Dallas Arboretum

Chloe running for the maze.

 Chloe and I met up with our local PTA group at the Dallas Arboretum.  There is a spectacular pumpkin display as well as all of the usually Arboretum exhibits.  I know this all looks familiar.  That is because the TDF race from a few posts ago was also at the Arboretum.  So Chloe got to play in the Pumpkin Story Houses twice this season.  Lucky Girl.  We had a great time and even got to have a picnic on the Great Lawn with her friends Emma and Alex. 

Chloe running through a house.

Checking out the pumpkins.

LOL.  Love that smile.

Playing on a covered wagon.

2nd Race

 In October we had weekend where Doug was home and there was a race that had a Fun Run.  So we headed down for Chloe to run the 1 mile Fun Run and Doug ran the 5K.  I know this will come as a shock to everyone who knows me; we got their early.  As we waited for the race Chloe got her face painted and we all got to do a pre race aerobics warm up session (see video at bottom of page).  Doug and I both ran with her.  We were both shocked that she ran the entire way.  She didn't stop and take walking breaks she just busted out a mile.  She is incredible. 

Look at the smile on that face.  She was so excited that her Daddy was there.

Oh the determination.

The Bad news: They don't give out awards for the Fun Run. Here is the good news: Chloe has a Daddy who is fast enough to win an award.  Chloe thought Doug's award was for her and we aren't telling her different.  It now proudly resides in her room on her dresser.  Thank goodness for fast Daddy's.

Somehow I messed up this video, hope it plays.  Doug and Chloe are warming up for their race, it was so cute.  The ladies around them were all looking at Chloe and talking about her.

This is towards the beginning of the race.

 

This is towards the end of the mile.

Pumpkin Patch



Dax, Chloe and Zane



Chloe and I met up with my good friend Cindy and her two boys on the first day the local Pumpkin Patch was open.  Chloe had a great time playing with her friends and of course in the bounce houses.  The also went on a hayride, climbed pumpkins, climbed on huge bales of hay and, ran through a maze. 

Sheriff Chloe is on the job

Chloe on a huge bale of hay

Climbing mounds of pumpkins

Chloe in her element.  Bouncing.  Can you believe how high she can get.  Remember she is only 2yrs old.

Driving a truck

She loved the tractor.  I think that might be Uncle Joey's influence.

Chloe's 1st Race

 Well this might come as a shock to many of you but, I have been dreading Chloe's 1st race.  I was so worried she wouldn't like it and then would never want to go again.  I was determined not to push it on her too early.  However as you all know we do take her to many of our races and she rides in the jogging stroller, cheering or yelling out "on your left/right" so we can pass folks safely.  Well in September she asked if she could run a race.  I said yes and found a race that had a Fun Run associated with it.  I decided for her first race it should be just about her so I didn't sign up for the 5K.  We went just for her.  She was over the moon to go to "her race." She even squealed with delight when she got her very own race number and I pinned it on her.  As you can tell it was raining on race day and I asked if she still wanted to go and she of course said yes and that splashing in puddles would be more fun.  I love that about her.  She was the youngest competitor by far and so the crowd really cheered hard as she came around the track.  She ran 3 laps which is 3/4 of a mile in around 11 minutes.  She had a great time.


Here she is pre race running around




Look at Chloe go.




After the race getting a picture with a cow.



Tour des Floures

 When Doug and I realized we would both be in town and available on the day of the Tour des Floures we signed up immediately.  It is our favorite local race.  Chloe and Doug did the 10K while I ran the 20K.  After the race we got to play around at the Dallas Arboretum.  The race is hosted by the Arboretum so, it is top notch.  One of my friends, Cindy, ran the race as well. Her husband met us afterwards with their two boys, Dax and Zane.  Dax and Zane are two of Chloe's most favorite kids to play with.  They are super active and social and that is right up Chloe's alley. 

Chloe and Doug in a Pumpkin House.



