Post-Christmas Roundup

I didn't mean to be gone for that long; sorry folks. Between traveling for Christmas, the cleaning fit that came upon me once we got home (I don't look those things in the mouth; I just let them take me) and a visit from my parents, I've hardly been on the computer at all. A nice change, actually. While I was away from you, though, many interesting things happened. Lucky for you, I was able to document most of them with photographs!

Item the First:

The penguins found their Christmas spirit:

Sam was delighted with the tree and loved to spend time in his exersaucer just staring at it. He actually helped me decorate. I'd hold up an ornament and ask "How about here?" He'd scream his excitement at the spot (or cry his disappointment) and I'd place or move the bulb accordingly. It was So. Much. Fun. He also loved it when the tree was lit up at night:

He'd grab at the spots the light would make on the floor, like a cat with a laser pointer. Since he's too young to grab the tree on his own and won't likely remember this next year, I sat him on my lap and let him touch the bottom branches. He was so interested in the texture and the way the lights made his little hands turn colors. Watching him explore and discover the tree made me so happy.

Item the Second:

Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus! He sent Sam a present using the USPS.



I'm not kidding, the box came with a return address of "Santa Claus, North Pole." I have no idea who did this but thank you. Sam loves the doggie and we are so grateful for the formula. People have been so kind to us this year (well, not just this year). "Thank you" never feels like enough to say. This was just incredibly awesome.

Item the Third:

Sam quit his job as a drummer in a rock and roll band and got a job as a banker.

Item the Fourth:

When I wasn't cleaning, we goofed off. We actually did this a lot. It was awesome.

Item the Fifth:

NEW CAMERA!!!!!! I am SO EXCITED! Expect many, many more pictures in the future. MANY. Thank you, Mom and Dad Szczubelek! We are STOKED! (Canon Digital Rebel, for those who know about these things. I did not expect anything so nice. And they got us another lens for it that I'm excited to try as well.)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to a great new year full of broken resolutions (who am I kidding, I'm not making any resolutions) and a happily imperfect life. There is so much to be thankful for; cherish each day.

Dear Uncle Josh~

What's up?!

Auntie Beff told me that you think Mommy doesn't post enough pictures of me on the internet.  And I think you are totally right.  She has been completely slacking off on her responsibilities lately.  After all, she didn't even write me a letter when I turned five months old! 



She was all: "Your father is having multiple seizures!  We have to travel for Thanksgiving!  I'm having so many migraines I think I'm going to stroke out any second!"  Lame. 

I figured I'd take things into my own hands. 

I can do all sorts of cool things now.  For starters, I was observing my cousin Deacon when we hung out in August and I've acquired his technique of housing cereal (well, any food really) like there's no tomorrow.  Oh man, that stuff is SO GOOD.  Have you tried it?  Food?  You really should.





In addition, I can now rock out on the drums.  Oh yeah!



The ladies love it, I'm not going to lie.  I've got this one girlfriend, Addie CutePunks...well, I'll save that story for when I see you in person.  All I'll say is she wears this little pink barette...CUTE!

I'll bet Mommy never told you that I am good with animals, either.  Uncle Josh, I am a veritable BeastMaster.  KaKaw!  Look at how I tamed this guy:



Now he just follows me around all day, meowing for treats.  I know.  I am THAT good.  Please notice my awesome pirate bib and skully booties.  I am fierce!  Do not mess with me.  Tigey knows.

Aside from tiger taming, rocking the drums and eating myself into a coma every night, I like to spend time working out in my jumpy seat.  Gotta keep my muscles in shape, you know?  Fitness is important if you want to be a cage fighter.



When the endorphins kick in I just get so happy!  I start laughing and I  jump higher and higher until someone eventually says "Whoa!  Slow down there!"  No one seems to mind that I am damaging the molding in their home.  Being intensely cute has benefits.

At the end of the day, I'm pretty tired.  Being a baby is hard work, what with all the public appearances, trying to grow (cell replication is REALLY HARD) and all the digestion I'm doing.  I normally sack out around 7 PM.



Anyway, that's about all that's going with me.  Sorry Mommy didn't fill you in sooner.  I'll have a chat with her about that. 

Love from your favorite nephew,

Samster the Hamster

What's up New Jersey?!

A big thank you to Megan McCullen for the awesome onesie!