the Graham Cracker House

namely, the funny comments that come out of their mouths.  When you're stuck in a stressful situation see a different set of people everyday, who knows what you'll say next!

These are from a few chucklers from yesterday:

SCENE:  Toddler is making whiney noises.  a lot. over and over. she wants ice cream. loudly.  Mom ignores her.  Grandma tells her to stop.  Grandma tells her stop again. Then Grandma turns to me and says "You tell her to stop".
Me: "uh....."
Grandma:  "do it!  she'll listen to you!"
Me: [thinking it's not really my place to be disciplining here] "can you please stop... thanks."
Girl stops whining.

The power of being a nurse?  Maybe it was the princess scrubs.....  I didn't know I had it in me.  Now if only my own future children will obey so promptly.

Second best quote was from a young mom who said to me "I like you.  You make lists".  I was writing down some of her questions on the white board.   It made me smile inside.  And I think we bonded.

A while back, two people I don't know very well, did something nice for me.  It wasn't extreme, but I know they went at least a little bit out of their way to pick us up/drop us off at the airport.  I was extremely grateful for the small act of kindness, and could not think of quite the right way to repay these generous souls.  I thought of baking a loaf of bread, but I am still fairly new at baking bread and it doesn't always turn out perfect, and it's kind of dense, and what if they don't like it..... but in the freezer that day I spied the solution: bananas.  The perfect idea was formed: Banana bread.  I made two batches of banana bread (a classic recipe from my mother which I know is good) and two somewhat cute and crafty thank you cards.  I was proud of myself for creating such substantial homemade items (bread and cards).  The kitchen smelled wonderful, and I was tempted to save a loaf for my husband and me.  But I was excited to share as well.  Of course I worried all day about the almost-burned spot, how to wrap them so they still look cute but you can tell what it is inside, whether these people even like banana bread, or if they have allergies to fruit?  I finally faced my fears and just delivered them.  Two loaves of bread. One apartment complex.  Two families.  Done.  And you know what?  I felt great.  I hadn't done a simple service like that in a very long time.  Perhaps since getting married all my service has focused on my husband (not a bad thing), but it honestly felt GOOD to get outside myself and put in some work and effort to really do something for someone else, outside my family.  I truly felt a warm tingle start to spread across my body and a smile across my face and concluded: I need to do this more often.

Here a few pix from our Murray clan photo shoot.  Look at how much we've grown!
Location:  Anacortes, Washington
AUGUST 2010

Sadly, Sadly, even the best of summers seem to come to an end.  This year's was marked by our last weekend of non-stop fun (for a while).  We seem to be devoid of pictures, so I'll try to describe good mental pictures.  

Saturday we drove up to Logan.  The main reason for this is to help fulfill our goal of attending every temple in Utah before we leave the state.  After Logan we only have two left!  (the "off-the-beaten-path" two) We also hung out with a young couple Bjorn knew from his mission:  homemade pizza, ice cream sundaes, and a card game I'l rather not talk about.  Sunday we did our usual church activities (which include much busyness for Bjorn) and joined the Sunday dinner club in Springville for a BBQ (more info. on this amazing group of select individuals to be forthcoming).  We saw another friend in Provo, then made it to Grandma Bu's house that night.
Monday was jam packed with jet skiing at Jordanelle (I become "licensed"), a bike ride to bridal veil falls (with my mountain bike crazy sisters), and a BBQ/bonfire at the AF house.  Friends and family galore, good food, good times.

Bjorn started school today and is already a little stressed about his math class.  I'm just looking forward to getting one more semester under our belt.  Bring it on!

The pictures from our epic trip have been floating the web for weeks, it's time I give some details of this one of a kind Murray family reunion.
First and foremost- I was just glad to get 2 weeks off work.  Taking a break from work really does wonders for the soul.  And Washington is the perfect place to visit for this type of time off.
All the Murray's (11 of us now!) made it to Anacortes by Saturday the 14th of August.  We packed in a BBQ, family pictures (poor Kacy), a bike ride, a few games of settlers, church, two boat debriefings  a "captain's fireside", a little bit of sleep a lot of ice cream before departing from our respective marinas on Monday morning.  Michael, Steph, Erin, Alex, and Kacy took our boat, the MurrMaid, while the rest of us were the crew of "Surprise" a 39' beneteau we chartered for the week.

Roche Harbor at night

relaxing in the "therapy pool"