MIL's Birthday Weekend

This was a very busy weekend for us. My Mother-In-Law, MIL, Marianne Murphy had a birthday and we went up to celebrate with her. We had three different birthday dinners with her. Nathan came for two of the dinners and Richard, Katie, and Kirksey came too one night. Thursday night we had Birthday dinner at Red Lobster and Nathan introduced us to Jodie there. MIL's birthday gift from us was an Amazon Kindle. She was very excited. Friday, I went to see Richard and Katie's new house. Katie, Kirksey and I had lunch with Madelyn. Then Friday night, we had an impromptu get together with the family. Saturday, Matt and I went to Danielle's Surprise 30th Birthday party. Then Saturday night Matt grilled for his Mom. The steaks were excellent and we enjoyed our time together.

 So this was an action packed weekend!!!

Matt and his Mom had to work on Friday. 

So Madelyn, Katie, Kirksey and I had lunch.

 Madelyn and I were so happy to see one another.

Nathan loves his Grandma Marianne.

Chewey and Kirksey made friends.

Because it was so late, Nathan got us take out. 

Nathan is telling us about flying a plane! 

Nathan flew!!! Nathan and his buddy had to fly to Jackson and back to Southaven. Nathan taxied, took off, and flew the plane! He said the wind was too high for him to attempt landing so Boyce took over and landed the plane. Nathan was so excited. He wants his pilot's license. It was fun hearing the story.

It was so nice that we could all get together to have an impromptu dinner even though Richard and Matt had to work so late. It made the birthday weekend even more special.

It was a Happy 30th Birthday for Danielle.

We gave her a Giddy Up dress. 

Graysen showing off her walking skills. 

Waiting on the steaks!!

MIL's third birthday dinner....steaks, asparagus, potatoes.
MIL declared them the best steaks she ever had. 

Marianne Murphy is the best MIL that I could ask for.

 She deserves to be celebrated everyday not just at birthday time.

Matt and I love you so much!

Happy Birthday!

Crystal Beach - Destin, Florida

Matt has vacationed in Destin, Florida for twenty-five years and I have been going with him for the past eight years. So I think that qualifies us as Destin experts. We have stayed in many condos and duplexes and  many areas of Destin, but our favorite by far is Crystal Beach on Scenic Highway 98. This year we were nostalgic and so we stayed at our Honeymoon spot there on Crystal Beach. The Sea Oats Motel was just as charming as we remembered. It is not fancy but we love it. The motel was built in the 1950's before any other hotel or condominium on Crystal Beach. The Sea Oats has bleached clapboard siding and rustic decks that lead directly out onto the beach. Being able to open the sliding door and step right onto the sugar white sand is priceless. It is perfect for a relaxing vacation for two. Beach service is provided so we had our two lounge chairs and an umbrella everyday. There was parasailing, wave-runners, and paddle boards to rent right there by the motel so it was entertaining to watch all those activities. We mainly relaxed and sunbathed in the Gulf breeze while enjoying beverages and shrimp cocktail. The emerald water was perfect for swimming. It was just the vacation we needed.

