Category: December 2014

December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

Our Winter Break {Part 1}

casademurphy

Over Christmas & New Year’s, I had off of work {so nice!! …definite perk to working in higher educ}, so I also kept Liam out of school. Stephen was fortunate to have a few days off, as well, over the actual holidays, so we enjoyed some quality family time.

We were also fortunate to have a few expeditions to surprise little man with during this winter break. Just before New Year’s, I took him for his 2nd trip to Legoland 🙂 — Our 1st trip was about a year & a half ago. This time around, it was just me & Liam, as Daddy had to work that day. However, they are currently running a fantastic deal for residents, where you can pay for a day & get admissions for the rest of the year for free — we definitely want to take advantage of this for the family this year! Liam & I were lucky to get comp passes for the day from my mom’s neighbor so that was awesome!!

I loved that we made it there in time to see all their Christmas decorations! Nothing like a Christmas tree made of Legos 😉

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Liam was more impressed with the snowman….of course, he asked to touch him…lol!

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Super excited to ride the carousel again!

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Santa brought Liam the Duplo My First Train Set for Christmas & it came with this conductor guy. He was amazed that this was his same little guy. He kept saying how he was as big as him! Loved it!!

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I was pleasantly surprised to see that a lot had changed since our last visit. Not, in any way, that the park was bad before, but there actually was so much more for us to do this time around. The Duplo Play Area really expanded, and there were several more rides for little man. This train ride was new for us & as luck would have it, when our turn came up in line, Liam got to be the conductor for the drive! He was thrilled 🙂

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Inside the Duplo Barn ….we spent a lot of time running around in here. So fun!

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I think I was just as excited as Liam to discover all the little animals and treasures throughout the park that were made of Legos! So detailed…

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We had a GREAT day together!! Can’t wait to come back to visit again soon! 🙂

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On New Year’s Day, we headed down to South Florida to spend the day with Stephen’s family & have dinner. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with them, and Liam has really taken to his great Uncle’s ….we love for him to spend time with family. It’s precious memories that will last a lifetime for him! ❤

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Having a quick music lesson with Uncle Glenn 🙂

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Stay tuned for “Part 2” of our winter break adventures tomorrow!!

Until then…….

~H

December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

Happy New Year!!

casademurphy

We were blessed with another year in 2014, and what a year it was!!

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Some highlights from 2014 …..

Our biggest goal was Potty Training & we can definitely check that off our list. Liam accomplished that with flying colors! I am not going to say it was a breeze — hard work for sure, but he was definitely eager to learn. We also said good-bye to the beloved paci.

We even ended the year, today, with our very 1st trip to the dentist for a cleaning…but more about that later 😉

Stephen changed jobs in March & is kicking butt! Same kind of business (fabric restoration), just for a different company.

I started blogging for Orlando Moms Blog in August, and it’s really been a joy to be a part of this fab team of moms! Not to mention, the experience I have been gaining is awesome!

HUGE KUDOS to those of you who keep up with us here ❤ ….this little hobby of mine has really grown this past year and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I am still just doing this to mainly keep our family & friends abreast of the latest & greatest news of Mr Liam & the fam, but it’s also led to some new exciting opportunities. Our most popular posts were Liam’s 3rd birthday celebrations (here & here). The most commented on were when we said good-bye to paci. 🙂 We had over 2,000 page views this year!! While that may be small potatoes for some blogs, that is pretty amazing to me! Most of our visitors came from the U.S., Brazil & Canada.

I am anxious to see where 2015 will take us!

Here’s a quick look back as we bid farewall to 2014 🙂

//flipagram.com/f/OSJmLsU8i2/embed

{song credit: Dave Matthews — Baby Blue}
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Looking Ahead to 2015 ….

Liam will be starting official Pre-School in August!! Oh my goodness! Where is the time going?!?!

We want to find a solid church home and a place to give that foundation for Liam that is vital so he can learn & grow in our Lord. It’s time & has been heavy on my heart.

Stephen and I have some projects we want to tackle around the house.

Overall, we just want to live each day to the fullest, savor each moment, and be thankful!! ❤

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Happy New Year!!

