Haircut!!

Well, I guess every kid has a haircut at some point, right?! It really had nothing to do with the fact that I was sad to cut her hair, or that I didn't want to...her hair just hasn't needed a cut! The back seems to get shorter and shorter as she grows because those curls get tighter and tighter! But the front, which hasn't gotten the memo that it's supposed to start curling up, was always in her face and eyes. (We'll call it a "curl-et" - business up front, party in the back!) So, why not shape it up a little?!

Our dear friend Amy was the perfect person to cut Siena's hair. Amy and Siena have a sweet connection. Siena loves Amy. Probably because Amy is AMAZING and she gives Siena attention and love and hugs and kisses - very intentional time. I love to watch the two of them together. I love Amy!

So for about a week, I have been talking to Siena about going to see Ms. Amy and getting a haircut! She was all about it. She marched right into the salon and asked for Amy (as Matt and I trail in behind her). She was ready. She sat on her little booster, got the cute cape, and there she sat. I'd be lying if I said she sat still for more than 5 seconds, but I guess that's why Amy cuts her hair and not me. If I was given that task, Siena would be bald right now.

Siena liked to look at us all in the mirror. And away she went, snip snip! Amy didn't cut too much or do anything drastic. Just a nice frame and layer around her sweet little face. And that was that! Siena's very first haircut!

The crazy "before" picture:
Down to business...






This picture makes me laugh because of my facial expression. There is absolutely no reason to have that face - nothing happened, really! Maybe it's just that I'm so excited...?
The finished product. So sweet.

If Siena was typing, she'd probably tell you the best part for her was what came next...the lollipop! She picked out one for her (a pink one, of course), one for me, one for Matt, and one for Laci. That was not prepped - my daughter just knows that I have a sweet tooth and would probably love a lollipop too! She's so smart...

The only thing left - a happy dance! Wouldn't any girl? A cute haircut, a lollipop, and center stage?! Why not...

Ending the dance with a little Michael Jackson. :)

Amy - thank you so much for cutting Siena's hair! But more than that, thank you for your sweet words, your hugs, your thoughtfulness, and your example. It's no wonder Siena loves you...it's impossible not to. :)

Great Catch!

Robert and Sharon, excuse me, Grandma and Grandpa love to fish. Every chance they get, they love to spend time on the water fishing for crappie. It was high time we join them. Matt, Siena and I were able to get away for a few days and head down to Truman Lake to spend time in their favorite spot. And good grief, Siena just had to get out on the boat and try out her new fishing pole! (I think Sharon has had that fishing pole since the moment Siena was born...turn her into a little fishing girl! After watching her throughout the weekend, I don't think there was any push to get Siena to love it just like they do...and me too, for that matter!)

Have to take care of the chores around the camper - watering the grass, flowers, feet, and outfit are very important.

Grandpa and Siena found a friend - a turtle! One of these days, Siena will be old enough to ask to keep him as her new pet. Thank goodness that time hasn't come yet... :)

We got out on the boat a couple of times while we were down there and that was the highlight of the trip (aside from maybe the food, which I will get to later). It has been so stinkin' hot lately that we didn't dare stay out there all day for fear of melting, literally. But for 3 hours each day we had a ball on the boat. The first day out, we caught 30 keepers! And I might add that I caught the biggest fish. Ha! (I'm the author of the blog, so I can write whatever I feel is important to share - and that's very important.) The second day out, we caught 34 keepers! It was awesome! Oh, and I suppose, if you insist I share...I caught the biggest fish the second day too. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta catch the 13.5 inch fish down there! Just saying!! Okay, okay...Matt probably caught the most fish throughout the weekend and Siena, bless her heart, caught 3 fish with her Dora fishing pole. And well, Robert and Sharon were the very best "tour-fisher guides" ever! They provided the boat, the spot, the fishing equipment, the ice-cold beers, the tips...and hardly charged us anything! Very noteworthy as well.

