TOP 5 JACKSON WINTER ACTIVITES FOR KIDS 9.26.14

Hi guys, it's me, that girl katie, With kids back in school you might be thinking about where to spend your family holiday's this year? Well, Jackson, WY is a great place to enjoy the Wild West as a family.

The TOP 5 kid friendly Jackson, WY winter activities:

1. Ice Skating Where: Town Square (Outdoor skating rink) When: Mid-December through February Why: Strap on your ice skates, and glide around under the festive winter-time antler arches of Jackson Hole’s town square. Warm up with hot chocolate and refreshments while enjoying one of town’s many local, live bands! Cost: Skating is free, skate rentals available on site Contact: 307-739-6789 Jackson Hole Skating Club

2. Jackson Hole Kid’s Ranch (Ski and Snowboard Club)Where: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village When: December-March Why: The Kid’s Ranch provides a myriad of activities for children, age 6 months to 18. From the Wild West Woods to the educational ski and snowboard program, children spend the day discovering the mountain. This also gives parents time to explore alone, and an afternoon reunion can be spent exploring the snow castle on the village commons, as well as listening to live music under the Tram (late season only). Cost: From $105, depending on the program Contact: 1-800-450-0477 or 307-739-2788

3. Snow King Tubing ParkWhere: Base of Snow King Mountain Ski Area located at Snow King Avenue & Cache Street (6 blocks from Town Square) When: Mid-December through early April Tuesday through Friday from 2:30pm-6:30pm Weekends from 11:30am-6:30pm Why: Outside fun as you fly down a groomed track. You need to be at least 42” tall Cost: $16 for a 1-hour adult session, $21 for a 2-hour session Juniors/Seniors are $13 for a 1-hour session, $18 for a 2-hour session. Contact: 307-734-8823

4. Jackson Hole Children's MuseumWhere: 174 North King Street, Jackson, WY When: Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturdays 10am-3pm Why: To inspire imagination and creativity. Children and their families will be encouraged to examine the world together through interactive exhibits and programs in the arts, sciences, ecology, and history and to further explore the exceptional place that is Jackson Hole. Cost: $7.50 daily entrance fee, children under 2 are free Contact: 307.733.3996

5. Winter Sleigh RidesWhere: National Elk Refuge, tickets can be purchased at the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center at 532 North Cache When: Mid-December through early April, from 10am-4pm Why: Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride among thousands of elk, providing riders with a unique wildlife viewing experience and an incredible opportunity for photography. What to wear: warm layers, boots, gloves, and a winter hat. Blankets are provided. Cost: Adults $19, Children ages 5-12 $15, Children under 5 are free. Private sleighs are $350 per sleigh for up to 16 people. First-come, first-served, Reservations are available but not required except for private tours or groups of 20+ Contact: Double H Bar, Inc. 307.733.0277

VASE + CANDLE KOOZIES - 9.19.14

Hi guys, it’s me, that girl katie, This is another Cricut Design Space Star challenge project post.

My team, Lucky #13 decided on a floral theme. I have always wanted to try making paper flowers but since Lia Griffith has beautifully mastered it, I thought I would try something else. I did make her Hydrangeas to style with my vase and candles.

I had 3 goals for this project:

1. Become better educated with the Cricut Explore 2. Incorporate patterns 3. Involve my kids

Supplies List:

- Cricut Explore - Vases or Candles - Card Stock Paper - Contact Paper - Tape - Pens + Colored Pencils

Again, please meet my team, Lucky #13

I hope you have time to checkout the designs these talented ladies produced this month.

1. the sweet escape Floral Cake Topper 2. east coast creative blog Photo Backdrop 3. andreas notebook Floral Pinwheel 4. sew creative blog Paper Bridal Bouquet 5. pars caeli Flower Lights 6. petit a petit and family Birthday Kit 7. suburban bitches Floral Chandelier 8. pretty providence Simple Elegant Thank You Cards 9. the sweet escape Wedding Cake Topper 10. that girl katie Vases + Candle Koozies 11. sew creative blog Flower Girl Barrettes 12. simply sadie jane Flower Stamped Cake and Flower Party Hats

P.S. Cricut has just announced the second phase of the Cricut – I MADE IT contest and this time they’re awarding one winner their own project line to be sold in Cricut Design Space as well as featured on Cricut.

I was compensated with a Cricut Explore but all projects, ideas and opinions are all mine! Thanks to Cricut for hosting the Cricut Design Space Star!

Stay tuned for more projects from Team Lucky #13 during Cricut Design Space Star.

MY ACL STORY - 9.2.14

I was skiing February 7th, 2014 with a group of ladies on a powder day at Jackson Hole Mt. Resort. I went over a small jump I didn’t see, fell & my binding didn’t allow my ski to pop off. I knew something was wrong. I laid in the snow for 5 + minute before I managed to get up and slowly make it down a short distance to the bottom. I immediately drove home to put ice on it. I limped around and thought it would heal. It never got swollen & was told that if I had torn it my knee would become really swollen. I didn’t ski much after that only 2 times with my kids at the end of the season but my husband had to be there because I didn’t feel stable and wasn’t able to help my kids with anything. Yes, I was a liability but I really wanted to ski as a family. I continued to workout but there were a lot exercise I wasn’t comfortable doing. I ended up going to spinning classes more and once the road became clear of snow I started running. I went to get an MRI and decided not to get it because I really felt like it was healing. But then one day in April I tripped walking into my house and was in a lot of pain so I reschedule the MRI. Due to other things going on in my life I wasn’t able to get the MRI until the end of May and then quickly scheduled the surgery for mid June. I considered waiting until the fall so that I could still hike, bike and run this summer but I realized that there were other ways to enjoy the summer so that I could still ski & not fear slipping on ice.

