Let Summer Begin!!!

After one of the wettest Springs in history, we've finally been blessed with some great weather where we could get outside and enjoy some time with family and friends. Here are some pictures from a recent visit to Pittsburgh, our first time to the pool this year, and a great picnic day at Spring Creek Park.

This picture sums up how the kids were more than ready to get outside...


But it didn't stop Carsyn from enjoying a fudgesicle...


So happy - this girls loves her "chocky"


Cousins Brooks, Dane, and Landon with Tanner and Carsyn, making funny faces at Mia and Pop Pop Ligetti's house...


Happy brother and sister...


For Brooks and Carsyn, bath time prep started outside...


From our first time to the pool this year - Carsyn LOVED the water!!!


And of course, so did Tanner...


The fountains were a big hit...



Carsyn, Daddy, and Tanner enjoying the deeper water...

Carsyn loved floating on her own, but with her mouth open as wide as it was, she swallowed a lot of water. But it didn't slow her down one bit...



Tanner prepping for a deep dive...


One might ask where Amber was in these pics. Well, on Saturday, "not in the pool" would be the answer. Just wasn't quite hot enough for her!


We had a few neighbors over on Sunday afternoon for a cookout, including a couple fried turkeys. The Finkes also came down from up the street. Here's Ellie and Carsyn enjoying their "Bomb Pops." So patriotic this Memorial Day weekend!


Sean (neighbor) pulling Jacob (neighbor) and Tanner for a ride...


On Monday, we met the Finkes at Spring Creek Park for a picnic and some fun time in the water. As always, it was freezing, but it never seems to stop the kids from jumping in...


Carsyn taking it slowly around Amber...


Still trying to get used to having numb feet!


Tanner counting creek rocks...


Carsyn getting a handful herself...


With all the rain we've had this month, the creek was moving pretty fast, which makes for such a pretty backdrop...


Carsyn making her way back across the covered bridge...


Back at the start...


Tanner got new goggles and a snorkel recently for the pool season. Here he is trying it on. It's funny how he becomes a better and more brave swimmer when he's wearing the goggles. It's going to be a great summer. Wishing you all the best this summer!

Game One

Tanner finally had his first T-ball game yesterday. The weather was AMAZING, and the boys and girls seem to have a lot of fun. Tanner did a great job and is getting better each day.

Tanner getting ready at home for the game. The team chose the name Red Lighting, which was extra awesome for the kids who love the movie Cars...


Carsyn enjoying a little lunch in her new princess camping chair that the Easter Bunny left at our State College house...



Saturday was also picture day. He's was so proud of his uniform and new glove and bat...


The Red Lightning. His coach (Coach Barb, on the right) has been awesome and is really doing a great job teaching the kids and keeping them busy at each practice. We are lucky to have her (oh, and Tanner is kneeling, first on left)...


Tanner preparing for his first at bat...


He played pitcher his first time on the field. This was exciting because it seemed like 50% of the balls hit went to the pitcher...


His first hit!!!


Carsyn had to borrow Mommy's sunglasses on this bright and sunny day...

Easter 2011

We spent Easter this year at Amber's parents in Poland, OH. Despite a nightmare of a trip there, including sitting in stand still traffic 10 minutes into the trip, Chris remembering that he forgot his dress clothes for Sunday church, Carsyn vomiting shortly after, a breathing treatment at McDonalds for Carsyn to ease her coughing, and an hour and 15 minutes of Carsyn crying at the end of the trip, we had a great weekend with Amber's family.

Carsyn opening up her ballerina swim suit from Mommy and Daddy...


Tanner making his way downstairs on Easter morning...


Of course, the Easter Bunny left a little note for the kids telling them to enjoy their treats (if they could find them), keep listing to Mom and Dad, and be a good girl and boy...


Off to find the baskets. Not in the entertainment closet...


Maybe he hid them in the basement...


Yeahhhh! Carsyn found hers pretty quickly, but Tanner's was a little more tricky to find...


Could it be in this old box?


Yes! Got it!


It was an exhausting weekend for everyone, and we were happy to enjoy our own beds on Sunday night. We just couldn't pass on taking this shot of Carsyn in about as peaceful of a sleep as you could imagine. So beautiful...

April Fun

Sorry for the long delay in posting. While the weekend at race in Bristol did take some recovery time, there's really just no excuse other than being caught up in our everyday mayhem (which isn't really even that bad!!!) Anyhow, here's some pics from earlier in April, including Monster Truck night with Tanner and his friend Jacob, some outside time in the backyard and at the park with our friends Dan, Erinn, Ellie, and Jack, and finally, Tanner's first T-ball practice (very exciting!).

Tanner and Jacob in front of the most famous monster truck, Bigfoot...


The boys sitting high up on the tire of one of the trucks...


Hanging out in front of a "mini monster" decorated like Tow Mater...


It was pretty loud (not as loud as the NASCAR race), but the boys definitely needed their ear plugs...


One of the monsters going airborne...


Enough of the monster trucks, how about that silly girl getting her hair washed. Hilarious!


Like we said, Tanner just started T-ball in April. Here he is practicing off the tee at his first practice. He and his new friends were so excited when he smacked a ball so hard that it stuck in the backstop fence!


Getting a little field work...


Best sister supporter you could ask for...


Tanner and Carsyn swinging in the backyard...


Tanner showing off his monkey skills...


Our little beauty at the top of the slide...


Carsyn decided (despite Daddy's countless warnings) that she was old enough for the rock wall. Here she is getting her start...


Nearing the top...


And FINALLY!!!


Carsyn and her friend Ellie "cozing" up on the couch watching a movie one evening. We're so excited because Carsyn is supposedly moving up to the same room that Ellie is in at the same daycare. Look out teachers!!!


Here are the pics from the day at the park with the Finke family. I must credit Erinn for passing on the pictures to us. She takes some awesome shots. Here's Tanner working hard to get his swing on...


Carsyn swinging on the big kid swing with Daddy...


Tanner resting at the bottom of the slide...


Daddy giving Carsyn a little surprise at the bottom of the slide...


Tanner got it good coming around the bend...


Finally, Carsyn and Ellie again (Carsyn is about 6 months younger than Ellison). Couldn't get that tongue of hers in for the life of me!