Merry Christmas

Our apologies for not getting Christmas cards out this year. As you can see, we made one. We just didn't get around to mailing it out. Just know that we love you all. Hopefully next year we'll be less lazy. We hope you have a very merry Christmas and enjoy spending time with loved ones and thinking of the birth of our Savior.

What a day

Today Sam and I took a stroll over to the lake. I thought it would be fun for him to feed the ducks by himself. (Usually I just feed them while Sam watches from the stroller.) This time, I took him out of the stroller, gave him pieces of bread, and he threw them to the ducks. The ducks were SO aggressive! I think it was because it has rained the last few days and they didn't get fed. So they were totally close and in your face. Sam was LOVING it! He would throw the piece, laugh, clap his hands, and squeal. So cute!

...Until he made the mistake of pointing at one of the ducks. The duck thought it was rude of Sam to point, so SNAP! it bit him on the finger. I let out this wild banshee scream, totally without even thinking (just my motherly instinct, I suppose), and although it lasted like a nanosecond, I was still really embarrassed afterwards. Kind of a spaz. Anyway, at that point, Sam cried for a few minutes and then bucked up to feed the rest of the ducks from the safety of my arms. He was laughing again by the end.

After the lake, we walked to the park. He likes to play on the equipment for a while and then walk around throwing things.

When we got back, and before I gave him a bath, I styled his hair. It's ridiculously long. He's the cutest. We'll probably cut it this weekend.

Santa plays the saxophone.

We thought we'd give Santa one more chance, this time at the church party.

Mission: FAILED.

Maybe next year.

Emily Jones Memorial Fund

A few months after we left Charlottesville, a new family moved into our old ward so that the husband could start medical school at UVA. The day before Thanksgiving of this year, the husband, John Jones, died while caving in Utah, leaving behind his wife (Emily), a 14-month old daughter, and a baby on the way. A woman from Las Vegas is holding an online auction to raise money for Emily. I know it's late notice (the auction closes tomorrow), but the blog address is adailyscoop.blogspot.com. Go and bid on something! 100% of the proceeds go to Emily to help with her expenses. Lots of these items would make great Christmas presents.

Santa

The verdict is in:
Santa is still terrifying.

All About Sam

Sam had his 18-month check-up a few weeks ago. Here are the stats:

Weight: 28 pounds, 6 ounces (80%)

Height: 34 inches (90%)

Head size: above 95%.

This was his first appointment since we've moved and we changed doctor's offices. His new doctor was kind of shocked by his head size and had to ask if he's always had a big head or if this is a new development. I love his big head. The rest of his appointment went well.

Sam can say a ton of words. I won't be able to remember them all, and most of them he doesn't say perfectly, but he has his own way of saying the following: mama, dada, doggie, mouse, eye, head, mouth, diaper, banana, strawberry, blueberry, car, truck, clock, motorcycle, bicycle, sock, shoes, turtle, Jesus, star, moon, book, milk, tree, chair, Grandma, Grandpa, and I'm sure there are others!

He likes to sit in things:

Chairs

Laundry baskets

Boxes

Bowls

He loves to look at books and flips out every time he sees a motorcycle.

I took a video to capture his noises, and he makes some, but this video is probably only interesting to my parents. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Happenings

We've been pretty busy here. Dan's parents have been in town for about 3 weeks (first for a business trip, then for Thanksgiving). It was great to have them! We spent a few days here in Houston and then headed over to Dan's brother's house for Thanksgiving. Just like last year, the food was delicious and it was fun to hang out with them, go on a few dates, and play rockband. When I play those drums, it makes me want to ask for a drumset. A real one. But I think I'll just wait 10 years and play the part of the annoying parent and make Sam learn. I will then play his set when he's at school. That's the plan.

On one quick date we went to Half Priced Books and got a LOAD of loot! We got some books for Sam for Christmas, some classics, and others that we've wanted to read but haven't yet. It was awesome. Right now I'm reading Peace Like a River and I'm loving it so far. $2, baby.

Dan's dad headed home a few days after Thanksgiving and Dan's mom stayed until this morning. It was nice to have her here and have some help with things around the house. Sam woke up this morning look for Grandma but she had already left.

Yesterday was Dan's birthday! He is 28. Hopefully he doesn't mind me saying that. It was fast Sunday and let me tell you, it's hard to make a cake and frosting on fast Sunday! I think it turned out alright. Except the pink frosting, which was labeled "Christmas red". For dinner, Dan requested baked potato soup. Dan got a few books, a CD, a basketball, a camping stove, a picture for his office, and an alarm clock that projects the time and temperature on the ceiling. I love you, Dan! Happy birthday!!!

Question

Does anyone know how to make the writing space wider? I don't like how narrow the column is and I want it wider. Anyone know?