Sammy the Stinker

On Friday I put Sam down for his nap in his usual t-shirt and diaper. He took an awesome nap and about 2 hours later started making some noise. I went to get him out and I found him in his pack n play wearing just a t-shirt! He had taken his diaper completely off and peed all over his crib. He is so funny. I just had to laugh. But now I always make sure he has pants on before I put him down. And I'm glad that it was only pee!

TWILIGHT

Have the masses gone insane? I hope I don't lose any friends over this, but seriously.

Worst. Movie. Ever.

Here were our faces while we watched.

On a scale from 0-10, Dan gave it a 0. I gave it a 1.

Dan and I haven't been doing too much lately. Well, not much worth writing about anyway, but too bad. I'll write anyway.

Last weekend Dan was in charge of a fundraiser for the boy scouts at church. They held a spaghetti dinner where the boys served everyone. After dinner, there was a dessert auction. It was a huge success and they earned twice as much as they did the year before! Dan was pooped from that experience so we just went home and redboxed Australia. I would give it a 6.5. I think Dan said he would give it a 7.5. There was a love scene. We hit the fastforward. The night before we redboxed Kungfu Panda. I loved it. I'd give it a 7.5. I think Dan gave it a 7? It was a really fun movie.

This past weekend we went to the Houston Rodeo, which is a HUGE deal here. It goes on for 3 weeks in March and each night they have various event in a giant arena and then after the rodeo events, someone big in the country world performs. We went on one of the last nights and it was so much fun. I'd never been to a rodeo before and I think we'll have to go back more often next year! One of my favorite events was the mutton bustin' where kids between the ages of 4 and 6 hold on for dear life to the back of a sheep who obviously wants them off. Only one girl held on the whole time. We also saw bronco bucking, bare-back broncos, bull riding, barrel racing, etc. It was awesome. Afterwards, Brooks & Dunn performed but by then, Sam was pretty pooped so we stayed for one song and then left.

Dan and I had fun, but I'm not sure about Sam (see hand)!

Cupcake update: THEY ATE ALL OF THEM!

A few things:

First, we've got an almost-crawler on our hands! He LOVES it when I call Dan at work and put it on speakerphone. He wants the phone so badly. So today I had the phone on the floor in his room and I was talking to Dan and Sam started army crawling towards it! So I grabbed the camera and made him do it again. Pretty exciting! Sorry in advance for the poor video quality, I had to make it worse so that the file size wasn't so big.

Also, for Relief Society Enrichment tonight, I was supposed to make cupcakes. I don't know what it is, but me and cupcakes do not get along! They're too moist, they don't rise, etc. etc. One time in Charlottesville I made cupcakes for a Relief Society activity and NO ONE ATE ANY. I came with 12, I left with 12. Ouch. So this time, I wanted them to be cute. Well, I tried! Can you even tell what the pink things are?Here's a hint: The theme is "It's 'purse'onal" Even though they look more like Easter baskets or Barbie accessories... I made 18. My goal is to leave with fewer than 8. Too ambitious? Probably.

And lastly, ever since we bought a bunch of bananas last week, we've got a mad infestation on fruit flies. SO nasty. I looked online at how to catch them so I set up a glass with apple cider vinegar in the bottom with a funnel going down into it. I then put tape around where the paper touches the glass. The first night we had more than 20 in there! I've been emptying it a few times a day and the number has been going down ever since, thankfully. Right now there are 3 in there (this is an older picture). I thought I'd share my capturing technique with the rest of you since summer is right around the corner!

Dear Dad,

I hope you're having a good day at work! I just wanted to let you know that you won't have to give me a bath when you get home. I already got one. Here's why.

Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Sam

Love these two:

My parents came into town on Thursday night. They drove all the way from Virginia! We bought my parents' minivan and instead of us paying someone else to have it shipped, they decided to drive it down themselves so that they could see us. We had a really fun visit. Friday I showed my parents the lot for our future house and a model of what our home will look like. We went to a park close to our apartment and that night we met my aunt and uncle, who live in a Houston suburb, for dinner at a local BBQ joint - Goode Company. Next door to Goode Company is a restaurant with a giant armadillo with flaming eyes. I got a picture but with my mom's camera so hopefully I can get that later. That day Sam napped a total of 20 minutes. It was killer.

Saturday we went to the San Jacinto monument outside of Houston. It's where the Texans defeated Santa Anna back in 1836. Don't mess with Texas. It is also the tallest monument column in the country. It was a chilly and super windy day. We also went to the USS Texas which was nearby. For lunch we stopped by another Texas hotspot - Beck's Prime - for burgers and shakes. If you ask any Houstonian where to get a good chocolate shake, they will undoubtedly say Beck's Prime. I beg to differ. On a 10-point scale, I'd give it a 7. My mom gave it a 5. Ouch. But it was still pretty good. (Sidenote about shakes - Before we left I googled "milkshakes houston" and a place came up called Sparkles that had really good reviews. We GPS'd it after seeing the monument but it turned out to be a random rundown shack painted electric blue. I was up for the adventure, but everyone else refused to stop. I'll have to take Sam there someday when it's just the two of us.)

Sunday my dad had to fly home, unfortunately. It was so great to have him here! After he left we went to our aforementioned relatives' house for some delicious food and good company. My aunt is a really good cook. I could have rolled out of there I was so full. Later Dan, my mom and I played some Skip-bo and hung out.

Monday my mom and I went shopping and yesterday we went to the Houston Heritage Society and toured some old Houston houses. It was actually pretty cool and I think my mom now has a major crush on our tourguide, Grover. After the tour it was "Grover this" and "Grover that..." Just kidding. Don't worry, Dad!

Last night, Mom babysat so that Dan and I could go to the movies. We hadn't gone to the movies since July and hadn't been on a date since September! It was so fun. We went to see Taken. It was so intense. We were on edge the WHOLE time. I've just got to say that Liam Neeson is one bad dude! Today I had to say goodbye to my mom. I loved having her here. I feel like when my parents come that I'm actually the one on vacation because they do so much for us. Love you guys! Sam has been distraught since you left. He cried the whole way home from the airport.