Post-Christmas Fun Times

Steel Plaza made some excellent choices this holiday season and included not only Santas from around the world but also the fantastic and not-so-fantastic (but equally enjoyable) gingerbread houses constructed by kids around Pittsburgh.





Too bad they were roped off and likely coated with shellac. They looked tasty.






Daniel bears a striking resemblance to the guy in the drawing.







Hee! We visited the Wood Street Galleries and Daniel likes to have fun with anything involving a projector.





Be warned: this is kind of gross. We have no idea what happened to this bird. This was on a bike path right between the main road and the river.




And ew, what are these parts??








I love interactive historical exhibits. This was an old streetcar from ye olde early days of Pittsburgh.


















Daniel gave Rose a run for her money.











Adorable!








Oh ho ho, this was so much fun. Cool Springs golf course, previously known for awkward dates and frozen ice pops, has reinvented itself as a magical snowtubing wonderland.



It was kind of expensive, as snow activities go ($15.00 for two hours) but it was worth it: first of all, the guy forgot to charge Daniel. Secondly, we were so exhausted after two hours we couldn't have gone on much longer. Third, it was super fun.


These are the faces of two people having a super fun time.







Daniel rocked the snowpants post-Thanksgiving chic look.









Whee!








Awesome coverage of the event.

Two tubes one slope.

This is me on the way back up. It was the ultimate lazy person ride.







We stopped off for a bit to play on the swings near our house.









And Daniel turned into an Oompa Loompa.











Alex, being charitable and generous, took us to the Pitt game a few days later. One thing that was absolutely hilarious was the Pitt Pic of the game. Anything with 'pitt pick' is funny.




Anyway, the Pitt Pic was of Gary McGhee's pit, which made it extra funny, and the funny trebled because Gary McGhee was the only player we knew by name and we kept yelling GARRR-EEEEEEE the whole game.


And because everyone loves a twirler, here's Daniel on a blanket.

Christmas Pictures

This post would be better called "The All-Daniel All the Time Hour" because pretty much every picture I took was either of Daniel, food, or a combination of both Daniel and food. It's obvious where my priorities lie.

Mr. Rogers in the 'hood! He was one of the first things we saw right after we got into Pittsburgh.










This was the gift to Ma and Pa before I put the color in. It looks kind of bedraggled here (and probably still does) but it should look nice once framed honest!









Christmas Eve service. They served Communion and it went far too long.







Oh, the tree looked very nice, as did the many presents underneath.











Our very own Bear Grylls got some nice socks!























What a tricky she-devil. Daniel never even saw her coming.








Dad had an Emeril audience watching as he prepared the oysters. Or mussels. Or clams. Something on a half shell.
















But Alaina, why didn't you have one? Two reasons. First, I was stuffed to the gills.







Here's the second reason. I can't get over it.








This is partly why I was stuffed to the gills.








Seems like we saw Daniel and the mini cheesecakes together quite often during our vacation home.










Lasagna is the best thing ever, no question, and the breakfast sausage made it even better. What's next - a layer of bacon in the middle?















You know, I don't even like shrimp yet I eat them by the boatful whenever I get a chance. It's a sickness.







Delicious church punch, as usual, and I especially enjoyed the new beverage dispenser.










Every time I think of it, I cajole Daniel by saying "JOWL for me, JOWL for me my pet!". He can't do it long since it gives him a headache but the resulting joy for me must be worth it.
























Duel jowling!








Two jowls are better than one!









And when that gets old, there's always FACES!












































Daniel got really drunk. Just kidding. It's a bad picture.











Happy holidays, from Daniel.








And me too!








We played this dice game called Left, Right, or Center. It only lasted one round after my family realized "hey... Alaina's not going to give back our money" (that's the POINT of playing with MONEY, is that you don't give it back!).

Hee! Mom looks like she has an Amy Winehouse beehive thanks to the background wreath.








Model pose!








So gaunt, so hot...








He looks like the Mad Money Hatter




















We ended up playing some not-quite-Cranium board game and Daniel had to be Grandma's pet. I graciously lent him out for a few minutes.















Arienne was so tipsy she almost fell out of her chair.


























For more wacky Arienne-and-Daniel holiday fun, check out their video.

Christmas Pictures...NOT YET

I have a ton of Christmasy fun pictures to put up but before that... some cat! Because I don't take enough pictures of him.

Levi loves the bathtub (and being in the bathroom in general) but really freaks out when anyone turns the shower on.














This is his crack blanket. We have no idea why he likes it so much but as soon as he sees it he jumps up all on you and immediately rolls all over it.




He hasn't gotten typhoid or anything from the street perch yet.











Feets!


























Ew. Maybe too much of a close-up.








He likes to decide sometimes that you shall not get work done.







Not a chance.