A Birthday and a New Coat

Friday was Jeff's 25th (again) birthday. And we had extra reason to celebrate--it was his white coat ceremony too!

The white coat ceremony marks the half-way point of dental school and represents the transition from classroom learning to clinical care. Jeff gets to spend the next two years in the clinic, which we are both looking forward to (8am-5pm, clinic closed on Fridays--almost like real life!).

A couple of girls in Jeff's class made these cakes for the occasion. It's kind of an interesting story--they requested $500 of class funds to make them, which they (crazily) received. While they were neat conversation pieces, I don't think they were worth $500--no one even ate them!

Here's my handsome hubby getting his new coat. I was (and still am) so proud. It's been a long road. We both remember sitting at a friend's white coat ceremony 5 years ago thinking, "someday, this will be us." And finally, it was!

Jeff and his buddy Sean. Sean frequently requests life advice from Jeff during sim lab.

The UFCD class of 2013--two more years!

A bunch of my family came up to Gainesville for the afternoon to support Jeff. We both really appreciated it and we can't wait to have them all back for graduation (did I mention it's just two more years away?).

Jeff and a couple of his buddies, Don and Dennis. Don't they look so smart and professional?

To continue the festivities, and those for Jeff and Greer's birthdays (they are the same day), we retreated to one of our favorite asian restaurants and proceeded to stuff ourselves on sushi, Ichiban shrimp, homemade apple pie (for Jeff) and cookie cake (for Greer).

For Jeff's birthday/white coat gift, my mom, Dave and I got Jeff his much desired, and long-awaited for, handgun. It was a great surprise!

The reason for his surprise was that I was, and still am, uncomfortable with firearms in the house. It's a public health safety thing (my chances of getting shot at home just went up!) and I really don't like that we have a small armory (okay, not really) in our house. Jeff claims it's for home protection (not really, since everything is locked up--a bat would better, I think) and food storage (squirrel or armadillo anyone?) but, I'm not convinced. However, I realize that a handgun inside my home was inevitable and I figured, why not get the cool-wife points and surprise him?

Buying the gun was an interesting experience. I felt so Republican trucking into Gander Mountain in good 'ol Ocala to pick up my gun. Minus my dress and stilettos, I almost looked like I belonged. When I picked it up, the guy handed it to me for my inspection--I just held it and pretended like I knew what to do with it. I'm sure both of the guys working the armory, and the hillbilly buying a gun next to me, were all convinced that they'd see me in the news soon--the lady who shot herself while trying to dig her gun out of her enormous handbag...

But, Jeff has assured me that all will be well locked up and out of the reach of our newborn baby come November. He's happy, I'm now "cool," and when the next hurricane hits, we'll have all you can eat squirrel to sustain our lives.

Keeping with Tobler tradition, birthday boys (and girls) get a box of their favorite sugar cereal. This year, I have pledged not to eat Jeff's entire box...(but the baby might)

Doesn't he look so distinguished? I'd let this cute guy work on my teeth any day...

Remembering a Good Man

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Indiana with my family remembering, and celebrating the life of my step-Grandfather, John Hackett. He was a pretty amazing guy, very well accomplished, but mostly I enjoyed hearing about how his sense of humor and how he was really interested in developing the people around him.

A couple of years ago, a sculptor created this piece in his honor. It's called the "self-made man." Aside from being a really cool concept, it is a great tribute to him.

The services (both church and graveside) were very nice. One of the most memorable moments of the church service was when little Mekoya (our 4-year-old cousin) started snoring very loudly during one of the more reverent moments. It provided some much appreciated comedic relief and everyone thought that Grandfather would've gotten a kick out of it.

While the circumstances of our visit were not the happiest, we did manage to enjoy some quality time together--mostly at this fabulous ice cream place, Zaharakos. De-licious!

As part of their antique collection, they have this scroll-playing organ which plays some fun circus-sounding tunes. It was pretty neat to see--Dave called it "the original iPod."

Three Peas in a Pod

Last week Ashley and I were able to spend the day with our long-lost triplet, Carly! It was so good to see her. My undergraduate experience was so great and a large portion of that greatness was due to my friendship with her. It was fun to spend the day catching up and reminiscing. Of course, it made us all feel old when we thought about how long it really has been since our days of coffee-table dancing, evenings with the golden girls, and solving all of our (and the world's) problems over a pint (or gallon) of ice cream and/or some peanut m&m's.

Of course, it was glaring obvious how far we'd come over lunch as we were entertained by Kai (Carly's cute little man) and all checking our smart phones for things we had to attend to at work--Ashley's the tax director for a large real-estate investment company, Carly runs a skilled nursing facility in California, and I'm a lowly professor. How did we all get so old and responsible?

Our reunion took place at Islands of Adventure and we enjoyed some time in Dr. Seuss land...

...and Hogsmead/Hogwarts!

No trip to Hogsmead would be complete without a pint of frozen butter-beer!

Looks like a milk ad doesn't it?

Of course, it is all fun and games until someone (Carly) gets shat upon. I tell you what, nothing says "you're my friend" like cleaning pigeon feces off somebody.

