Spring Break! 2012... PIttsburgh and D.C.

 As I'm sure all of you know, Gemma is a hard worker.  She busies herself around the house most days "organizing" everything in it and doing research on the contents of any drawer, cupboard or purse she can get access to.  So, when Casey got a week off work for spring break, we decided to treat Gemma to a little vacation.  We first ended up in Pittsburgh to see the cousins, including a  brand new one, Giovanni Armando.  After a few days there we headed to D.C. to stay with our good friends the Olivers.  Jeff and LuAnn have two darling little boys Jack (3) and Simon (5).  Gemma became fast friends with them and we had a great time touring our nation's capitol.  Here is a synopsis of the trip in pictures.

Giovanni Armando Colaizzi.  Beautiful ha?  Too bad according to Rocco he smells like bird poop.  Ha!

  

Gemma studying the new cousin

Lunch with Rocco and Celia

In the National Gallery

National Gallery D.C.

Mom and Dad currently like looking at art more than Gemma does.  Gemma would prefer to tear around the galleries pushing the limits before getting scolded by security guards.

Gemma loved the fountain and flowers and circled this rotunda many many times.

Tuckered after a lot of art

The ride home

Gemma with her friends Simon on the left and Jack on the right at Iwojima

Loved the Air and Space Museum!!!

With Dad outside the Smithsonian

This about sums up our museum going.

Hanging out with Jack and Simon at the Jefferson Memorial

With Jack at the Jefferson Memorial

Simon in front of the Washington Monument.  He rode his bike to every monument like a trooper!

Surveying the City

Our favorite exhibit was in the Natural History Museum.   They have an impressive Gem and Mineral collection.  Casey and I were both so in love with them that we left feeling affirmed in our decision to name our girl Gem.

Awesome dioramas at the Natural History Museum.  They also have a great cafeteria.

Excuse me, I'm just gonna wedge myself in here.

One of the more entertaining moments of our trip was when we ran into a group of Chinese tourists who thought Gemma was an A-lister.  They had to take turns getting their picture with her, and were just smitten.  So cute.   Of course Gemma hammed it up for them and loved every minute of the extra attention.

Throwing a fit for Dad when she had to quit wading in the FDR memorial fountain.

My favorites.  xo!

By the time we got to the Lincoln Memorial...

The Happenings: Late February 2012

This time it was my mascara.

Mmmm. 

Playing with her toys.

Eating her new favorite food...dill pickles.

With Daddy at Matt and Amy's wedding.

Our dear friends Matt and Amy got married this month.  They had a beautiful ceremony and reception.  It was in an art gallery and it was fun trying to keep Gemma out of the installations. 

She got a cold that lasted a good long week.  Poor timing since she was also cutting molars.

It was 60 degrees outside today!!!  We played outside a lot and took some pictures.

BUSY!!!

A day in the Life of a very busy girl.

Gemma's been spending some time in her new Disney princess tent that Me-ma brought her from Pittsburgh.  It's furnished and everything.  Perfect for peekaboo and hiding.

Dad suits her up for a walk in the snow.  It's so cold here, but she loves the outdoors despite it.

Some bouncy horsing/ self-admiration.  Both happen on a pretty consistent basis.

This is what she did to a cucumber while I was making dinner and not paying attention to her.  You'll noticed it's been cored by her little finger.

She can climb up on chairs now, which gives her access to expensive electronics and dangerous chairs with wheels.  Yikes.

Loves talking on the phone.  She bumbles around the house babbling into an empty receiver.  She has several toy phones, but of course prefers real ones when she can get her hands on them.

I turned my back long enough for her to get into Madalyn's purse, retrieve a tube of red lipstick and destroy it and her outfit.  Doesn't she look lovely?  This required me to drop a phone call and give her a bath.  Sorry Emily.

All in all a very industrious little girl.

Warm Day!

Today was the first warm day in a while, so Gemma and I went on a little walk around the yard.  She loved being outside.  In fact, she snuck back out after we came in.  I was taking my shoes off and the door was opened a crack, so she wedged it open and made her escape.  She hates being cooped up all winter, but spring will be here soon.