4tunate

The Nester Christmas Tour Of Homes

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:33:00 +0000

Today I’m on tour with The Nester Christmas Tour of Homes and showing you a few pictures from our humble abode a la Christmas. You won’t find these splashed on the cover of Southern Living Magazine, but nevertheless it’s our “Home for the Holidays”.

Speaking of “Home”, How cute is this advent house? It’s new to us this year (a last year Target clearance find), and it’s been interesting to see what treasure we can fit 4 of in each door. It’s been something the boys look forward to doing each day, “Mama, wanna do the house!”

Stockings are my absolute favorite things to pull out of the Christmas boxes. This year the boys know who’s is who’s and can point to and name each others. Not sure what I’m going to put in them yet…any ideas that won’t cost a fortune x4?

Our new 9 ft. tree! (Yet another 75% off Target end of the year steal!) Squeeeee! I LOVE it. I couldn’t picture how it would look inside our house, but it’s perfect. Of course like any other tree it looks even better in the dark. Don’t you love how a Christmas tree lights a room at night? I think all it needs is a little package love for the tree skirt. =) Guess I should get on that, huh? Maybe I should finish my little bit of shopping first! =)

I scored these little frames a year or two ago at Michael’s for $3 a piece. Are you catching a theme here? Usually I have candles hanging from this rack, but I replaced them with these little wooden signs for the season.

The boys got one Christmas gift a tad early, once I found this Little People Christmas Story Nativity* over 1/2 off, (thanks to a tip from Keeping the Kingdom First). I really wanted a nativity scene for the boys that would remind them early on of the true meaning of Christmas. It’s so sweet to watch them play with the characters and sing “Away in the Manger” while they play. (*Affiliate Link)

These are a few of my favorite Christmas decor items in our home. I’d love to hear about your own styles and favorite trimmings. If you’d like to show the lovely interweb some of your festive Christmas decor, head over to The Nester and add your link. (And leave me a comment so I know who’s to be sure to click on…there will be hundreds of participants in this yearly tour of blogs.)

****For those of you visiting from The Nester, please feel welcome to join us on our adventures in raising quadruplets. We’d love for you to make yourself at HOME with us!

Keep on Decking Your Halls (and Trees and Mantles, and Doors, and Rooftops, And You Get the POINT)! =)

Christmas Past (Round 2)

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:30:00 +0000

One of the enjoyable things about Christmas is remembering past Christmas memories; Recalling family gatherings, church Christmas programs, a favorite gift, a precious memory with loved ones, Christmas ornaments from the past, and traditions that will not be forgotten.

I’m thankful that not only do I have beautiful memories in my mind of my Christmas’ B.Q. (Before Quads), but I have this blog to help me collect and retain the stories of Christmas with our family of 6. It’s one of the main reasons I continue to blog, and hope that my boys will cherish the written memories and photographs of their childhood.

To those of you who have joined us along the way, I thought I would post the links to some of our favorite family Christmas Past memories thus far. I hope you enjoy looking back with us, and look forward to sharing more with us this Christmas!

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like a 1st Christmas (December 2007)

Visons of Sugar Plums (December 2007)

Please Christmas Don’t Be Late! (December 2007)

4 Babies in a Bed on Christmas Morning (December 2007)

Top 5 Christmas Traditions to Be Shared (December 2007)

Christmas Card Rejects (December 2008)

A Long Winter’s Nap (December 2008)

Christmas Caroling Blog Style (December 2008)

The Gift That Keeps on Chuggin’ (December 2008)

Christmas AM (December 2008)

Wrapping Up Christmas (December 2008)

Hope you are enjoying the true spirit of this CHRISTmas season!

Life IS Beautiful…

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:15:00 +0000

What I love most about my sweet friend Megan’s photography, Megelaine Images, is her eye for capturing LIFE. It’s not staged and uncomfortable; It’s capturing the sweet moments of your child’s life. She brings out the beauty of an ordinary day, and makes you fall in love with the small, precious moments you might have otherwise missed.

Here’s a handful of my favorites from our October shoot with Megan and her stellar side-kick husband Tim (also known as the Swedish Fish Treat Guy):

These images have brought me to tears more than once, knowing that a beautiful time in our lives has been captured. I cannot thank Megan enough for sharing her gift with our family. It’s absolutely priceless!

Megan has posted even more selections from our day on her photography blog, so you’ll want to check them out! I’m sure she would LOVE to capture your family as well, whether it’s a wedding celebration or a family shoot, you will not be disappointed! In addition, Megan is offering a $100 print credit with a Children’s Lifestyle Session booked and shot between now and March 1, 2010 by mentioning “quad love” in your email inquiry. Check out her website (it’s one rockin’ website), Megelaine Images, for more details!

