob after loosing his 1st top tooth. He looks so cute with his big hole in the front. He was so excited!

Showing off his cute smile and little baby tooth!

FHE in Mantua...

was my Activity for Family Home Evening! Fall is one of my favorite times of the year! I love the color, smell, and my favorite thing is the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. (weird, i know)

This is my Sweetheart, who found a red leaf in the shape of a heart...just for me!!!

Kaden loved finding sticks, and leaves. My favorite are the Snow boots you cannot see. He insisted that he wear his boots, since he saw snow at the top of the mountains yesterday.

Does it surprise anyone that Jacob found a tree to climb?


Perfect Fall Picture... she is so beautiful!

Looking at this picture made me realize how fast my children are growing up!

Tyler looks so old and so handsome!

Finding leaves...
and more leaves, or maybe sticker weeds. (Tyler)


Madison and I had so much fun with this picture, the tree was on the side of a steep hill and the roots were all coming out of the ground. It was a fun laugh.

My amazing Family... I am so so blessed!
The best part of the whole evening, was how well everyone got along. There was so much laughter, kindness, and appreciation of Heavenly Father's beautiful creations.