 

It was a quick visit but, so good to catch up with good friends. It's so refreshing to be with people that know you so well and have been with you through some major periods of personal growth. These two have always been, and continue to be, a great blessing to me and hopefully it won't be 8 more years before we can get together again!

One of us was on vacation...

Every year I attend the conference for the Society for Prevention Research. This year we were back in DC and my trip coincided nicely with Jeff's two week break from school. So, I  brought myself a man to keep in my hotel room! Jeff kept himself busy while I was busy working--sleeping, working out, walking the city, a few trips to Au Bon Pain (which was more fun before we realized they put the calorie count on the pastry bins), and hanging out with a buddy from his mission.

Taking a cue from Adam Richman (Man vs. Food), every evening we went on a culinary adventure. There was one noteworthy failure and a major triumph. Our dismal failure was to little Mexican place called Oyamel. We looked at the menu in the window and thought, OK, let's give it a try. Well, as we ordered our aqua frescas and a few dishes to share, we quickly realized that this was a tapas restaurant (although, this was *not* clear on the menu). Generally, I think Toblers do not do well with tapas (especially these Toblers). Each plate contains about 5 bites and is usually just enough to leave you more hungry than when you arrived. Well, 30 minutes and $50 worth of (what we consider) appetizers later, we left and had to stop and pick up a sandwich to satiate our hunger. It was a great, and expensive, disappointment.


Our triumph was a little place called Luke's Lobster. It was so good that we ate there twice. They are famous for their chilled lobster sandwiches--heaps of chilled lobster atop a buttery, toasted garlic bread with a little bit of mayo and seasoning. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Our first visit, we had the lobster sandwiches and on the second, we went for the Noah's Ark--one of everything on the menu.

 

Add to that a cold bottle of sasparilla and some kettle cooked salt n' vinegar chips and this little lady (and baby, and baby-daddy) we're mighty happy.

On our last evening there we were able to take a nice long walk down the mall and re-experience some of the DC highlights.

Our nation's capital 

The Washington Monument

The White House

And a squirrel that didn't let his stylish finish his color job

Seriously, what a crazy looking squirrel! Jeff and I were laughing all the way down the mall at the hosts of tourists taking pictures of the squirrels--like they've never seen a squirrel before. And then we ended up taking pictures of this one, and now putting it on our blog. I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Jeff once caught a fish...

...this big!

It's a 30 lb. black drum fish and I don't think Jeff's grin could be any wider.

8 Great Years!

8 years ago today, I married my sweetheart and very best friend. Best thing I've ever done.

Celebrating Mom

To celebrate Mother's Day and mom's birthday this year, we decided to meet at the Rainbow River for a day of kayaking and southern fried delicacies (because nothing says "I love you" like corn nuggets and sweet potato fries!)

The fun bus (shuttle) to the river. (I think every time Greer makes an appearance on my blog she's sporting this tie-dye shirt. For the record, she does have a plethora of other clothes which reside on the floor behind her bed. This shirt must just always find its way to the top of the heap)

The Rainbow River is a big, spring-fed river about 1 hour south of our house. It's a beautiful place to spend the day and the water is clear, cool and Gator-free (mostly)!

This dragonfly hitched a ride on my hat for a while...

Braden appeared sporting what we affectionately called "le moustache" for the day. We all got a kick out of it. It reminds me of my dad, circa 1985.

Ashley was missing Jay, especially as we paddled a couple of miles upstream. Of course, it was after we paddled up and back that we discovered that her paddled weighed a good couple pounds more than the rest of ours did. 

Taking a break at the head springs. True to our roots, we filled each kayak with delicious treats--swedish fish, m&m's, chips, licorice, anyone? Mom optimistically brought oranges but, I think she was the only one to eat one and only because her poor sandwich got swamped.

After much paddling, we retreated to the water to escape the 100 degree heat. Notice my strategic placement behind the kayak--I don't look pregnant yet, just like I've been eating too many hot dogs. At this point, the others in the picture were unaware of my new status as a "sacred vessel" (which Jeff affectionately calls me); they must have just be thinking that I've been indulging and slacking on my exercise.

Ashley and Mom...

My sweetheart. It's so great to spend so much time with him now that boards are over!

Le Moustache up close. We had so much fun with his mustache that we didn't even get to tease him about needing a haircut!

We created a kayak chain and Braden paddled us down the river a ways (don't feel too bad for him, there was a good current helping him). Jeff, being so cleaver, held us together with the help of his surprisingly nimble monkey-feet.

For dinner, we tried a southern dive, the Blue Gator. There wasn't much to choose from in (not-so) booming Dunnellon, Florida but, we were all excited about the sweet potato fries and corn nuggets!

Ashley, is really good at taking self-portraits. If she gets a hold of your camera, you inevitable find one of these gems on it.

Before our fried foods arrived, we took a few minutes to open gifts. Braden was the dark-horse of gift-giving this year. He picked out a beautiful Brighton watch and bracelet that had all of his sisters (and mom) swooning. The man-child has good taste in jewelry, that's for sure!

Jeff and I brought just a little something for her...

a picture of her first grandbaby, which was a complete surprise to all. Much screaming, hugging and crying ensued--leave it to us to make a scene where ever we go!

And, continuing with his foray into strange foods--Jeff ordered the frog legs...

...apparently they taste like chicken.