How will I ever choose which ones to hang on the walls?

Christmas Past

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:50:00 +0000

In order to give my writer’s cramp a break, I’ve stalled addressing our Christmas cards to reminisce Christmas Past. This year due to our current situation and schedule we went with a less labor intensive/less $ route for our Christmas card, and I’m pleased with the result. However, these cards from Christmas Past hold a very special place in my heart.

Do you remember this one sweater/four individual shots winner?

Or how about this piece of magic….

It still makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!

The fun people behind AOL’s parenting site, Parent Dish, decided to feature our Christmas cards as inspiration in their “Great Holiday Card Ideas for Twins, Triplets, Quads, and More” article/slideshow. They’ve featured some beautiful ideas and photography that you’ll love!

All of this makes me curious to hear about YOUR favorite Christmas card either given or received. Tell us about it in the comment section if you’d like!

I’ll post our 2009 Christmas card soonish! =)

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 2-4 Years

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:04:00 +0000

Are you ready for Round 3 of The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide? This round we are giving suggestions for the 2-4 year range. Although we haven’t completed this stage yet, it’s personally been my favorite. We’ve loved several of these suggestions already, and have some ideas for the next year or two. If you missed Round 1 or 2, you can catch them over here.

I decided to “wrap up” some of our favorite gifts from each stage into a gift guide for you this Christmas. I’ll be sharing some tried and true ideas from each stage that we have experienced, as well as some ideas for the upcoming year. Perhaps OUR experience with quadruplets can be an advantage to YOU as a shopper. Before I begin let’s get the disclaimer out of the way:

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get on to the good stuff!

**A lot of the list prices are dropping daily, so the actual price may be lower than the price listed in parenthesis.**

1. Fisher-Price Doodle Pro ($14.99)

This is on our Christmas list this year! Easy to take along, and the possibilities are endless with the wipe away “magic” screen.

2.Little Tikes Shopping Cart ($21.97)

Our plastic basic shopping cart (Not Little Tikes) is loosing it’s wheels from all of its wear. Who says shopping isn’t for boys? Of course they stack it full of cars, trucks, balls, etc. but they love filling it nonetheless…Anything that pushes and has wheels (dump trucks, ride on toys, etc) is a great gift in my opinion

3. Melissa & Doug Wooden Blocks ($39.00)

The oldies but goodies seem to be a winner every time. There’s great imagination in store with this set of solid wood building set.

4.Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type ($11.55)

This book is a crowd favorite. The boys know it by heart and act it out. There’s plenty of humor for young and old alike!

5.Fisher-Price Rock, Roll 'N Ride Trike ($57.38)

I really love the functionality and how this product grows with your child’s size and abilities. It should be a long-lasting long-loving toy for all of our boys to enjoy. They can almost reach the pedals now!

6. LifeStyle Dream Kitchen by Step2 ($167.46)

Kitchens are fun for both girls and boys. Although we don’t own one, it’s one of their favorite things to play with in the church nursery. It’s so fun to watch them pretend to prepare and eat meals. It’s a great group gift for families with more than one child!

7. Little Doctor Kit (Under $20)

Hopefully this toy will lessens fear of the doctor and spark great imaginative play! It’s another suggestion on our Christmas list for the grandmas.

8.LeapFrog Toys (Prices Vary Depending on Product)

We are somewhat new to the world of LeapFrog, but their products have been highly recommended by family and friends. From their Magnetic Fridge Sets, to their award-winning Tag Reading System, to their DVDs – they all look like fantastic educational toys!

9.Play-Doh Case of Colors ($9.75)

I’ll admit it I was scared to crack open a can of Play-Doh too, especially with the “creative potential” of quadruplets. However, after laying down the ground rules, this provided a whole hour of entertainment! There’s something therapeutic and nostalgic about playing Play-Doh with your children.

10.Melissa & Doug Pattern Blocks and Boards ($15.06)

I remember loving these pattern boards with the bright shapes and designs! Bonus, it helps develop shape recognition, colors, and spatial relationships.

What did I miss? What additional suggestions do you have for this list? What have you liked/disliked for this age group?

Christmas Caroling: Quad Quartet Style

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Hope this gets you in the spirit of the season!

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 1-2 years

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Are you ready for Round 2 of The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide? This round we are giving suggestions for the 1-2 year range. What a fun and exciting age of discovery and learning! If you missed Round 1 for Birth – 1 year, you can find it over here.

Disclaimer: 1. None of these products were given as a promotional opportunity, nor did I receive any $ or compensation to write these suggested gift ideas. 2. These are purely my opinions. They are things that each of my 4 boys have enjoyed, which I think speaks highly of a product if is well-liked by all, and proves durable under the extra use/abuse of quadruplets. 3. These products link to Amazon.com, as an affiliate link.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get on to the good stuff!

