Swim lessons!

This week Gabriella started her private swim lessons. She is learning water survival techniques, which include under water swimming and rolling to a back-float. Gabby did awesome her first week and we look forward to more lessons in the upcoming weeks. It's amazing what she has already learned in just three sessions.

Gabby swimming under the water between Samantha and her instructor.

Taking a break from swimming to watch others in the pool.

Gabriella is under the water!

Yay! She did it! :-)

Father's Day weekend

The sun made an appearance this weekend and we enjoyed our time outside - improving our landscape and our suntans! We (mostly David) have been working on the landscape around our house for a few weeks. We removed all of the rock, planted flowers and placed mulch in the flower beds. Sunday morning - Father's Day - we got up early and finished the last bit of landscaping before heading to church. We are very happy with the way it all turned out! 

Gabby enjoyed walking through the landscape and smelling all of the flowers.

Gabby helping David sweep some of the mulch off of the driveway. She's a great helper!

David, Gabriella and Mia pose for a picture on the trailer of mulch.

Look at all of those teeth! Say cheese!

Gabriella and Daddy on Father's Day.

On Saturday, Nonna and G-Pa invited the KU football family - coaches and their families - to their house for a pool party. Gabriella had a great time playing in the water and with the other children. 

Gabby wants the camera. She'd rather take the photos than pose for them.

On Thursday evening, we had some weird weather - pretty typical the last few weeks - and after storms the sun peaked between the clouds and a beautiful rainbow appeared over our house. David was able to take a photo of it. 

Our weekend in St. Louis

We had a great weekend visiting our friends Fay and Jeff in St. Louis. On Saturday, we spent the afternoon at Grant's Farm. Gabriella had a chance to see animals up-close and she loved it! Check it out for yourself. :-)

Our first experience was feeding the baby goats. We gave them milk from a bottle. Gabby was swarmed as soon as we walked into their pen. They drank the milk but also enjoyed nibbling on our clothes. Gabby thought it was so funny!

After the goat-feeding craziness Gabby relaxed in her stroller. She was exhausted!

Samantha and Gabriella

Visiting the camels.

Samantha & Fay - sorority sisters/college roommates

Jeff, Gabby & Fay - The Feticks were great hosts the entire weekend. We had a blast!

A very large turtle

Gabby and David

Roosters - we watched them leave their area and walk across the park on the sidewalk.

Gabriella & David

Taking another moment to relax while staring at the animals.

Gabriella and David admiring a horse. Gabby was able to pet it gently through the bars.

Outside of the park there were several clydesdales on the farm. They were beautiful!

Watching the clydesdales across the way.

Gabriella was able to pet one of them.

More celebrations

Well, it was another week of graduations and parties. On Thursday evening, Aunt Danielle graduated from Johnson County's Dental Hygiene Program (and also won the best clinician award). On Saturday, Uncle Tommy graduated from Washburn University, and on Sunday, Aunt Megan graduated from Manhattan High School. 

Gabriella and Aunt Megan playing on the swing set before the graduation ceremony.

Gabriella enjoyed playing in the backyard - throwing and kicking her beach ball and bouncy balls and playing with the hula hoop.

Gabby sporting her new Kansas City Royals hat - it has a ladybug pattern - how perfect!

Gabby and Great-Grandma Hardy. 

Gabby with Uncle Tommy after his graduation ceremony.

On our way to Uncle Tommy's graduation. Gabriella loves Nonna's Jayhawk golf club cover. She had to take it with us on the car ride. She gave him lots of kisses.

After Aunt Danielle's pinning ceremony. Gabby wasn't too happy about taking the photo. She preferred to run around.

A weekend full of celebrations

We had a busy and fun weekend. On Saturday, we celebrated Samantha's graduation from graduate school and Uncle Tommy's 24th birthday! On Sunday, we honored Mother's Day, and soon-to-be Aunt Danielle received Confirmation. She is officially a member of the Catholic Church.

Samantha and Gabriella in the backyard enjoying the beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Gabby loves Mia - they play together all the time. Mia is very patient. It's so fun to watch the two of them together!

We went over to Nonna and G-Pa's house later in the afternoon. We presented Nonna with a gift, a large planting pot, but we added a little something extra (Gabby) for the presentation for when we walked through the door. Nonna thought it was very funny and the "perfect" Mother's Day gift.

Three generations of Mangino women. Do you see any resemblance?

After Samantha's commencement on Saturday, we took a family photo for the memory book.

Samantha with Nonna and G-Pa.

We celebrated with a small cook-out at our house. In honor of both events, we had a cake - half noted Samantha's graduation from UMKC and the other wished Uncle Tommy a happy birthday. Here he is blowing out his birthday cake candle.

Gabby enjoying a piece of chocolate cake.

It's spring time...finally!

Today was a beautiful day. Gabriella enjoyed the sunny afternoon by playing with her toys and helping David mow the lawn.

Gabriella playing with her first set of golf clubs. David is very proud!

Gabby on her Barbie four-wheeler she received on Easter from Uncle Tommy and soon-to-be Aunt Danielle. Gabby just learned how to drive it by pushing the motor button.

David and Gabriella mowing the lawn.