Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Today we celebrated Jesus' birth - what a joyous day it was! When we woke up this morning Gabriella was very surprised to find toys by the fireplace! At 22 months, she doesn't quite understand the concept of Santa Claus. But, when we went downstairs for breakfast, she all of sudden yelled "toys!" and ran to them. She was very excited! It was so fun to see her play with all of her gifts. 

The highlights of Santa's visit this year were an interactive kitchen set, an indoor/outdoor tent, a Mommy and Me baby and stroller as well as a books, puzzles and other activities and toys. She also had a stocking full of goodies! Gabriella had a wonderful Christmas as did the rest of our family.

We hope that you had a blessed Christmas and we wish you a very happy New Year! 

Gabby and all of her gifts from Santa Claus (aka "Bobby")

Gabriella's stocking is as big as her!

Stroll Baby, stroll!

Gabby, where's the baby? Oh, wait...she's on the floor behind you!

David likes the tent, too!

Gabriella in her tent with her new toys. In her stocking was a small carton of Goldfish crackers. Yes, it was 7 am and she was eating Goldfish but it's Christmas!! 

After the initial excitement of Santa's visit and gifts, we all three opened gifts from one another. Here Samantha is helping Gabby open a gift from Mommy and Daddy.

In the afternoon we went over to Nonna and G-Pa's for lunch. Santa left Gabby a few gifts at their house, too. Samantha and David even had gifts from Santa! What a nice guy!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve in Lawrence. In the afternoon we ate an early dinner with Samantha's family and then attended Mass later in the afternoon followed by gift opening at Nonna and G-Pa's house.

Samantha and Gabriella had to make a quick stop at the grocery store in the morning. Gabby loves to ride in the grocery cart/bus. In this picture she is making sound effects while she "drives" the cart.

When we first arrived at Nonna and G-Pa's, Gabby got her first Christmas gift. Samantha's parents couldn't wait to give Gabby her very own "horsey." She loves it! It makes noises and you can ride it around because it's on wheels. It's something Gabriella will definitely enjoy for the next couple of years. 

We took a family picture before Mass.

After Mass, we opened gifts with the Manginos at Nonna and G-Pa's house. Gabriella mostly ran around the house while we opened gifts around the Christmas tree. Gabby received many wonderful gifts from Uncle Tommy, Aunt Danielle, Nonna and G-Pa.

Before Gabriella went to bed, she set out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer along with a note to Santa that Samantha helped her write. 

On Sunday, Dec. 21 we celebrated Christmas with the Hardys at our home in Lawrence. After dinner, we opened gifts. Gabby had a really good time. 

Gabriella opening gifts with Samantha (above) and Aunt Bridget (below). Gabby received so many great gifts from Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Megan and Aunt Bridget. 

Christmas Treats

We have been preparing for Christmas the last two weeks. In addition to shopping and decorating our house, we spent some time in the kitchen making our favorite cookies and Christmas treats. Gabriella enjoyed helping us.

Gabriella and David making chocolate covered pretzels. Gabby loved applying the sprinkles.

On the morning of December 6, Gabriella woke up to find the gifts St. Nicholas left in her shoes. She received new tooth brushes, a book, a Santa Pez dispenser, stickers and an array of other treats. He even brought Mommy and Daddy gifts! If you aren't familiar with the story of St. Nicholas, click here to learn his story and his Christian legacy.

Making sugar cookies and having a really good time with the flour.

Our finished product! Yum!!

Family, Food and Football

Happy Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful holiday weekend full of family, food and football. On Thanksgiving Day, we spent time with the Hardys in Manhattan and the Manginos in Lawrence. 

On Friday, we relaxed most of the day. Samantha did some light Black Friday shopping. Friday night, we went on Massachusetts Street (Mass Street as its known to those of us in Lawrence), where we watched Santa Claus appear on Weaver's Department Store rooftop and climb down the fire truck latter to the crowd of people waiting for him. He then posed for pictures with children and families. Interesting note: Gabriella calls Santa "Bobby." We aren't sure how this "nickname" came about, but she's pretty consistent with it. Whenever she sees anything Santa Claus-like she calls out, "Bobby!" 