1. The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name($11.55)

My all-time favorite read aloud! Each story paints a picture of the Great Rescuer with vivid illustrations to go with the passage. Obviously, it can be for ages much older than this stage, but it’s a great time to begin reading it aloud. I wrote more about how much I love this treasure of a book in this post.

2. Little Tikes Cozy Coupe ($52.99)

Hands down THE MOST fought over toy we own. It had them at first beep. It’s a classic for a reason!

3.Made For Mom Snack Trap, 3 Pack($13.22)

I would love to hug the mom behind this invention. What a sanity saver! The lid flaps allow little hands to reach in, but keeps snacks contained if they are dropped or turned upside down. We use them for breakfast on the go all the time!

4. Melissa & Doug Deluxe Mix 'n Match Peg Puzzle Bundle, Pack of Three($19.99)

I honestly haven’t found a Melissa and Doug product that I haven’t liked. Their quality is top-notch and they promote learning naturally through imagination and creativity.

5. Fisher-Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm ($24.97)

The interactive version of the original Fisher-Price Barn (we have an older version) is sure to be a hot-seller this season. Our boys love to play farm and act out each of the animals as they put them in and out of the doors and rooms in the barn.

6. Crayola 3ct. Washable All-In--One Paint ($6.49)

I love how these are easy for toddler hands to hold and allow a great introduction to painting without the mess. Smart and washable – a great combination!

7. Growth Chart(under $20)

Now that your little one is upright, it’s a fun time to start charting their unbelievable growth over the next few years. There’s lots of choices to coordinate with your nursery theme, and it’s a great keepsake.

8. Baby Einstein - Baby MacDonald "A Day on the Farm" ($19.99)

DVDs weren’t appealing to my boys during this stage with the exception of this one. This is the best of the Baby Einstein collection. It’s visually engaging, and it’s also enjoyable to watch as a parent.

9. Little Tikes Climb & Slide Castle ($159.99)

It was love at first slide for our boys and the Little Tykes Climb and Slide Castle. Great for indoor or outdoor play and for burning off lots of energy!

10. KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed($84.95)

If you are planning on doing any travelling with your toddler (even if it’s just to grandmas), I would highly recommend not wasting your money, space, and effort on a Pack and Play and instead go with the KidCo PeaPod Plus. We are so thankful for a triplet mom who told us about these awesome travel beds. They collapse down to the size of a deflated beach ball, and take up very little space unfolded. We’ve slept all four of our boys in very small spaces. However, they have room to spread out inside the tent, and an air mattress to provide extra comfort. We cover the mattress with their own crib sheets, so it seems more familiar at night. Make sure you get the PeaPod Plus, so that you’ll get the most use out of this product. We should be using these tents comfortably until the boys are around 6 years old!

I’d love to hear your suggestions for this age group. What are some things that your kids have really enjoyed at this stage? What’s on your wish list this season? Stay tuned for Round 3 of The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide, highlighting suggestions for ages 2 – 4 years.

Full of Much, –Ful of Less

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:02:00 +0000

It has been a VERY full day.

Full of Play:

Dressing up like police officers, Bob the Builder, and firemen with our family friend CJ

Eating at Sonic for an afternoon treat

Visiting our local firehouse and having Mr. David the Fireman give us a tour of the trucks and gadgets

Full of Business:

Phone calls securing insurance for our family

Phone calls with possible job leads for Brad

Conversations about Future Prospects and Unknowns

Financial Discussions

Full of Questions, Full of Mystery, Full of Unaccomplished Plans, Full of Fun, Full of Confusion, Full of Celebration, Full of Sarcasm, Full of Unanswered Messages in my Inbox, Full of Thankfulness for Answered Prayers…

And I’m discovering that the MORE I think I’ve learned to trust God with my life, the MORE He is showing me that there’s so much MORE to trust Him with FULLY.

And He’s teaching me that I need to be more ThankFUL, FaithFUL, TrustFUL, and JoyFUL…

…and less FearFUL!

Photo by doogiedom via Flickr

Overheard in the Odyssey

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:15:00 +0000

On our way to grab some dinner In the van the other night, we were talking to the boys about how God lives in heaven. We tried to explain a few things about heaven on their level. Here’s a snipit of the conversation that followed:

____________________________________________

     Clark: I don’t wanna go to heaven.

     Daddy: Oh yes you do, Buddy!

     Clark: Not today! I wanna eat food.

____________________________________________

     Brooks: Isaac, You love Jesus?

     Isaac: Yeah.

     Brooks: Brooks loves Jesus too!