~H

December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

Our Merry Christmas 2014

casademurphy

How many times have I used the word “fun” in 2014? I have lost count, but I will tell you that having a 3 year old at Christmas time has been FUN 🙂

While we kept things pretty low key around here, we did enjoy ourselves by visiting some family and partaking in a few of our family traditions last week.

On Christmas Eve, we baked some yummy cookies for Santa. Liam really enjoys helping in the kitchen. We love to cook and bake with him ❤ …..look at those little hands using the cookie cutters!

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After cookie time, we headed over to Mimi & Papa D’s to have dinner and celebrate the holiday. We also got to spend some time with Aunt Heather & baby cousin, Sierra.

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Liam got to open some presents and it was awesome to see his excitement. He had mentioned a few times over the last few months that he would like the Mickey Mouse Club House, so he went bananas when he opened this. He actually said, “Oh, I always loved this!!” ….I mean, really….how hysterical is that?!?!

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Last year, he took FOR-EVER to open presents, as he very carefully unwrapped each one. This year, we explained to him how fun it is to “tear ’em open” and he quickly got it…and loved it! He was going through his presents like a champ! Opening each one with great enthusiasm! That continued on into Christmas day, so it was super fun to watch 😉

We have quickly become fans of Imaginext toys from Fisher-Price. This gift below from Mimi & Papa D, as well as the loot from Santa have given little man quite the super hero collection 😉

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Once we got home, it was time to get ready for bed…..but 1st, we had to sneak outside to feed the reindeer! Mr Elf had left Liam this cute bag of food on his last morning with us. We also said bye to him, as he headed back to the North Pole that night, & put out Santa’s cookies before heading off to sleep. If you recall my recap post about Mr Elf, I had mentioned I had wanted a good bye letter from him to Liam….we ran into some time difficulties & that didn’t happen this year {unfortunately}, so I’m saving that for next year.

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Christmas morning was a flurry in our house! Little dude woke up before the sun and was a joy to listen to as he snuck up to the tree to check out what Santa brought. He was so excited and happy……from our room, we could hear him whispering to himself — “Look at all the presents! I love you, Santa!” ❤

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In the months leading up to Christmas, the only thing Liam would say he wanted for Christmas was a Mickey Choo Choo Train. Naturally, you can imagine his excitement, when he opened just that! He said, “oh, I got it! I love it!“

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After a nap time, we headed down to Grammy & Papa Rock’s and shared Christmas dinner & celebrated the day. Santa came for little man, there, too….by that point, I would say we were on toy overload. Definitely a blessed little dude 🙂

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We have been seeing Liam ride a trike at school & wanted to get him something he could also enjoy at home. He still has the trike Santa brought last year, but it seems to be very heavy in weight & a bit hard to pedal. It wasn’t hard for us to brainstorm on this Original Big Wheel, which has recently made a comeback.

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It was so nice to also have my Grampy at my mom’s for a bit. Love spending quality time with him! Liam gave him a great big hug & it was so special!

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Liam was not smiling in this pic because we made him take it before he could open presents….LOL!!

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It was a great holiday, and I would say, our most fun with Liam, thus far! Hope you all enjoyed, yours, too! Merry Christmas!!

~H

December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

Happy Christmas Eve!

casademurphy

There is something about today, Christmas Eve, that always feels magical, right?!?!

Maybe it’s from when we were kids & knowing that it would be impossible to go to sleep that night knowing that Santa would be coming. Now, it’s so much fun for Stephen & I, as we feel like we get to relive aspects of our childhood, like these moments, through our little man’s eyes. Magical….

I have been loving to dress Liam up in his Christmas pj’s each year & put him by the tree, along with Timber, & sneak a pic or two….I guess, it’s become our little tradition in Casa de Murphy. Here’s a look back at my little collection of memories ❤

2011 ~ Baby’s 1st Christmas ~ 5 months old

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2012  ~ 17 months old

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2013 ~ 2 years, 5 months (29 months)

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bff, paci, was still around….it’s in his hands 😉

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milk & cookies for Santa…

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2014 ~ 3 years, 5 months  & Timber: 12 years

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such cute memories from these last 4 years….I love it!!

