The Summer of 2009

So, I haven't written in a long time even though we have done things with our summer.
The first was a day-trip in Cincinnati. We went to Ikea, Jungle Jims and a Cincinnati Reds game.

Ikea was fun, though I wanted decorating fabric to re-upholster one of our chairs. I wasn't loving any of their stuff and went with Amy Butler fabric's instead. Jed was a champion and helped me recover it. The end result...



Jungle Jims is this great ubber grocery where there are 3 or 4 seperate groceries all under the same roof. You walk in to an average, run of the mill store, then to the side of those aisles is an entire organic/farm fresh grocery, then behind that are aisle categorized by country to make an international grocery. Then, of course, there's the bakery, butcher, and candy things to round out the store. As if that wasn't enough, they've made it fun for kids. An example is the talking Robin Hood placed over the English foods aisle.

They have the rice-crispies gang and other figures stationed through the store. Ella kept giggling at the talking animals. We also got a kick out of the hot sauce section. Yes, a SECTION, just for hot sauce...they actually have an national hot-sauce competition and convention hosted at the store. Here's Ella with out favorite packaged sauce.
You have to be brave to use the dynamite hot-sauce.

The Reds game was with other dental families.

Ella's favorite part was doing the cheers between batters.



Our next trip was supposed to be an over-night camping trip that turned into a 2 hour drive home at 11pm because we knew Ella would not sleep in the tent.
The day activities, however, were lots of fun.

We spent a good 3 hours at the lake.
Ella LOVES her daddy.


Ella brought her friend Garrett a cookie and he tried to thank her with a kiss. She just looked at him funny.
This picture is of the Southwells and the story and of the binkie. They have a one year old who will not sleep with her pacifier. Somehow the binkie made its way into the lake and got lost. This caused massive panic for the parents, as that was their only binkie. The prayers started and from there a very diligent daddy spent 45 minutes diving and searching the bottom of the swimming area for the lost binkie. To everyone's shock, he sound the pacifier and everyone lived happily ever after.


We also went to a playground on the Lake grounds. Jed did underdog for the girls, they died of laughter, I almost died because they look like they're going to fall out.


We then made dinners and did ball-toss ice cream.



I learned something from this experience, it doesn't work without the rock salt. We ended up with Oreo milk, but the tossing was a lot of fun.

These are pictures from the Kentucky State fair.

Ella petting a sweet colt at the World Equestrian Games.
And here's Jed a couple bites closed to the grave from this deep fried snickers.

Lastly was Jed's birthday. It was simple with our little.
Ella got to hide dad's presents. And the big surprise was the Primary singing Happy Birthday to Brother Nordfelt instead of the closing song with cupcakes and cookies after the closing prayer for Primary. Each Primary class colored Jed a card. It was really fun to watch Jed be so surprised when I started playing Happy Birthday instead of I love to see the temple.

Independence Festival

For the 4th of July, we went to the Independence Festival on the Waterfront. There was a lot to do between food booths, crafts, inflatables, etc. but Ella liked the regular playground best.

The next item of business was to get out favorite Festival treat; funnel cake.

I don't know what it is about funnel cake but it really embodies the fun and flavor of Festivals. We took our yummy cake and went down to the boat dock. The harbor master was kind enough to let us sit along the dock to watch the fireworks. He said they usually don't let people sit there, but Ella won him over. We were literally on the water.

It rained for about 5 minutes and the best we could do was put our camp chairs over our heads and let it pass. I'm sure we looked ridiculous holding the chairs upside down to shelter ourselves from the rain. It blew over fast and then the show began...

We've never been so close to such big fireworks; it was like they were firing over our heads and reflecting at out feet, all at the same time.

Ella was a little scared but daddy held her close and she began to enjoy the show.

She even started naming the fireworks for family members. "This one's for mommy..."

She went all the way through daddy, granny, both grandpas, grandma angel, all her cousins and herself.

On the way to the car we saw a flame-thrower dancing inside the fountains.

It was a magical and memorable night.

Overdue Update-Summer 2009

So it's been a while since we posted last and here's the gist of what's been happening.

Jed-Studying for boards...the end.