We had a ball on the boat. It was such a treat to just be able to be on the water, spending time with family. Seriously. I loved listening to Robert say, "Here, drop the hook right there. There's a fish down there for sure." And sure enough, almost without fail, someone would pull up a fish. Or watching Sharon give up her nice, adult fishing pole to show Siena how to use her pink Dora pole...and reel a few fish in for her. And if she wasn't fishing, Sharon was keeping Siena occupied with something so that everyone else could fish for keepers. Or watching Siena, in her cute pink life jacket, absolutely get into the idea of fish. She would watch them all come in, hand out crappie nibbles, aka Nibbs, to us, put her hands all over the fish, put her finger in the fish's mouth, and kiss every. single. fish. Really, she did that. It was just a perfect few hours each day. We were just happy together.

Our fishy kiss - from us to you!

Daddy and his sweet girl.
Siena's first catch! Way to go, Peanut! You're both keepers!!
Searching for more "...fish in the sea..." Can that be any more sweet?
Biggest catch for Day #1. (Had to document it.)
A very proud fisher girl...with her Dora accessories right alongside her.
A few of MANY kisses for the fish.

Bringing me back to reality - they weren't all proud moments.....
Student driver!
A successful day out on the water!
One more kiss for good measure...
Biggest catch for Day #2. What can I say? Well, if I had to say, I would say it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with the boat, spot, and fishing equipment - none of which belongs to me. :)
Our little wilderness nature guide. She knows all the spots where the fish are biting.

When we weren't on the water, we were playing washers, sitting on the deck (until we thought we might evaporate into thin air because of the heat), chatting in the trailer, swimming in the pool, or eating.

Bringing up the toys from the bottom of the pool...
...and going back down for more!
Matt and Siena jumping into the pool together!

And when I say eat, we ate. A lot. There's this place about 30 minutes away from the trailer that we schedule our trips around. It's open on Friday and Saturday evenings and it's worth it every time. It's a small buffet of some of the best home-cooked restaurant food I've ever had. I don't know what they do back there in the kitchen, but it's right. And we accidentally went there both Friday and Saturday night. Had to. Just to make sure it was really that good - and it was.

The food's so good, you really do have to study the plate to figure out where to start and what to eat first.

So, coming back Sunday morning at 6am (due to a meeting before church) was so worth it. Every minute of it. It was a real treat. Thank you, Robert and Sharon - Grandpa and Grandma - for sharing your sliver of heaven with us. It was the best of times.

4th Festivities

I'm having to backtrack a little bit...I guess that's what happens with busy summer days and too many other things to do besides sit in front of a computer and type! We have been blessed with wonderful summer moments this year. Siena is just blossoming more and more and it's amazing to watch her...and to be with her every day, all day is something I wouldn't trade for a million dollars.

We were in town for the holiday weekend of the Fourth. It was a treat to have all of Matt's family in town...we got to spend time together doing all kids of fun things. Matt's cousin Lisa put together some really fun little activities for the kids and it was sweet to see them all get into it. Who says face painting, tattoos, washers, glow-in-the-dark finger lights, and fireworks are just for the big-time carnivals!? Hello, Marble family!

Siena LOVES her cousins! She always prays for "Eye-ack" (Isaac), "Kay-ah" (Kayla), and "An-roo" (Andrew). More recently she's been obsessed with "Baby Way-gan" (Raegan) and "Jack-in" (Jaxon). We had to remind Siena that Raegan is still a little baby - not a toy baby doll - and she can't handle Siena bear hugs and hands all over her face...yet. Between the company and the pool, Siena was happy as a clam. We were pretty happy too.

