Sea World, pool, beach and sunshine - We love Florida!

On Tuesday we came back from a full week in Florida! We had a great time visiting Nonna and G-Pa in Naples. Uncle Sammy, Aunt Connie and Cousin Kylee visited while we were there, too, so we had an extra fun time spending the week with family. One of our first days in the Sunshine State we spent in Orlando and visited Sea World. The girls had a blast!

Adriana feeding stingrays. It was so cool how close you could get to them in the corral. 

Gabby had a great time, too. Look at its head above water.

Gabriella and Nonnie.

G-Pa, Adriana and Daddy.

The awesome Blue Horizons show with dolphins and tropical birds. So entertaining!

Family photo.

Sea World has rides, too. We rode the Jazzy Jellyfish. Pretty fun!

 What's a visit to Sea World without seeing Shamu? What a wonderful and exciting show!

Daddy and Gabby rode the Shamu mini roller coaster. Gabby wasn't too fond of this one. She loved going up, but when it came down she was a bit freaked out.

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We spent a day at the beach and a beach resort. It was a beautiful day and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Gabriella loved playing in the sand. She built all kinds of things. 

Adriana wasn't a big fan of the sand and gulf water. She spent a little time in it but enjoyed the pool much more. 

Mommy and Adriana

Adriana and Kylee in the pool. The girls loved playing with Kylee. 

Stylin' Adriana.

We played ring-around-the-rosy in the pool. "Ring-around-the rosy, pocket full of posy. Ashes, ashes..."

"We all fall down!"

And then we popped up for air. 

Adriana and G-Pa.

The girls did some fishing with G-Pa and Daddy near N & G's house. N & G bought them their own Tinkerbell fishing poles.

Making art with the seashells they found on the beach. 

Watching Beauty and the Beast with Aunt Connie. 

And with Uncle Sammy.

Playing with food - olives. 

Princess Adriana enjoying Doritos poolside. Ah, vacation! 

Gabby and Uncle Sammy having a tea party poolside. The girls loved playing with Uncle Sammy, Aunt Connie and Kylee during our visit. 

Thank you Nonnie & G-Pa for a fabulous visit! We enjoyed every bit of it. It was a memorable week spent with family...what could be better?

Enjoying summer time!

Summer is in full swing and we're having a great time! Last week I was on the computer in our office for a few minutes when I heard Gabby behind me giggling uncontrollably. I turned around to see this...

She told her little sister to get into the television stand and Adriana did just that - she will do just about anything Gabby tells her to do, which her big sister takes full advantage of. I can't remember why Adriana only has on her diaper and bloomers but it adds charm!

Gabby thought it was so funny she went inside, too, and asked that I take a picture. Crazy girls!

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Last weekend, Aunt Bridget and Nana came to visit us. We took this picture at the park near the t-ball fields. They were able to catch one of Gabby's games while in town. They also brought the girls to see the Winnie the Pooh movie. The girls had a really good time. 

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This past weekend, the Tadtman family came for a quick visit and we all had a lot of fun. On Saturday morning they came to Gabby's t-ball game and because her team was short a couple of players, Colten was able to play, too. Of course we didn't have our cameras so we don't have pictures, but it was really fun to watch! 

Saturday evening before they left town, we brought them to the girls' favorite place in town - Incredible Pizza! The kids had so much fun playing the game. Here they are posing right by the entrance. 

Riding the carousel. 

Team work!

Gabby and Aubrey riding the train. 

Probably one of the favorites - the stomp the aliens game. 

Feeling like home...

It's been more than a month since we moved into our new home in Tulsa and it's starting to feel like home. In the last few weeks we have enjoyed our "box free" house. Everything is in its place. Over the next few months we will do some things here and there but nothing is urgent. So, it's been nice to relax and enjoy summer. We spend afternoons at our neighborhood pool as we meet and hang out with our neighbors. The girls attended summer camp last week at Gabby's new school, which they loved. They will go again next week and they can't wait! Gabby is still playing t-ball and doing very well. The kids are catching on and it's starting to actually resemble a game. They are playing 3 innings within the hour which is good progress! 

She loves t-ball!

Trying to keep Adriana happy during the game. She's enjoying some wafers. It's been more than 100 degrees nearly every day the past 2 weeks so it's hot even at 9 am!

She actually wants to play t-ball, too, and gets discouraged when she can't go out on the field. It's pretty cute!

Team huddle. Gabby is wearing the pink helmet of course.

Running to first base after her hit.

