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.

]

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! 

_________________________________________________________

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!

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.