Avery J arrived in this world, and it hasn't been the same since!
Five, is it really so? How come they grow so fast? I don't like it, not for one minute. If I had my way, she would stay little forever, so I can hold and snuggle, and love on her and she'll still let me. So her little self and voice can stay small, funny, and oh, so cute.
All Avery wanted was breakfast and presents in bed....oh, and her ears pierced too, and to have friends over to share her "pink pony" cake her dad was making her.
Birthday wishes....granted!
Poor Bob wanted to be there for the ear piercing, but he wasn't invited. Not really, I told him he could come, but I didn't beg. This time, it was MY turn. So, my friend, Kerri and I took all the kids to the mall to get Ave's ears pierced.
You see exactly 5 years ago when Avery was just a brand new baby, Bob took Pay swimming at the local pool. They were gone for hours. When they finally arrived home Pay hesitantly entered the living room, holding her hands over her ears and sporting a look of terror. "What are you doing?" I asked in wonder. She removed her hands, revealing newly pierced ears.
I took one evil eyed look at Bob and yelled, "WHAAAAAT DID YOU DO??!!!!!"
He was baffled, truly baffled. He couldn't understand what the big deal was. "She said she wanted her ears pierced," he said completely nonchalantly. "So I took her."
Just like that. My big, rite of passage, milestone, ear piercing moment with my daughter...
...Stolen.
Plus, she was ONLY 3!
Not this time, Bob.....Not this time. Oh, and don't you dare think you're real funny evening out the score by taking Owen to get an ear pierced one day!
Look how adorable our little Nelly Belly looks. She has big, brown, chocolate eyes.
We were pretty excited, and unfortunately, so was she. I caught her, right in the act. (Yes she is squating and doing the deed.)
Just so you know, this one totally went in, probably the tin can too. Ya, probably not.
Oh, did I mention little 
We let the little ones join in for a shot or two.
There was some serious 
Kalli, the future looks bright for you, girl. We know you'll continue to be successful in all you do. We sure have enjoyed watching you grow into such an amazing person. 
So, upward we climbed.
We made it victoriously to the top.
I think Aunt Mikkel liked the views. 
People were showing off their muscles....
Tuckered out, we headed back down the trail.
Little House on The 
Lesson learned, you wonder?
No drying
We took the family to dinner beforehand to celebrate Ave's special night!
Where the girls sipped happily on their favorite, cherry, Italian sodas.
Owen and his Batman shades. He kills me!
Avery couldn't get out of there sooner. She was ANXIOUS for graduation!
And was able to play with her friends one last time.
Which was by far...her favorite part of the evening.
Too soon the night ended and we had to leave. It took a lot of coaxing to get Aves in the car, and as we drove off she sadly sported big 
