Some summer fun - in pictures

A Murray Family vacation to Jellystone Park, the zoo, the Children's Museum, splash pads, and more! We're loving all the sun we can get! *Oh, and some proof of the escape and her new temporary bed while we get the big girl room ready!*

Say cheese!

To celebrate the 1 year anniversary of our family, we had some great pictures taken by the wife of a guy I knew in college. Gotta love facebook. ;o) Here's a preview of a few and a link to the facebook album if you want to see the rest!









Life has been busy, but of course life has been busy. Emma's officially transitioned from a cruiser to a walker and it's pretty cute to see her toddling around, often with some prize in her hands. She is more and more of a joy each day, which is consistently surprising! They start out so wonderful, it's hard to believe they can get better!!

Our family shrunk a little bit, or maybe just was redistributed as Grandpa took Emmitt on a roadtrip to live in NM. It was sad (for me) to see him go, but the right choice for our family and I think the Wilsons are enjoying having a social cat around. It's nice to know we'll be able to visit him and catch up on Skype one of these days.

It's feeling like fall again today after a very nice, warm October so far. Hopefully we're not in for it this winter!

And then there were 3

Animals that is. And people I guess. We're evening the playing field tomorrow. We've made the grown up decision to give Charlie to a friend. He's a sweet dog, beautiful, playful, aloof, but his energy level is just too much for us and our growing family. These friends house sat over Easter and after I'd joked that they should take a dog, they said they were really interested in Charlie. As it became increasingly apparent to both of us that this was just a bit too much, we got in touch and worked things out. He'll have a new doggie brother, Riley, and may even learn some tricks from people who have time and knowledge to train a dog. It'll be sad to see him go, but we know it's best for our family.

B is for Busy!

This parenting thing sure is exhausting! At any given moment there is laundry to be dealt with, a floor to be vacuumed, baby to be fed, changed, bathed, cuddled, snuggled, rocked, soothed. . . Plus there's the whole thing that parents should eat and shower too - oh, and that zoo of ours seems to think they should get at least a little attention and food. Phew! Are you tired?? I know we are!

That being said, Emma is absolutely divine and we are loving every crazy minute! The tiny little newborn we brought home a few short weeks ago has grown TWO inches and gained almost TWO pounds since her birth. Holy cow!! She's also awake more of the day in a 'quiet alert' mode (as opposed to the scream til they do something different mode), which has been a lot of fun! Those wide eyes just look around and soak up the world. And even though she's a little young for social smiles, I swear she's smiled at me on more than one occassion!

So here are some pictures from the past several weeks of Emma's busy life!

Looking very serious!
Jedi Emma!
Dressed for fall on Gma Wilson's Bday and not thrilled about the chilly weather!
One month old! 3 weeks old!
She keeps us laughing!

Tiny month old toes

At her first Gopher game against the stinky Badgers

Going home!

Getting home was quite the adventure. . . Daddy went to put bags in the car and get the car seat and came back with the car seat - the whole car seat. He didn't know how to detach it from the base. Then he went back out to install the car seat and came back with the base. . . He'd forgotten the keys (and the manual). Then it was time to figure out the heck to get her in that thing and after a bit of negotiation (and a consult with a nurse), mommy was right and we got her in. It was such a strange feeling to be wheeled out with a baby after having been wheeled in to the postpartum ward with her in my arms just a few days before.

Cutest.Baby.Ever.



Emma in her going home outfit - it looks a lot like our wedding invitations and I LOVE it!

Not so sure about this carseat deal

But she settled in for the ride

Last family moment in the hospital

Ready to roll! Getting home - daddy was dealing with the crazy dogs

Dog #1 got to meet her first while dog #2 was taken to burn off some energy

In her room for the first time

Baby's best friend

I caught Hank sitting by the crib tonight. Then I brought Charlie in to pose with him. Hank is looking right at home next to the crib and Emmitt seems quite fond of the glider.






Steve's predictions on the zoo's reactions -

Queso - annoyed by the new addition and will keep to herself
Emmitt - overly happy by the new addition, leaving us annoyed trying to get him to keep to himself
Hankers - protective and nearby the baby
Charlie - very excited, but not really sure why