Lots of House Guests!

We've started a tradition, inspired by DS's grad school advisor, where we take his research students out for drinks every couple of months.  There are only 6 of them, so it's not that big of a deal, and it's good for morale I think.  It had been a while since we did it, so on Wednesday we mixed it up a little bit by having them over for dinner.  This of course required some mega cleaning, and it always feels good to have that done.

We grilled some burgers, corn on the cob, and pineapple chunks out on our balcony.  We also had those brined pork chops we love so much ready, but everyone brought food so it would have been way too much.  Those just went in the freezer, and they'll come in handy this weekend.  There was also the yummiest fruit salad, the best asian dumplings I've ever had, and some rice and duck.  So much food, and of course, beer.  The cats put on quite a show, especially Winston (as if you had any doubts).  They were all blown away by how talkative he is, and they were all slightly disappointed that neither of them wanted to curl up with anyone.  One guy tried so hard to get them to love him, and then learned the hard way that he's allergic after rubbing his face in their fur :/  That did not deter him though!

This weekend, our friends from Brooklyn are coming down.  It's a good time since it's a long weekend, though it's supposed to be almost 90 all weekend.  Also, these types of holidays are sort of tourist traps in historical cities like this one.  I'm not sure what they'll want to do, but I'm sure we'll find something entertaining.

Next weekend, Luke and his new wife, Adrienne, are coming for the first time.  I'm really excited to show them around, and I hope the weather doesn't make us too miserable.  It looks like it should cool down by the middle of the week, which is a relief.

Go Phils!

Last night I was unexpectedly invited to a girl's night at the Phillies game!  One of Bri's friends were in town and had two extra tickets.  They were amazing seats, just 11 rows back.  Also, it was free hat night, so I officially own real Phillies gear now.  Whoo!

The only downside was that it rained all night.  I'm so happy we got those free hats, because I didn't have to worry about wiping rain off my glasses all night.   However, I was still rather wet when I got home.  But we won!  And I had ice cream with sprinkles out of a little hat!  Good times, good times.

A Look Back at the Jungle Mobile

You may remember a while back that I posted about a jungle mobile I designed for a friend's baby.  Recently I got an update on how it's holding up, and I was so tickled with the results.

Ellie's crib, with mobile

This is Ellie's room.  The alphabet tree still needs leaves I'm told, but that's where the mobile hangs!

Ellie with her Tiger and Elephant

And this is Ellie holding two of the animals.  She's now 1!  I'm really happy to see that they get used for play time, since that's how I envisioned them working.  Also, I just can't believe how big they look in her hands.  Her mom tells me that Ellie cries whenever they have to be taken away for things like bath time.  !!  I'm not a fan of babies crying, but wow is that a compliment :D

Cinco de Matto - 2012

Holy wow!  My friend Matt, the one that married us and lives in Brooklyn, has a birthday on May 5th.  So it's always Cinco de Mayo, and quite often the Kentucky Derby, when he celebrates.  He calls it Cinco de Matto, as well he should.

This was the first year we were able to make it up there for his birthday.  It was kind of insane.  Nearly 50 people RSVP'd yes to coming.  You guys, I don't think I even know 50 people.  We spent most of Saturday setting up, and then the rest of the evening dancing, talking, and watching fire spinning on the roof.  I attempted to document the proceedings while learning the manual settings on my camera.

It was an epic night.  There were 5 gallons of red margarita.  Brownies, bruschetta, mints, balloons.  Everything and everyone was decked in red and black, even the lights!  I was really impressed with everyone's clothing.  Honestly, check it out!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Be happy you weren't there for the cleanup the next morning!

First World Problems

I have some posting to catch up on, I know.  But I wanted to tell you about the worst thing that happened to me yesterday.

It wasn't that my laptop problems got bad enough that apple took it away from me to extensive repairs.  It wasn't that a lack of a laptop meant that my only computer in the living room was the pc, from which you can't see the tv.

It was that while playing the Sims 3 on said pc, my pet cat (Felix Yau) left me due to neglect.  My sim freaked out for 2 whole days.  I really miss that cat.

Seriously though, life is pretty good.