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It brings so much joy to my heart to hear my children, even in their simplistic conversations talking about Jesus. My prayer is that these conversations are only the beginning…

^“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandment with you; keep my commandments and live;keep my teaching asthe apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3 (ESV)

Feast Your Eyes On This…

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:41:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is such a beautiful time to remember the daily blessings that we often take for granted, isn’t it? We have SO MUCH to be grateful for…it’s truly overwhelming!

I hope you were able to enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend, not only the meal and the gathering, but the bountiful blessings as well!

We survived hosting, and were grateful for the opportunity to have loved ones in our home. Here’s a glimpse of our own family celebration with Brad’s side of the family.

Gramma came over the night before to help us dress the bird.

The Reynolds Cooking Chart called for an internal temperature of 180 degrees. I think we nailed it!

Great Grandma helped Brad with his first Turkey Carving…

The Pioneer Woman’s Creamy Mashed Potatoes were melt in your mouth goodness!

How in the world did the Pilgrims and Indians Cook Thanksgiving Dinner Without the Crock-Pot Invention?

We got all 19 heads seated and served!

And No Thanksgiving is Complete without a Little Tossing Around of the ~~Football~~ Make That a Blue’s Clues Stuffed Animal

Thank you Murray/Cronkhite Family for sharing Thanksgiving 2009 with us!

I’d love to see how your family celebrated Thanksgiving. If you are blogging about your festivities, feel free to leave a link to your blog post via MckLinky. You’ll gain some traffic for your own blog, and be able to connect with other blogging families! If you aren’t a blogger, you are welcome to share with us in the comment section!

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****Also, if you haven’t yet checked out The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide, please do so in the post below or by clicking on the button on the top right side bar.****

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: Birth – 12 months

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Disclaimer: 1. None of these products were given as a promotional opportunity, nor did I receive any $ to write these suggested gift ideas. 2. These are purely my opinions. They are things that each of my 4 boys have enjoyed, which I think speaks highly of a product if is well-liked by all, and proves durable under the extra use/abuse of quadruplets. 3. These products link to Amazon.com, as an affiliate link.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get on to the good stuff!

1.Hasbro Playskool Step Start Walk 'n Ride ($22.49)

Even after our boys were running they still LOVED this toy. It really helped them to gain stability and confidence when they were learning to take steps. It was the first toy out to play with in the morning, and the last one to put away!

2.VTech Slide 'n Learn Storybook ($19.55)

We inherited this gem of a toy from the McNulty Quads. It was great for car trips and a distraction devise for doctor’s office visits. The pages have sweet little songs (read: not loud and obnoxious), and movable features to keep little hands busy.

3. Fisher-Price Precious Planet All Around Musical Playtime Gym ($44.00)

Our boys LOVED their gym time. It was time for them to discover themselves in the mirror, work on rolling over, check out their brothers beside them, and work on hand-eye coordination by batting at the toys…it was an all-around GREAT piece of equipment!

4. Munchkin Bath Super Scooper Turtle ($24.95)

Once you graduate to the big tub, this is a great way to store the miscellaneous bath toys. You can scoop up the toys and hang to drain.

5.I Love You Through And Through ($8.95)

This was an almost daily read for my babies. They loved when I acted out the emotions of the pages, and they still enjoy hearing it!

6.Pacific Play Tents See Me 6' Tunnel($26.49)

Playing peek-a-boo, chasing each other, and finding toys through the tunnel passageway was a constant source of entertainment. Again, it’s another toy that is fun for stages to come. It’s also space-saving, because it collapses to store!

7.Evenflo ExerSaucer SmartSteps - ABC($85.00)

Although the price tag may seem a little steep, I still feel indebted to Evenflo for this product. We used to call it “Disney World in a Chair”, because that’s just how entertaining it was day after day.

8. Halo Innovations SleepSack Wearable Blankets Cotton($22.40)

You might be tired of me singing the praises of Halo SleepSacks, but I can’t say enough about these wonderful wearable blankets! The zip from top to bottom, so you are guaranteed that they will stay warm through the night.

8.Diapers(Prices Vary by Size and Brand)

It might sound like the most boring gift of the century, but do you know how much the parents of the little “stinker” will LOVE you for this? Trust me, it’s a winner every time!

9. BABYBJÖRN Soft Bib 2 Pack($17.95)

Would you believe that we are STILL using these bibs for messy meals? Hundreds of meals later they are unstained and holding strong. Best part – No laundry! Just rinse them off in the sink!

10. A High Quality Digital Camera(Prices Vary)

Alright, so it may not be the typical “Baby Christmas Gift”, but they’ll thank you for it later. Even if you aren’t ready for a DSLR, there are plenty of great point-and-shoot digital cameras that will give you really great quality prints. Capturing the first year is priceless. My only regret is not having one sooner!