Last but not least, I wanted to share this super cute video of our little dude singing his heart out to one of his fave Christmas classics 🙂

 Happy Christmas Eve, friends!!

~H

December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

Priceless Memories — Family Pictures

casademurphy

Last month, we were thrilled to be able to meet up with our friend and fantastic photographer, Dawn Geraghty, for an updated family photo session. You all know that I am a photo freak, so there is nothing better than having updated family pics! For us, it had definitely been a while, and we could not have asked for a better afternoon!

She is a wonderful photographer & we are in love with these pics ❤

You can find her at: dawngeraghtyphotography@aol.com // facebook: Dawn Geraghty Photography

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Since we did this right before the holidays, we got in a few Christmas shots, too 🙂

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Until next friends!

~H

December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

Fun With Mr Elf

casademurphy

Last year, we introduced the Elf on the Shelf to Liam & he named him, Mr Elf ❤

This year, I wanted to make Mr Elf’s return special, and also be more of a re-introduction, as I suspected, Liam wouldn’t entirely remember him due to his age. We pretty much guessed that part right, which is totally fine, and again, just like last year, we keep Mr Elf pretty light-hearted and fun. It’s not really that he’s “watching” and waiting to catch him doing anything bad. I love me some Pinterest inspiration, and found this great FREE Santa stationary here. After looking at a few different examples of peoples letters that were posted on various sites, I came up with our own. So, Liam’s letter was brought by Mr Elf on his 1st morning back to our house (the day after Thanksgiving), but it was from Santa. It basically told him why he sent Mr Elf to hang out with us until Christmas, that he knew a few things he had been telling us he wanted for Christmas & he would do his best to try to get them for him, and to remember the REAL reason for the season ❤ ….we also left the Elf on the Shelf book on his table that 1st morning so we could read it together.

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Overall, Mr Elf doesn’t get into too much mischief at our house. I particularly liked his choice to play with Liam’s Toy Story pals, but neglected to realize that Liam would immediately try to pick Mr Elf up and also try to play with him as soon as he saw him in the morning…..LOL!! Ooops! 🙂

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 Occasionally, Mr Elf is known to bring Liam a small present. Liam is LOVING Rudolph this year, so he was super excited to find them both in the tree one morning!

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They say elves love sugar, so it should be no surprise of this, right?!?! ….I was cracking up 🙂

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The next day, after the syrup incident, Mr Elf was found taking a bubble bath 🙂

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Hanging around like Spider-man….

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Liam was super excited when he found Mr Elf hanging around on the wine rack with this awesome shirt from the Incredibles!

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Again, with the sugar….

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tiny clothes line of tiny clothes……surely, he thought he could fit 😉

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We have been having a lot of fun with Mr Elf and can’t believe it’s just 5 more days until Christmas! Since Christmas Eve is the last morning Liam will wake up to “find” Mr Elf this year, I am working on a good-bye letter for him to have with him, as he will go back to the North Pole with Santa that night. I’m working on a version that will let his magic be lifted for the day, so he can give him a hug, as he keeps asking….I think he would really like that 🙂

Until next time friends!

~H

December 2014, Sponsored Post

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ~ Circus Xtreme

casademurphy

ringling logo

Hold onto your seats, friends, and prepare to be blown away because Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents CIRCUS XTREME is coming to the Amway Center for seven shows January 8th through 11th!!!

Photo Credit: Feld Media
Photo Credit: Feld Media

I can still remember going to the Ringling Circus, as a child, with my dad & brother, and it brings back such fond memories for me. I cannot wait to have my little man experience the circus for the first time. It’s going to be exciting for all of us! 🙂

For a limited time, there is an AMAZING offer to save ‘XTREME!’ with 40% off tickets using promo code PRESENT. Offer valid only for Friday 7:30 p.m., and Saturday 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances. Code only valid December 8-24. Not valid on Front Row and Premium seats. Not valid day of show. Excludes opening night performance on Thursday, January 8.