Siena got to pick what she wanted to have painted on her face. Why am I not surprised she picked a PINK flower. If it's pink, she's happy.
Told ya...she's very happy showing off that new addition to her cheek.
Now this picture makes me laugh every time I think about it. A true swimmer on our hands. Seriously? Pink baby goggles?! Leave it to Grandma to find the perfect thing for her! Hilarious.
Speaking of swimming, I'm pretty sure Siena might start growing gills. She is a fish. From day one, Matt has not let her have the option when it comes to swimming. Not in a mean way, but just showing her the water, playing with her in it, and doing things with her that she has learned to LOVE. And when I say love, I mean loovvveee. As of now, she is going to the bottom of the pool and picking up rings (and coming up saying, "Missed one!" if she didn't get them all on the first dive down to the bottom), she's running and jumping into the pool (even off a diving board), Matt's flipping her in the air and scooping her out of the water when she lands, and she's even starting to grasp the concept of putting her head down in the water and trying to swim. I am just amazed. Her and Matt have so much fun in the pool. I love swimming with her too, but I'm not daring enough to do the things with her that Matt does. I'll just cheer and clap for her from a nice raft floating in the sunshine. Is that so wrong?! :)
Watching the fireworks in the driveway...Siena was telling everyone to "be careful!" She really like the fireworks but she liked to be near someone when one went off. Can't blame her.
Some of the cool pictures caught while doing the glow-in-the-dark finger lights! Great find, Lisa!!

To Michigan We Go!

While Matt went to Peru a few days after I got back, Siena and I took the opportunity to see family in Michigan. It's a great way to do things. We'd be missing Daddy like crazy if we were just sitting at home. Might as well go and spend some time up in Michigan to pass the time! :)
When you have an almost 2 year old, you just never know what you're going to get on a trip. Especially just the 2 of us traveling...with one plane seat. Once again, little miss Siena rose to the occasion and was a champ. Sure, there was hardly any room for me to breathe, let alone put all of her "keep her occupied under every circumstance so we don't get kicked off the plane or get dirty looks" toys. We survived and even had pleasant rides to and from GR!
What was extra special about this trip is that my family from Seattle was in town the same time we were. They hadn't met Siena yet, so it was about time! Spending time with just about EVERYONE at Grandma and Grandpa's house was perfect. (They even got me to involve myself in a 3,000 piece puzzle!) And combine that with wonderful nights out on the deck with Pappa and Joyce and Em...I'm one very happy, very lucky girl.
Here's our week, in a nutshell of pictures:

The first couple of days were nice...the rest cloudy and kinda rainy. We got a quick swim in between rain showers. But Siena and water have a magnetic attraction, so here we are (I'm freezing)!

One night, all the girl cousins planning a night out. We had so much fun telling stories, talking about the past, and just spending time together as friends. I love them dearly. Oh, and then that night we played Telephone Pictionary. HILARIOUS game. Must be played.
We went with Oma and Opa to Fredrick Meijer Gardens to see some of the fun stuff they have for kids. It was so cute to watch Siena (try to) be independent and do things on her own and explore. They had a fun children's garden and a trolley ride. It was the perfect thing to keep a very busy girl occupied. :)




Siena and her buddy, Radar.
Siena with her very favorite Oma and Opa...
...and Auntie Em too.
We spent a lot of time with Great Grams and Gramps. They are such wonderful people and I love them dearly. Siena loves them too. It was the pefect catch-all for the family. We all crashed there multiple nights...just being family.
My wonderful family from Seattle! So wonderful to see them! Briana and Chris, we missed you!!

My very favorite, wonderful cousins: "Coubin", "Nic", "Hez", "Magan", "Kawri", "Bice" and "Wiwy" (not pictured: "B-Money" and "Ty").

Siena stuck between her Momma and her very favorite Grammie!

Going home is always a good feeling too. Especially when that means we get to see Matt! Our trip back to KC was a little more eventful. Our plane got delayed out of GR and that was going to cause us to miss our next flight. After going through a LOT of runarounds with that, we finally got put on a plane to Minneapolis. Once we landed there, we (and by we, I mean I) RAN as fast as we could to another terminal. Mental picture moment: Siena stuffed in her stroller with her legs hanging out the side, holding on to my purse. Our carry-on bags (all 3 of them) stuffed underneath the stroller. YaYa, the monkey, flopping under my arm. Me, running as fast as I could, pushing the stroller and pulling our other carry-on suitcase. All the while, Siena is saying, "Momma, what doin?" "Oh, nothing honey. Momma's just running her butt off so we don't get stuck in Minneapolis!! Just hold on." It was a funny moment - once we got to our gate.
All flights were good. Safe. Home at last. And another wonderful trip.