2016 Letter

We hope you and your family has a most wonderful Christmas this year. Us Murphy’s had a very good and memorable 2016.

 

Our year started out with a bang: Will and Mary-Clayton were married on January 9th. The bride could not have been more beautiful, and the service was intimate and special. It was a wonderful weekend being together with friends and family.

 

After a short honeymoon trip to Destin, the newlyweds drove west for Mary-Clayton’s last semester at the University of Oklahoma. She sang the national anthem at an Oklahoma Thunder game and starred in the production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Ceil and Matthew rode out with MC’s mom to see her performance. While in Norman Will worked two jobs: practicing physical therapy by day and valet parking at an exclusive Oklahoma City steak house by night. In May both Will and MC were featured on our subdivision’s graduation sign.

 

After MC’s May graduation the couple moved to Augusta, where Will started Physician’s Assistant school. MC teaches dance and works full time at a church. They adopted a puppy, who befriended our Barney and proceeded to grow and grow and grow. In October we attended Will’s white coat ceremony. After Christmas Will travels to Peru on a medical mission.

 

Anna served as a bridesmaid for MC in January, and again in October for her best friend Brittany. This summer Anna served as a counselor at Camp Highland, then moved straight from Ellijay to Athens to begin her sophomore year. She’s living in her sorority house, and taking the freshmen girls under her wing both there and as a small group leader next door at the Wesley Foundation. Anna went camping several times and attended football games in the fall. Her excellent work helped her gain acceptance into the UGA School of Graphic Design.

 

Matthew turned 18 and got his first car, a classic 1996 Buick Park Avenue. He plays guitar and sings for his band, the Swim Moms, who played several performances around metro Atlanta. Matthew still attends Legacy Community Academy, and attends student activities at church. He just started working at the Whole Foods Market in East Cobb.

 

Ceil continues to teach art to kindergarteners at Legacy and work in the office at Veritas. She took an on-line art class from an instructor from Australia, with classmates who live all around the world. Ceil also sews and bakes and made as many trips to Athens as possible. She co-hosted a bridal shower for Brittany.

 

Dave had a busy year at work this year, but found time to write a little, complete another Peachtree Road Race, and hang out at Braves games downtown and in Gwinnett and Rome. He attended the Masters, played a little golf, sold on eBay, attended hot stove baseball meetings during the winter months, and even toured the SunTrust Park construction site.

 

We made it back to North Myrtle Beach this year, and visited our parents in Jefferson and Macon. Thanksgiving will be remembered for the three F’s: fine food, fellowship, and the small fire in the oven that smoked up the house and blessed us with a visit from the fire department. Barney successfully kept us safe from all the local squirrels this year, as well as from all the dogs being walked past our house (and on TV).

 

We hope you had as great a year. It is our wish for you and yours to have a special Christmas season, and a most happy new year.

https://youtu.be/BxgVypJ4Kg0