The Murphy Triplets

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Wayyyy Behind!

I realized a few days ago that we had not posted anything since June. Somehow the summer got away from us. I guess that means we were busy and having a ton of fun! Back in June, after being up north at Yogi Bear, I got to spend M-F at a conference renewing some of my credits for work. Needless to say, that was neither fun nor exciting but it's done. The 4th of July week we went to my Aunt Mary's house on the lake for a bbq and boat rides. We also went to the graduation party of one of my former students who also happened to be one of the kids Pat worked with as a trainer a million years while he was in college. It's so strange how time flies! July brought a bunch of little excursions for us. We celebrated Grandpa Huddas's and Grandma Murphy's birthdays, the kids had a sleepover with Drew and Clay, we went to Pittsburgh for a surprise 18th birthday party for Luke, and Aunt Kathy Soup had her annual corn roast. I also spend a few days in Indianapolis for some training for work. July also brought us a broken air conditioner which thankfully has been replaced! August starting with me going to MSU for one final work conference of the summer. Thank God I only have to do this kind of stuff once every 5 years. The day after I got home, we headed up north again to West Branch for some camping and golf at Treetops. This past week Pat's sister Kathy was in town for a short visit. We all love having her in town and miss her when she leaves. That leads up to now... We are trying like crazy to fit a bunch of FUN into our summer before I go back to work on Tuesday. We spent the day at the lake yesterday with friends of mine from work. The kids had a blast swimming and tubing. Today is Drew's 5th birthday party which should be a ton of fun. I'm sure more swimming will be involved. Tomorrow we are going to the zoo with Aunt Kathy Doggy and the twins, and Monday we are going to have a special Mommy and girls/ Daddy and boy day. Pat has some special plans for him and Seamus and Katie, Helena and I will have some special time too. Wow, that's one condensed version of the last 2 months! Here are some pictures to highlight our time...

Helena knocking down trees with Grandpa

Luke's 18th Birthday Party

Fishing in West Branch

Katie driving Grandpa's Tractor

Farmer Seamus

Farmer Helena

Treetops Golf Resort

Cheese Shop in Pinconning

The Armada Fair

Aunt Kathy and Seamus

The KMMs Kathy, Katie, and Kevin

Grandpa's Birthday

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Yogi Bear and Da UP

Mary, Seamus, Katie, Pat and Helena with the big Yogi statue

Just over a week ago Mary and I finished up work before Summer Vacation, I got done last Wednesday and we left for camping shortly after Mary got home from work the next day. We then spent the next eight days in Norther Michigan camping and seeing some sights. The first day we were there, the kids spend most of the day playing at the playground and knocking on Yogi's door. The next day we end tubing down the Sturgeon River with Uncle Steve, Aunt Becca, Uncle John and Drew and Clay. The kids had a fun time, they brought water cannons to shoot the "Pirates" that were supposedly around us. I think at some point every one of us looked like pirates to the kids, because we were all squirted at least once. After tubing we went back to the campsite and played around there for the rest of the evening. On Saturday we went to Petoskey to go swimming in Lake Michigan and find sea Shells and Petoskey Stones. Unfortunately, we did not remember to bring our camera to Petoskey with us so there are no pictures to share. On Sunday we went to see the Cross in the Woods, and went to Mass there. Afterwards we walked to look at the giant cross and then checked out the gift shop. Grandpa Huddas bought all the kids a souvenir. The triplets, Clay, and Aunt Becca all got a necklace, and Drew got a cross to hang up. We then went to Cross Village to have a Father's Day Lunch at Leggs Inn. Upon our return to the campsite we went swimming for the first of many times. On Monday Aunt Becca, Uncle John, Clay, and Drew had to go home. Since rain was in the forecast for that day, we went to Mackinaw City to look at the Straits of Mackinac, do some shopping and see Madagascar 3. We got stuck in the rain a little, but the heavy stuff didn't come until later in the night.

Katie, Helena and Seamus at the Straits of Mackinac

Seamus, Katie, Helena at the Straits of Mackinac

Seamus chasing birds at the Straits of Mackinac

Katie at the Straits of Mackinac

Helen at the of Mackinac

The next day we went to the Upper Peninsula to see the Tahquamenon Falls. We drove up in the rain, but by the time we were there for a while the weather became beautiful. We looked at both sets of falls and did a lot of walking, so they were tired when we got back.

The whole family at the Tahquamenon Falls.

Boy Time at the Tahquamenon Falls.

Girl Time at the Tahquamenon Falls.

Seamus at the Tahquamenon Falls.

Helena at the Tahquamenon Falls.

Katie at the Tahquamenon Falls.

Coming back to "The Mit" over the Mackinac Bridge

The next few days we went to the beach at Burt Lake and went fishing a few times before we went home on Friday afternoon. The trip was fun, and we did a lot of things that we weren't able to even last year. I wonder what they will be able to do next time we're at Jelly Stone.

Trio hugging Yogi Bear

Yogi Stealing Seamus' Hat

Trio Hugging Boo Boo

Seamus and Helena on the Wagon Ride

Mary and Katie on the Wagon Ride

Katie Catching a fish

Seamus catching a fish

Helena catching a fish

Summer Time

It has been a fun and busy time the last couple weeks. The house was finished completely two weeks ago on Tuesday, so all of that noise is officially behind us. Mary, Grandpa Huddas and I all looked around the house to find mistakes. The good news is we didn't find any. It seemed to take a while but I think the house came out looking pretty good.

Two weeks ago on Saturday we had our very last soccer game of the season. It was quite exciting for all the kids, especially because they all got a trophy! After the soccer game we went to the trio's cousin Clay's birthday party, so it was a pretty fun day.

The next day we went over Grandma and Grandpa Murphy's because we would be out of town the next week camping with Yogi Bear and we wanted to see Grandpa Murphy before Father's Day. After that I had to put in three more days of work, and Mary had to work four days. We will waste no time going on our first trip this year.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Actual Birthday and Preschool Graduation

After a busy Holiday Weekend that included a Birthday party for the Triplets, Our Friends Kathy and Chris' twin boys' baptism (one of which we were made Godparents of) and a Memorial Day BBQ, we had a very Eventful week. Tuesday, May 29th 2012 was not only Katie, Seamus and Helena's 4th Birthday, but also their Preschool Graduation. Mary and I took a half day from work to see the kids graduate for the first time. We had to awesome teachers for their first educational experience. After school and their nap, we took them out to their favorite restaurant for dinner, Buffalo Wild Wings. We then went home to open presents and sing happy birthday. On Thursday we had the end of the year picnic to celebrate the end of the year at the park, so Mary and I took yet another half day from work. A Big Thank you to Ms. Sallie and Ms. Jaimie for taking such good care of our trio. We can only hope next years preschool goes as well as the last.