Avril's Birthday and Gayle's Birthday and in Between

Avril and McKel posing on our living room sofa mid February

And as McKel started tipping over, Avril supported her

Dallin Parkinson came up from the "Y" after picking up his date in SLC.  They came to town to see a comedian, Brian Regan, perform.  Jesse and Alicia joined them for the performance.  We were able to chat with Dallin and his date at mom's and dad's.

Leisa Firth made these awesome shoes by hand for McKel

Gayle helped Alicia put on a grand birthday dinner and party for Avril's 2nd.  Here Jesse and his brother Shelby assist in the kitchen.

Avril is a huge fan of the Cookie Monster and his pal Elmo.  So Gayle created a Cookie Monster cake.

And here we have Avril's photo with the cake and her 2nd year birthday card

She's sporting the cute outfit Alicia got her, which by the way, she wore to church today (March 6).

Jordan King, from next door, is one of her pals and helps Avril a lot.

Amy (background) brought along Laurel

Taggert, Amy's boy, also joined the fun

And coincidentally, one of Avril's friends is named MyKell (same pronunciation as McKel).

Tracine helped with baby McKel, who seemed quite at home in Tracine's arms

We all tried to coach Avril in blowing out her candles

Papa Bryan helping Avril with her cake and ice cream

And Spencer Lee read to Porter (MyKell's younger brother) to keep him occupied

Jared and Jesse trying to relax amidst the commotion

Jordan helped Avril with unwrapping her presents

Alicia and McKel

The great grandparents

Just to help you visualize a bit of the chaos

Avril appears to be attempting to kiss the semi eaten Cookie Monster

Yesterday, a few days after Gayle's official birthday, we joined for dinner at the Sizzler

Jesse was out of town in Auburn, AL interviewing for grad school.  His girls all joined in for the dinner though.  Here are two of them with Gayle.

Gayle and her complimentary root beer float

Jared (known by Avril as JJ) holding McKel

And here I am on my McKel rotation