the dallas arboretum

we loaded up the kids and took our annual trip to the dallas arboretum (compliments of my dad and his employer).  we enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time together as a family and the chance to view thousands of pumpkins and our first trip to the Rory Meyers Children's Garden.  if you haven't had a chance to visit, it is *awesome!*  sam wasn't nearly as impressed as noah (and neither of the kids were probably as excited as matt and i were about the interactive displays and information), but i think that with a few years, or even months, another trip will be even more exciting for them.  enjoy some pics of the lovely scenery and our family...

papa john and noah chase a squirrel

noah *loved* these big pumpkins, and the pics don't show it, but he thought it was hilarious to sit on them

noah was really excited about throwing a penny in the tadpole pond

"i just love that turtle, mommy. i just love it"

me: noah, are you trying to hatch that egg?

noah: yes. it's not working.

noah *insisted* on cleaning up the mess some other people had left behind, papa john helped.  love my son :)

showing me a butterfly

the big kids got in on the fun, too.  here they are demonstrating how tectonic plates work.

snack time

he insisted on putting on his own glasses, just before falling asleep