Christmas

These were already leaked on FaceBook, so we are trying to catch up with. Christmas Day was a blast with only 4 house trips. Our first own family Christmas, then Durrs, then Woods, then Tristas. Home by 10:30.

Surprise Santa Visit on Aires Lane

A few weeks before Christmas, my cousin Richelle convinced Santa Clause to make a surprise to visit to her house to surprise the kids. It was such a nice treat and he never broke character the entire evening. 

Sawyer took just a seconds to warm up to Ol' St. Nick, but soon he found his beard that was nice and soft to tug on. 

Sawyer and Santa, Christmas 2010

It's pretty weird but pretty cool

I'm taking up some of my very valuable sleep time to share some thoughts on mommyhood. I'm 2 months in and I love it. I don't love every minute, especially when that minute is 3:42am, but overall it's pretty amazing.

When he cries after I put him down for the night I immediately get hysterical, even though it has never, ever taken us more than 2 visits to pop the pacifier back in his mouth to put him to sleep. Every single time I ask/whisper scream to Kevin "What if he doesn't go to sleep??!" but he always does. I just know with babies there's no guarantees.

I read a book that said night time should be quiet time for baby; it should be boring with the lights low and minimal eye contact so you don't stimulate them. So making him conduct to Boston Pops Christmas music at 2:30am is considered stimulating? You learn something new everyday.

When I told my dad he is now sleeping in his crib at night he asked me if I missed him. Not. Even. A. Little. I love walking into his nursery in the morning after a semi decent night sleep and seeing his little face.

Having this little guy has made me fall so in love with Kevin. He's an amazing dad and I don't know how he does everything. He's a daddy, a husband, a student and a full time nurse. I'm crazy about him.

I love friends with kids, it's so nice to vent or brag to other young hot moms. It's not so fun venting and bragging to my single friends. I'm sure they'll agree.

I love watching other people hold him, especially his Grandma/Grandpa/Aunt. They love him so much and has made me decide that living in California for a little while won't be that bad. They love him and I love having babysitters.

When I would tell people I wanted 4 kids everyone said "Oh just wait, it's hard work." Now that I know this I tell people I want 2 kids and everyone says "Oh just wait, it won't be this hard forever." Ok which is it? I think people just don't like agreeing with you.

I can silently walk around the house all day but when I walk into his room my breathing becomes labored and every bone in my body cracks.

When I put him down for a nap I'm not convinced he's asleep for the first 45 minutes, and just when I think it's safe to take a nap he wakes up. When I think it's safe to do the dishes or laundry he sleeps for 3 hours.

I've never been so tired in my entire life.

That's all for now, and I'm telling you, the second my head hits the pillow he'll decide it's time to eat.

Baby Sawyer Blessing

Following in similar footsteps, Sawyer had his baby blessing in the same building that his father got his baby blessing. We decided to go back to 2nd Ward so family and friends could attend. It just so happened that Katie and Ryan Stouvenel were blessing Odin the same day. Also, the Rohms all had Christmas together this year so Durrs, Rohms, and Stewarts who once took up three or four rows now took up almost 2/3 of the entire chapel. Thanks to family and friends who could make it, we really appreciate your support.

x

Durr Family Christmas Letter

Unfortunately the traditional Durr Family Christmas letter did not go out this year in the mail. However this will be attempt to satisfy the demand from the masses.

Dad spent the year working pretty hard. But to counter for that he got a Disneyland Annual pass and went a few times with Kevin and Erin and extended family. Over the summer he took the young men in his church to the Sequoias in Northern California. Somehow he always manages to bring them all back in one piece. That's probably why he always always works with the young men.

Mom spent the 3/4 of the year doing her thing. Work lots, then travel lots. I I can never keep track of exactly where she has been, but I think she had a two week trip in the Carribean somewhere for scuba diving and then some short excursions around the Southwest US for sights and sounds with amateur non-serious casual photography. She put in a request at work to transffered to the Cardiac Transplant team which would finally take her away from her stint as OR charge nurse. Also, she found a book of "50 places to visit before you die" so who knows where she will go next.

Diane is doing well working in the family business at Stater Bros. After requesting to work in one store, and not all, she was quickly promoted to "key carrier #5." For you non-stater's folk that's assistant assistant assistant assistant manager. She will get decent hours and because she's under the old contract, better pay too. That gives her time to hangout with her boyfriend.

Erin and I had a long year, but were recently blessed with a big baby boy in November. Everyone has been so supportive and we are grateful for family and friends. Erin finished her Preschool teaching license and since has become an excellent home maker. I finished school, started grad school, got a job, and had to stop going to the gym because all of the above. We moved to Redlands early in the year for more room and are already thinking about finding a place with more room soon.

Brian is fully committed to BYU Idaho. He was home for part of the summer and all of Fall. As usual he worked and played a lot. He manned up into a few serious relationships but each fizzled out (for the better we think). Towards the end of the year, he got really wrapped up in deal hunting and saved all of us lots of money with his "Overwhelming Offers." Just before going back to Idaho a week ago, he permanently moved out of the house. So he is fully committed to finishing out school at Idaho over the next two years.

That's US Durrs in a nutshell. Of course the highlight was adding a little one. Now Grandma W and Grandpa compete for chances to babysit. We are all thankful for many good times and the support during hard times during 2010. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas while looking forward to a Happy New Year.