Aly and the Very Blustery Day

Today is a very blustery, fall day in Tennessee. It's drizzly and windy and grey and chilly and I LOVE it! To celebrate I decided to cook up a big pot of homeade chicken noodle soup. I even made the noodles from scratch.

Unfortuneately, clumsy me scalded myself in the process. Turns out that flinging boiling water on yourself causes 2nd degree burns. My flesh was literally melting off! After a little first aid from my hubby and Captain Scotty (thanx Scotty) oh and a big fat pain pill, I finally sat down to enjoy my first bowl of soup. Now, I'm not one to brag but...OH...MY...GOSH! Totally worth it! I wish y'all could sit down with me in your most snuggliest sweats and I'd serve you up a steaming bowl and we could make yummy noises together.

Hope you all have a wonderfully, cozy, fall day wherever you are!

Nashville Zoo

On election day last week the kids were out of school so to keep myself from going crazy I packed them into the grocery-getter and we headed to the Zoo. The weather was beautiful and all the animals were up and about. We had the best time. I've never taken my kids on an outing by myself before so I was a little worried about how things would go but the kids were great despite the distinct absence of "Daddy the Discipliner" and we really enjoyed our day.

I think the boys really enjoyed the reptile house. We watched as a rattlesnake shed its skin and saw a huge anaconda. Bailee and I enjoyed feeding the Lorikeets nectar. At one point one of the birds grabbed the cup out of Bailee's hand and helped itself. One of them landed on my head! "Please don't poop!" Although it wouldn't be the first time I got pooped on.

We packed a picnic lunch and stopped at one of the many picnic tables scattered about the zoo and talked about what we saw and what we wanted to see next. Weslee and Kolby were the map keepers and kept us on track.

We fed the camels too and petted the cute little baby goats that wandered around the Creature Encounters Exhibit. One of them even helped itself to a zoo map that was hanging out of some guys pocket. Turns out that their is not much goats won't eat, much like Joshua. Nancy Van Kamp from channel 4 news was there with her two kids.

Our Angel

Bailee was an angel for halloween this year. The boys opted out of costumes at Mimi's party because they wanted freedom to move and play.

My Bubba

Okay, is that weird or what? Ever since the Olympics every time I talk to my Aunt Patti or some member of my family it inevitable gets said. "You know who looks just like Michael Phelps?" This is not the best picture of my "little" brother (I say that because the dude is 6'5") but they both have eerie similarities. I do think my brother is better looking though. I'm not a hater or anything but Mike's nose is kinda weird.

Anyway, all this to say, please pray for my Vinnie guy. He's been wearin' himself out planting churches in So Cal and now because of harsh economic times and the foreclosures out there the church can no longer afford to pay him. He has an incredible wife named Tami and two little ones to support. So, a paycheck is helpful. He's recently interviewed at a church near Brentwood, TN! I am so hoping that works out, I miss him terribly and would love the chance to play Auntie to Ashtynne and Steele.