Dan the handy man

As you all know (or should know if you don't), Dan is amazing. Not only is he a wonderful husband and an excellent father, but he is also a really hard worker and such an all around good person. One thing you may not know about Dan is that he is quite the handy man. I always appreciate when he can fix things that break or do things on his own that otherwise we'd have to pay someone else to do.

When we first decided to build a home, the builder gave us some money with which we could add "upgrades" such as nicer flooring, nicer countertops, etc. One of the options was a built-in bookcase in the study. We really wanted one, but they were asking too much so we decided to wait. After we moved in, I got a few quotes to see how much it would be for someone to do and it was EXPENSIVE! Dan decided that he would like to try doing it himself. So he did. He's been working on it for at least a few hours practically every weekend since Halloween and it is finally done. I love it! What do you think?

Before (well, picture just an alcove without that wood there):

After (we're not done arranging the books):

I'm so excited about it. In other exciting news, today Sam put together two-word phrases for the first time. He said, "Mama's chair" and "Dada's shoes." We're so proud.

Last Monday Dan had the day off so we took advantage of the Houston Zoo's free day. So did a million other people. It was pretty crowded, but it was fun to watch Sam seeing some animals for the first time. We enjoyed the outrageous people watching. I wish I had gotten pictures of some outfits. My sister would have died.

Despite how Sam looks in these pictures, he did have fun. He just wanted us to put him down so he could walk around on his own.

The zoo also had a carousel that Sam really loved.

Also, does anyone know how to post video using this new format?

For the past few months, there's been someone else in Dan's life. I've been slightly jealous that Dan was spending so much time with this other person. At night, when he would get home, he'd eat with us and then be off busy for an hour or two. Finally, after waiting patiently, I'm back to having his full attention. "Who was this other person?" you make ask. It wasn't a woman, it was a wizard. His name is Harry Potter.

Dan's sister recommended the books to him even though he'd always mocked HP readers. He decided to give the first one a shot and then he was hooked. I'd request them from the library and he'd have 2 weeks per book. Since they're really long, he'd be reading all the time. I'm happy to announce that Dan is now done with all seven books! I have my husband back!

Now we have to watch all the movies. We started the first one last night. I noticed that I have hair very similar to Hagred's. (I'm sure I'm spelling that wrong. I haven't read the books.) If you'll refer to the previous post, you'll find the comparison uncanny. We decided that Dan could be Harry and Sam could be Darby the house elf. Just 9+ months to Halloween!

And here's a picture of Sam enjoying his motorcycle. And for some reason, he can no longer say "motorcycle." Now it sounds like "mama cicle-cicle-cicle."

Not much going on around here lately.

It's cold. So cold. So cold that we went out today only to go to and from church. So cold that Sam's worn his coat more often here than he did when we were in Idaho. So cold that our outside sprinkler pipe busted and shot water up into the air as high as the second-story window. (The water had frozen and then thawed.) And we weren't home. So we're not sure how long it was like that. We're afraid to get the water bill...

Did anyone watch the story on 20/20 on Friday called "Katie's Story"? (I know you didn't, Ryan, but just you know, John Stossell doesn't do 20/20 anymore if that makes you happy.) It was a sad story about a pretty girl who lived in London and worked as a model. She dated this psycho possessive freak for 2 weeks and he did some bad things to her. Then he had his friend find her in the street and splash sulphuric acid all over her face. It burned off all of her skin. I can't believe how cruel people can be. Her boyfriend got 2 life sentences but could be out of prison in 16 years. (How the heck does that make sense?) But she's used her experience to do some positive things with her life and she's now trying to help other burn victims. The episode isn't posted on ABC's website yet, but it probably will be soon if you're interested.

Now I'll post pictures of the week.

First: I wanted to do my Texas hair again. It's been a while and I had a good feeling one night that it would be glorious. You be the judge.

Before:

After:

Today Sam and Dan played the guitar together. They were both happy despite how they may appear.

And Sam wore the coonskin cap from Dan's childhood. The next Davy Crockett.

Grandma's funeral

A few days before Christmas, my maternal grandmother passed away. She lived in Idaho and I didn't get to see her very often. She's suffered from Alzheimer's and was a widow of 15 years so I'm glad that she is now reunited with my grandpa. I'll remember her as a sweet lady who always made great cookies and fed the crazy wild cats that lived under her porch. Seriously those cats were scary! She also raised some really amazing kids and I'm forever grateful for how that has impacted my life. The day after Christmas, Sam and I flew to SLC and drove up to Driggs, Idaho, with my parents, Ryan, and Candice.

The day of the viewing, we took a drive up to Grand Targhee Ski Resort and got some gorgeous pictures of the Tetons.

The funeral was really beautiful. I had to sit in the foyer with Sam because he was being a rascal, but I got to hear it all. I was so touched by the stories that my mom and her siblings told of my grandma.

View from the cemetery.

After the graveside service, we had a luncheon at the church.

I didn't get to take many pictures at the cemetery or at the luncheon because Sam was a HANDFUL, but hopefully I'll get more from my parents. (Hint, hint.)

The house where my mom was raised.

The Phillps 66 down the street where we'd go get candy and think it was the coolest thing ever. We were obssessed with warheads.

On the way out of town, I had to snap pics of the town signs. Can you believe how small their town is? Population 247!

Candice not making eye contact as she ran back to the car from her millionth bathroom trip on the drive back to Salt Lake. She has a bladder the size of a dime.

I'm really glad I made the trip, even though it was hard to have Sam with me. It was nice to learn more about my grandma and see so much family whom I don't see often enough!

Christmas was a quiet and restful day at the Durst house. We were alone for the first time in 6 years which was kind of lonesome (duh), but also nice to spend the day together just the three of us. Christmas morning I made my grandma's famous "chunky bread" (per Dan's request), we looked at our very meager stockings (I'm not a very good stocking filler), and then opened presents. Sam didn't really understand the gift unwrapping. We'd have to basically unwrap his gifts for him, but once they were opened, he was really excited. He's play happily with whatever he got until we opened the next gift, which he then thought was cooler than the gift before and would play with that one instead.

I received a CD, a cake stand, Wilton class 2 supplies (and a promise that Dan would babysit Sam while I go to classes), the gospel art kit, a calendar, birdseed (a yearly tradition), a sewing machine (thanks in-laws!) and cookies. Dan got his electric guitar serviced so that he can play it again, his mission pictures put into an album, candy, a magnetic light for his tent, a bike (thanks Dan's parents!) and a resubscription to Consumer Reports. We were spoiled.

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!!!