Havin’ a Fun Fall

A trip to Apple Jack Orchards with the Jude’s

Raking leaves at home

Some family fun at 101 Market

Family Fun Night at Gab’s School – dress as a hero

Kirk’s birthday

Gabriella’s very first friend sleepover – we had lots of fun making cookies with Miss L!

Gabriella the Scarecrow for her Halloween parties at school and dance

 

 

Trick-or-Treating at Pioneer Park with the Cousins

A very happy Zookeeper with her seal, and a very unhappy policeman

 

Carving pumpkins

Can you believe I did not take a single picture on Halloween night? Kirk took the kiddos out trick-or-treating with our great friends, the Blackman’s. Benjamin would not wear his policeman costume, but he happily went out with a scary mask. He loved wearing it around the house, too, and shouting “Boo!” We’d pretend to get scared, and he’d quickly lift the mask and say “It’s just me!”

Footloose!

Gabriella and I celebrated Nana’s birthday with her with an evening out to Chanhassen Dinner Theater. What a great time! It was my first time there, as well as Gabriella’s. I really enjoyed the singing and dancing, but the best part was watching how much Gab was enjoying it. She was very excited right from the start…

 

and this was just when the server brought bread to the table.

Mmmmmmm….. yummy chocolate cake for dessert!

 

In the last number of the show, the actors came out into the audience, singing and dancing, and Gabriella was dancing in her chair right along with them. “Ariel”, the lead character, came right up to Gab and gave her a big high five, and I thought Gab would go through the roof with excitement. “Mom, she was my favorite one, and she came and danced by me!”

And then after the show, we got to have our picture taken with “Ren”.

It did get to be a late night, but Gab was still all fired up when we were leaving…. until the car came out of park.

What a fabulous evening. Happy Birthday, Mom! Thank you for sharing your evening with us. We look forward to doing it again next year!

Birthday Boy!

Oh Me Oh My, How Time Flies! Our little guy has turned 2!

We celebrated with brunch on Saturday, March 6th with our family.

 

Big Boy!

 

 

 

 

Sibling Love

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, those little drums are LOUD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Tricycle (can’t quite reach the pedals) 

 

 

 

And then on to the Big 2nd Birthday! We started with his favorite breakfast – muffins, cheese, and cantaloupe.

Next up, Playdoh – another favorite!

Muffin Tin Lunch (sister’s request, but Ben nodded in agreement)

Gotta open at least one present on your birthday…

And we ended with some fun at Space Aliens!

Mmmmmm…. good cake! Happy Birthday, Little Man! We love you!

… and then she was 5.

Presents!
 
Favorite breakfast – pancakes & sausage!

& dot-painting!

Then it was off to preschool. And then… The Mall of America! Dinner at The American Girl Restaurant followed by rides in Nickelodeon Universe. Gabriella did not have an American Girl doll before that night, and it was not our intention to buy a doll, but daddy is a big softy, & she knows how to win him over. It was so cute watching her excitement in that store. & those Bitty Babies are really cute!
 

dinner with a borrowed doll

 

 

Then Emily joins our family

 

Benjamin waiting patiently to get back to the rides

Happy Birthday, Dear Gabriella!

 

Continuing the birthday celebration, we went  bowling with our family & great friends on Sunday.

Best Buddies

 

Cousins

 

 

Last but not least, a birthday would not be complete without a few friends over for a party. So Monday after school, we did just that!
Wow, what a birthday! We love you Gabriella and we’re so glad you enjoyed your birthday!