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I hope this gives you some great ideas for the baby on your list this Christmas season. There’s something very magical about that 1st Christmas. Even though they won’t remember it, you’re sure to remember it for a lifetime!

What are some things YOU would add to my list? Keep the ideas flowing in the comment section and stay tuned for The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 1–2 Years!

We Interrupt Your Thanksgiving Preparations for This Important Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:26:00 +0000

I’m kicking myself right now.

I think I’m leaving a bruise.

I made a terrible mistake!

I left out an important ingredient in the Carrot Cake Recipe.

BAKING SODA

You know the stuff that looks like this…

Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s important.

You need 2 teaspoons.

I just fixed the original recipe post.

I PROMISE I ~~double~~ triple checked the recipe to what I posted, but somehow I missed it!

I feel like baking you all a cake and hand-delivering it to your sweet homes to make up for it…

If I post Thanksgiving pictures with the boys could that be a truce??????

Back to Kicking Myself.

OUCH! That’s going to leave a mark!

And Now Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Thanksgiving Programming.

Thanksgiving Eve

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:02:00 +0000

The Day Before Thanksgiving and All Through the House….

…While Visions of Turkey, Pumpkin Pie, Rolls, and Football Danced in Their Heads!

Henry approached me whining yesterday, Thinking he was going to complain about a toy he wanted, or how he fell down and had a boo-boo, He cried, “Wanna eat some TURKEY!”.

Needless to say, we are highly anticipating Thanksgiving 2009. We are busy little beavers around here, getting the house in tip-top shape for our guests, preparing the bird, peeling potatoes, etc. (Is it bad that I’ve considered strapping the boys in their car seats with a movie in the van? Considered. Only considered.)

However, I didn’t want to forget to announce the winner of the Halo SleepSack Giveaway!

The dudes over at Random.Org picked Comment #61

Congratulations, Lisa! You will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new SleepSack. Enjoy some cuddling on us and Halo! =)

Quad Sightings

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:43:00 +0000

It’s not every day that you see a set of quadruplets…

But seeing 2 sets in one day, that’s probably once in a lifetime for most…

However, we hope it becomes a more frequent occurrence…

Because it turns out, some of our closest friends just happen to parent quadruplets too!

To our dear friends and partners in this Quadventure: The Burkett’s (pictured), The Steece’s, The McNulty’s, The Goerlich’s,The Thompson’s, The Benner’s, The Tubre’s, The Graf’s, The Harris’, The Scott’s, The Gerwer’s, The Cochran’s, The Walker’s, The other Walker’s, The Donovan’s, The Carlson’s, The Fulton’s, The Urech’s, The King’s, and so many more, I could keep going on and on and on….

We are THANKFUL for YOU during this Thanksgiving season and always! We know that God had a purpose in putting us all together, and we are thankful for your friendship, love, prayers, and support on this journey! And Thank Goodness for the Interweb! =)

Thanksgiving: It’s What’s For Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Well, I’ve officially begun the process of readying the house for our Thanksgiving guests. The pantry has been organized, the fridge and the oven are next. (Who doesn’t love cleaning the oven?) This year will be my first year at hosting a family Thanksgiving (Brad’s side), but everyone’s pitching in, so I’m in no way responsible for the entire meal. Pheewwww!

Both Brad’s family and my own are known for the traditional Thanksgiving spread:

Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Corn, Rolls, and Pumpkin Pie

I can almost smell it!

If I get everything checked off my list, I’ll be making my Carrot Cake. I got it from a school carry-in a few years ago, and I’ve been highly addicted since. If I don’t get around to it, I’ll leave you the recipe so you can tell me how absolutely amazing it is! Seriously, I consider myself a bit of a “Carrot Cake Connoisseur” and this cake is the best I’ve ever eaten! _________________________________________________________________________________

Make It From Scratch Because It’s So Worth It Carrot Cake Recipe

2 c sugar 2 c flour

2 tsp. cinnamon 3 eggs beaten

1-2 tsp. Allspice 1 c chopped walnuts

1 c oil 1/2 can crushed pineapple partially drained

3 c grated carrots 2 tsp. baking soda

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into two lightly greased cake pans. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 - 8 oz pkg. of cream cheese 1 stick of butter

1 1/2 c powered sugar 3 tsp. of vanilla

Mix cream cheese and butter together until well blended. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy.

A couple of tips:

* I would definitely use a food processor for grating your carrots, or you’ll spend the entire duration of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade shredding carrots and your knuckles.

* If you don’t have Allspice on hand you can substitute equal parts nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves

* If you really like icing (like I do) you might want to make a double batch of icing

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What’s on YOUR Thanksgiving menu? A traditional meal? Out to eat? Regional tastes? I’d love to hear about your favorite fixin’s!

To Infinity And Beyond!

