And a Happy Halloween It Was...

This was our first official year of trick-or-treating and let me tell you, it was all a treat! After picking up a couple lattes (my first eggnog of the season) we headed out around our neighborhood. We probably only went to about 10 houses but Steele loaded up on the goods! One neighbor, a sweet old man, must have given him about 10 pieces of candy.

Then we headed to my mom's house for dinner. My mom always has a "pre-funk" for the neighbor kids at her house. (my little brother and sister are 8 and 10) and then the kids all hit my mom and stepfather's neighborhood. Justin took Steele to a couple houses there and then we went to Mee Mee's (my grandma). I was a little disappointed that we arrived kind of late to her house since she lives in a retirement neighborhood and I always like to take the kids around and visit the old people. By the time we got there I think they were all in bed. It was so much fun nonetheless.

While we aren't huge Halloween people - we love family time and making family memories. It's fun to get creative with costumes, greet neighbors and share some smiles, visits and candy. This year, Halloween was all I'd hoped it would be.

Scandalous!

Sabrina?!?!

One For Ava Ruth

About a month before my dearest friend Amy delivered her fourth baby we found out we would be adopting Adia Moon. Amy had had three boys already and, while we were all expecting another boy, we thought it was fun that our babies would be so close together. But, much to everyone's surprise - Amy delivered a baby girl! I wasn't present at her birth but I hear that when little Ava came out everyone just sort of stared for a moment.... something was missing...

Two weeks later we received sweet Adia. (In case you've ever wondered - Adia is a Swahili word that means "gift from God") (And also in case you've ever wondered - it's pronounced "Aideea")

For the last 9 months our two families have been having a ton of fun with these beautiful girls. They are surrounded by a squad of rowdy boys who occasionally will pause, sweetly, to give them each a kiss on the top of the head.

After seeing Adia looking so adorable in her little pumpkin hat I definitely thought Ava needed one too. Equally as cute, don'tcha think?

Amazing

When eating pumpkin cheesecake one reach and spoonful at a time out of the fridge it's really quite amazing how quickly it can disappear.

My Own Little Pumpkin

Thank you Ilse!

I finished this little hat last night.

I think it turned out quite adorably, if I do say so myself.

And just in time for the pumpkin patch today.

A Friend Came To Visit Tonight

Steele and I made sure he was really happy and had a nice outfit to wear. Then we stuffed him till he couldn't take anymore - so much that he couldn't fit a belt around so we had to find some suspenders. Then we found him a nice cap and a cozy spot to sit and sent him out the door.

I'll post more in the daylight but once we finished I just couldn't resist.

Underwear Please?

Ok - so I know this is a totally crazy thing to post about but I need help here people!

For years I wore the Victoria's Secret hipster underwear. Then, they stopped making that style. Then I branched out a bit (was forced to really) and wore the bikini style with a wider waist band. Then, in the last couple years - they changed the bikini waist band and made it thinner. I've been trying, but you know what? They are not working for me! They make unsightly bulges where there just shouldn't be any. They creep up and bunch up in places where they shouldn't. They don't cover the necessary "lines" and in the back of my mind, once again, I hear the What Not To Wear ladies screaming at me to not wear bikini underwear.

So what do you guys wear? I need underwear that are low enough - I don't wear super low-rise jeans but they are below my belly button. I prefer cotton but sometimes wish I had something a little more slippery-ish that wouldn't "stick" (for lack of a better term) to my slacks or corduroy pants. (For slacks I usually wear these). I've considered boy shorts. Has anyone tried them? What do you think? I would prefer to not spend an exorbitant amount of money but do not mind spending a fair amount.

I need help now!! My old wide banded-bikinis are getting holes in them. Justin is starting to laugh at me. Please, if you have any care in this world for the needy. HELP!

Random Thoughts From Today

1. Friends who bring you pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie and dinner are thoughtful and nice.
2. It's harder to take care of 3 people than 2.
3. It's fun to find new blogs to read.
4. I love Ugly Betty.... and Gray's Anatomy.
5. Survivor shows too much chest and crack for my liking.
6. My grandma gave me $200 to give to Koti.
7. Most times it's better to keep my mouth shut.
8. Adia hizo el poo poo in the toilet twice today.
9. Steele had to be disciplined too many times today.
10. I love when my computer makes the little noise notifying me of a new e-mail.
11. I think two of my employees dislike me.
12. I care, but I don't.
13. I haven't started my BSF for this week.
14. Finney is sleep running in front of the fireplace.
15. Gluten makes me bloated.
16. And dairy.
17. I like to hang out with people who agree with me. It's easier. And more fun.
18. Ilse directed me to a great pumpkin hat pattern.
19. I keep forgetting that when you've video taped something you can fast forward through commercials.
20. When you bribe kids with dessert, they just might eat their dinner.
21. When your friend calls you on the phone to tell you she's in front of your house you should answer it. She just might be bringing you food.
22. I'd like two tall book shelves for my living room.
23. I wish someone would loan me some money so I could buy this.
24. Justin's grandma told us they're going to pay for the "fertilization".
25. I'm considering not blogging anymore.
26. I hate going to bed. It means another day has passed.

More Alligator Please Mama

While at the dinner table tonight..

"I pinched my alligator."

Who knows what the "pinched" part was.

Below? A picture of the alleged "alligator."