Across the Monkey Bars!

Avalon successfully made it all the way across the monkey bars much to our surprise!  We spent a weekend with Camille's family at a church campground.  On Saturday, July 14th, Avalon started attempting to cross the monkey bars.  Jarad and I were surprised since we'd never actually seen her swing onto the monkey bars and attempt to cross them.  She tried over and over again with almost all attempts looking something like this:



Then she figured out how to put both hands on each bar as she went across them.  I think her cousin Dorian was a great motivator because he attempted to cross them once and after that Avie went again and again trying to show Dorian how to do it.  Too cute!



Then, as Mommy was fiddling with the camera to make more room on her memory card, Avalon made it all the way across to the other side, which I didn't capture on video.  However, she attempted again and made it all the way except the very last bar and Mommy did get a video.  Way to go Avie! : ) 


 
We found out later that Grandpa had been working on the monkey bars with her the day before and teaching her how to swing from bar to bar.  The progress she made in those two short days was amazing!  She hasn't done the monkey bars much since then, but I'm sure she will again soon.

Happy 4th Birthday Avalon!

Avalon had her 4th birthday a few weeks ago.  We celebrated by inviting over her friends and their families.  Jarad set up a camera on the roof of the house in the back yard to capture the outdoor festivities, which included a pinata, a water table, bubbles, and a slip n' slide.  Check out the video that Jarad created using the pictures.  Avalon had a great time, and so did we!  Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!



I just wanted to mention a few things that I remember from the party that can or cannot be seen in this video:
1) I like how Everett is busy playing at the water table while the rest of us are doing the pinata. I didn't actually know this the night of the party, so it was fun to see it on the video.
2) I like that once Keri sits down at the table, she doesn't get up for the rest of the video. :)
3) Unfortunately, the memory card on the camera runs out right before the big super hero battle between Aadi and Brian, because I was looking forward to seeing that.
4) It's too bad that we can't really see the slip n' slide, because there would be lots of fun pictures of the kids playing on it. Especially Emma, who seemed to be the only one that actually knew how to slide down it, thanks to her mom! :)

Jarad's newest project

Yes, that is a climbing wall and it's in our garage.  Jarad built it himself.  He plans to expand it to go along the entire garage wall.  The kids love it!  The pictures were taken after Avalon received her birthday gift in the mail from Aunt Libby and Uncle Chris, so she is wearing her very cute, new outfit with the tags and all!  Last night, Jarad said the kids climbed the wall over and over and had a great time!  Avie can already reach the top no problem, but Archie has a ways to go.