The Call Family

Ever since the last time we went ice skating we have wanted to go back again. We invited my family to go with us this time.

We got skates for Kaden and tried to get him out on the ice, but he wanted no part in it this time.

Avery did amazing this time. She barely even used the walker this time.

Aunt Nicole and Uncle Jake even came with us.

My dad tried and tried to get Kaden out on the ice.

Skyler took Kaden out a little bit and he had fun!

While we were there on one of the inside rinks there were some speed skaters training. Skyler used to speed skate so it was fun for him to watch them.

Avery enjoyed going around the rink with the walker then she would push it away from herself and skate on her own to grab it again.

Skating all by herself.

Oooh, I just love that smile!

Kaden loved skating with papa!

Thanks mom, dad, Nicole and Jake for coming with us. We had a great time!

Christmas Eve was spent at my Grandma and Grandpa Christiansen’s house. As usual Santa Claus came and gave the kids a bag of goodies and an ornament.

Kaden and Avery loved it!

We had a yummy dinner and then our usual talent show. Following the talent show we read the Christmas story and acted it out. Kaden and I were shepherds.

Avery and Aunt Nicole were angels.

Isn’t she a the most beautiful angel you have ever seen?!?

Half way through the program Kaden wanted to sit with his big sister.

Kaden loved the baby Jesus.

Following the program we went over to my mom’s house to open our Christmas pajamas. They are all so cute! Sorry I don’t have a picture to show you. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve.

A few days before Christmas we went with my family out to Thanksgiving Point to see Santa and his reindeer.

Santa only brought tow of his reindeer, the others were busy resting and getting ready for Christmas.

We walked inside to see Santa. Avery was so excited!

We had to wait in line for about an hour. Isn’t she so adorable?!?

Avery sat on Santa’s lap and told him what she wanted for Christmas.

Then it was Kaden’s turn. He has been so excited to see Santa. He kept running ahead of us in line saying, “Santa, I wanna hug!”

Santa gave the kids candy canes and we walked outside to see the reindeer again.

Then we went and got ice cream and went home. It was a fun night.

I have been wanting to go ice skating every year since we have been married, but there has always been an excuse as to why we haven’t been able to go. (ex. me being pregnant or the kids being too young). We finally decided that this year was the year to go. We talked Grandma Call into going with us and watching Kaden while we skated. Aunt Lacey, Uncle Jake, and Uncle Blaze joined us as well.

Here is a short video of our ice skating experience. Enjoy!

Kaden kept saying, “I wanna skate!” so Grandma Call went and got him some skates to try it out. I was so amazed that he actually tried it and then he didn’t want to get off the ice! He and Avery both did an amazing job! We had tons of fun and will hopefully be going back again soon!

The day after Thanksgiving we went on our annual trip to Temple Square and dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. We arrived at California Pizza Kitchen later than we had planned and ended up waiting for an hour to be seated. Once we were seated it took an hour and a half to eat and get out of there and on our way to the Temple.

We stopped at the visitors center right inside the gates first to warm up and gather everyone together to walk through the temple grounds. Kaden loved the replica of the Salt Lake Temple they have inside. Avery loved it as well, she pushed her way in front of everyone to get an up close look at it.

While we were inside warming up Avery and her cousin, Jaden, wanted Skyler to take a picture of them. Don’t they look so cute?!?

When we were done inside Skyler took a picture of me and the kids.

We had my dad take a picture of our family.

Uncle Jake and Aunt Nicole gave Avery pennies to make a wish in the fountain.

We walked around the reflecting pond and Skyler took these amazing pictures of the candles on the water and the lights around it.

After walking around for a while we went inside the visitor’s center on the north side of the temple. I had been wanting to take Kaden up to see the Christus and there was no wait so we were able to go up and show it to him. He loved it! He kept pointing and saying, “Jesus, Jesus!”

We had a wonderful time at the temple. It is one of my very favorite holiday traditions! Thanks everyone who came and shared in the fun with us!

Here is a video of Avery and Kaden, enjoying a Saturday morning at home.

Music Credit: Video by India Arie

Thanksgiving this year was spent at Grandma Call’s house. We went over early and made some fun desserts for everyone.

The finished product.

Kaden loved the desserts so much he didn’t want to eat anything else. He is such a cutie!

My cute little Avery.

After dinner Grandma Call had some fun crafts for us to do. The kids made super hero masks and the women made coasters using tiles, scrapbook paper, and modge podge. We had a lot of fun!