The Call Family

The swimming pool across the street from out house opens on Memorial Day. As a tradition we go swimming every year on this day. This year I took the kids by myself because Skyler was busy helping his brother, Blaze, with something.

The kids were so excited to get to go swimming.

They love the water.

Avery enjoyed playing with her friend, Jayden.

Following swimming we went home and changed our clothes then went to the park with my dad’s side of the family for a pot luck dinner.

Kaden had a great time playing with his cousin, Jaden, and the soccer ball.

Kaden loves balls.

The adults had a soccer game going on so the kids decided they needed to start their own game.

We enjoyed sitting on the grass watching the soccer game and visiting with one another.

Kaden loves his baby cousin, Emery.

We had such a great time at the park with our family. One thing I love about summertime is all of the fun outdoor activities that we get to do with family!

Avery wanted a Sleeping Beauty party this year. I found this really cute flower cake pan and decided that we could make it work. My mom helped me and we were able to create this beautiful cake and these fun cupcakes made in ice cream cones.

Here is my beautiful little girl waiting patiently for her friends to arrive.

When all of the guests finally arrived we sat in a circle and I read them the story of Sleeping Beauty. We stopped at various parts in the story to do activities. Such as: when Aurora went out into the forest to pick berries we stopped and took our baskets (you can see them behind me) and we searched for berries that had been hidden throughout the family room. We played pin the spindle on the spinning wheel. I gave the boys swords and the girls wands and we had to cut through the weeds (green crate paper hanging in my hallway) to get to the castle to rescue Aurora. When we got through the weeds we found the dragon (a pinata) and we had to slay him in order to rescue the princess. Our beautiful Princess Avery laid on the ground and pretended to be Aurora and we blew her a kiss to wake her up. Following that we went out on the porch to have cake and lemonade.

Then we all came inside and Avery opened her presents and the party was over.

After the party we went to Arctic Circle for lunch then came home and decided to give Avery her present from Skyler, kaden, and I. We had purchased this bike about a month previous and have been hiding it at Skyler’s work and in the basement.

Avery was so excited to have a bike of her very own.

As you can see she loves the bike!

I love to see the excitement in her eyes.

Kaden of course had to get his scooter so he could be like his big sister.

She loved riding around the block and did it about 20 times before we had to stop her so we could go have dinner. We went out to Applebee’s for dinner to celebrate both Avery and my brother, Tyler’s birthdays. Tyler’s birthday is on the 12th and Avery’s is on the 13th so we often celebrate them together.

Following dinner we had everyone over to our house for cake and ice cream.

We had a wonderful day. Thank you everyone for making the day so special!

Five years ago today my life was forever changed. My beautiful little girl was born. She made me a mother on Mother’s Day.

I cannot believe that my little girl is 5 already. She starts Kindergarten in August. It is crazy how fast time goes by. It seems like only yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and now my baby is all grown up.

I am so grateful for Avery in my life. She is such a sweet little girl and very helpful. She enjoys reading books and playing with her toys. She is also a big helper with Kaden. He loves to play with her.

Here are several of the pictures from her birthday photo shoot.

I am so grateful that I have been entrusted to care for this beautiful girl. I love you Avery!

For Jaxson’s birthday party we went to the Living Planet Aquarium. Avery and Jaxson are so excited!

Avery loved looking at all of the different animals.

Kaden loved looking at the frogs.

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Avery

Kaden

Kaden’s favorite part of the aquarium were the otters. (You can see one swimming at the top of this picture) We had a hard time getting him to leave this area.

There were so many interesting creatures to look at.

I love these yellow fish.

They have a big sting ray pond where you can lean over and touch the sting rays as they swim by. Avery tried for a long time to touch one, but the water was so deep and the sting rays would swim at the bottom that she didn’t have any luck. Finally there was one that swam toward the top of the water and she was able to touch it. She thought that was pretty neat.

Avery and Kaden both loved the penguins.

Giving the penguins hugs, my children are very loving.

There was a HUGE snake that the kids enjoyed looking at.

We had a great time at the aquarium. Thanks for inviting us!