Photos Galore Part 3: Dinner Party at Katie’s

I had my first non-family birthday party in over two decades, hosted by none other than Valpo’s very own Martha Stewart (but cuter, and sweeter), Ms. Katie Peterson. Not only did she have her apartment looking just lovely for the occasion, but she also prepared an incredible meal: chicken spinach lasagna (so, SO good, I am actually drooling whilst I remember it), ceasar salad with dressing she makes from scratch, warm bread, and a double-layer coconut cream cake with chocolate frosting for desert. Yeah. She’s that good.

I didn’t snap a whole lot of photos–we were too busy discussing the meaning of life to worry about too many photos. Well, the meaning of life… or which classmates most resemble which professors… something like that.

Here are three lovely ladies–Shelly (and her twin daughters, I might add, though the picture doesn’t show her baby bump!), the birthday girl, and our hostess with the mostest, Katie.

Here’s a group shot (taken after Shelly left–which is why she’s not in it–and taken by Nathan, which is why he’s not in it). Notice the rather surprised look on Jeromy’s face? That’s because his wife happened to call him on his cell phone at the exact same moment the photo was taken. Hehe… when technologies collide…

And here’s the group photo where everyone’s smiling (and I think I’m laughing–who knows about what!).
The gal in front is Mandy Shell (who, by the way, was the most careful, patient, and thorough editor I could have hoped for throughout my law review process!).
The second row is Jeromy “#1″ Cannon, Katie “Cosmo” Peterson, and me (I won’t give myself a nickname. That would be… sad).
The back row is Tim “Timerick” Emerick, Theresa Ellis, and Mike “Ficus” Ruff.

Mike actually did some moot court switch-a-roos to be able to attend the soiree, which was great, because what birthday would be complete without The Ficus?! (He’s not overdressed for the party, by the way–he is in his suit clothes under his fleece because he came directly to the fest from his externship with the ATF. Where he does not get to fire weapons on a daily basis. Which is a shame, because that would be a cool way to get school credit.)

Thank you to Nathan, Mike, Tim, Theresa, Jeromy, Mandy, and Shelly for helping to make my birthday such a great one… and HUGE thanks to Katie for the hours of cooking and preparation she put in to the evening. As someone who spent the majority of childhood labeled as “The Nerd,” it’s still pretty amazing when someone else wants to go out of their way for me. Thank you so much!! (And now, I think I’ll have a bit o’ leftover cake for desert this evening….)