Adriana lost her first tooth!

Tonight Adriana lost her first tooth. How excited she was for the Tooth Fairy to visit!

Easter 2016

Happy Easter! He is Risen! Easter weekend was full of activities. On Saturday the girls enjoyed the Club's Children's Easter party with a visit with the Easter Bunny, treats, games, music and an egg hunt. Today included a visit from the EB, Mass and brunch. We are so thankful for this day to celebrate Jesus' love for us and his sacrifice. We may never forget the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

Spring Break to Chicago and KC!

We spent our Spring Break as road warriors driving from north to south over the course of 9 days! It was a fun, and at times exhausting, but well worth it. We spent the first few days in the Chicago suburbs. We helped to celebrate David's grandmother's, Shirley Hardy, 90th birthday with extended family. Then we headed to the city for a couple days to enjoy the sights.

With Great-Grandma Hardy at her 90th birthday party. It was a very nice celebration.

We stayed in the heart of it all in downtown Chicago. We took a train from the suburbs to the city and spent our first day at the American Girl store. They had so much fun eating at the cafe, shopping and getting their dolls pampered. So much fun!

Our second day included going to the Field Museum of Natural History, Millennium Park with the famous Bean and stops on Michigan Ave. that included Dylan's Candy Bar - yummy! We also enjoyed the green river in honor of St. Patrick's Day!

Our last day included visiting St. Patrick's historic Catholic Church, lunch at Giordano's with deep dish pizza and Garrett's popcorn! We loved our time in Chicago!

On our drive home we stopped in KC. We stayed with the Wertzbergers for a quick visit. It was great to meet Stella for the first time and for our girls to play with Sloan. Such sweet girls!

On Saturday we were in Lawrence for Dominic's baptism. Our family friend, Father Mick Mulvany, performed the ceremony at Corpus Christi Church. Uncle Tommy, Aunt Danielle, Vinny & Dominic move this week to Lexington, Kentucky for Unc's new job with the University of Kentucky Wildcat football team, so it was nice to have everyone together before they head East. It was a lovely ceremony and Dominic was an angel. He is just so adorable!

Dance Competition #4

Gabby competed in her fourth competition last weekend and did exceptionally well. Her solo placed first in category with Platinum and first overall. She also was also given with the judges' award for excellence in technique. Her duet, small groups and production all earned first in category with Platinums and first overalls as well! We are incredibly proud of her and her team! 

Before taking the stage with her solo. 

Receiving the duet's award on stage. 

With all her awards for her solo. She was the petite champion in the highest division! Way to go, Gabby!

Happy 9th Birthday, Gabriella!

Happy 9th Birthday, Gabriella! I cannot believe she has hit this milestone. It happened so fast and time needs to slow down. Gabby has brought so much love to our family. She is a wonderful daughter and big sister, and I can't never find the right words to adequately describe her zest for life and her strong character.

NINE! My baby girl is 9! She has officially hit "half-time!" Wow!

I found this shirt a few weeks ago while shopping and I knew I had to get it for Gabby. It's so perfect for her that I started to cry in the store when I spotted it. She is the littlest one in her class but she does not shy away from anything. She is most definitely fierce. She lives life boldly and we love this about her!

Before Mass. How did she get so grown up?! 

Make a wish!

Eating birthday cake with her sisters. It doesn't get much better than this...cake and sister time! 

Gabby, we love you so very much and are so proud of the young girl you are becoming. You are loving, compassionate and talented and a wonderful overall person. We are grateful to be your parents. It's a true blessing. Happy Birthday!

Gabriella's 9th Birthday Party!

We celebrated Gabby's birthday with friends a week early. Coincidentally, Gabby has a friend and classmate with the same birthday (they were born less than an hour apart) so we had joint party with all their 3rd girl grade classmates! We held it at a local gymnastics gym and it was a blast. There was a zipline, large swing, rock wall, trampolines and giant foam pits. So fun!

An overview of the party -- bouncing, zip lining, eating and gift opening (at home)!

Adriana had a blast, too!

Christina didn't stop moving! 

Eating dinner.

Singing "Happy Birthday!"

It was so much fun to celebrate our special Gabriella today! She had a great time with friends and her family. She is such a treasure to our family!

Tribute Dance Competition

Gabby and her dance team had another great weekend at competition. Gabby's solo placed first in category and third overall. She was second runner up to Miss Supreme Petite! Her duet placed first in category and first overall. Her large group and the production placed first in category and first overall. Her small group (pictured at the top) placed first in category and second overall! Truly a remarkable weekend for the team. So very proud!