Farm Tour and Pumpkin Patch

Today was a beautiful autumn day and we spent it on the Kaw Valley Farm Tour in the Lawrence area. We made stops at Pendleton's Country Market and Zimmerman's Kill Creek Farm. Below are photos from our first stop at Pendleton's.

Gabriella chasing the butterflies in the monarch garden.

Nonna caught a butterfly and she and Aunt Danielle helped Gabby hold it before it flew away.

Playing in the tub of corn. 

In the pumpkin patch trying to find the perfect pumpkins.

Gabriella enjoyed picking some that were her size.

Chucking pumpkins. 

Gabriella enjoyed some time with a farm kitty. As you can see, we 

really wanted her to "meow." Check it out below.

Gabby loves sitting on David's shoulders.

At Zimmerman's, Gabriella fed chickens with Daddy and Nonna.

Books and the Zoo!

We had a fun and busy weekend. On Saturday, we went to the River City Reading Festival at the Lawrence Public Library. We had a chance to meet book characters, enjoy music and buy books. 

Gabriella chilling with The Pokey Little Puppy in the library.

Walking with Nate the Great.

Gabriella met Maisy. She liked her stripped pants.

David and Gabriella posing with Curious George.

On Sunday, we enjoyed our morning at the Topeka Zoo. If you haven't noticed yet from reading her blog, Gabriella loves animals. 

Gabriella and David watching the elephants.

While in the rainforest we saw many beautiful animals. Gabby got up close to a flamingo - she loved it!

David helping Gabby feed the goats.

After enjoying the zoo, we walked to Gage Park and Gabriella played on the animal statues. Here she is trying to climb the elephant.

Fun at the State Fair

Gabriella is 18 months old and is staying busy. Her vocabulary has drastically increased in the last month. She is now putting two words together and is rather chatty. She loves books and learning about animals. She also enjoys imitating animal sounds. It's pretty entertaining. 

The photo below was not staged. Mia was laying peacefully on the living room floor when Gabriella decided to sit on her.  Samantha was able to grab the camera just in time to capture the moment. Poor, Mia! 

 

Saturday morning cleaning. Gabby joined in the fun.

On Sunday, Sept. 7 we went to the State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas. We had a good time enjoying a slice of Americana. Gabriella especially enjoyed the animals. Her favorite was the cow. She must have said "moo" at least a hundred times that day. It was pretty funny!

Guess what she is saying? You're right..."moo!"

Running around and stretching her legs.

The pigs. She practiced saying "oink oink!"

Leaving the fair grounds on Daddy's shoulders.

Fan Appreciation Day

This evening was KU Football's Fan Appreciation Day. As G-Pa signed autographs, Gabby and Nonna spent some time together visiting with fans and Jayhawk Football faithfuls.

Gabby loved running on the field with the other children. Before heading to Memorial Stadium, we purchased Gabby her newest KU Football jersey - #5 in honor of Todd Reesing!

Gabby with Uncle Tommy and Aunt Danielle. Gabby didn't want to pose for a picture with Daddy - she was more interested in running on the field (below).

Fun with friends

Last weekend the Tadtmans visited us in Lawrence. Gabriella and Colten enjoyed the afternoon playing in Nonna and G-Pa's pool. Here they are fascinated with the water streams that flow into the pool. This kept them entertained for a little while.

After playing in the water for a while, they needed a snack. Don't worry - they didn't have any beer. Those are their Daddys' beverages. Gabby and Colten settled for Cheetos and milk!

David, Gabriella, Colten and Justin.

Baby Aubrey and her mommy, Katie.

Swing time

Last night we had friends over to our house for a cook-out. Gabriella enjoyed having lots of new playmates. Here she is with her godfather Pat (on the left) and Ryan hanging out on the play equipment in our backyard. 

Animals!

On Friday, Gabriella, David, Samantha & Nonna went to the Douglas County Fair to visit the petting zoo. Despite the heat, Gabby had a great time seeing the animals up-close and feeding them. It was so fun to watch Gabby's facial expressions and reactions to the animals. In the last few weeks, she has definitely become much more animated and talkative. This past week she turned 17 months - where does the time go?

Gabby loved her first pony ride! 

Gabby and Nonna feeding the baby zebra. This was Gabby's favorite animal as she visited with it several times. 

Gabriella enjoyed saying "hi" to each animal.

Gabriella with a baby goat.