Packer by day, Steeler by night!

Well, we have a house divided for the next two weeks. David has been a life-long Green Bay Packers fan since his family (when he was younger) and his parents lived in Wisconsin among other places up North. Samantha hails from Western Pennsylvania so naturally she roots for the Pittsburgh Steelers like her extended family who live in and around Pittsburgh. So yesterday was a fun day in our household.

During the day, we were Packers fans.

Aunt Bridget made these cute shirts for the girls and mailed them to us a few days ago. 

Go Pack Go!

In the evening, we were Steelers fans.

After their baths, the girls wore their Pittsburgh Steelers pajamas Nonna and G-Pa bought them a few months ago.

Here we go Steelers here we go!

Gabriella was into both games and has favorite players on both teams. She loves football (does she have a choice, really?). This morning at breakfast we asked Gabby who she will cheer for when the Packers and Steelers play each other in a few weeks. She replied, "The Steelers!" She made her mother proud! But, we'll see if her loyalties change (or her father brain washes her) before the Super Bowl.

SNOW DAYS!

We have received several inches of snow the last few days. We've been house-bound yet we're having fun! This is a picture of us this morning getting all comfy before Daddy left for work. Gabriella didn't go to preschool today so it was officially a SNOW DAY!

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Yesterday was a little warmer so we ventured in our backyard to play in the snow for a little bit. We each wore three layers!

All bundled up! This is before Adriana started to cry. She didn't like the feeling of being stuffed in a coat. She cried and whined pretty much the entire 25-30 minutes we were outside. She was in Mommy's arms most of the time, too!

This picture illustrates it perfectly. Gabby loved everything about the experience! She ran around the yard, made snow angels and ate snow. Adriana wasn't a fan at all!

Still crying.

Snow Angel!

We had yummy hot chocolate with marshmallows when we got inside the house.

Adriana was just happy to be in one outfit and out of the cold. 

Celebrating Christmas on New Years Day

Happy New Year! We celebrated Christmas with the Hardys on New Years Day. The girls had fun yet again opening gifts from family. Unfortunately, Aunt Bridget came down with a stomach bug so she couldn't make it. She came over late Sunday afternoon but we forgot to take photos so Aunt Bridget appears M.I.A. this year.

Surrounded by presents!

Gabby got lace and trace cards from Nana.

Daddy got a stylish hat from Grandpa.

Gabriella opening her gift on Aunt Megan's lap.

Adriana helping Mommy open up her coffee grinder from Grandpa.

Adriana thought the pushing duck from Nana was pretty cool.

Playing with their new gifts.

Grandpa got the girls four room sets for their new doll house. They are super excited!

Opening up matching dresses from Nana.

We had a special time celebrating Christmas with the Hardys.

We wish everyone a healthy and happy 2011!

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.