Cox's Farm

Is there any better Pumpkin Patch than Cox's Farm? We had a great time!!

Every year I get a picture of Ash in the dark Tunnel...the eyes go huge.

Aunt Jonny had a great time too!

Girls Shopping

One night while Jonny was here, she and I got to escape and we enjoyed shopping at Fair Oaks Mall. Probably a little too much fun.

This little babushka went shopping with us a couple of times too!

Aunt Jonny Here!

This past weekend, my sister-in-law Janvier (Jonny) came up to VA to visit us! She's so busy in Miami, working in the fashion industry, finishing her last classes to graduate from BYU and the most time consuming job of all--keeping my brother Grant happy. Anyways, she dropped her busy busy life in Miami to come up North and visit her sister and niece and nephew.

While she was here, we did local fun stuff around NoVa. She watched Ash's dance classes, went to Austin's football/Ash's soccer games. We even went to their elementary and prek for parties.

This evening in particular we went to Ash's Haymarket Baptist Preschool and I told Jonny I always win cakewalks and I love winning cakewalks. So the first time around, (I refrained from pushing little kids out of the way to step on the beloved winning square). But the first game around, Ashley won! A beautiful little homemade cake. Then, Austin won a few games later. Did I tell you I love winning cakewalks? And when your kids win something, it's better than if you win something yourself. But that night, it was Jonny and I that dug into the cake.

We took a quick juant into Home Goods where Ash fell in love with this big stuffed dog in which she wasn't going to part with. So this pic is by the check out (we didn't buy the dog) but it was a fight to get it away. Jonny bought us the most adorable Christmas ornaments here! We love them. Thanks Jonny cakes.

Jonny made pancakes for us (Ash helped with eggs a few mornings),

I had to take this picture---I don't know if you can tell in the card, but we were making Grandma Toler a Happy Birthday card (Oct 30) and Ashley signed her own name! It's not perfect, but she did it! Good job Ash.

Who is this burley man? We miss you honey!!! 43 more days!!!!!

Trunk or Treat

Sleeping Beauty. Ready to go to the Ward Trunk or Treat

which was so much fun!

Ooga booga booga! Cavewoman costume courtesy of my

mom that she made when she was my age..

Snake Eyes from GI Joe!!

Whose kids are these?

Grant (far right) with his buds for a guys trip in NYC.

I love Ash's poses in all the pictures!! Such a girl.

It's Europe...

And the answer is...we will be moving to

Frankfurt, Germany August of 2011. We are so excited!

Tribute to Annie

Back in November of 2008, the Toler's bought a dog. A purebred, AKC registered, champion pedigree Viszla. We went all out because we had wanted a dog for about 8 years. With Jonathan gone with all of his traveling, I wanted a companion around the home and we took the plunge. We have loved and enjoyed Annie for the past 11 months. Micro-chipped, spayed, obedience trained and housebroken. I put a lot of sweat into Annie!

With knowledge that we're moving to a flat Frankfurt, Germany, my knee surgery, and alone with no hubby and 2 kiddos to take care of, I was having a hard time keeping up with Annie. She loves to run and when I ran everyday (before the torn meniscus) she would get her exercise. But with no fenced in yard in a townhome and no outlet, poor Annie needed some freedom. I would take her to dog parks and large fields, but I still felt she needed another home.

This weekend, we gave her away. It was heart-wrenching. But of all the people I interviewed, the couple I wanted to have her, came and got her. I know she's being taken care of and will love her new pad. Acres of land, a pond, and lots of walks. I am so thankful for her new life.

The kids are acting out and asking for Annie back, acting like dogs, mad at me for giving away a 'member of the family'. I had to tell Jonathan on his birthday and he gave me full support but I could sense sadness in his voice.

We loved Annie and will never forget our first dog.

Soccer Girl

Ash has started to get more into her soccer games. Taking control of the ball, kicking, following the ball. It all comes slow to a 3 year old. But she's getting the hang of it! I braved the fields going out in crutches to Long Park to cheer on my little star! Go Ash Go!

Shiner

When the QB hands the ball back to the center, he takes off! Austin LOVED running the ball.

Austin LOVES the tunnel at the end of games

Austin got his first black eye at football practice. He got "cleated" as a cleat went right into his eye. Ouch.

KNEES

DAY 2

DAY 4

I've never thought that knees are an attractive part of a woman's body. Now, that mine is swollen the size of an elephant's, I have confirmed my hypothesis. Day 4, I'm recovering just fine. Thank goodness for Mom.

OUR NEW ASSIGNMENT

So we found out what country we're going to August of 2011....Any guesses?????

We'll be there 3 years. 8 months of language training.

We're SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

KNEE SURGERY

AFTER

BEFORE--unassuming of the pain to come...

On Sept 30, got my first arthroscopic surgery performed. At Fair Oaks Hospital Dr. Ain, a phenomenal orthopaedic surgeon fixed my left knee. I had a large tear in my meniscus. After injuring it June (it's been a long summer) it never healed and I had to get it fixed.

So my mom is here from FL helping me out. The first few days before the surgery, we got pedicures, went to a movie, out to lunch...we had a great time. Now, I've been slowed down. I'm on crutches, my swelling is huge, my knee is like an elephant. It's really hard going from doing everything to having to stay down. So thank you to all of you, my friends for your kind wishes, cards, desserts, flowers and dinners. I'm so blessed to have such great friends and an amazing family. So thanks to all of you, thanks to Grandma--she is in full swing helping us all out! Thanks mom. And thank you Vicoden.