The dresser is done!

So I finally finished painting and glazing the dresser. I think it turned out pretty well. The glazing on the mirror turned out a little too bold for me, but it goes pretty well. What do you think? the only problem is that I can't find drawer pulls the right size anywhere... I need 4 1/4" and most come 3" to 3 1/2". I might have to special order or something.

Mike also talked me into doing a quick coat on my old dresser so they match. Hope you don't mind Mom! It looks soooo much better and makes the room all come together. We want to get matching knobs for this too. I wish I could find some that are the same kind of metal as our curtain rods and hold backs (below). Now all we need is a dark wood headboard and nightstands! Someday...

LITTLE Emrie Jade Murray!

She's here! She is so beautiful.... words or pictures don't do her one ounce of justice. Here are some pictures for you all to enjoy. I am also posting some of Landon's oryx hunt! He had such a blast and I am so proud of him! Way to go guys!

Sorry, i guess i should be a little more particular... she is 5 pounds 14 ounces. She is seriously TINY! She is just gorgeous.

Holidays!

Hey everybody! So yesterday Mike and I were talking about his paid time off and paid holidays and thinking that we should outline a plan for how we will use it this year. Since it depends a lot on how all of you spend your holidays and birthdays, I thought we could get some discussion going so we can coordinate! I love spending any holiday as a family. Remember how fun President's Day was when we went ice skating? And we always love the fireworks together. Halloween was fun last year, and of course next Christmas is at home--YAY! This is by no means set in stone... just to get the juices flowing...


























Emrie's arrival! SOON! -We are hoping to come the weekend after she is born
President's Day -Mike has a day off but we don't know what to do
Emrie's blessing, March? -We'll be there!
Maddie's 1st birthday! -Maybe celebrate in Utah on blessing weekend? If not, you are all invited to Vegas!
Easter
Noelle & Mom's birthdays
Memorial Day
Dana & Lauren's birthday -I want to be together this year, twiner!!
Dad's birthday and 4th of July -We are open to anything... Bear Lake?
Labor Day
Emily's birthday
Cole's birthday
Halloween
Thanksgiving -In-laws
Christmas -HOME!!!
New Year's

Rexburg...

Hey family. I don't have any pictures to post cuz I am at the school but I just have a second of extra time so I thought that I would write a short little post and let you know how school is going. Everything has been going good so far. My classes seem to be pretty easy thus far but I haven't had them all yet. Most of my classes are either Horticulture classes or dance classes which is kinda nice. Its great to be able to take classes in things that I love :) This may come as a surpirse to you all but I am taking a clogging class this semester! :( BOO! But i thought that I should give it a try instead of being a hypocrit and knocking it before I try it! Its pretty interesting...its a beginning class so the basics of it are a lot like tap. The teacher told me I will probably get bored but thats alright it will be fun right? So anyway. Justin is doing great, I am listening to his voice recording right now and he said they had 7 investigators at church on Sunday and 162 people there all together! :) He said that he has a few baptisms coming up on the 26th so make sure to pray for him and the people he is teaching! And I know this may seem like a CRAZY idea but he would love to hear from all of you. Don't feel obligated but he doesn't get many letters and he loves all of you and would love to hear about what is going on with you! :) So anyway. That is all that is going on with me! Well I love you all. Can't wait to see you all when we join to welcome little Emrie! :) xoxo

Hey ya'll...

Now that Noelle & Zak have their own blog, we need to step it up on the Seven Spuds! It seems like Noelle was our most consistent poster. So if something exciting happens in your life, be sure to tell us about it, pictures or not! The more you practice, the easier it is, and it only takes a few minutes. Let's make the most of this tool to stay connected to one another. XOXOXO -Lauren

Pink dots, it is.

Well, the poll was close, but since the mama and papa to be like the pink dots, they stay! Maybe we'll change again once Emrie has her very own blog.

Home. We're home. But I miss home.

I woke up this morning (to Maddie calling me of course) and just wished I could sleep the day away, not only because I feel super sleep-deprived, but also so I wouldn't have to face reality. Withdrawl is no fun... I figured I could wallow in my misery. I tried the sleeping-in-thing, but Maddie would have none of it. She was crawling all over me by 7 a.m. and wanted me to get up and play. After breakfast I tried to entertain her but I could tell she missed the attention from her adoring fans. When it was finally nap time I thought maybe I could sneak a few extra winks and keep avoiding the call of duty... but no luck. I read my book in bed for a few minutes and right as I was falling asleep Maddie woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. After we both shed a few tears I realized that not only was I making myself miserable, but I wasn't being a very good mommy either! So I finally got up, shook off my blues, and got to work.

Maddie misses the kitty. (This is a video.)

It's funny that on the very day I want to curl up and do nothing, I have a million things to do that can't wait. Like refill the fridge that's full of expired food so we can eat dinner. And wash the heaps of clothes from the long trip so we have something to wear. And organize the huge mess so I don't go crazy!!! And even though I wasn't looking forward to any of this it is actually somewhat cathartic, and now I feel a little better. I still miss you all soooooo much, but at least we have memories and pictures to fall back on.

Whenever I feed Maddie Spaghettios I will think of Emily doing the airplane with the spoon while Maddie squealed in delight. And when I push Maddie on her new princess bike I will think of everyone zooming her around the table! I think all three of us will miss cable--Maddie seemed to enjoy watching the games with Zak and Daddy. I love remembering Maddie perched on top of Noelle's tummy and wearing Cole's beanie. It was so sweet to turn around at the bowling alley and see Landon showing Maddie the Christmas tree. And who could forget Dana being beaned in the head with a shrimp? :) That dinner was so tasty and fun! Thanks for the treat Dad. And Mom, thanks for all you do to make our house a home, and for making Christmas magical every year. Like Dad said as we left, time with family is celestial.

What could it be?

Trumpet lessons

Playing beauty parlor with Grandma

Feeling Emrie move
Mike and his artistic shots

A last goodbye to the munchkin all buried in the backseat!

Lastly, just a couple of FYI's. I got my cholesterol results in the huge pile of mail we got yesterday. Drumroll please... 220!!! I don't know if it's from walking more or eating better or if it's even accurate, but I'm happy! (Two years ago it was 295 for those who don't know). At least now my doctor won't push Lipitor on me. And if you want to raise your cholesterol a bit, here's the recipe for that yummy quiche we had: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quick-Quiche/Detail.aspx. Print it off and put it in the breakfast section of your new cookbook!

Love you all,
Lauren