Houseguests and blogging do not mix.  Fortunately, the houseguests were my parents, on their first trip here since we bought the house, and a terrific time was had by all.  Unlike previous visits (both to D.C. and to here), the fact that we have an actual house to hang out in meant that we could relax and visit and chat with one another, instead of trying to think of ways to keep us all occupied and out of whatever apartment we were living in at the time (last year, for instance, it was so hot in our un-air-conditioned apartment that we went to see American Wedding together just to get out of the house.  You haven't seen awkward until you're watching an American Pie sequel with your mom.)