That really is pretty much what I've been doing. For most of the month of June, I was going to the library every day. The week before the test, I was studying 10-12 hours per day. It was some good times! But, the last week Cyndi made some fun packages for me to help me get through it all. Thanks to everyone who was praying for us. I feel pretty good about the test--at least I feel that I passed!
Side note from Cyndi: Jed would never say it, but he also took the challenge on himself of reading the Book of Mormon while studying for boards and he did it! He really is an example to me. I love my wonderful husband. I love that he has his priorities so in tune with the gospel. I know we've been blessed as a family for his Priesthood leadership in our home.

After the test, Cyndi (with some financial help from my parents--thanks Mom and Dad!) took me to a nice Argentine restaurant called Palermo viejo. It was quite authentic and the meat was really good. If only it was as inexpensive as it was in Argentina!

This is the Parrilla platter; an array of steak, ribs, chorizo and sweet bread served with a chimichuri sauce. We're on the hunt for a good chimichuri sauce to make at home, any ideas?

4th of July Ward Breakfast 2009

For the 4th of July, Jed also sang "My Country Tis of Thee" in a quartet with some fellow ward members for the annual pancake breakfast. They sounded really great.

Cyndi-Projects
Cyndi keeps busy with DIY projects:

This is a scrappy quilt from Amy Butler Charm Packs. I'm kinda stuck though, so we'll see where it goes from here. The idea is a new quilt for Ella to move into a toddler bed with.

This next one is a set children's story panels. These were favorite boooks from Jed and Cyndi's childhood, along with some new faces.


And this is the big one:

A routine board for Ella to work through every morning while saying the rhyme:

Make my bed, Say my prayer, Brush my teeth, Comb my hair, Get dressed, Read Scriptures too, Eat, and Smile the whole day through!

When she's done each task, she flips the picture and eventually chooses a reward for the day, like going to the park, getting a sticker, etc. It's been a good way to set up the day. Thanks to my Mom Davis for the initial rhyme. This is the same morning pattern I went through growing up.

Ella-Social Bug/Steak Eater

Ella truly is happiest when with other kids. Every morning she wakes up and asks to see her friends today. She eats breakfast with pictures of her cousins and I constantly hear her saying how she loves them and they love her.

This was at the 4th of July breakfast.

And her she is with her idol, Kjersten. KJ is soooo patient and sweet with her.

Another funny thing we've noticed about Ella is her love of steak! And I mean the whole process, preparing, seasoning, grilling, checking, cutting, and mostly eating the steak.

Grilling with daddy, the middle steak was hers and she ate the WHOLE THING!!!

She made this face when daddy was cutting up her steak and she was so excited.

Pure 10 oz. joy!

Finishing the last bites. This gal just kept saying, "More."

She actually has become quite the helper in the kitchen and when asked what she wants to be when she grows up she said, "a cook." Maybe there's more steak in her future, we'll see.

A visit to Ann Arbor

The trip to Michigan was great! The most important part was letting Ella be with her cousins. She's only 2 but somehow it's ingrained that family is special.

Ella and Gretta are the "twinner cousins" being blonde and tall. Gretta's more brave, so it helps Ella try things she otherwise wouldn't. Like the McD's slide.

This was a HUGE breakthrough for E.
Here's the cousins having a great time too.

Poor Peter stuck on the bottom, Sofia slyly smiling and high-flying Hampton.
The gals went shopping after McDonalds at some outlets and hit the usual favorites; Nike, Harry & David (loved the caramel moose munch bar, new toffee truffle, and the pepper and onion relish dip) , OshKosh, and Carters. It was a fun, tasty trip for the girls.
We got the twinner cousinis matching dresses.

A note to runners: Kerrie and I were both sold on the Nike running shoes with ZOOM AIR. We've never felt more cushion on the ball of the foot and the factory sold them for reasonable prices as opposed to the usual $100 +. Check it out, it'll save your feet.

The next morning as a treat for the guys was the driving range.

The above pictures are an ode to dad for keeping his HEAD DOWN. He never quite got Cyndi to this point. Great job daddio.
Helping the boys with their form...like father, like son...

it must have paid off, look at those guys go:

We all relaxed together and Jed started reading The Mysterious Benedict Society to Merrill and Kenton.

Of course, RELAX, isn't a word that Kerrie really knows.

She is an AMAZING mom!

That night we watched Swiss Family Robinson under our own tent.

The twins finally settled for a little while.

Though in the end, Peter moved to where he was more comfortable,
with a ball and a book about dogs; well, boys will be boys.
We love you Michiganders!