When the Cats Away....

Last weekend Monica and Luke attended a very important conference in the biggest city in the state of Nevada. While they were gone, Brooke and Ryan spent a couple of nights at Ma and Pa's house. Something went horribly wrong....!

Ryan was somehow transformed into a cat!


Hmmmm... looks like when Ma and Pa weren't looking the kids got into Ma's make-up stash!

Halloween 2008!

Last week the Sharkeys, Moreys and the American based Murnanes celebrated Halloween down at Michele and Brett's house. Once again a great time was had by all the kids and parents during the annual parade and trick o' treat fest.

Alice (Jordo) and Lea (Brooke) during the parade.... looking for the white rabbit and followers of the force.


Making a huge comeback this year was Star Wars! 3 of the 4 Murnane off spring dressed up as characters from this iconic film series.


Princess Lea-Brooke and her clone: Princess Lea-Lauren


It what has become a ritual that hundreds of children in the greater Sunnyvale area now look forward to with great joy and anticipation: Michele in her Giant Duck Thing costume!


The masked man in the middle is big Quentin... up from LA for the fun!


This year Lauren was lucky enough to dress up twice!


The little Butterfly... only 6 more weeks until she is reunited with her LAPP partner in crime: the Bellsters!

The Sharkey Girls First Niners Game

Last week was a memorable day in the history of our beloved San Francisco 49ers. Not only was it Mike Singletarys first day on the job as head coach (and his unforgettable press conference!) -- it was the first time that Jordan and Lauren attended a game.

Jordan, Lauren and Michele ride up the escalator to their seats.


Lauren smiles while Brett settles in to watch another painful performance by the Niners......


Lauren and Jordan wonder why the Niners quarterback keeps dropping the ball....


Michele tells Lauren stories of glory and yesteryear filled with knights and heros named Montana, Lott, Rice and Young....

Disneyland..... again!

In what is believed to be their SEVENTH trip to Disneyland, Jordan and Lauren visited their 'home away from home' last week with Michele, Ma and Pa. Once again the girls had a great time.... having almost as much fun as Michele!

The Cult of Disney captures three more converts


On this trip Jordan and Lauren were selected as finalists for Disneyland's "Best Dressed of 2008" award! Quite a year for Jordan and Lauren... and with Bella coming home for Christmas this year, the fun will just keep on coming.

Daddy and Daughters at the Yacht Club

Last week Brett, and his good buddy Tony, took their three girls to the annual St. Francis Yacht Club's Daddy and Daughter ball. Tony's daughter Courtney is the same age as Jordan and the two of them are great friends. It was a great evening full of fun and flair.

Jordan and Lauren smile before heading off to the ball.


Courtney, Jordan and Lauren all smile in front of the Golden Gate Bridge out on the balcony of the Yacht Club.


Brett and Tony smile with their three daughters.... all growing up so quick!


Jordan and Courtney cut it up on the dance floor!

Maybe... Someday... Saved by Zero...

Last week Michele and her old friends Siobhan, Doretta and Beth recaptured their high school years at the English Beat, The Fixx, and Alarm concert at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. 25 years ago this incredible line-up would have drawn thousands of screaming teenage girls and would have been the highlight of any hip kid's high school career. This show did bring out the masses... but this time the Bartles and James wine coolers were replaced by more civilized beverages.

The girls smile as they enjoy a drink during a break in the show


This incredible album produced the time honored hits: "One Thing Leads to Another," "Red Skies" and "Saved by Zero."


Michele and her childhood friend Doretta enjoy a light snack at the show


Doretta and Beth smile while reminiscing about the days they used to sneak out of their houses on school nights back in 1981 to head to "Mothers." Just wait until your kids hit high school girls!


It's easy to see why these guys where adored by legions of teenage girls in the early 80's

Happy Birthday Pika!

Today is Monica's 38th Birthday!

From all of us Murnane's we wish Mo a huge Happy Birthday! We are very lucky and fortunate to have such a wonderful mother, sister, wife, daughter, and friend in our family. We love you Monica!

38 and still going strong!


Monica cuddles up with Brookers a couple of summers ago.


Bella laughs it up with her Auntie Pika.


The work of a sister is never done....


Mo chases Brooke in the shore down at Pajaro Dunes.


Lauren, just a year old back when this picture was taken, almost smiles in Mo's arms!


Mo is so cool there is even a golf club named after her!


On top of it all... Mo is the best golfer in the family!


And of course... she is a fantastic mommy! Here she shows off a picture of little Ryan.

More Tahoe!

The fun just kept on coming up in Tahoe as the two families were super busy during their trip.

Monica and Lauren enjoy a well deserved cold drink after some serious rafting.


Lauren gets ready to go for it on the jumpy thingy-ma-bobber!


Jordan shows off her fantastic form!


Lauren and Michele smile over dinner.


Lauren takes a 'vacation from her vacation' after a day of fun!

Tahoe Summer

A couple of weeks ago the Moreys and the Sharkeys went up to Tahoe for a week of fun in the sun. The 8 kids and adults all stayed at the Morey cabin on the grounds of the Northstar resort. Tahoe is a great spot to visit year round.... it's not just for skiing!

As the parents were busy heading off to Reno for a day of gambling the 4 kids went out for some white water rafting on their own.


Brooke and Ryan smile before battling the treacherous rapids.


Back from the tables... Luke helps little Bud try his luck at roller skating.


Lauren and Brooke take a break and smile for the camera!

Returning to the Homeland

Last week Ma and Pa flew back to Pa's hometown of Devil's Lake North Dakota. Devil's Lake is located in northeast North Dakota and has a population of about 7500.

Pa and Ma smile outside of the world renowned "Fort Totten Little Theater" - the place where Brad PItt, George Clooney and Carrot Top are all rumored to have gotten their start.


Downtown Devil's Lake..... real 'small town America'


Kelly's -- offering quality goods and services for 3 generations.


Unfortunately for Ma and Pa the local Hilton was fully booked... so they had to find alternative accommodations.


In an act about as surprising as the sun rising each day... Ma and Pa somehow managed to find an Indian Casino and Hotel just a few miles outside of town! The Spirit Lake Hotel and Casino.


Even with their busy schedule of playing blackjack, visiting old friends, playing the slots, going to various reunion events, playing video poker and drinking lots of coffee.. Ma and Pa took some time to head out on the lake and catch some of the local northern pike.


Pa caught a huge fish! Coincidentally Pa was spotted just 15 minutes before this picture was taken sneaking out of the Devil's Lake fish market with a suspiciously large package tucked under his arm....