The Mouse in James' House

The past few days have been fairly eventful for us.

On Friday, Derek got to come home from work around noon...just because. That alone makes for a fantastic day. On top of that, it was a gorgeous fall day, with the crisp air that smells sweetly like falling leaves. Mmm... We decided to run errands together-- getting our car inspected, the title transferred at long last, the oil changed, groceries shopped (can you say that in the passive tense?), etc. Sounds lame, but it was probably the best, HAPPIEST day in James' entire life... literally. He was soooo smiley and giggly all day long, which is even more monumental given the fact that car rides generally suck with him. It was so much fun! While our car got inspected, we went to lunch at The Olive Garden. Yum. No further comment necessary. Then that night, we hung out with Kurt and Bonnie and Julie.... Sauerkraut Festival (sounds cooler than it was, though the company was great) and The Village. Fun, fun day-- from beginning to end.

Saturday was a pretty lazy day. Derek and Kurt had a World of Warcraft LAN party. Being the supportive and self-sacrificing wife that I am, I made them breakfast before and didn't whine TOO much during. That evening wasn't very fun, however, as we took James in to get his three-month pictures. I could have killed someone. It was stressful, emotional (for James, unless pissed off is an emotion, then for me too), and awful. Luckily, though, we got some great pictures. Good thing our boy is so stinkin' handsome! :) [The pictures take a couple of weeks to come back... so you'll have to keep checking to see them officially blogged.]

Sunday was our Stake Conference. It was good, inspiring, and ultimately: fun... with the fun and yummy dinner at our friend's (Micah and Brittney's) house included in the experience. We hung out with them that whole day... until James fussed too much due to lack-o-nap that we had to get him to bed.

THEN (I warned you... It's a novel!) yesterday. Yesterday was our little buddy Tai's 1st birthday. We partied all night long, ate good food, hung out with TONS of family that really we are part of regardless of genetics, and had a blast. With our cupcake hangovers and our happy hearts, we came home and crashed.

Needless to say, James and I are having a very low-key, very structured and ordinary day today. Naps are DEFINITELY on the agenda.

** The following video was taken Saturday morning. Derek was playing with James, and at least at the beginning-- he was giggling in reply (a new skill of his, they used to be wide-mouthed yet silent). True to form, once the camera was on, the fun died down a bit. But you can still see a glimpse of our happy, adorable boy (and his happy, adorable daddy).

PS. If you can't hear (and/or are still confused about the title of this post), Derek is chanting: "Here comes a little mouse creeping up to James' house!" Hence the title. You're welcome.