Fun moments for Ella

This post is a record of fun moments we've had with our little E.
 

This was at the visitor center of Mammoth Caves National Park.  Ella decided it was too hot.

She loves to help with dishes (especially if there are bubbles) and is constantly cleaning.

Of course she playing with her own kitchen too. 

She likes to lead the music like Daddy and teach singing.  Nursery is a favorite of hers because of the song time.

This is the story of the "Bigger Diaper."

Jed and I were cleaning the church and Ella had already used up the diaper in the diaper bag earlier that evening at Jed's church game.  She had been constipated and so, inadvertently she was over-dosed with Milk of Magnesia.  One thing led to another which led to using Jed's sweatshirt as a "bigger diaper" until we could make it home.  That was quite the evening!

Some of Ella's friends:

Savannah and E dancing in the living room. Twirling is so underrated.

Noah and Ella eating banana pops.

Lately she and Owen have been showing their affection.

Mutual smooching!

Ice Cream Favorites

This post is dedicated to great ice cream.

Here is a list of our families all-time faves.  

Jed loves Baskin Robbins

Oreo Shake.

Cyndi loves a chocolate custard concrete with almonds and caramel mixed in from...

There's always the Utah classic

where the servings are huge and the toppings divine. I know there is an ongoing battle between the caramel or hot fudge being better.

And for something new, Graeter's is a Kentucky treasure.

Jed and I both agree that the best flavor is black raspberry chip.  It is truly amazing.

But our newest favorite is...

My goodness, this is yummy.  Our family went for free ice cream on a pj friday where they gave away free waffle cones for wearing bed clothes.  Could it be any sweeter than licking cones in your pajamas.  Their flavors were incredible like, Key Lime Pie, Caramel Explosion with Twix, S'mores, White Raspberry Truffle, Blueberry Cobbler, Chocolate Lover's Trash, Coffee Cake Streusel, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough...you get the idea.  Check out their site www.brusters.com.  They also have special events like the pj day and every Thursday is bring your own banana and get 50% off a banana split.  I think this is my new favorite.

Jed, of course, remains true and still claims Homemade Ice Cream to be the best.

So we were wondering what is your all-time favorite ice cream?

Mammoth Caves

Crazy, kitschy antique store...you have to LOVE the sign.  It says it all.

This is the  ferry that carries your car across the Green River into Amish Country and more caves.  It was actually really cool. Just up the roads was a  sweet country store at the crossroads that sold old-fashioned candy.  I haven't had sixlets in a while.  Jed and I laughed that they don't just have a bridge, but in back-country Kentucky anything goes.

 

This cool store that had 100s of birdhouses.

The Historic Entrance to Mammoth Caves

Stalactites in the cave.  

Pictures with Ella by Frozen Niagra. The cave formations make it look like a waterfall.  Really beautiful!

Jed carrying Ella through the caves. She's a little big for the carrier but we didn't want to risk her falling.  They were both champs getting through the tight spaces and down the 300 steps into the cave.  

Silhouette of our park ranger guiding the tour.

We would definitely recommend this trip to anyone.  Next time we would also add the "Lost river" boat trip that takes you on a naturally underground river through the caves and then also a canoe trip where you enter Mammoth Caves in your own canoe swimming and side caving along the way.  We're planning this for the hot summer months.  Such a beautiful escape and only an hour and a half away.

Ode to Jackson Hole-Part 4 Town

Moving forward with our love of Jackson, another key element is the Town itself.  Filled with fantastic, unique places in an old fashioned setting, the town is a fun experience all its own. 

These are just some of our favorite things about town.

Boutiques:

Belle Cosa and goodie2shoes are both fantastic and owned by the same company.

And of course there a numerous tourist shops with T-shirts and trinkets galore.

Galleries:

Thomas Mangelsen-Images of Nature

These are 2 of his photos.

Food:

The Bunnery's Very Berry Pie (to die for warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream)

Mountain High Pizza Pie

Billy's Giant Hamburgers

Moo's Ice Cream (100 percent fresh, organic and fantastic)

Events:

Shoot-out

Jackson Hole Playhouse is also fun.

Harley Motorcycle Shop(Jed and I want to rent one and ride a day in the mountains.)

Ode to Jackson Hole-Part 3rd Teton Mountains

the gorgeous Teton Mountain Range

Fields upon fields of wild flowers

Ampitheatre Lake