Chloe running from either Doug or Dax, look at that stride...woot woot. I think we might have a runner on our hands.



Chloe and I playing in a Pumpkin Patch

Chloe chasing Dax

Look out! There is a monster behind you Chloe.

Chloe and Doug in a different Pumpkin House.  There is a whole village of houses made out of pumpkins at the Arboretum.  It is pretty dang cool.

Tate holding Dax's hand.  Chloe trying to hold Dax's other hand.  Doug holding Chloe's hand. How sweet is this photo?

Doug hanging out with the kids

I just adore that look

Chloe, Dax and Zane.

Chloe and Zane

Chloe Photo Slide Show

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While we were in Albuquerque, my mom and I decided we needed some dress up photos of Chloe and here they are.  I hope you enjoy these photos as much as we did. 

Albuquerque - September 2010

Chloe cooking with Nana and Nano

In early September Chloe and I went to Albuquerque for a long weekend.  We had a great time playing with Nana, Nano, Uncle Joey and Aunt Nga.  Chloe got to have a special party at Nana's where they had a hot dog roast and made smores in the backyard.  We also spent a day playing with Uncle Joey and Aunt Nga.  We went swimming.  By "we" I mean Uncle Joey and Chloe, it was way too cold for Nga and I.  And we drove a buggy around Uncle Joey's backyard, of course in Uncle Joey style he built us a mound to power over.  It was a ton of fun. 

Swimming with Uncle Joey.

Swimming on Uncle Joey's back.  Chloe had the greatest time playing with Uncle Joey.

Driving with Uncle Joey in Uncle Joey's backyard.  She had him going forwards, backwards, over the mound, around the mound, you name it they did it.  Chloe had a great time.

Chloe trying on Uncle Joey's glasses.

Uncle Joey and Chloe swimming, Nga and I hanging out watching.

Uncle Joey driving Chloe around

Aunt Nga driving Chloe.  Now I do have another movie of this episode but it just wasn't right to post it (they got stuck). 

Phoenix 2010

 In August Chloe and I decided we needed to go visit the Phoenix clan. We had the best time.  Cousin Colleen now has a baby so, staying at Aunt Megan and Uncle Jeff's house now means having a full time play friend in her cousin Anela (AKA Nelly), yahoooo!!!  Grandpa D and Grandma Jacquie came over for lunch one day and, Chloe had a great time coloring with Grandma Jacquie and kicking a ball with Grandpa D.  We also got to head to the lake and go out on the boat with Grandpa Art (who let Chloe drive the boat) and Grandma Meg.  It was such a relaxing fun filled weekend.

Playing a little soccer with her Grandpa D

Giving Nelly kisses.  Chloe couldn't get enough of those cheeks.

Playing with Grandma Jacquie, Colleen and Anela

Showing Anela a cool flower mask

Chloe and Anela driving around Aunt Megan's kitchen. 

We even played in Aunt Megan's pool

At the lake out cruising on the boat

Colleen and Anela

Grandpa Art supervising Chloe's driving of the boat.  Yes he let her drive the boat all by herself at 2yrs old. 

Chloe getting a little direction

Look at this happy crew.  Love the smile on Grandma Meg.

 

Chloe and Aunt Megan checking out the waves



Chloe driving

Grandpa Art was explaining the way his sonar worked and Chloe listened so intently, I was really impressed

Chloe still paying attention, look at that look of concentration

LOL!! Cousin Angela gave Anela this flower mask and Chloe just had to try it on and pose for the camera.  Love my littlel Flower Girl.

Go Flower Girl

This is how both girls started off the day.  Drinking milk while chilling on the big dog.  It was reallly cute.

Chloe had a great time giving Anela rides on the car.  She held on really tight so Anela wouldn't slide off.  Chloe had such a blast staying with Anela.



Driving the boat. 

Digging on the beach at the lake.  The fish were biting so we kept telling her she was getting poked by sticks so she wouldn't be scared of the water but, dang when they bit it made you jump.