Nikki Murray

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kids dipping their feet in the wading pool

Independence Day

Posted on 4 Jul ’10 by Nikki Murray

We woke up to an appropriately HOT 4th of July. It was already warm enough outside to sweat at 8:30 in the morning. The sun was brutal and the sporadic rain showers made it muggy but it was a perfect kind of day. I was surrounded by family, memories, and a beautiful view. I really couldn’t have asked for anything more.

hot enough to set my legs on fire at 9AM
mr. Fritz, sayin' good morning
kids dipping their feet in the wading pool
the screened-in porch was the ultimate protection against the army of mosquitos
this can was sweating about 5 seconds after I brought it outside
the neighbors invited the kids for a dip
even my aunt got in
cousin, Sean, lighting a sparkler in his mouth. Marines are tough, but are they smart?
Illinois has a restriction on all the big fireworks, so this was our stash of sparklers and poppers
my aunt Sue and uncle Michael
an absolutely beautiful Independence day, even with the heat
Lex double-sparkling it
my sparkler
love the cool lighting effect from the iPhone4 camera
Indiana toll booths are the suck
each car took approx 2 minutes at the booth because it was unmanned and the change dispenser took forEVER
Em, riding home with the blanket over her head
we stayed downtown that night and had this view from the hall (the room view was less glamorous)

The yearly pilgrimage

Posted on 2 Jul ’10 by Nikki Murray

Every year I drive up to Chicago to see the family and visit the cemetery. The visit started began with a dinner, a trip to the cemetery and some walking around downtown. Family, food, friends and fun… always a good beginning. (Incidentally, I forgot my camera gear, so all these photos were taken with an iPhone4.)

relaxing after a long drive through Chicago traffic
chillin' on Em's sofabed at a crappy hotel
at least we had the dinner with my step-mom to look forward to
sleeping beauty isn't really a morning person
always working
went to breakfast at Baker's Square, as is tradition
this photo was taken before my kids both found hairs in their slice of pie
grandpa and grams murray
setting lilies on my grams' grave
flowers for her grandpa
love you, dad
we stayed downtown that night and had this view from the hall (the room view was less glamorous)
panoramic at Giordano's
waiting for the pizza pie
that's Chicago-style, baby
a very blue sky
photo trickery-fun
cloned
waiting patiently for me to stop goofing around so we could go
at last, dessert without hair in it! (at Hershey's)
Moe showing us a photo of us being geeky
the river
my peanut
em & me
mr. eaton
vertigo

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  • About

    My name is Nikki Murray and I’m a mother of two who has been buried neck-deep in code since 1998. I presently work as a user experience and interface designer for a health IT company during the daylight hours. When I’m not freelancing during my off hours, I am prowling around with a camera or recklessly maneuvering needles.

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