Happy Halloween?

So, Halloween was kind of a run from here to there kind of day--between visiting family, friends, and school events, and somehow through all the chaos of costume changes, etc. I forgot to take any pictures of the day's events. Fortunately, however, my mom took a few and I got copies of them today, so here is a small taste of our Halloween--only a month late :)

Redneck Ingenuity

I will admit that I am a huge fan of redneck jokes, etc. but this picture takes the cake in my book. I mean, sure, tighty-whities (or gray-ies) have the advantage in cost, but I severely doubt their supportive nature.

Letters to Santa

Dear Santa,

I want a present and Polly Pocket House, and playdoh, and another present. I love you Santa. I will give Santa a squeezy hug. I am goin’ a be a good girl. I want a Barbie Island and Sagi, PLEASE! But nothing else.

Give Sarah a cookie!

And don’t touch ‘puters, cause it’s dangerous and don’t turn it off.

--Sarah

Dear Santa,

Merry Christmas! Thank you for my tent you gave me. I liked it extra hundred. This year I have been a good girl. For Christmas, I would like Foam Play Doh, and Polly Pocket, and my other one I want a ticket to go to Build-a-Bear.

Thank you for letting me have all these presents and such. Presents are so fun, so Thank you Santa. I hope you can make them all.

Love,

Ellie

Dear Santa Claus,

Thank you a lot for the Easy Bake Oven you gave me last year. I loved it! I especially loved the sprinkles. This year, I would really like a doll, and some play foam like Ellie, and a Polly Pocket movie. I hope you have a great Christmas. I will leave you some cookies and some carrots for your reindeer.

Thank you for giving me such nice things.

Love,

Rebecca Jane

"What scares you on the field?" (the Replacements)

I failed to mention one other fun story I heard today. Aunt Marjorie came this morning with Uncle Macoy, and was reminiscing about how quickly time passed. She reminded us that she has known Steve since he was tiny, and said she it doesn't seem like it was that long ago that he was dressed in a big straw hat to protect his face from the sun, and came running into the house in a panic because he was being chased by a bee. When asked what was the matter he responded that "He thinks me is a flower!" I thought the story was a little too good to forget myself!

One "wedding" and a funeral

It has been an exhausting and emotionally draining couple of days, but they were very beautiful. The funeral was eloquent, the flowers beautiful, and the viewing last night was made a little bit easier by one of Ellie's comments (Shocker, I know). As the family gathered together, there was a little presentation for the kids about how the spirit and body have separated, but will be reunited at the resurrection. Then the question was asked, "Who knows what Jeff is wearing?" A few kids raised their hands, but Ellie threw her hands in the air and shouted, "I know! I know! He's wearing his wedding dress!" With our emotions drawn so thin, this little outburst sent everyone in the room laughing to tears, and I'm sure it took great effort to steer the conversation back in the right direction.

Jeff

This has been a rough couple of days, and they are not going to get any easier in the near future, but I think that this obituary says everything beautifully:

Jeffrey Steven McMurray Layton, Utah Jeffrey Steven McMurray, our beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and good friend, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Fri. afternoon, November 9, 2007 from a heart attack while on his way home from work at NorthropGrumman. Jeff was born on July 11, 1968 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eldest child of Steven R. McMurray and Lorna T. McMurray, now of Bountiful, Utah. Jeff was married for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on September 9, 1992 to Liesl Margret' McMurray, the eldest daughter of Ed and Lois Masters, now of Layton, Utah. Jeff and Liesl have three children, Brynn (age 10), Ryan (age 7) and Daniel (age 4). Jeff was deeply faithful and involved in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life. He served as a missionary for the Church in the Rochester New York Mission from 1987 to 1989. He was a great and dedicated missionary, and many lives were touched for good by his life and who he was. He graduated from the University of Utah with BS degrees in electrical engineering and physics and with a PhD in physics. He and Liesl lived in Kaysville, Utah during most of the time Jeff was in school. Following completion of his education, Jeff and Liesl moved to New York where he worked for IBM for almost seven years. A little less than a year ago, Jeff and Liesl moved back to Utah to work for Northrop Grumman. Jeff was always highly respected and loved at work. Jeff was a devoted husband and father and had deep love for his family. They always enjoyed outdoor activities. Summers were for camping and hiking, and winters were for cross country skiing. And everyday was for hugs. Working with young men was where he served most. The youth loved him and he loved them. There are many young men whose lives have been richly blessed by Jeff and his love for them and his example. Jeff was genuinely a good person who loved life and everyone. He was an example wherever he was. He always had a smile, a helping hand and sound judgment. Jeff is survived by his wife Liesl and his three children, Brynn, Ryan and Daniel, and by his parents, Steven and Lorna McMurray, and his eight brothers and sisters, Laura (Ted) Knowlton, Janean (Dave) McBride, Maureen (Christian) Hyde, Deanne (Richard) Eggett, Gregory (Heather) McMurray, Justin (Janelle) McMurray, Shannon (Brigham) Stoker, Megan (Richard) Wells. Funeral Services will be held Wed., November 14, 2007 at 12:00 Noon at the Kaysville Tabernacle, 198 West Center Street, Kaysville, Utah. Viewings will be held Tuesday, November 13th at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah from 6 to 8 p.m., and before the service from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at the Kaysville Tabernacle. Interment Lakeview Cemetary. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com Jeff, you are greatly missed and we love you always.