To see all the Sea Oat Properties: http://www.seaoatsrentals.com/

Matt & Mary Ann's DOs & DON'Ts for Destin

We have some DOs and DON'Ts for the beach. DO stay at Crystal Beach. We have learned the best thing to DO on a Destin vacation is to immediately upon arrival at the beach, get your steamed or boiled shrimp, Seminole cocktail sauce, smoked tuna dip and Key lime pie. Then go to the grocery store to get the other items needed for the week.  Beverages should be the only thing that you will need to restock on after that. The first night arriving, DO have peel and eat shrimp for dinner in the room so you can get straight to the beach and stay there all evening. DO get out there early the next day to reserve your chairs and umbrella for the week. While sunbathing, picnicking on the beach is preferred because going out to lunch is really expensive and takes up too much of the day. So DON'T eat out for lunch unless you DO walk down the beach for oysters on the half shell and "she crab" soup at the Crab Trap beach bar.  For dinner our favorite spot is Camille's and it is a DO to eat there twice during a vacation because the sushi there is phenomenal and the continental entrees are fantastic. It is better to have two meals at Camille's so you can have both. To see the menu www.camillesatcrystalbeach.com/  Captain Dave's is another great spot to eat. It is right on the beach so DO dine there at sunset in the main dining room. Both places have outdoor bars and live music. AJ's is a good night spot to people watch and listen to music. AJ's is on the harbor and so DO go and look at the yachts, fishing boats, and sail boats docked there. McGuire's is one of our favorites too. It is a great Irish pub with Irish food, steaks, and seafood so DO go there.  DON'T go to Dewey Destin's for a meal because it is too touristy, instead DO just go there for appetizers and drinks. The waiting patio is the nicest part of that restaurant, but inside is bright, crowded and rushed so Matt and I DON'T like it. The Back Porch is another spot we used to love but it is also getting very touristy and the wait is way too long. If you don't like big crowds and waiting DON'T go there. We skipped The Back Porch this year. Our favorite breakfast place is the Donut Hole but DO get there before 10:00 if you DON'T want to wait. DON'T get caught up in tourist traps. Only if it rains DO go to the shopping outlets and maybe catch a movie. Rain comes and goes quickly in Destin so DON'T worry about the rain. On sunny days DO stay on the beach and enjoy the good life! That is a few of Matt and my DOs and DON'Ts for Destin. 

The Murphy's Destin 2011

Matt's 38th Birthday

Friends gathered to celebrate Matt's Birthday. Matt wanted me to ask friends over and he would cook them steaks! Now talk about someone that loves to grill, he wanted to grill out on his OWN Birthday!! Amazing, so that is exactly what we did. Matt did a fantastic job and he basked in the praise for his phenomenal expertise in grilling. The steaks were perfectly cooked to the requested temperature. I made hash-brown casserole, steamed asparagus, and we of course had rolls.  Instead of the traditional birthday cake we had cheesecake with caramel sauce, and Christine made chocolate chip cookies. It was all a big hit!

 The birthday dinner guests were Bob and Courtney, Jeremy and Christine, Marc and Jackie, Cliff and Melissa, Mike and Ashley, Josh and Carisa, Carey, and our youngest guests were Ayden, Fallon and baby Hudson.  The two year olds stole the show, dancing to hip hop and rap music! They were adorable. Matt had a great time and was showered with gifts. Matt's birthday celebration was a success. We appreciate our friends and neighbors coming over to make it so fun.

Nathan's 21st Birthday

Nathan's 21st Birthday started with a hard day's work on Boyce Adams' campaign trail. He also helped Stephen put out Phil Bryant signs. On Friday, July 8 at 6:00 PM Stephen and Nathan came to my parent's home in Brooksville to have birthday dinner with us. We had a lot of fun talking about old times. Daddy told stories about when they were little boys. We all remembered theme park rides, family trips, and fun times. Mama made roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and a fruit salad.  I served the family marble cake with chocolate and cream cheese icing, with vanilla ice cream. Stephen had friends coming from out of town to celebrate Nathan's Birthday. All of them were meeting at Bin 6-12 in Starkville where they all used to hang out. Saturday Stephen, Nathan, and campaign volunteers walked a neighborhood in Columbus handing out brochures for Phil Bryant. On Saturday night, Stephen had more friends to come to the Red Dog. Stephen cooked chicken and pork chops for everyone. Mama and I made "man dip" and ranch dip for them to eat while waiting on the food to get done. Sunday morning Nathan met me, Little Tiny, and G&G Builders to discuss the cabin plans and to decide exactly where to put the camp house. We decided to start building it on July 25 which makes Nathan very happy. It was a busy and fun weekend. I think Nathan had a great birthday weekend even if he and Stephen had to be at work very early Monday morning campaigning again. Happy Birthday Nathan!!

Just yesterday it seemed you were a sweet baby boy with a grin that melted hearts.

Then, in what felt like only the blink of an eye, 

you were a curious child with an imagination that wouldn't quit.

In no time at all, you became a young man with hopes and dreams all your own.

And now here you are at 21 a good man 

who's still so easy to be proud of and such a joy to love.