Yard Work

I've been wanting to post this picture for a while. I keep thinking I'll get to take some more while she is "helping" with our yard work, but I finally decided to at least post this one for now. This was taken while we were laying rocks for our patio out back. She really did help with it. She had her shovel and she would fill her little wheelbarrow with dirt, while we filled the big one. It was really cute, but of course I didn't think to get any pictures of it, so this one of her riding in her daddy's wheelbarrow will have to do!

Swimming with friends

Addison & Riley got to spend the night with us Thursday night and we had a great time with them!! These girls have been a special part of our lives for all of their 6 years! I love that they now get to be a part of Saigel's life too. She loves playing with them, and if she grows up to be even half as sweet as them, I'll be so grateful.

This is a picture of them in our little pool on Friday afternoon. They are so imaginative! They thought of about a hundred different games they could play in the pool. For the most part, Saigel didn't know what to think about all their, shall we say, "spirit" in the pool, but she enjoyed watching them.

Trip to MO for the 4th

We just got back from our annual trip from MO for the Fourth of July holiday. We missed our friends Todd & Paige and their girls who usually go up with us for this yearly trip, but we had a good time and hope that they'll be able to join us again next year!

We started the week off in Bismarck with Doug's family. We got to see Ron's sister, Dianne, one night and she brought over the guitar that Doug's grandma used to play. Derrick (Doug's brother) tuned it up and played some of their grandmothers favorite songs while Ron & Dianne reminisced and the kids caught lighting bugs. It was really a special night. Then, on Wednesday, Doug & I went to Six Flags while my mom & dad babysat. Doug & I went on our first "date" to Six Flags 13 years ago, so it was really nice to go back, although it made me feel really old!! I remember when we would get to Six Flags 30 minutes before it opened and stay until they kicked us out!! This time we arrived an hour after opening and were ready to go home by 6:00 pm (5 pm really, but we made ourselves stay until 6:00 so we wouldn't be so embarrassed) Thursday we were able to spend with my family doing what they do best--shopping! We always have a great time with my mom & dad and this time my sister was able to come along too. Of course, one of them HAD to buy Saigel something in EVERY store. (I'm not exaggerating here people!!) Friday, we went back down to Bismarck to my sister's house for tons of fun & food. Doug & I got to play "Rock Band" for the first time (a video game) and we loved it. We also got to play badmitten while Saigel swam in her kiddie pool. We ended the evening with Fireworks in the big city of Bismarck. Saigel didn't like the noise or the lights as you will see in a picture below!! Overall, we had a great time and can't wait till next year!!Thanks for reading!!

~ Cindy

Playing on the swing set at MiMi's

Saigel wanted to watch TV with her blanket like Madison.

Derick playing his Grandma's guitar on the front porch swing.

Ron & Rhonda had a new kitten that Saigel loved to play with. The poor thing was exhausted by this time and would pretty much let Saigel to whatever she wanted to with it!

Saigel had to see PawPaw on the tractor one last time before we left.

Saigel enjoyed an ice cream cone after a hard day of shopping on Thursday!

She had a great time in the pool at Angie's house

Angie took her out to the garden to pick some vegetables.

Here is a classic picture of our little princess during the fireworks!! Her daddy was holding her ears while her Pawpee was shading her eyes from the bright lights so she had her hands free to eat her Teddy grams!!

This was on the way back to Arkansas! She was thoroughly exhausted from all the fun!!

VBS

Once again I am running behind in posting to the blog. We just finished VBS two weeks ago, followed by a week of church camp. Below are a few of the pics from VBS. It had a science theme this year and was one of my favorites so far! We only did 4 days this year instead of 5 and it went great! We had two saved!!

This was taken on the way home one night. She had stolen my "professor" glasses and wore them all the way home.

Missouri Visit

We finally took some time out last week to visit our families in Missouri. We were with my mom & dad for the first part of the week. We all took Saigel to the Zoo one day. She didn't seem very impressed with many of the animals. I think she had just as good of a time at the park in DeSoto the day before; but you know us, we like to make things harder than they need to be! We did get a few pictures of her actually smiling, so I guess she must have liked some parts of the day, and I know she enjoyed spending time with her MeMaw & PawPe.

We ended the week at Montauk State Park with Doug's mom & dad, where we did some trout fishing and camping. The fishing could have been better, but we enjoyed our time and Saigel had a great time feeding the fish and playing in the sand (that her PawPaw brought up by the bucket full from the river, so she could have some to play with at the campsite).

All in all, we had a great time, and Saigel came back even more spoiled than ever!! We love our times in Missouri. I especially love seeing Saigel get to spend time with both sets of grandparents that love her so much!!

~Cindy

Our day at the zoo (MeMaw was behind the camera)

Look who's a river otter!

"MeMaw & PawPe insisted I get to ride the carousel!"

"I love camping!"

"Daddy loves to play in the sand as much as I do"

Walking at the fish hatchery with MiMi & PawPaw

Fun Days

We went to P.J. (Oasis Student Pastor) & Lauren's wedding last night. It was a great ceremony & Lauren was beautiful. Saigel was very good during the ceremony (mostly because of the sucker I gave her as soon as it started). I know our friend Christina took some pictures of Lauren holding Saigel and taking a lick of her sucker. I can't wait to see them!

Saigel got a new bath toy today, so I had to get her picture tonight while she was playing with it. Those of you who know Doug, know he is adamantly opposed to such pictures-- but it was close enough to Mother's Day, that he didn't fuss at me too much!!

We are leaving tomorrow to go to Missouri. We'll stay a few days at my parent's house, then we're meeting Doug's parents at our favorite trout fishing park to camp the rest of the week. Hopefully, there will be a few pictures of our trip posted in about a week. Check back & thanks for reading.

~Cindy

Showing off the sucker she got during the wedding.

Bath time with her new tub toy.

Angie & Erich Visit

My sister, Angie, and her son, Erich, came down to visit over the weekend. They got here Thursday evening and left Saturday afternoon. Friday, we went to Toad Suck Daze (a festival of sorts in Conway). They got to see the Toad races and sing the "Toady Woady"- a generic version of the "Hokey Pokey". Needless to say, my nephew, Erich, should have plenty of stories to tell his friends about his visit!! Saigel fell in love with her cousin sometime during their visit, and would hardly let anyone else hold her. Angie spoiled her rotten over the weekend, by buying her something in EVERY store we went in. I'm not exaggerating here people, she got: a bracelet, a necklace, a complete fourth of July outfit, a Nemo ball, a hat, a huge bubble wand, probably more; but that is all I can remember right now!! No wonder every time we see someone from Missouri, Saigel starts asking for her "birthday presents"!

Angie, Saigel, & Erich

Saigel playing with her new bubble wand

Saigel playing in the sand at "Toad Suck"

Saigel riding the pony at "Toad Suck"

Notice she was on the biggest pony!