Christmas at Mia and Pop Pop's House

We spent part of our Christmas break at Mia and Pop Pop's house where we had a chance to see them, Aunt Kamryn, Uncle Rob, Landon, Dane, Brooks, and Amber's family (see next post). Had a great time again and can't wait to see them all again soon.

Santa made a visit to Mia and Pop Pop's house to see the York and Ligetti kids again. Tanner, after getting over his fear of sitting on Santa's lap a week earlier, had no problem posing for a great pic...


Tanner, Dane, and Landon were practically inside Santa's sack of presents to see what he had brought. Amazingly, Pop Pop missed the visit AGAIN! I can't believe Mia sent him to the store on Christmas day!


The only way to get the younger kids (Carsyn and Brooks) to sit with Santa was to involve Amber and Uncle Rob...


We tortured the kids for one more picture before we finally opened up presents. They were a very patient bunch, and I think the wait was worth it for them all...


Carsyn, ahem, Bat Girl, enjoying the excitement

Christmas Time in Happy Valley

Christmas crept up quickly in 2010. While Carsyn still doesn't get the whole thing, Tanner's growing excitement was enough for her to take part. Here's some pics of some fun time in the weekends before Christmas and the big morning itself...

Tanner decorating the tree in the kid's play room...


Chris ensuring the perfect placement of each and every ornament...


Big Brother and Little Sister getting along just great, which fortunately for Mom and Dad, is more common than not...


Carsyn getting back to sleep with Brady after getting up too early one morning...


"So excited to be eating my apples!!!"


We went with our friends Dan and Erinn to see some reindeer at a farm a couple weeks before Christmas. It's becoming a fun tradition for us the last couple years and we hope to keep it up in the future. Here's Amber and the kids right when we got there.


There were two reindeer. The one with the beautiful rack just laid around the whole time...


... but the big bull who had to have his antlers cut off was very friendly...


Tanner and Ellie Finke posing with one of the draft horses at the farm...


And about two weeks later, after the kids were sound asleep, Santa finally made a visit to the Ligetti house. He was EXTREMELY generous, a sign to Tanner and Carsyn, who are very good kids, that he is always watching closely...


Santa packed Toy Story 2 in Carsyn's stocking and Toy Story 3 in Tanner's. Very exciting start to the morning!


SHe may not have gotten the Christmas thing in the weeks prior, but come Christmas morning, little Miss Carsyn was super cheery and excited...


Tanner wrapped in his new cozy blanket from Carsyn...


A sign that Santa is a true Steeler fan? That's what we'll tell Tanner...


The kids hanging out on the couch with their pillow pets. Tanner got his from Carsyn (a bear) for his birthday, and he got a ladybug one for her for Christmas...


Apparently Mrs. Claus felt Tanner needed a little work in the area of personal hygiene She delivered him a Spiderman grooming kit, complete with shaving cream and (fake) razor. Step one, lather up...


Slow, smooth strokes...


...rinse...


...and repeat...


Finally, it was time to pack up and get ready for our trip to Pittsburgh. For those of you that don't know, Amber was in a scary accident a few weeks ago. Most importantly, she is OK, but our larger Trailblazer has been and will be in the shop for a while (that was what she was driving). Anyhow, we still needed and planned to take Brady along with us even though we only had the smaller car. But seeing us pack that car is usually not good news for him, so he wanted to make sure that we didn't forget him. I came out with another load to put in the trunk, and this is what I found. It's like he's saying, "I don't care what you say...I'm going!"

Visit with the Cousins

After Thanksgiving, we made a visit to Pittsburgh to see Chris's family. Michael, Shannon, Caroline, and Carter were in from Atlanta so we had all seven cousins in at once! So much fun!

Mom and Dad with their little Indian Girl...


All seven cousins together (Carsyn, Caroline, Brooks, Landon, Tanner, Carter, and Dane) at Mia and Pop Pop's house...


Dane, Tanner, Carsyn, and Caroline hanging out by the piano at Aunt Kamryn's and Uncle Rob's house...


Caroline, Landon, Carter, and Tanner just chilling out...


Carsyn asking Dane, "Is this how it goes?"


Caroline and Carter - they've grown so much since the last time we saw them...


The York family (and hi right back at you, Brooks!)


Caroline and Tanner...


And one silly one...


Dane taking on Carter in Wii Mario Cart. So much focus...


Landon sharing his Super Friends toys with Tanner...


Carsyn couldn't get enough of that piano. Thankfully Mia and Pop Pop got her a little one of her own for Christmas...


Best uncle in the world (Rob) getting the kids ready for some marshmallow roasting over the fire...


Probably a good idea that Brooks backed out of this little adventure...


Tanner waiting excitedly...


Carsyn finally realizing how cuddly Pop Pop can be...


Carsyn enjoying some time with Mia...


The Boy Wonder and the Dark Knight, ready for some more action...


Just too beautiful not to snap...


Tanner and Carsyn hanging out for a show with Mia and Pop Pop...