Visit to Pennsylvania

On June 24 we left for Pennsylvania to visit Samantha's extended family in New Castle. We spent 5 days with many family members we only get to see maybe once a year. We also celebrated Samantha's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary while visiting. It was a wonderful time and went by very quickly.

While in town, we stayed with Gabriella's godmother (Samantha's cousin) Marlynn, her husband Jason and their two darling sons Jason (Samantha's godson) and Andrew. Gabby LOVED playing with her cousins and has talked about them quite a few times since we left on Monday. We all had a great time and hope to visit again some time soon!

On Jason's last day of Bible Camp, we attended his School's carnival. Jason and the other children had a small music program in the morning. Afterward, there were activities and treats for all the kids. Gabby and Andrew had their faces painted. Gabby got a flower and Andrew got a basketball. Gabby's cousins Markie and Melina were also at the carnival so we had a chance to hang out with several cousins that morning. The Bible Camp was held at Samantha's former elementary school so it was nice to return after 18 years to see that things haven't changed too much!

Gabriella and Andrew (aka Double Trouble) sporting their fun new hats that MeMa and Nonna bought for them. Don't they look a lot like Jayhawks?! Gabby and Andrew are only three weeks apart in age!

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On Thursday, June 25, Great-Grandma and Grandpa Fiorante celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! What a blessing! On June 26, the Fiorante family celebrated with a dinner at a local favorite Italian Restaurant. It was very wonderful day for everyone! 

After dinner, Great-Grandma and Grandpa cut their anniversary cake at their house. We also took many family photos to honor their special day!

Great-Grandpa and Grandma with their 10 grandchildren, 3 of their grandchildren-in-law and their 3 great-grandchildren

Great-Grandma and Grandpa Fiorante with their four children and 3 children-in-law.

The three great-grandchildren - Andrew, Jason and Gabriella

Visiting with the Manginos at Great-Grandma Connie's - Aunt Julie, Aunt Mari, Markie, Melina and Nonna. Gabby enjoyed playing and eating lollipops with Melina and Markie!

Gabby, Mommy and Great-Grandma Connie

Mommy, Gabriella and Great-Grandma Madeline

Gabriella and Great-Grandpa Sam

Gabby with Marlynn, her godmother.

5 years ago today...

 We were married! What a wonderful five years it has been! Can't wait to see what the future holds for us and our family.

 June 26, 2004

Processing out of the church.

Our first dance to "At Last" by Etta James

Hole #9 at Alvamar Country Club 

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! Today was a lovely and relaxing day. David loved his gift - a new Callaway driver. He plans to hit the golf course soon so he can try it out. After church, we went over to Nonna and G-Pa's. We gave G-Pa his gift and enjoyed the afternoon at the pool. Here is a photo of David and Gabriella after a day in the sun. It was a hot and sunny day - definitely feels like summer!

Big Girl moments

Many exciting things going on in our household! With the anticipation of the baby's arrival, Gabriella has been taking the Big Sister role very seriously. Potty-training is going well. She is telling us when she has to go to the potty and is confident using the potty. She is still going in her Pull-ups and diapers periodically, but is showing a lot of interest in the potty each day. So, we're heading in the right direction! The goal is to have her potty-trained by baby #2's arrival, but if it doesn't happen, Mommy and Daddy won't be upset. We are so proud of Gabby's progress so far!

Gabby is also starting to understand that she is going to have a baby sister soon. She will tell us, "Baby Sister coming!" And when we ask where her baby sister is, she points to Mommy's stomach and says, "Mommy's belly" or "Mommy's belly button." It's really cute!

Another exciting development is Gabby's Big Girl Room! In late May, Gabby moved across the hall into her new bedroom and in her full-size bed. Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Tommy and Aunt Danielle painted her room a few weeks ago, and over the last few weeks we have moved her things into her new room and Gabby has been sleeping in it for almost 3 weeks now. It's going really well and Gabby is so proud of herself.

View from the hallway into her new bedroom.

 New dresser and window valence.

Gabriella's new bookshelf and her wooden letters. Mommy and Daddy made the letters especially for Gabby when we were anticipating her birth. They were in her nursery the last two years and now they are in her big girl room! The flower lamp was in Mommy's dorm room her freshman year at KU. Samantha has kept it for nine years with the intention of maybe using it again. Who knew it would match Gabriella's room perfectly?!

Can you tell how excited Gabby is about her big girl bed? She loves it! Every morning when she wakes up and comes to our room she yells with excitement, "I slept in my big girl bed!" It's adorable!

Fun in the pool!

Gabriella is a little fish! Each time we go to the pool she becomes braver. She now leaves the safety of the pool's steps and swims out on her own. When she can't hold her breath any longer she goes to a back float (a technique she learned at swim lessons).

This past weekend we spent both afternoons at Nonna and G-Pa's swimming pool. We had great weather and lots of fun. On Saturday, Colten and Justin Tadtman spent the day with us at the pool. Gabby and Colten really enjoyed swimming together. 

Here is a video of Gabriella jumping into the pool on Sunday. She would spend hours doing this if we let her.

Gabby got really brave on Sunday. She decided to put on goggles and go under water with Daddy and Nonna. She did this several times throughout the day!

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Colten and Gabby swimming on Saturday.

They loved playing in the pool together!

Colten is airborne!

How sweet! Hand-in-hand as they jump in the pool.