I also knew that there would never be a good time to have surgery.

My timeline:

Feb 7th – Injury

Feb 27th – 1st Knee Dr. visit – decided not to get MRI in hindsight I wish I had that day.

April 7th – Tripped walking into house.

May 29th - MRI

June 25th – Picked up “Game Ready” ice/compression machine.

June 26th – Surgery Day. I came home and slept all day. Can’t do anything without crutches.

June 27th- In bed except for going to the bathroom. I needed help at first but I quickly figured out how to manage on my own.

Dr. visit, the nerve block still worked so I wasn’t in too much pain getting there. Stairs looked like mountains. I had to get down 4 steps to the car. I feared the end of the nerve block.

June 28th – Figured out how to take a shower. Read a lot of magazine. Realized the simplest task of reaching for a towel was hard.

June 29th- Sat with my family in our living room drinking coffee and then went back to bed.

June 30th – Showered again and discovered that it was so much easier this time because I could put some weight on my leg.

July 1st – Tired of being home, off drugs, grouchy, felt trapped, could get ice for “Game Ready” but a chore.

(I didn’t know that drugs clog you up. Once I figured that out I was off the drugs)

July 2nd – Dr. visit, stiches out, smaller brace, 1st PT visit and started to drive again.

I was asked if I was cleared to drive and my answer was “Yes”. Yes, because I mentally needed to, I felt confident enough and I didn’t want to ask my husband to do anything else. So, I looked in the mirror that morning and said, “I am cleared to drive”. Hello freedom along with an instant flash back of getting my drivers license at 16.

July 3rd – Picked up my daughter at a camp and feared kids bumping into my leg. Started to be more active by picking up around the house and taking kids to get ice cream but it landed me in a chair all evening hooked up to the “Game Ready”.

July 4th – Stood and watched the 4th of July parade for 2 hours. Great to be out but then iced my knee the rest of day.

July 5th- Spent the day in a drift boat on the Snake River. I even rowed for 5-10 minutes before realizing that I couldn't quickly move if I needed my husband to take over the oars. It was a really peaceful day.

July 6th – Took kids to the pool but not allowed to get in so I sat on the edge. Off crutches

July 7th – Had friends over for dinner but my husband had to do most everything. I called my gym and undid my hold on my membership.

A friend asked me what the scar looked liked and that was the first time I had even thought about it. It’s not bad at all.

July 8th – I got cupping and acupuncture & stopped wearing the compression sock.

July 9th- I progressed in PT to be able to pedal all the way around on a stationary bike at a very slow speed.

Week 3 – I started to take my husbands surfboard to the pool and paddle for exercise. PT at least once a week and sometimes 2x + strength exercises at my gym

Week 4- I tripped which was a huge reality check that I need to be careful.

Week 5- I described the pain imagining it is like a broken bone and then I was reminded that screws were used to attach the graft

Week 6- I started to realize the importance of PT and putting in the time now and getting my leg as straight as the other one.

Week 7- I tripped again which was another reality check.

Week 8 – I realized while traveling through airports that the knee brace is very helpful when trying to get on an airplane where the gate door is already shut.

Week 9 – Started going on walks for exercise and really concentrating on not favoring my hurt knee.

TIPS: – Apparently taking the stool softeners a few days before surgery is helpful. – Renting “Game Ready” compression ice machine. - Prep prior to surgery, books & magazines near bed, change of clothes. - If you have insurance, find out how many PT visits you are allowed and take advantage of all of them. - Ice often

Yes, ACL surgery is a drag but it’s fixable.

SOURCES:Teton Orthopaedics & Teton Physical TherapyT2BB

LADIES DINNER - 8.12.14

Hi guys it's me, that girl katie, I love summers and since I am unable to do any outdoor activities because of my recent ACL surgery I am finding other ways to enjoy the outdoors. So, I hosted a summer ladies dinner.

My adorable husband agreed to make pizza's & grill the flank steak. He even cleaned up which was beyond nice because it would have been a lot on my knee.

Planning a party takes a lot of prep. I enjoy the creative and design aspects of the party and like to outsource the food unless it involves making homemade ice cream. So, a special shout out to Laura who helped make a lot of the other food. Even party planning can take a village to pull off.

It was a relaxing and fun evening and I am glad I was able to share it with these special ladies.

GET THAT PIG - 8.14.14

Hi guys, it's me, that girl katie, A few weeks ago was Jackson Hole's annual Teton County Fair which means a lot of fun for all ages. Last summer my husband entered and coached my daughter and her friends in their 1st pig wrestling event. When it came to signing up this year they were pumped for another chance to "Get That Pig" 2014.

The team uniforms are a big deal so with a little help from my mom since we don't have a large selection of brand name stores, she went to her local Walmart and found these super girl costumes and then I added my creative touches using avery photo transfer paper.

This was my first time doing an iron on transfer.

It's a really easy process but I did problem shoot a few things.

MY TIPS:

1. You must flip your image before printing especially if you are using text.

2. There is difference between and an ink jet printer and a laser printer. You NEED an ink jet printer. Currently, most people only have laser printers which will melt the transfer paper during the printing process.

3. If you mess up (which I did) you can scrape it off with a knife and start over.

Source: Avery photo transfer paper & their video.

Well, that is another year of pig wrestling. I bet you can't wait until next year? I have no doubt that the girls will "Get That Pig" in 2015. Stay tuned for another season.