Purchase tickets and view show times at http://www.ringling.com or www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (phone: 407-440-7900).

Photo Credit: Feld Media
Photo Credit: Feld Media

From Feld Entertainment:

Prepare to be astonished and amazed by some of the coolest acts that can only be seen at The
Greatest Show On Earth.® Children Of All Ages can let their imagination go wild in an
exhilarating adventure with extraordinary circus artists and exotic animals.

In Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents CIRCUS XTREME, Ringmaster Andre
McClain guides audiences on a quest around the world with the help of hilarious adventure
seekers, Alex and Irina Emelin.

The show will thrill you as the Mongolian riders send arrows flying across the arena sky. This
all-female troupe displays their skills in one of the most unique acts this year, performing a
series of tricks and maneuvers atop elegant two-hump camels. Jaw-dropping freestyle BMX
riders and free running tumblers fill the arena floor performing crazy-stunts mixed with acrobats
leaping through a 15-foot transparent tower – and this is just one act!

During this energetic show, personal introductions to our performing pachyderms will allow
audiences to be on a first name basis with our magnificent animals. All this and more happens
during the most unexpected circus experience at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®
Presents CIRCUS XTREME

Photo Credit: Feld Media
Photo Credit: Feld Media

How cool will it be to see all the animals, the performers, and let’s not forget those clowns, right?!?! What’s the circus without clowns? Haha! I can’t wait to see little man’s reaction and, I am not going to lie, I am super excited, myself. It’s been years since I have been to the circus, so this will be a real treat.

If you are local, you should definitely take advantage of this fantastic promo deal for 40% off tickets. We hope to see you at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents CIRCUS XTREME when it comes to the Amway Center January 8th through 11th. Definitely not a show to miss!

Until next time, friends!

~H

December 2014, Latest & Greatest News

The Aftermath {A Gingerbread Tale}

casademurphy

The story I am about to tell is true. No names have been changed to protect the innocent. The guilty party is the cute, furry boy below. Perhaps, he was mad at me for putting him in the santa suit??? 😉

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Last Wednesday, I told you all about our gingerbread house decorating adventures from the weekend prior. If you didn’t get a chance to see our pics, be sure to check it out here. Let’s just say that I am SO HAPPY that we took pictures of Liam with his masterpiece that night because what transpired a few days later could NEVER have been imagined by us 😉

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Stephen stopped home for lunch on Tuesday…..opened the front door & saw a gingerbread masacre all over the entryway. O.M.G.!!

You see, we had to move our loveseat couch in order to put up the Christmas tree, and so it ended up underneath the bar {as you can see below}. When we came home with the gingerbread house on Saturday night, I put it on a glass plate and placed it on the corner of the bar {for decoration}. It honestly never, ever crossed my mind that our little stinker of a fur baby would literally walk up from the arm of the loveseat and PULL THE GINGERBREAD OFF THE BAR!! hahahahahahaha! I am sorry, but when Stephen texted me these pictures, I laughed so hard, I cried. I guess it just smelled too good to resist for him. Too much temptation for the little guy.

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Miraculously, the plate did NOT fall off the couch. Also, let me just tell you that Timber is FINE ….he had an upset belly and went potty A LOT that night but I am sure he thought it was totes worth it 😉

This pic below is lovely candy cane stuck to my couch. Gotta luv it!

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Stephen’s observations reported that a good majority of a wall of the house was gone. We had also put a ton of frosting on the roof and covered that with shredded coconut to make it look like snow….Timber did a number to that 😉 ….we think he also ate a half a candy cane.

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The sweetest part of the story is that Liam wasn’t even mad when he found out later that afternoon. For a very short time, we tried to not tell him, but he’s too smart { and observant} for that. He quickly asked, “and, where is my gingerbread house” ….so, we were honest and told him the truth. He was more concerned about Timber having an upset belly and wanted to give him a hug. Such a sweet boy ❤

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Oh, gingerbread house…..you were cute while you lasted!! I am sure Timber enjoyed how you tasted, though! Never a dull moment in Casademurphy, folks! We are definitely feeling the Christmas spirit around here 😉

Until next time, friends!

~H