Magic Kingdom!

For Christmas, Nonna & G-Pa got all of us passes to Disney's Magic Kingdom! We went the day after Christmas. It is truly an amazing place. Despite the cold and windy day, we had a wonderful time in the park. We spent more than 7 hours experiencing its magic. This was David and the girls' first visit, but ALL of us had so much fun! Watching Gabriella and Adriana's reactions were the best!

The park's entrance.

Decorated for the holiday season. So pretty and festive!

On Aladdin's magic carpet ride. Mommy, Daddy, Gabriella, Adriana, Nonna & Aunt Danielle rode it together.

We caught a live singing and dancing production at the castle soon after our arrival. It was so much fun! We had a chance to see many of the Disney princesses and characters up close.

Gabby loved it! She is still talking about it!

Inside Minnie's house.

Nonna, Uncle Tommy and Aunt Danielle brought Gabby to meet Mickey and Minnie. 

Can you tell they were having fun? N&G had just bought them their new hats.

Daddy and Gabby riding the famous tea cups. Gabby wasn't scared and asked to ride again!

Waiting in line to meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.

Adriana loves Pooh! She was so exited to see him up close. After their meeting, she kept saying "Pooooh!" So adorable! 

Uncle Tommy and Aunt Danielle.

The girls with G-Pa and Nonna before riding the carousel. They had so much fun!

The lights on the castle are beautiful. 

Thanks Nonna & G-Pa for a wonderful day at the Magic Kingdom! It's an experience we will never forget! 

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When we arrived home a few days ago, Santa left the girls a doll house and stuffed stockings. They were so excited and haven't stopped playing with the doll house since our return!

They ran straight into the house. Gabby was so excited she didn't waste any time taking off her coat!

Christmas 2010

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We did and feel truly blessed. We spent 9 days in Florida celebrating Christmas and enjoying time with the Mangino family. We also spent a day at Disney World's Magic Kingdom (I will share those pictures in another post soon.) Below are more pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The girls with Nonna before Mass on Christmas Eve.

Mommy and Daddy.

Hilarious! After dinner on Christmas Eve, Adriana fell asleep at the dinner table. We could tell her eyelids were getting heavy but before we knew it they were closed and then....

She was out! So funny!

After Adriana's power nap and some dessert, we opened gifts from each other. The girls had so much fun and were very spoiled by Nonna, G-Pa, Uncle Tommy and Aunt Danielle. They got clothes, shoes, purses, books and so many other great things.

Playing in the wrapping paper - their favorite part!

Setting out a letter with cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for Rudolph and the reindeer.

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Christmas Day

 

Running out to see what Santa left...

Gabby got a Spider-Man bike and helmet (big hits, which Santa instructed was to stay at Nonna & G-Pa's), roller skates, a Barbie, books, a Fisher Price iXL learning/gaming system with two games, art project stuff, pajamas among many other things. She loved it all!

Adriana loved all the commotion. She walked all over the place picking up gifts.

Gabby excited about her Spider-Girl dress-up costume.

Roller skating. These were the number one thing on her list this year and she was so excited when she saw them waiting for her in the morning. 

Adriana got lots of great stuff, too! Santa brought her car walker (which Santa said has to stay at Nonna & G-Pa's), books, a toy computer, a toy camera, pajamas, coloring books, a Fisher Price pull telephone, a baby doll, a FurReal dog (she loves dogs!) and lots of other good stuff.

Big yawn! Although she was having a good time, Adriana was a bit tired. Once Gabby woke up, we woke her up earlier than usual to see what Santa brought. 

 Gabriella and Uncle Tommy playing with her new Crayola dry erase activity set. 

Gabriella showing us her Web Shooters like Spider-Man.

All of their gifts. They were good girls this year! In a letter back to the girls, Santa said he left presents for them back at home. Stay tuned to see what was waiting for them when we returned from Florida!

Enjoying the Floridian weather in our pajamas Christmas morning by the pool. Our pjs were gifts from N&G.

Playing with their presents on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas Eve!

It's getting closer! Here are a few photos of our family before church today. The girls, especially Gabriella, are very excited for Christmas! 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

More Christmas photos to follow!

Recent Family Photos

Below are our family photos and Adriana's one year photos that we had taken in St. Louis last month. The photographer was Fay Fetick, Samantha's close friend from college. To view f.e.b. images' Web site and blog click here and here. This is just a small sample. They turned out wonderfully!

You might recognize this one from our Christmas card.

A frequent face Gabby makes.

Adriana clapping! "Yay! I'm ONE!"

She's laughing. LOVE this one!

Just precious. She's holding a plastic cupcake.

Another favorite!

Fay, thanks for taking such awesome pictures of our family!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

We definitely got into the Christmas spirit this weekend. Last night we put out our shoes for St. Nicholas' arrival. This is a tradition we celebrate each year. To read about this Christian holiday click here.

Our shoes by the fireplace before heading to bed on Sunday night.

Gabriella and Adriana set out their Grinch shoes that Nonna and G-Pa bought for them this year. Aren't they darling? Gabby loves How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Gabriella made a special drawing for St. Nick. She drew his house and a snowman.

Gabby's excited face when she looked over the landing and saw the gifts St. Nick left this morning.

Love this one! Like always, Adriana is racing behind to see what Gabby is doing.

Checking out their gifts. Gabriella got a Spider-Man activity set, candy canes, M&Ms, a tooth brush and Bubble Bath. Nana also got the girls gifts from St. Nick. Gabby received a puzzle from her. Adriana got pop and lock animal links, Gerber treats, candy canes, a tooth brush and bubble bath. Nana got her a touch-and-feel animal book and a Christmas bib. David received flavored coffee and two long sleeve shirts. Samantha got the movie Eclipse. Nana got David and Samantha Christmas accessories for entertaining.

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On Saturday we went to the Old Fashion Christmas parade downtown. It was very cold so it was hard to take pictures while managing two children. The girls had a good time but the cold weather didn't keep us outside for long.

The girls before the parade. Wearing their Christmas shirts and holding their Peanuts dolls sent to them from Nonnie & G-Pa.

Making confectionaries with Daddy. Chocolate covered pretzels.

Gabby making some of her own creations with pretzels and marshmallows.

Chocolate and oatmeal cookies (above) and Haystacks (below). Yummy!

We enjoyed celebrating this special time of the year. It's hard to believe Christmas is less than 3 weeks away!