Do the Earth

"I love it more than Christmas."

That's my oldest son's reaction when asked if he likes going on our annual camping trip over Labor Day weekend. I think I agree. It's a tradition in my family that goes back about 30 years. Some of my best memories as a kid come from our Labor Day camping excursions. I'm not even sure why. It was always hot. Or raining. Lot of bugs. Poison ivy. Burnt food. Cold showers. Hard beds. Cramped quarters. More bugs. Despite all the shunning of creature comforts, I looked forward to that trip all year long. I still do.

Apparently it's good for you, though.

Our family needs to do it more often. Lately, we only make it out twice a year. Next year I'd like to double that. It's a lot of work to pack up five kids and take them camping, but they really do love it. The list of benefits (especially for children) from spending time outdoors is growing. In Japan, they even have a concept called Shinrin-yoku, which translates to "forest bathing." It's considered a form of therapy and has been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease, lower heart rate and blood pressure, decrease cortisol and increase white blood cell counts. One study showed that a two night trip to a forest resulted in increased human natural killer (NK) cell activity, increased number of NK cells, and increased intracellular anti-cancer proteins with the effects lasting for more than a week afterwards for both men and women. So if the elements and poison ivy don't get you, spending time outdoors can have a real and significant impact on our health.

My kids won't mention the health benefits when they talk about how much they love our annual camping trip. It's fun for them. There's a certain freedom that comes with our week in the woods every year. I can see it in their eyes the moment they step out of the car. Freedom from schedules. Freedom from staying clean. Freedom from electronic screens. Freedom from boredom.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our 2014 trip.

My cousin organized an "obstacle course" for the kids. It was a blast.

It was competitive to say the least.

Sometimes it takes a few years to get promoted from the kiddie table.

Luckily this fella was behind glass.

Experienced hiker. No biggie.

The rocks were GINORMOUS.

Epic canyon hike. Felt like a lost world.

View from above.

Lots to explore.

It took a sharp eye to discover this little guy.

Just dangerous enough to get the heart pumping.

Highly recommended hike in Indiana.

Campsite clothes dryer.

The grown ups got to pretend we were 20 years younger than we really are.

And There Will I Keep You Forever

When I look at pictures like this, it still blows my mind that this is my family. Seven short years ago, this did not exist. Not even a glimmer in my mind. Not perceptible -- or even believable. But here it is. Wow. To say that I am fortunate is wholly inadequate. I am beyond fortunate... I am burdened. Burdened with a blessing of which I can never be worthy.

The Children's Hour - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
That is known as the Children's Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!

Happy 65th Birthday, Sheila!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish my cousin Sheila a happy 65th birthday. And show off to the world what she's wearing to bed these days. (Sheila, if that's a problem, you know Reg is behind this...)

Happy birthday, Sheila!

Holiday Pictures - Part III

And last, but not least, the extended family Christmas, one full week after the actual holiday.

Clicking on any image should take you to the Flickr photostream and a whole bunch more pictures.

Santa has come and gone. Let the mischief begin.

One of Santa's helpers.

Christmas = WRESTLING!

I said, Christmas = WRESTLING!

This was only half of the usual gang. Yikes!

Once your hair goes white, it's your patriotic duty to wear red and blue.

"Now I've got a whole year to get off the 'naughty' list."

"I'm going to stay on the 'nice' list from day one."

Someone's glad those aren't her hellions running around.

"Irish? Why do you ask?"

"Why didn't anyone tell me there was a 'naughty' list?"

And here's to many more merry Christmases!

Holiday Pictures - Part II

On Christmas day we do our own thing before heading off to my parents' house.

My dad. Behind him: a live tree with needles that live up to their namesake and a 120 lb root ball.
Let me tell you, a pleasure to drag into the house. The tree that is.

My sister begged me to post this picture.

Corey got a book on how to train Kip. Kip got that additional chin he's been wanting.

Farkle. The official game of Murphy family functions.

The Farkle arena. Friendly competition. Until Kip blows a 5,000 point lead.

"I am smiling."

Lego engineer at work.

Who falls asleep first, the kids or the adults? Clue: It's not the kids.

You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

One thing is for sure -- we've reached our limit on car seats.

Tennessee - A 3 Part Miniseries (3)

A photographic recap of our family trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Part 1 - Cabin Life

Part 2 - Gatlinburg

Part 3 - The Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg is nice, but where we spent most of our time was hiking in Smoky Mountain National Park. What a great park. It's absolutely gorgeous. It's well designed and managed. The natural features are diverse and awe-inspiring. There are trails for everyone from toddlers to hardcore hikers. It's no wonder it's the most visited national park in America.

The first day we hiked along a gorgeous mountain stream to a neat little waterfall.



It was a very kid friendly trail and tossing stones in the water was quite popular. Each morning after this, Truman woke up chanting, "I got togo throw the rocks!"



A rare mountain wood faerie. Or imp. I get confused.



Jameson insisted on being photographed as if he was an explorer who discovered this waterfall.



Are you still considered a hiker if your feet never touch the ground?



Our second, more ambitious, day of hiking took us much higher into the mountains. Um, breathtaking?



This was the easy part of the trail.



Luckily we had an experienced guide with us.



The kids were excellent. Especially the one that got to ride the whole way strapped to my chest.



Gotta stop for sammiches along the way.



Like Nike always says, "If you're going to get eaten by a bear, look good doing it." Kip and Corey, the world's best dressed hikers, are now affectionately known as Todd and Margo.



Doug and Caroline - We were going to hike up to New Hampshire to see you, but we weren't sure if we had packed enough peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Tennessee - A 3 Part Miniseries (2)

A photographic recap of our family trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Part 1 - Cabin Life


Part 2 - Gatlinburg

There are countless touristy things to do in Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, but the main thing we got around to was a visit to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. The aquarium was excellent (voted number one aquarium in the U.S. according to TripAdvisor.com.) We also got the obligatory "Old Time" photo. And Kip threw away a few dollars on "Earthquake! The Ride." Seriously, Kip, I expect better from you. Why don't you come to the pool with me this weekend and I'll charge you twelve bucks to go on "Flood! The Ride." And then you can stick your head out the window while I drive you down the highway for "Tornado! The Ride."

When I roll with my kids I roll deep.



"And if you don't do what mommy says, the sharks will come get you."



"OMG!"



Always the pensive one.



Kid friendly exhibits! Righteous!



The puffer fish. Always my favorite.



To this day, old school diving equipment always reminds me of the opening credits of Scooby Doo, Where Are You!



Creepy. Cool.



Wow. Amelia looks like she's actually busted a few caps in her day.