A New Favorite--The Dallas Arboretum

We had a fun day with some old, and new, friends at the Dallas Arboretum. It's definitely one of my new favorite places and a must-go in Dallas. I feel like any time I'm really missing the beautiful greenery in Florida I can go there and be refreshed. We'll definitely be going back!

To celebrate the season, the main pathway through the gardens was lined with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. The kids, of course, were anxious to try and pick them up. Thankfully, they were "reely, reely heavy" and couldn't be moved!

Riley, Presley and Chase

The Pumpkin Village was so cute--entire houses made of pumpkins, a pumpkin river with a bridge over, Cinderella's carriage and a hay-bale maze. Presley loved exploring all of the different areas!

She was especially exited to sit in Cinderella's carriage. We've been reading a lot of Cinderella stories she was all about it!

Not sure why she thought this yucky styrofoam pumpkin was so fun. Would've been a cute picture with a nice, real pumpkin!

The kids loved going down the slide in the Native American park,

And exploring the teepee.

They were all excited to make a wish and throw their pennies in the fountain. They were so excited to do it once that I had to reach in, fish out the pennies, and let them do it a few more times!

Have you ever tried to get 7 toddlers to get together and smile for a picture? Impossible I tell you. Impossible. (Yes, I said 7. Three didn't even make it onto the ledge long enough for a picture ;-)

Presley and Kennedy had fun getting to know each other.

One of Presley's favorite things was to find "secret" paths and benches that we would go off and find just the two of us. She was pretty excited to sit on this secret bench, all by ourselves.

It was such a fun and beautiful day and we look forward to going back to the Arboretum during all of the different seasons!

OcTobler-fest is under way

On Saturday, we took P to visit the Big Orange Pumpkin Patch and we weren't disappointed! We enjoyed the fall weather (even if we had a little Presley-cicle while we waited for the hayride), a picnic in the grass and exploring the farm and pumpkin patch. It's so fun to do these activities and have it actually feel like fall!

Presley loved seeing and feeding the animals.

She was excited to go on the hayride and insisted on sitting by herself.

She had fun showing us how to get through the hay maze.

And was quick to show us all of the pumpkins (and pumpkin faces).

"Momma, puntin, puntin"

Daddy was a real trouper and squeezed himself into the barrel for the train ride. P was happy as can be sitting on Daddy's "yap"

We enjoyed hot dogs and chips in the grass,

before we went to the patch to let P pick our her own little pumpkin. She like to pick them up and tell me that they were "reely, reely, heavy"

This one was too heavy for P to budget. It was "Reely, reely heavy"

She had fun running on the dirt road, until she fell and then had a grasshopper land on her shirt.

We sure do love this cute little pumpkin! (And I love the Cheetos all over her face...should've done pictures before lunch!)

It's Official, He's a Working Man!

So proud of my gainfully employed man! That's one good looking dentist!

Our First Visitor!

We were so excited to have Gramma Jan spend a few days with us right after we moved. She was a great playmate for Presley while I unpacked, shopped, and unpacked and shopped some more!

We had fun exploring our new favorite (mega) park--Frisco Commons. Seriously, the best park I've ever seen.

We made lots of messes in our new playroom.

And even more messes in Momma's new kitchen! Presley loved helping to make and decorate cookies!

Of course, her favorite things was to sample the goods. A few (or all) of the cookies had little finger or tongue marks in the frosting but we didn't mind!

With a face like that,

who wouldn't want a kiss!?!

Ready Or Not...

Here we come!

Can't wait to see Daddy and our new home!

A Little Fun in Orlando

While Daddy worked to finish up our move, we played!

Uncle Jay took us out on the boat...

Auntie Ashley took us to the Winter Park Science Center (so great for kids!)

Playing some music

Racing the boats

Having a snack and doing some "wort" (work)

Digging for dinosaur bones

Learning to drive

We tried on all of Auntie Ashley's shoes...

...And took a bubble bath in her big bath tub!

And P enjoyed her first trip to Monkey Joes!

Auntie Ashley got stuck in the snail, which was not as firm as she was expecting.

P was happy to try and help her out!

Texas, Here We Come!

At long last, these Toblers are leaving Gainesville. However, before we wax sentimental, it's time to deal with the practical aspects of moving. For the record, moving S.U.C.K.S. We haven't moved in 8 years and boy, we are not anxious to do it again! Things generally came together without a hitch but, that doesn't make it any less stressful!

All of our belongings ready to be packed into our pods. Thankfully, we were smart enough to hire professional loading (and unloading) help. Seriously worth every penny.

After the movers loaded us up, we met my sisters at Firehouse for a little lunch. Have you ever seen such a cute little firefighter!?!

Our 1200 square feet loaded into three moving pods. We used every inch of space and were so glad we had that extra cube delivered, just in case!

After the loading was complete, my sisters drove me and P to Orlando so we could enjoy a few days with the Peepers while Jeff finished the painting and drove our 4-Runner to our new home. Poor Jeff got the bum-end of that deal but, we are so grateful for his hard work! Plus, he had a full two days in the car with only his thoughts, music and snacks--without a toddler, that's like a vacation!

I have conflicting feelings about leaving my home of 15 years. I (We) have loved living in Gainesville and are so grateful for the wonderful experiences and people we've met there. I grew up there--became an adult, a wife, a mom, a professor--it'll always be a special place for us. That said, we were ready to go. It's time for an adventure and a new place to grow. We are excited about the new opportunities for us in Texas and what they'll bring for our little family.

Our last family photo in front of our first home. It was our little piece of heaven in the Swamp.