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Thanks to free kids movie rentals at Family Video and a couple of pairs of hand-me-down PJs, our boys have been introduced to the wonderful world of Disney Pixar. Toy Story is my favorite Pixar film, so it’s fun to share a common love with my boys. (Helicopters, fire engines, Bob the Builder, and dinosaurs just don’t seem to do it for me personally.)

It didn’t take them long before they caught on to the main catchphrase of the movie, “To Infinity and Beyond”. One night the little orange PJs inspired them to run laps shouting this line for over 20 minutes!

Don’t worry, I clipped it down to a less than 2 minute clip. However, if you experience motion sickness on carnival rides, I would recommend at least one dose of Dramamine before viewing.

Toy Story 3 will hit the theatres in June 2010, perhaps that will be the boys’ first movie to watch at the theatre?

My first trip to the movies was to see Bambi. I went as a tag-along with my brother who was in high school and his date. What was yours?

HALO SleepSack GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:32:00 +0000

If you’ve been around the block with us a time or two, you know that we’ve been HUGE fans of HALO SleepSacks. You’ve pretty much witnessed our boys grow-up inside these wearable blankets! It seems like once you try them, you become an instant advocate. We were given 4 SleepSacks by our friend Carrie when the boys were tiny and we never looked back! It’s a product that I recommend to every mom, so why not give one away to a blog reader, Courtesy of HALO?

Not only do I credit Halo SleepSacks for their assistance in keeping my 4 toddlers diapers on during naps, keeping them from climbing out of their cribs (they couldn’t use their toes to climb), and keeping them warm through the night, I loved the extra assurance that I was doing my part to fight SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Our preemies were at a higher risk for SIDS, so I followed the safe sleeping tips such as using a firm mattress, not dressing them too warmly to sleep, and removing all soft bedding and toys from their cribs. (Click to find more tips on Safe Sleeping.)

HALO offers a variety of sizes, patterns, and thickness (we used the light cotton in the summer and fleece in the winter) as well as several different lines to choose from including: HALO SleepSacks Swaddles, HALO SleepSack Wearable Blanket On-the-Go, HALO SleepSack Early Walkers, and HALO SleepSacks Organic.

Here’s how you can become the owner of your very own HALO SleepSack:

After checking out the HALO SleepSack Site, leave a comment telling me which Halo SleepSack product is your personal favorite. (Make sure you leave your email address or way of contacting you if you are chosen as the winner.)

For additional entries (separate comment for each):

Subscribe to my feed or leave me a comment telling me you already subscribe
Follow me on Twitter (@quatro_mama) and tweet about this giveaway: “I just entered to win a @HaloSleepSack from @quatro_mama: http://bit.ly/2RDqQg”
Grab our button (right sidebar) and link your blog to ours
Become a fan of Halo SleepSacks on Facebook

That’s a total of 5 ways to win! I’ll pick a random winner via Random.org Monday, November 23rd!

Bloggers Unite: March of Dimes

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:13:00 +0000

Today over 400 Bloggers are participating in Bloggers Unite Fight for Preemies to raise awareness of the 20 million babies who are born prematurely each year. The March of Dimes is fighting to drastically decrease these numbers. You can learn how to help fight against premature birth here.

As a mother of four preemies, I owe an ENORMOUS thank you to the efforts of the March of Dimes. Each of our 32 weekers benefited in some way, shape, or form from their dedication to fighting for preemies and diligent research. Although our quadruplets had to put up a fight for survival (especially Clark), they came out of the NICU experience with flying colors.

Most would call us lucky.

We beat the “odds”.

We had a favorable outcome in the face of many obstacles.

Obstacles that included respiratory distress, a NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis) scare, high billirubin levels, high blood pressure, bradyacardia, apnea, dangerously high CO2 levels, and digestive issues.

However, we know better than chalking it up to “beating the odds”. We know that “luck” discredits the true factors in our boys’ survival.

Most of all it ignores God’s ultimate plan. He chose to give us life. Sometimes He chooses to take life (that He created) away. Sometimes even to those in our exact same circumstances, or with even better “chances”. I simply can’t understand it in this lifetime.

And to be completely honest, sometimes it’s not always easy to be the “survivor” family.

~ It’s extremely difficult to watch a mother of twins next to you meet her babies, for the sole purpose of saying goodbye.

~ It’s emotionally disturbing to listen to two mothers scream in agony over losing their babies on both sides of the walls of your high-risk unit room, while you feel your four babies moving inside of you.

~ It’s gut retching to have four healthy babies safely at home and read about a mother who you’ve followed throughout her pregnancy loose 5/6 of her sextuplets.

~ It’s unbearable to watch a friend’s full-term baby be born with multiple complications, and unable to survive.

