Cowgirl, football and Easter - What a weekend!

What a fun weekend! On Friday, Gabriella dressed up as a cowgirl for school. Her class has been learning about the wild west - cowboys and cowgirls. They have been doing art projects and talking about the theme. They even learned how to gallop! To finish the unit, the kids dressed up as cowgirls and cowboys on Friday.

What a good lookin' cowgirl!

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On Saturday, we attended KU's Spring Game. It was as beautiful day and several thousand Jayhawk fans came out to support the team. Gabby had a great time in the stands watching the game and being a two-year old.

After the scrimmage, we waited for the players to leave the field and the kids got a chance to run around for a little bit.

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On Easter Sunday, Gabriella woke up rather early (6 a.m.) and we all went downstairs to see what the Easter Bunny had left for her. Gabby carefully followed the bunny tracks throughout the house to her basket. She decided it would be fun to touch the tracks and taste the substance (it tasted very much like powdered sugar!) She was very intrigued!

She found it!

Wow! What a nice Easter Bunny!

Playing catch with her new baseball glove and ball!

Trying out her new tricycle and helmet.

Gabriella showing off her pearl bracelet. She loved dressing up this year and wearing jewelry.

Before brunch, we went over to Nonna and G-Pa's to hang out for a bit.

 Nonna's 50th birthday fell on Easter this year! Happy Birthday, Nonnie! We love you!

Acting silly!

Happy Birthday, Nonna!

Helping Nonna blow out her birthday candles. At this point in the afternoon Gabby decided that she didn't want to wear any clothes so she spent some time only in her diaper.

Easter egg hunt at Nonna and G-Pa's in the afternoon. It was rainy outside so we had to move it indoors. Gabby loved hunting for eggs and opening them up to find candy. She did get a few dollar bills, but was more interested in the candy. Someday she will learn that cash is king!

Special announcement!

Gabriella's shirt says it all! 

That's right...Mommy is pregnant! Our new bundle of joy is due to arrive on October 6th! Gabriella is a big sister in training!

First time to the theater

Today Gabriella had her first theater experience. We thought she'd enjoy the new movie "Monsters vs. Aliens" as Gabby loves monsters. One of her favorite movies is "Monsters, Inc." We are not sure where the interest comes from. We noticed it around Christmas when she'd watched "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and loved the Abominable Snowman. At the theater today, she did a great job sitting through the movie. Only twice did we have to get up with her to walk around but they were short breaks. Most of the time she was enthralled with the movie, and asked us "Monsters coming back?" or would say "Monsters are scary." This was all expressed with excitement in her voice. The movie was a hit!

This is Gabby in her theater seat just after we arrived. The previews had just started so it was hard to focus the camera. She didn't last long in her own seat because she is too light, so for the first 45 minutes of the movie (until her first break) she sat on David's lap. She held her movie ticket in her one hand and ate popcorn with the other. It was so cute!

After the movie, Gabby caught wind of the stuffed animals inside the glass. She of course asked David to get her one so he gave it a try. A local restaurant has this game and David has managed to win Gabby a stuffed animal nearly every time. 

Today, on his second attempt, he was able to grab an octopus. Gabby loved it! David is 4 for 5 at this game. Gabby now expects David to win every time. The pressure is beginning to mount for David!

Gabriella pointing out the monsters and posing in front of the promotional sign in the theater's lobby (with her new stuffed octopus). 

St. Louis Getaway

We spent this weekend in St. Louis visiting our good friends Fay and Jeff. We had a wonderful time hanging out with them and their dog, Shakespeare. Our weekend included a visit to the St. Louis Zoo, a cook-out on Saturday night and Lion's Choice roast beef sandwiches (yum!). Here are some photos from our trip to the zoo. Thanks for a wonderful weekend, Fay and Jeff!

Family photo at the penny fountain at the zoo.

The hippo exhibit was really neat. Gabriella loved seeing them up close. Several of them swam by. They were very big but very cool!

Gabriella loved the elephants. She kept saying, "Elephants in there!" Check it out:

Fay and Gabby.

Gabby and David checking out the penguins. It smelled pretty "fishy" in the exhibit as the penguins had just been fed.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Gabriella!

Happy Birthday, Gabriella! Yesterday, February 28th, was Gabby's 2nd birthday! It's so hard to believe it has been two year since her birth! Where does the time go? She's definitely a little kid now and it's been so much fun watching her grow up before our eyes. She's become a very sweet and vibrant toddler. We are truly blessed to have her in our lives!

On Saturday, we hosted an M&M's themed birthday party. In recent months, Gabriella has become a fan of M&M's or as she calls them "M-Ms" or "chak-its" (chocolates) so we thought an M&M birthday party would be fun for her. Boy, was it ever! We spent Saturday afternoon with a house full of family and friends and plenty of chocolate M&M's. Gabby received many wonderful gifts - she is a very lucky girl! Here are some photos capturing Gabriella's special day.

The cake! This creation was made by the same woman who created our wedding cake and Gabriella's previous cakes. She's very gifted!

Decorations on the table before we set out the food.

Our living room and main party area before the guests arrived.

For this special occasion, we ordered personalized M&M's. They said "Gabby's TWO!" and "Happy Birthday." They were a hit!

After Gabriella woke up from her nap and we brought her downstairs, she was amazed at all of the decorations and balloons around the house. The birthday girl is also sporting her M&M t-shirt.

Family photo before the party. 

Opening gifts! Gabby loved the concept this year!

Bath toys!

She loves her American Girl Bitty Baby from Nonna and G-Pa.

Opening her Curious George themed gift from Grandpa Hardy.

Gabriella playing with her new broom, which was part of an outdoor/gardening themed gift from the Tadtmans. Aubrey Tadtman, David and Samantha's Goddaugther, is in the photo, too. Aubrey and Gabby are almost exactly one year apart. Aubrey was born on Feb. 29 last year. 

Gabby and Colten Tadtman enjoying a snack together on Gabby's new table and chairs set.  The table and chairs were a birthday gift from Mommy and Daddy. Gabby is just two months younger than Colten so they have a lot of fun when we get them together.

Gabby loved when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her. 

Blowing out her birthday candle.

After the party, we took another family photo. 

After her party, we all drove to Overland Park for some fun at Chuck E Cheese's. Gabby had never been to one before so it was a real treat for her. It was very busy and noisy, but she loved it!

Her favorite game - skee ball! 

Enjoying her Chuck E Cheese pizza!

Gabby and David playing a Star Wars game. 

Gymnastics!

On Saturday, Gabriella completed her seventh gymnastics class at Lawrence Gymnastics Academy. Each week it's a different theme - this week's was animals. The children and parents spent the first 30 minutes of class stretching and enjoying the various stations. The last 10-15 minutes is spent in the pit and on the large trampoline. 

Gabriella loves class from start to finish! Here are some photos from this weekend's class. Mommy and Daddy rotate participating. This week Samantha assisted Gabby while David was the photographer.

Balancing on the beam!

Climbing and jumping on the mats!

Weeeee!!!

Gabby loves to climb on the platform and jump into the pit.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! Gabriella enjoyed celebrating this special day of love. She received many cards and gifts from family, and on Saturday opened her Valentines from Mommy and Daddy.

David helping Gabby open her gifts.

She loved her Tinkerbell card!

Yummy candy necklace!

Gabby enjoying all of her goodies.