Sir No-Pants-Alot

A sneak-peak at Casey's chosen Halloween costume. I'd say a half-naked knight is a step up from a fully-naked boy, wouldn't you?

And here's another sneak-peak, this time at Alderman Baby #3. Just like it's older brothers this baby was very active during the ultrasound, and we even caught a glimpse of the baby sucking it's thumb (this scan is actually a profile shot of the baby and the blur just above the face is it's little hand). And since I just finished an interesting article about birth order, I don't want to leave Connor out, so here's a shot of him enjoying the pumpkins on Mom & Dad's porch last week during our visit to Alabama.

Best Friends

We said goodbye this morning to our good friends Amy & Abby who came to visit from Nashville. The Hills used to live across the street from us in Louisville, and Casey & Abby were best friends who played together almost every day before we all moved. It's been a little while since we've been able to visit with them and I was a little worried about how they'd get along. My fears were put to rest within 5 minutes of their arrival as the best friends picked right up where they left off and spent two solid days laughing, playing, running, and just generally enjoying each other's company (and us Mom's enjoyed having a little "adult time" too!). Many tears were shed as they pulled out of the driveway, and Casey just said to me, "I'm so, so sad my best friend left me."

Boooooo!!!

I finally had a chance to watch the season finale of "Top Chef" and I am so bummed that my girl Casey didn't walk away with the big prize. And to make matters worse, they chose Hung as Top Chef, whom I detest. Besides being completely obnoxious, apparently Hung is best friends with the equally obnoxious Marcell from Season 2. Boooooo!!!! Booo to you Top Chef judges. So the elevation got to Casey in the last challenge - isn't the fact that she kicked ass and took names all season enough to win the whole thing? If I ever make it to Dallas you can bet the first thing I do is get a table at Shinsei, where she is executive chef.

The Hodge-Podge Post

It's a rainy, overcast day here in Indy and although it looks like fall, and although it feels like fall is almost here, we're supposed to have a high of 78 today and they're saying we'll be pushing 90 by the weekend. So in the spirit of the randomness of the weather this time of year, I have a slightly random post today.

Pictured above is the sad remains of my tomato plants from this summer. They had to come out of the ground to make way for the new landscaping, and I felt it was really too late in the season to attempt to replant them in containers. There were several fairly large almost ripe ones left on the vines, but before I could get to them the landscape guys had made off with them. I had no idea I had to keep such a careful eye on produce while workmen were at the house, but you learn something new all the time. Anyway, the landscaping looks great and we're very pleased with it and the accompanying irrigation system (I need to take some better pics, this one doesn't really do the yard justice).

I celebrated my 32nd birthday over the weekend, and I keep having an internal discussion in my head about that number. It just doesn't seem right. 32? Really? Are you sure? OK, well, if you're sure. I received some really lovely gifts - these beautiful flowers from the boys, this awesome coffee mug from Christa, a great slow-cooker cookbook from my in-laws, and a much needed donation to the "Baby #3 winter maternity clothes fund" from my parents.

Mom also gave me these wonderful facial wipes from Boots (Target carries them now). They are the perfect skin care solution for a tired, lazy woman such as myself who can't even summon the energy at night to wash her face with soap and water. I highly recommend them.

We continue the ongoing discussion with Casey about what he wants to be for Halloween this year, and this morning when I posed the question he declared "Naked!". Somehow I don't think that one will go over so well. Halloween on Bourbon Street? Yes. Halloween at Christian preschool party? Not so much.