Uhh, part 2?

Can part two of an event come a week after part one, and three weeks after the original event?

Now I can't even remember what I did when I was in LA...

Getting together with old friends.  But why do I look like I ate a whole pumpkin? You people need to tell me when I'm gaining weight.  I'd rather not find out from vacation pictures.

 Getting set up.

 

Fellow Big 12 supporter Ken at the tailgate.

Me and Bean.

Up close and personal with Bevo

The tailgate eventually swelled to over 50 fans who in a few short hours would be heartbroken, but full.

Me and Wells.

Pregame.

"The Eyes"

As close to legendary as possible.

24 hours later, I was fully cheered up by the chicken and rice guys in NY.

 The line was 30 minutes.  The temperature was below 20.

Worth it.

Back from the west coast/ east coast

I got to play the role of superfan/ deadbeat dad/ road warrior all in one week. Not my cup of tea. And I don't even drink tea. Playing superfan was awesome until about 3 minutes after kick off of the MNC game. Here's some pics from LA/ NYC.

If you land in LA before noon, you go to BLD for breakfast and coffee. 

Then it was over to Tripper's to get the briskets going for the tailgate.

Spent the night at a buddy's where Bromley the dog had the rankest farts I've ever smelled from a dog.  Brutal.

more coming...

Big Boy Dog Bed

Erinn posting...we recently bought Simon a twin mattress and placed it on the floor of what will become his "big boy room" over the next couple of months so that he can gradually get use to it by playing in the room, taking naps in there, etc. While it may take Simon a few months, it only took Callie a few hours...

 

 

and yes, I know I still need outlet covers in the room. I wouldn't want Callie to get shocked.

Is it just me or am I starting to sound like Andrew?

Trying to recap the last three weeks in pictures

I'm leaving for L.A. tomorrow, then NYC on Friday and a lot's happened since our last post. Let's recap, shall we?

Simon enjoys a Tofu Dog at his Hannukah party at school.  Actually, he didn't touch the Dog, but he ate the entire bun.

Smoked some turkeys for Christmas gifts.  Here's the pre-party.

Running around getting last minute things on Christmas eve, we stopped for lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  Here's some video form there:

For those that need translating, the video starts with Simon answering what he thought Santa was going to bring him, then tells Erinn "I love you."  After that he tells everyone how yummy the milk is and how hard straws are to use.

Simon on Christmas morning:

Wearing Dad's new hat.

Simon peaking into his new teepee to make sure it's Indian free.

It was.

 

Simon's new Junior Lockpickers set.  Each door has a different lock to pick.

 

 

Simon and Olivia later in the afternoon.

Simon tears into his other gift from Santa, an oven.  Now he can make cupcakes all day long.

Making Peanut Butter Cookies

Simon and Erinn worked on their kitchen skills together last weekend by making some Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies. Simon uses a Learning Tower to get up to counter level.


Got our "meez" all set up. Nice and neat.


"We should do a little taste test just to make sure this peanut butter is fresh."


"That spoon is only hindering my peanut butter intake. Maybe if I switch to the gift God gave me, I'll be able to get more."


"Seems fresh, but maybe that's just the top layer."


"For better leverage I'll need both hands for this job."


"There's more in the pantry, right?"


"What were we making again?"

Pittsburgh!

Just got back from Pittsburgh and I challenge anyone to name a city that has more nicknames than Pittsburgh. During my whirlwind trip, I saw Pittsburgh called: "Steel City", "Iron City", "City of Bridges", "Three Rivers", "City of Champions", "The 'burgh", "Future City" (I don't get that one. I guess they're trying to distance themselves from other corroded Rust Belt cities.

The one nickname that I didn't see, but would recommend "The Jowly City." I saw more jowly, burly dudes there than I have anywhere else, except maybe a Vegas hotel.


We landed with 60 mph gusts and 30 degrees. Not quite a joy ride.


Onto the City Theatre, where we're putting on show for the next few weeks.

Here's the set:

Left side.


Right side.

The show went great. Can't wait to bring it Austin. Hopefully next year. Had most of the next day to explore the South Side of Pittsburgh. First off, here's the view from the door of the building looking out:




Sweet, it's coming in sideways. Just like mom used to make.

Walked down to the river. Well, one of em anyway.


What a sad, empty case of Miller Lite sitting in the street. I actually saw a lot of empties littering the streets. I guess that's what happens when the Steelers keep losing.


Here's me saying "Snow? Really?"
If you listen close, you can hear my mom saying "Where's your jacket, Andrew?"
It's back in my room, mom. I left it there. On purpose.


Oh man, NOW you tell me? Where was this sign when I was taking a quick dip in the Monongahela.


I love rolls! Even more when they're good quality.


My dad likes visiting churches when he's out of town. I like visiting sports stadiums. This one looked cold.

Plus it was next to this:

An awesome looking high school that was closed down. "Future City" indeed!


Just a little jog down the road was a place called Jack's. I guess they got a couple extra letters for free because if I was Jack, I would've stopped at "Jacks is affordable." The apostrophe must have been extra. But as you can see on the poster to the right, Miller Lite is $1.17. That is affordability.


2:33. Time to head to the airport in 27 degree weather and snowing, just like Austin last Friday.

Roasted Tomato Cupcakes

Simon shows us how to make Roasted Tomato Cupcakes in the Toaster Oven.

1. Put wooden tomatoes in oven.

2. Yell "Cupcakes! CUPCAKES!"

3. If step 2 doesn't work, trying counting to three and stomping your feet before yelling "cupakes."

4. Allow cupcakes to cool on rack.

More from last weekend

Jojo helping put on Simon's bib.

Simon surverying Thanksgiving dinner.

The aftermath. He somehow gow pumpkin in his eyelashes.

And then it's onto setting up Christmas decorations...

Thanksgiving!