July 4th Weekend

We had another great weekend! Uncle Tommy, Aunt Danielle,Vincenzo and their dog Tank came down to visit us during Unc's vacation from work. We had a great time and were so sad to see them leave this morning.  

Gabriella's first time fishing! Saturday morning, David, Gabriella and Uncle Tommy went over to one of David's coworker's house to fish. His colleague's house sits on several acres of land and they have a pond full of fish. Gabby and David's coworker's daughter, who is just a few years older than Gabby, had a great time fishing and playing together. 

Because the pond has so many fish they didn't have to wait too long

 to get a bite. Here's Gabby exercising her patience - it's a difficult task for a 4 year old.

Gabby caught her first fish - a perch.

Uncle Tommy caught a big catfish!

Daddy caught a bass!

Later in the day we brought the gang to our favorite Mexican restaurant in Tulsa. The girls love their Unc and Aunt Danielle!

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After Mass on Sunday we took some photos of the kids together. 

Aren't they all so cute! Vinny is 3 1/2 weeks now and is a really great baby. He rarely, if ever, cries and sleeps like a champ. We barely heard from him all weekend. The girls love him so much! Gabby is obsessed with him (to put it mildly) and really can't get enough of him. 

Take 2!

Sunday after dinner, the girls enjoyed throwing "snappers" on the ground and watching the "snakes." We were warming up for fireworks later in the evening.

Vinny thought he'd take a quick snooze before the big show later on. :)

So excited to watch the "snakes."

Having a good time despite the 100 plus degrees and hot sun!

Later in the evening after it got dark, our neighbors invited us over to enjoy some fireworks and we watched the city's fireworks show from our driveways. We really like our new neighborhood and have made some friends.

Vinny even stayed awake for some of them. What a doll!

Adriana wasn't into the sparkers. She liked sitting on our laps.

This morning before they left. The girls got in a few more minutes of "Vinny Time." We miss them all so much and we hope they visit us again soon.

Father's Day 2011!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! On Sunday we had a really special day celebrating what a great Dad we have in our house. After breakfast, the girls were eager to give David his card and gift.

They helped him open his cards.

The one from Gabriella and Adriana was Spider-Man themed. The girls and Daddy really liked it!

We surprised David with a new swim suit and a Dry Fit Nike t-shirt. His current swimming trunks are at least 4 years old so we thought his was in dire need of a new ones! 

Later in the afternoon, we ventured out to our neighborhood pool to spend some quality time as a family. Here's a picture of Daddy with his two little girls before we headed to the pool. David wore his new swim suit and shirt!

Happy Father's Day, David! We love you and appreciate all that you do for our family. You are a wonderful father and husband! Your girls are lucky to have you!

Our Big Move and our new family member!

Well, we're finally moved! Last week, our stuff was packed, loaded and delivered to our new house. It went smoothly - we feel very fortunate. We are pretty well settled at this point. We just have to hang things on the walls and do a few minor things we will take care of in the coming weeks. 

We wasted no time meeting new friends! Gabriella started t-ball our first full day in Tulsa. She had practice late last week and her first game last Saturday. She loves it and can't wait to practice and play again this week. Here are some pics from her first t-ball experiences.

Before her first practice. 

Playing short stop at her first game. (The middle kid with the blue hat.) Gabby is one of two girls on her team. The opposing team didn't have any girls, but she didn't care. She had a great time! The parents help with coaching their kids, so when the kids are fielding they stand next to their child to help them understand what to do. David and Gabby had fun together playing short stop. 

At bat. She hits the ball pretty hard.

Running from first to second.

This was so cute! After she scored a run, she turned around to cheer!

One of Gabby's teammates birthday was last Saturday so they celebrated with cupcakes afterward. This was Adriana's favorite part. 

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On Wednesday, June 8 at 7: 40 p.m. Vincenzo Thomas Mangino was welcomed into the world by his parents Uncle Tommy and Aunt Danielle. On Sunday, we drove to Hutchinson to visit with our nephew and cousin and the proud new parents. Nonna and G-Pa were there, too, so it was a fun day to be together as a family celebrating Vinny's birth.

Adriana's first meeting with Vinny.

Gabby couldn't get enough of him. She wanted to hold him and help Aunt Danielle take care of him the entire time we were there. It was so sweet. She is going to be a great cousin and is already a great big sister.

Nonnie and G-Pa with their three grandchildren. How special!

Isn't Vincenzo so handsome? He's simply perfect and looks a lot like both of his parents. We can't wait to spend time with him again.