"Waggy rides"

This summer, we took full advantage of Thanksgiving Point's Two Buck Tuesdays. Ellie's favorite spot was Farm Country:

 There is a little row of miniature houses and Ellie couldn't get enough of them.

She is now obsessed "waggy rides" (wagon rides).

The other day, we drove past a yard sale on our street and I spotted a kid's wagon. Coincidence? I think not. Three bucks later, Ellie was in wagon heaven.

We like to take the wagon to the local farmer's market and load it up with fresh produce.

 Oh, and aren't those purple boots to die for? Ellie asks to wear them all the time.

Can you believe fall is almost here?

Down south

Clay and I took Ellie with us on a last-minute trip to St. George because as our friend joked, the Utah weather in August just doesn't get hot enough for us. Yeah . . . the weather was sweltering, but the getaway was worth it.

 We stopped at a playground in Cedar City to let Ellie play.
We are amazed at how well this girl does in the car for hours, despite the fact that she is rear-facing and has nothing but a grey seat to stare at (and the occasional "Dora" show, since one of Clay's co-workers kindly lends us his DVD player.)

We went on a little hike in Snow Canyon (Tarantula sightings and 100+ degree weather included).

We hit up an amazing splash park in the center of the city. This shallow river is genius and made for hours of fun.

Ellie enjoyed getting soaked and just relaxin' in the water.

The loves of my life

We went for a spin on the carousel. Ellie is working towards braving the horses, but for now, we'll stick to the stationary bench. Loads of motion-sickness-inducing fun for mom.

Next on the blogging agenda: Lake Powell!

Lots of family to love

We just got back from a family reunion in Bear Lake. It was such a fun vacation, even when we were just hanging out at the cabin while the little cousins played. I hope we go back again, and this time with more of our family members who couldn't make it this year.

 We went into a freezing cold cave and hiked lots and lots of steps.

Ellie met her cousin, Kali, for the first time at the reunion. This is the first time I have seen Ellie so attached to someone her size. She always asked where Kali was and wanted to hold her hand and play with her all the time. Kali is so sweet to her and treats her like a little sister. We loved it!

We went on a beautiful hike up to a lake and took turns jumping off a rope swing into ice cold water.

We spent a day on the beach of Bear Lake. Some skipped rocks, some tried to eat them (Ellie).

The Bear Lake raspberries and fresh raspberry shakes were to die for.

We had some seriously fun-packed days and one hard night that reminded me that I have some amazingly strong sisters. I'm so glad we went. Love that family of mine.

Summer Snapshots

This summer has been the best summer I remember ever having. We are trying to soak up every bit of sunshine until winter comes so we'll look back during those dreary months and know we made the best of it. Also, Ellie has been bursting at the seams with personality. We have had some funny moments. Here are a few: 

A conversation we had the other day:

Me: “I love my baby! Ellie is my baby.”

Ellie: (pointing to my stomach) “In tummy!”

Me: "No, Ellie’s not in my tummy anymore. You were in my tummy, but then you came out and now you’re all gone from my tummy."

Ellie: “I came back!”

Another conversation happened today, when she asked for an ice cream cone (the first time on her own accord — it was a proud moment for her ice-cream-obsessed mom), so we walked to the creamery. We passed the temple and she said, "Temple! Daddy married." I had explained to her that mom and dad got married there. After she pointed out the temple, I explained that when Ellie gets big she'll get married in the temple to a boy. She thought for a minute then said, "Temple. Married. Mommy and daddy. Ellie do it!" I am amazed at what this little girl picks up sometimes.

-She Still says “go goose” for “hold you.” We can't bear to correct her quite yet.

-Her favorite thing to do is for us to swing her in a blanket singing, "Wash the dishes, dry the dishes."

{Ellie calls Jesus “Sunbeam.” She saw this poster of Johnny Depp for Pirates and pointed to him and screamed, “Sunbeam!” She was confused when we laughed at her and tried to tell her he was a pirate, not Jesus.}

{She just started her first swimming lessons — they are so fun!}

{This girl loves hiking and asks to go often.}

{Ellie loves to show off her dance moves — especially her "arabesque-ies"}

{She loves dirt . . .}

{ . . . and bugs.}

{We went on a walk yesterday and she kept wanting to hold my hand. It was a little difficult pushing the stroller at the same time, but it kind of melted my heart. She asks to hold my hand when we're in the car too.}

I am having so much fun being this spunky little girl's mom.

Party girl

Ellie got to go to her friend Jayne's 2nd birthday party in July. Playing in the pool with Jaynie girl would have been enough, but the "Tangled" theme made it the party of all parties for her.

 {Grandma got Ellie ready for the party with french braids.}

{Pool time!}

 {Kate and Pete playing "pass" with Carson}

{Just relaxin' in the penguin}

 {Check out that awesome Tangled cake!}

Thanks for a fun party, Maglebys!

Draper Days

My hometown throws a big party in July, and I have fond memories of going to it every year throughout my childhood.

This year was especially fun because we met up with good friends and it was all about the babies.

{Beck and Ellie loved the train playground. Don't you think they already make a cute couple?}

{How fun do these look?}

{Karlee and I}

Driving the fire truck was Ellie's favorite part of the evening. Her facial expressions say it all.

"A fire?!"

"But what about all the toys?"

"Who am I kidding? I'm no firefighter. Beeeeck?"

"I'm totally on it, sweet cheeks."

{Apparently Beck and Ellie saw something captivating in the distance when we took this pic.}

{Beck and Ellie ended the night with a goodbye kiss. Beck even has his hand on Ellie's cheek. Maybe this is moving a little too fast!}

Thanks for sharing your cute pics, Karlee!