Saturday KU played MU in the annual Border Showdown at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Jayhawks beat the Tigers, 40-37. It was a thrilling game and an instant classic. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Here are some snapshots of our long holiday weekend. Enjoy!

Gabriella, David and Samantha with Santa (aka "Bobby") after his grand entrance on Mass Street.

Nonna pointing out Santa on Weaver's rooftop.

Snug as a bug in a rug. It was a chilly night!

Gabriella helping David put up the Christmas lights. (above)

Gabriella getting cozy on the couch Thanksgiving morning. (below)

Christmas Photos

This week Gabriella will turn 21 months. She is talking more and more each day. She will try to repeat anything you say to her, and she sometimes talks in phrases and sentences. It's really fun to have a conversation with her. 

This weekend we had our Christmas pictures taken. Gabriella did fairly well - it's hard for her to sit still for more than 15 seconds. Below are a few photos from our session. I guess this means that the holiday season is upon us!

Happy Thanksgiving! As Gabriella would say, "dobble, dobble!" ("gobble, gobble!")

Halloween weekend

What a fun weekend! On Friday (Halloween), Gabriella loved trick-or-treating! We started at Nonna and G-Pa's house with dinner then Gabriella dressed in her costume - a flower fairy.  Here are some photos of Gabriella getting ready for the big night.

We started the evening visiting G-Pa at the KU Football Offices. G-Pa had a special gift for Gabriella - a My Little Pony toy. She loves horses so it was a hit!

Running down the hallways at the KU Football Office.

Trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. After a few stops, Gabriella caught onto the whole trick-or-treating thing. She loved waiting for people to open their door and then selecting a piece of candy.

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Her bucket at the end of the night. She wouldn't let us carry it for her even though it was pretty heavy. She wanted to be a "big girl" and carry it back to our house.

Enjoying her candy once we got home. (Notice she is still carrying her bucket.)

On Saturday, after KU beat KSU, Gabriella found a ladybug in our house. A sign of good luck!

Gabriella at her swim lesson on Sunday. She is becoming our little fish - she absolutely loves the water. 

Halloween party at Pi Beta Phi

On Sunday, Gabriella attended Pi Beta Phi's Children's Halloween party at the Pi Phi house on KU's campus. Alumni (Samantha is an alumna) and friends were invited to bring their children to the house for trick-or-treating, games and cookies. Gabriella loved it!

After Gabby woke up from her nap, we got her dressed in her flower fairy costume. At first she was uncertain about the attire. She was a bit fussy about the wings. She warmed up to them after a little while.

This weekend Uncle Sammy Fiorante and cousin Andy Fiorante visited us. Here is a photo of Gabby in her costume along with Aunt Danielle, Uncle Sammy and Andy. We had a really good time with them. We hope they visit us again soon!

Gabriella and Samantha outside of Pi Phi.

 Trick-or-treating in the hallways of Pi Phi. The active members were so excited to see all of the children in costume. 

Thanks, Pi Phis! We had a great time!

Getting ready for Halloween

It was another beautiful autumn weekend. We had great weather and did some things to celebrate the season. On Friday evening, we decorated our pumpkin as Miss Potato Head Princess. Gabriella really enjoyed putting her together. David and Samantha liked not having a carving mess to clean-up. 

After we put together Miss Potato Head Princess, we brought her outside on the front step. Gabby is admiring her masterpiece!

Her expression is hilarious! 

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On Saturday morning, we went to a farm/pumpkin patch in Louisburg, Kansas, with our friends Pat and Jen Wertzberger and Jen's family along with Matt and Jess Wertzberger. It was a beautiful fall day. We enjoyed our time with everyone plus we bought more pumpkins! 

Gabriella looking for the animals with her Godfather Pat. 

Gabriella and Pat petting the baby goats. The look on her face is priceless!

Ponies!

Walking through the milo maize. Gabby ran through most of it (and got a little muddy). She really enjoyed herself.

Pat helping Gabby pick a pumpkin in the patch.

Pat and Jen with Gabby.

Family photo after having apple cider and donuts. We enjoyed our treats with live bluegrass music. It was a really neat place. Thanks for inviting us, Pat and Jen!