Of course it makes me thankful for the breathing, heart-beating lives of our boys, but there’s also a guilt that’s hard to explain. I don’t deserve these blessings, yet God allowed them to live; And not only live but thrive.

These are the emotions that surround me as a mother of 4 premature success stories, I cannot fathom the grief of the other side.

I cannot wrap my mind around it.

Instead, I can only choose to be grateful. Grateful for their precious miracle lives that God has chosen for us to raise another day. And thankful for how He used the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists of St. Vincent Women’s Hospital, and for the efforts made through the March of Dimes in their little lives.

And that is how we left these doors as SURVIVORS.

If you are blogging for the cause of fighting for preemies. Feel free to link up your specific post here:

A Fresh Look for 4tunate

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:15:00 +0000

Well with all the “bathroom talk” yesterday, we had to “freshen” our place up a bit with a new blog header. Brad whipped this design up for me last night and I’m in LOVE! (Attention employers he’s available for hire!) =) I think it’s my favorite design yet!

Although I these 2 hold a special place in my heart as well…

Where DID my babies go? They really do grow up so fast, don’t they?

The pictures on our new blog header are just a taste of some GORGEOUS photography work that Megan from Megelaine Images captured for us a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to tell you more about her amazing talent, and share some of the pictures that brought me to tears. As a mom who’s behind the camera so often, it means the world to have pictures WITH my boys and to capture our everyday life… Okay I’m going to choke up just typing about it, so for now, enjoy the new view!

Once Upon a Potty…Make That FOUR Potties!

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:40:00 +0000

The time is drawing near that we will try to tackle potty training with 4 BOYS! Heaven help us!

For now we are in the stage of introducing the idea. “Operation Potty Train Quadruplets” will commence when they seem a little more “ready”.

However, would you like to hear a humorous story from our introduction? I had Isaac sit on the potty for an “attempt” and wouldn’t you know that he quickly had an audience of 3 (in our already cramped little bathroom) yelling “PUSH!!!!! PUSH!!!!!!” Needless to say, his attempt was not successful.

I’ll be looking to you, for advise, humor, sympathy, etc. in the next few months.

Today my two pertinent questions are:

1. What type of potty chair do you recommend? (I know that many of you recommend using the toilet, because then you have to transition from the potty chair to the toilet, but I can’t be in 4 bathrooms at the same time, nor do we have 4 bathrooms!) I’ve heard the simpler the better? I’ve having the lovely Casey from Moosh In Indy scope out what IKEA has to offer today. There are so many options out there, it’s ridiculous! I mean a potty chair that sings and flushes? A slot machine potty? These thrones have all the bells and whistles.

My personal favorite has to be the Peter Potty Urinal….

Hilarious, right? You know what a potty chair would do if I designed it? It would clean the ruined underwear that I have a feeling is going to become a new budget item, that’s what it would do!

2. What types of motivation would you recommend to introduce the idea? Did you have a favorite story or video? A doll or stuffed animal?

I’m here to learn, people, and I SO appreciate your input. We will survive this, right?

Falling For You

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:57:00 +0000

And The 4tunate Halloween Photo Contest Winner Is…..

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Little Bo Peep and Her 2 Little Sheep!

Email me, Holly, and I’ll give you the details to claim your personalized Chocolate Silver Design Necklace!

It was certainly a close race and nearly 1,000 of you voted! Thanks for making it so much fun, AND for not making ME pick the final winner!

If you’re name isn’t Holly and you haven’t lost your sheep, have no fear…

There’s another exciting giveaway just around the corner here on www.4tunate.net !

2009 Minivan Music: Crank Up the Quads

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:51:00 +0000

You’ve seen our Quadyssey’s, But Have you Heard the Soundtrack?

Newly Released, Just in Time for Your Holiday Stocking Stuffers:

2009 Minivan Music: Crank up the Quads

It only gets louder and more drug out the longer it continues. I promise the boys were not given any cough medicine before this recording. It’s their natural "beat”. Wouldn’t Harry Caray be proud?

A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit of That…

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:59:00 +0000

There’s a few things that I need to catch you up on….

A little bit of this….

A little bit of that.

So without further ado, here are some updates in no particular order than what my brain spits out!

1.) We had the privilege of having our NICU Survival Kits highlighted by Keeping the Kingdom First today as part of their 30 Day of Giving Challenge. I’m so excited with each opportunity to get the word out about our kits, and the opportunities to reach other families as they experience the uncertainties of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I hope that you are participating in the 30DayGC. I know that it’s had an awesome impact on my daily routine, as I try to creatively find ways to give each day. One of my favorite gifts has been spending time with some of the boys “greats” (great grandparents, aunts, and uncles). Watching your children bring joy to other people is one of the greatest blessings of parenting!

