Thanksgiving visit to Erie, PA

We spent a nice Thanksgiving holiday in Erie with Mike's parents and his sister and her kids. Unfortunately, our brother-in-law, Jeff, had to work, so we weren't able to see him. Tracy brought along lots of fun activities to do with the girls.

Isabella made a beaded necklace and earrings (as a gift) with Tracy's help. Snickers is a 15 year-old dachshund who can't jump or climb stairs, and he rarely barks anymore. Elijah was intrigued by him, but he panicked when Snickers was walking around. Here Elijah bravely petted Snickers while he was on Papa's lap. Elijah spent much of our visit looking for Snickers by peeking around corners and under tables. He didn't like being surprised by Snickers if he appeared out of nowhere.
Check out Elijah's bravery in this video clip!


Tracy and the girls got coordinating snowflake pajamas as an early Christmas present so they could spend lots of time snuggling.
Sydney had comfy jammies, too!
Ellijah liked to peek through the window from the porch to the living room.
Sydney and Sienna

Trevor played his clarinet for us, and Sydney served as the music stand!
Grandma and our kiddos enjoyed listening to Trevor.
Trevor patiently played with Elijah on the porch for almost an hour. He endured lots of nose pinching-one of Elijah's favorite pasttimes!
Tracy bravely let Sienna paint her fingernails.
Tracy's nails were only slightly messy.
There was a gingerbread house decorating contest. Trevor, Grandma and Sienna made up one team.
Sydney, Tracy and Isabella made up the other team.
The winning gingerbread house!
Sienna loved playing with Snickers!
We exchanged some early Christmas presents while we were there. Elijah LOVED his new dumptruck that Uncle Jeff picked out especially for him!!!
Sienna was happy to get a Candy Ring Maker. As Tracy said, it's the kind of gift that only an aunt would buy! You can say that again!!
Trevor wondered if my note would work as an actual gift card at Abercrobie and Fitch.
Mike and his favorite niece and nephew. How big are they getting?!?!? Sydney will be 15 in a couple of weeks and Trevor will be 17 in March!!!! Weren't they just the little flower girl and ring bearer in our wedding?!
Elijah played with his new truck the entire time we opened the rest of the gifts.
Isabella and Sydney
Two new trucks!!!! It doesn't get any better than that!
Grandma, Trevor, Papa, Sydney and Tracy
The whole family (except for Uncle Jeff!)
We don't like to have to say goodbye!

We hope to see everyone again sooner rather than later!! Thanks for a great visit!