All Aboard!

We met up with some of our good friends, Emily & Jacob and their little boy Crawford, for a Day Out With Thomas at Tweetsie Railroad. Ella was so excited all last week and kept telling us she was going to see Thomas the Train! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to be outside!! Ella loved riding the train and every time she would hear the train whistle she would yell, "I hear a train!

It's Thomas the Train!!!

Ella and Crawford were so excited to be riding on Thomas the Train! For those of you that have been to Tweetsie, you know what normally happens when the train stops...indians! They didn't have any gun fire but an indian did come aboard and that's all it took to send Ella screaming! The indian that came on our car only walked down the aisle and didn't make a noise. I guess it was the face paint?! But once we started moving again, Ella was back to being excited!

This picture makes me laugh because Ella looks so scared and Cory looks like he's having fun racing :)

Jump! Jump! Jump!

Giddy up horse!

Proud Daddy's!

This picture was taken right before Ella tried sticking a goldfish in Crawford's mouth. I told her to share and next thing I know she's trying to cram them down his throat! Sorry Crawford!!! :)

These goats must have been starving! This big ol' goat should have been in the cage with the PIGS!! He would grab the cones filled with food right out of your hand! Hungry little fella!

Our tots were more interested in playing in the water than panning for gold! They were soaked but had fun splashing around in the water. Maybe they stirred up some gold for the other gold diggers :)

We thought they would like riding this little train...but?!

We found these adorable little marshmallow trains at the fudge shop. Too cute!!

What is this?!

Yummy, this is good cake!

We bought them whistle souveniers...what were we thinking?!

Ella was a good sharer and gave Crawford half a bite before she demanded it back! Crawford learned quite a bit about girls on this trip :)

Ella & Crawford

5 minutes after we left Tweetsie, Ella was out! She was so tired after a fabulous day with good friends and lots of train fun!!!!

Tooting Her Own Horn

A couple of weeks ago, Nana P and Paw-Paw Kelly gave Ella her Daddy's keyboard from when he was a little boy. Ella has been playing with it for weeks and loves "beating" the keys. Tonight while we were cleaning up, we found this recorder that they also sent for Ella to play with. Cory showed her how to play it and that was all it took. She has tooted that horn all evening! It is so funny because she also covers the holes with her fingers like she's really playing a song. She calls it her "flute!" We might have some talent here!! She must get it from her Daddy because I'm tone deaf (at least that's what my middle school music teacher said).

All Dressed Up

This morning Ella wanted to wear her tutu and headband with her PJs to help take the dogs outside. I finally convinced her to take the tutu off to eat breakfast but she had to wear the flower headband ALL day long!!

Wordless Wednesday

Splish Splash

Finally after WEEKS of rain, we had a beautiful sunny weekend to play outside!! We were all starting to feel the effects of being shut inside for the week with an almost 2 year old :) A couple months ago, I ran across a deal on a Little Tyke's inflatable pool while shopping at work during lunch. We got it out today and it was a huge hit with Ella! It even has a palm tree that sprays cool mist to keep you cool while lounging in the pool. And cup holders?! I guess to hold the juice cups :) And a slide! This pool is awesome!!!!

Ella's tropical oasis

Watch out Ella's got a Bubble Gun!!

Ella's BFF

Ella and Madelyn love playing together! Ella always asks me about Madelyn when she sees her house. Madelyn's Mommy said she asks about Ella everyday too! I love hearing them talk to each other...they are just like little ladies :) Madelyn complimented Ella on her "pedicare" one day. It was hilarious!! They always have to hug each other before they say bye. It's the cutest thing ever!! They are going to have so much fun playing together this summer.

Madelyn & Ella (and Madelyn's baby Abby). They both have dirty faces after eating watermelon :) It took us forever to get them both to stand still long enough to take a picture. When we would get one in place the other would take off running.

One Sticky Mess

3 pieces of watermelon later, Ella was one sticky mess!!