2.) Please join me in celebrating Stellan’s successful ablation today. After spending his 1st Birthday hospitalized and very critical, there is much hope for him tonight! Keep praying! God IS and WILL continue to be faithful. No Matter What!

3.) In other NICU Survival Kit News, We received a case of “On the Night You Were Born” as a donation from Kate’s Kart. Kates Kart is a non-profit organization that gives books to hospitalized children in honor of their daughter “Baby Kate’ who passed away at 18 months due to heart complications. They have handed out over 10,000 books since Kate’s passing. We feel so honored to be the recipient of such an awesome donation from this wonderful organization!

4.) I must confess that I’m 2 chapters behind in the Crazy Love Book Discussion. (Hanging Head in Shame) I’m hoping to catch up quickly this week, and would love to hear how this book is impacting your walk. I know there’s been some great discussion on the Ning Site as well as great video discussions on Bloom. Let’s encourage one another to finish strong!

5.) Lastly, there are 2 days left to vote for your favorite 4tunate Halloween Photo! Here’s how the preliminary polls are looking.Top 5, there’s still time to rally your friends and family to VOTE!!!!

That Is All. Thank You Very Much.

Now, Run Along and Enjoy Your Evening!

Ready…

Set…

Go!!!!!!!

November Letter

noreply@blogger.com (The Murray Crew) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:30:00 +0000

My Sweet Boys,

How can I express the love that fills my heart for you as you quickly approach age 3? These past few weeks have been some of my favorite. They have been weeks filled with watching you explore, pretend, play with each other like never before, and hold these wonderful conversations that get lengthier every day.

Although I would not have picked for your daddy to lose his job, I must admit that the panic has been replaced with a deep fondness of this precious time we have together. And even as I pray daily for a new job and opportunity to present itself, I dread him telling you goodbye that first morning back to work. You are your daddy’s boys through and through, and I love him all the more for the father he is to you boys. It’s been a joy to watch him grow to know you even better through these last few weeks and watch you giggle multiple times a day as he tickles, chases, and tackles each of you.

You boys are so incredibly blessed in so many ways. You are easy to love. And I’m thanking God for your miracle lives yet again today.

~Your Mama

4tunate

The Nester Christmas Tour Of Homes

Christmas Past (Round 2)

Life IS Beautiful…

Christmas Past

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 2-4 Years

Christmas Caroling: Quad Quartet Style

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 1-2 years

Full of Much, –Ful of Less

Overheard in the Odyssey

Clark: I don’t wanna go to heaven.

Daddy: Oh yes you do, Buddy!

Clark: Not today! I wanna eat food.

Brooks: Isaac, You love Jesus?

Isaac: Yeah.

Brooks: Brooks loves Jesus too!

^“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandment with you; keep my commandments and live;keep my teaching asthe apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3 (ESV)

Feast Your Eyes On This…

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: Birth – 12 months

We Interrupt Your Thanksgiving Preparations for This Important Announcement

Thanksgiving Eve

Quad Sightings

Thanksgiving: It’s What’s For Dinner

To Infinity And Beyond!

HALO SleepSack GIVEAWAY

Bloggers Unite: March of Dimes

A Fresh Look for 4tunate

Once Upon a Potty…Make That FOUR Potties!

Falling For You

And The 4tunate Halloween Photo Contest Winner Is…..

2009 Minivan Music: Crank Up the Quads

A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit of That…

November Letter

4tunate

The Nester Christmas Tour Of Homes

Christmas Past (Round 2)

Life IS Beautiful…

Christmas Past

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 2-4 Years

Christmas Caroling: Quad Quartet Style

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: 1-2 years

Full of Much, –Ful of Less

Overheard in the Odyssey

Clark: I don’t wanna go to heaven.

Daddy: Oh yes you do, Buddy!

Clark: Not today! I wanna eat food.

Brooks: Isaac, You love Jesus?

Isaac: Yeah.

Brooks: Brooks loves Jesus too!

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandment with you; keep my commandments and live;keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3 (ESV)

Feast Your Eyes On This…

The 4tunate Holiday Gift Guide: Birth – 12 months

We Interrupt Your Thanksgiving Preparations for This Important Announcement

Thanksgiving Eve

Quad Sightings

Thanksgiving: It’s What’s For Dinner

To Infinity And Beyond!

HALO SleepSack GIVEAWAY

Bloggers Unite: March of Dimes

A Fresh Look for 4tunate

Once Upon a Potty…Make That FOUR Potties!

Falling For You

And The 4tunate Halloween Photo Contest Winner Is…..

2009 Minivan Music: Crank Up the Quads

A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit of That…

November Letter

^“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandment with you; keep my commandments and live;keep my teaching asthe apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3 (ESV)