Summer Fun

It has been a busy week filled with lots of fun! Monday morning when Ella woke up I asked her what she wanted to do. She looked at me and asked, "Is Holiday World open?" I should have figured that is what she would want to do. We quickly got ready and off we went. It was so hot on Monday. Luckily, Ella wanted to go to the water park first. We spent a couple of hours there. 

After the water park I planned on staying for only a couple of hours and then heading home around 2. We of course didn't leave until 4. What can I say, Ella loves Holiday World!

Ella's new favorite thing is the dive show!

Tuesday was really nice so we went to the zoo with Joan and her kids. We got their early so Ella could feed the giraffe's. Unfortunately, that morning I dropped my wide angle lens in the garage and broke it so I only had my portrait lens with me. Not a good lens because I could only get close up pictures. Oh well. 

After this we headed back up front to meet up with Joan and her kiddos!  It was a really nice day for the zoo. We knew we needed to enjoy it before the heat wave hit. I think their favorite part was playing in the fountains on the way out. This is the first time Ella has played in the fountain, and it was of course the first time I didn't have a change of clothes for her. Ella gladly rode home in her undies though! :) 

 

Three generations of daddy face

Yesterday we got together at Lacey's house for a later father's day dinner for Adam's dad. After we ate we of course had to head straight to the playground so Ella could play. Before we left we got a picture of My father in law, Ralph, Adam, and Ella doing "daddy face." I am not sure when "daddy face" started, but it's something Ella came up with when she first started talking. She noticed Adam made this face, and she started mimicking him. It has stuck for the past couple of years, and it is the only way I could get her to smile for pictures for a long time. We thought it would be fun to get a picture of the three of them doing it. Unfortunately, Ella had dirt all over her cheeks, but it's still cute!

Priceless!

New video

I have been horrible lately about recording videos of Ella. Today I got my video camera back out and got some footage of Ella. It's just of her talking, but I wanted to make sure I got her sweet voice on video.

Beating the heat!

Swimming at Scales Lake and an Overload of Ella Cuteness!

Our new Tuesday routine is to get together with my friend Joan and her kids. Ella has really enjoyed getting to know them over the past few weeks, and I think it's been good for her. Yesterday, Joan suggested we go to Scales Lake and swim. I thought it sounded fun even though I feared Ella may not enjoy herself. She seems to be scared of big bodies of water. 

We met them at the petting zoo. Joan was running a little behind so Ella and I walked around and visited with the animals. I can not get over how friendly some of them are. The goats and donkey's just run wild. The goats are by far my favorite. They run around like crazy. They swarmed my car when I was getting in, and I was afraid they were going to try to jump in. Both times we have went to the petting zoo Ella always says, "It's just like poppy's house." haha. 

My new favorite pictures of her! 

After we ate lunch we hit the beach! Ella did surprisingly well in the sand and the water. She hesitated for a little bit, and I set her down. She freaked out for a minute, but she decided she liked it. I brought sand toys along, and the kids had a good time playing with those. Ella also loved the slide in the water. I have to hand it to Joan. I can't imagine bringing three kids ages 4, 2, and 4 months to a lake to swim. She definitely had her hands full, but she does a great job with them.  It gives me hope that maybe some day I can have another. That's a big MAYBE so no one get their hopes us. 

Rose loved the water. She didn't want to leave when it was time to go home! 

After we finished swimming I had to take Ella to the "potty by the playground." She refused to go in the bathroom by the lake, because the potty had a black seat. We can only use white potties. lol She of course had to play on the playground for awhile before heading home. It was such a fun day. I am so glad Joan introduced us to Scales Lake!

These pictures are from last night. Ella was wound up, and smiling for almost every picture. I obviously took advantage of that!