Happy 4 1/2, Olivia!!

Because Olivia's birthday is during the summer, I asked her teacher if I could bring cupcakes up for her half birthday.  Olivia was THRILLED her half birthday fell on pajama day at school.  Of course, the cupcakes we got were her favorite, chocolate.  She loved picking them out and was so proud to bring them to school.

 We decided to make a whole day long celebration of her half birthday.  I ran up to the American Girl Store and got her doll, Emily, her corresponding pajamas and dog.  She was one happy girl (then proceeded to tell me all of the things of Emily's we still didn't have....)

Eliza Couch Diving

She is truly our fearless monkey....

Olivia's New Year's Resolution

Olivia's teacher asked all of the children what their New Year's resolutions were.  Olivia's was "to give my Mom more kisses".  Hilarious!  Olivia is not known to be shy about giving out kisses (and I am more than happy to receive them all), so I am not sure where this one came from. The other kids' were more traditional resolutions: "clean up my toys", "help my little brother more", "learn how to read". :)

Family Fun

Ducky, Pong Pong and Uncle Matt came over to watch a Texans game.

 Love these sweet reading together photos.

 

 Uncle Matt playing with Eliza just the way she likes it :)

 Matt's friend that came over was playing with the features on my camera and came up with these.

Christmas Continues!

 

 The day after Christmas, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Belinda, and my cousin Ian drove down from Austin to spend the day with us.  More Murphy Christmas!  I feel so very lucky to have such an amazing and loving family.  They brought the girls some really awesome doll furniture for Olivia's doll house.  Awesome Aunt Belinda literally sat on the floor for 6 hours straight playing with the girls.  Anytime Aunt Belinda would get up for even three minutes, Olivia would come up to me and say, "Where did Aunt Belinda go?  I wanna keep playing with her!".  It was so cute and sweet.  The next day, Olivia said she was ready for Aunt Belinda to come back and have a play date with her again :)

 Eliza and Papa Bill

So Sweet!

 Cousin Ian setting up the car track with Olivia

Christmas Day

We had everyone come to our house by 9 to see the girls open presents.  Of course, Olivia slept until almost 10 because she was exhausted and not feeling 100%.  Once she got up, she didn't want to come out, because she said she was scared of what Santa brought!  Silly girl!  I think she was just overwhelmed by it all and hearing all of the crowd out in the living room waiting for her.  Once she saw all of her presents, she dove right in!

 Checking out all that Santa brought!

Checking out the crown jewel of Christmas, the only thing she asked for, an American Girl Doll.  She chose Emily from the catalog and Santa delivered!

 She definitely loves Santa now that he brought her an American Girl doll!

 She could have spent the entire day looking at and playing with her.

 After a yummy breakfast with all of the Rays, Stobaughs and Murphys, we got ready and went over to Uncle David and Aunt Tish's for the annual Christmas lunch with all of the Pedens.  The girls had a blast playing with Cousin Colin.

 Busy at work on the coloring books from Aunt Tish and Uncle David

 Will Pike and Uncle Matt

 Eliza some how got a candy cane that was a MESS!

 

Newlyweds, Cousin Fancy and Ryan

The Stobaughs

 EXHAUSTED, but heading to Nonna and Papa's for Christmas dinner with the Rays

 Olivia named this awesome present from Nonna and Papa, Rudolf

Silly girl kept putting this gift bag on her head and saying, "Merry Christmas!!"

Christmas Eve

What an awesome treat that my mom and Bill came to Houston for Christmas!  We had all of the Murphy clan over for Christmas Eve.  When my grandmother was still alive, we always did Christmas Eve at Nana and Big Jim's house.  It was fun to bring back the old tradition.

 Aunt Murf's GIANT gift to the girls!  She said all Texas girls need their own pony :)

 Playing with Papa Bill

 Four Generations of Murphy's

Loot before Santa Arrived

 All of the Murphy clan: Uncle Matt, Big Jim, Nana, Papa Bill, Eliza, SSR, Uncle Bob, Aunt Murf, MPR and Olivia

 Big Jim's unbelievable beef tenderloin.  After grilling it, he wraps it in foil and newspaper and it is, oh so moist!

 Uncle Joel carrying Olivia :)

 Going to bed excited for Santa to come

 Best family picture from the entire Christmas season!

Daddy's Little Helper

Eliza spent at least 30 minutes "helping" Daddy dig a trench for a French drain.  She loved getting right in the dirt and copying Mike's every move.  Daddy had a shovel, so she went and found one too.  So cute!

Watching the dirt as she dumped it on the sidewalk was also quite enjoyable

Christmas Parties at School

Both my girls ready for school Christmas parties:

This picture encapsulates my girls' respective personalities.  Olivia doing what Mommy has asked her to do and Eliza planning her next move, love the tongue out.  :)