Black Hills Trip Part 2: Mt. Rushmore

After Storybook Island, we drove a little farther and stopped at Mt. Rushmore.  I was really excited to see it because I had never seen it in person before.   Arabella was particularly awed after hearing how they carved the president's faces in the side of a mountain.  What a beautiful national monument!

Grandpa explaining how they carved the president's faces in the side of a mountain

AB loves taking pictures - she took this one of all of the flags leading up to the monument... nice picture of that couple, eh?  Too bad we don't know them!

Arabella found the one that said, "Iowa" - I'm so proud of my new little reader!

Black Hills Trip Part 1: Story Book Island

Arabella and I left on Saturday morning to drive to the Black Hills with my parents. On the way there, we stopped at Wall Drug which was actually way cooler than it sounds. We drove past the Corn Palace which was not as cool as it sounded... we didn't stop.
We did stop at Storybook Island in Rapid City, South Dakota. It was the cutest little park and the best part was that it was totally free! They had practically every fairy tale and story book character known to man in this one park. Here are a few of the million pictures I took:

My dad on the troll bridge

Me: "Look Bella, it's Rapunzel!"  Bella: "And Flynn Rider too!"

Arabella and I inside Peter Peter the Pumpkin Eater's house

Wizard of Oz is one of AB's favorite movies

AB even got to go in and play in the Seven Dwarf's Cottage

She had just gotten done watching Bambi on the dvd player in the car, so she was really excited when she saw Bambi!

There was even a miniature "Old MacDonald's Farm" where she could pet the goats!

My Bella Bean is Four Years Old Today!

I woke up this morning to, "Mommy, do you want a hug from a four year old?"  :)  What a fantastic way to wake up.  I can hardly believe how fast the time has flown by in the last four years.  I still remember her first few nights at home as an infant! 

Here are some facts about Arabella at age 4:
She weighed 33 pounds this morning
Is 41 inches tall
She wears a size 3T shirt, but only 2T pants/skirts and a size 9 shoe... still a peanut but boy is she strong!

Arabella can:
-- Write all the letters of the alphabet (although lowercase is more difficult for her to remember... she would prefer it just not exist and we could all write in caps forever... ha ha)
-- Ride her bike for a mile and a half without stopping for a rest (okay so she's only done this twice, but still!)
-- Remember practically any song (she's got her Daddy's musical talents)
-- Whistle (although not as well as she'd like... she is still working on it)
-- Make friends with practically anyone
-- Remember the most ridiculous events from long ago that most people have forgotten... I often hear, "Remember when _____ happened and I said ___________..."  And she is usually totally accurate.
-- Wink... she's been working on this for quite a while and is very proud of herself for doing this.


Arabella Loves:
-- Disney Movies (especially about princesses... her favorite is The Little Mermaid)
-- Fruit (haven't found one she doesn't like)
--Cuddling (I am so glad she hasn't outgrown this)
--Reading (She goes in phases whether she wants to try to sound out words or not... but today when I asked her what she loved, she said she loves to read so I'm going to put it down... that's the teacher in me I guess)
-- Swimming ("But not getting water inside my nose.")
-- Playing Outside (she is very much an outside girl... she loves all kinds of outdoor activities!)

 Arabella Dislikes:
-- Mushrooms (just like her Daddy)
-- Potatoes (in any form... even french fries!)
-- The Hawkeyes (Sorry Uncle Mikey... this is what she said when I asked about things she didn't like!)

Arabella's Favorites (According to what I asked her this morning... who knows what it would be tomorrow!) 
*Disclaimer - This was very hard for her to choose just one for each category.
-- Candy: Chocolate Truffles (Grandma totally spoils her with the best truffles!)
-- Drink: Chocolate Milk 
-- Book: Fancy Nancy (this was especially hard for her... she named at least 15 while we tried to determine her favorite!)
-- Movie: The Little Mermaid
-- Food: Mac and Cheese
-- Song: Silly Dreamer
-- TV Show: Jake and the Neverland Pirates
-- Thing to Wear: Dress (if only we could wear one every single day!)
-- Game: Candy Land
-- Toys: Baby Dolls
-- Thing to Help Mommy With: Laundry
-- Color: Pink

Proving her ability to wink

 I can't believe today is her fourth birthday and I managed to take exactly one picture of her all day... and it's a shoddy cell phone picture too!  Oh well. 

Mani Pedi Day!

 Arabella and I went with Patti and got our nails done yesterday.  Arabella is getting so big... she sits so still to get her nails done!

Last day of being a Three Year Old

Finished Feet Product

Arabella even got her fingernails painted - aren't the polka dots cute?!

Third of July Festivities

Patti, Ken, Dave, and I went to a Sioux City Explorer's Game last night.  I haven't been to an X's game in years. In fact, every single time I've driven past the stadium and there was a game going on, there were maybe 50 people total in attendance.  It was a sad sad view.  I remember going when I was a kid and it was hugely popular.  I've honestly been waiting for the news that the X's were leaving Sioux City... but amazingly last night it was a sold out crowd!

We wanted to try Clyde's Bar and Grill (the old Lewis Bowl building), but it was a 45 minute wait so we decided to just eat at the ball park.  We ended up eating Bull Pen BBQ and it was delicious!  Totally surprised me and made me want to go back! 

Overheard twice at the Explorer's Stadium in the crowd... "So, where are you living now?" Even with all the flooding, Sioux City Folks can still come out for some Third of July fun!!! The X's kicked Fargo's butt (13-0) with some great plays and we even got a ball for Arabella because we sat near the dugout and Dave made friends with the owner's grandson. 

We did have to wait about a half hour for the fireworks to begin (I'm not the most patient person), but once they did, they were great!  Way to go Sioux City Explorers!  Best fireworks I've seen in Sioux City in... well... possibly forever.   The picture from Dave's phone does not do it justice, but they were great.   All in all a great night! 

Arabella's Fourth Birthday Party

     We celebrated Arabella's 4th Birthday Party in Sioux City at Grandma and Grandpa's pool.  Lots of family was able to come and it was a beautiful day for a pool party!  Arabella showed everyone her new swimming skills and loved showing off for her grandparents.  

Sara, AB, and Mommy

Floating Princess

Patti and I

My Gramma Alice and Patti

Opening presents

Waiting for her birthday cake!

Sara and Mark bringing out the birthday cake Sara made

Barbie Cake made by Aunt Sara - turned out really great, didn't it?!

 

Arabella the Brave!

Arabella and I came to Sioux City to visit my parents on Thursday.  On Thursday, Arabella was her usual self... timid in the water... not wanting to get her face wet... not wanting to jump in... kind of clingy...  Something happened overnight and this child seems to have no fear now.  She is now totally willing to jump in on her own from the side and even from the diving board!  It's amazing!  She is so proud of herself! I am just tickled because I really wanted her to like swimming and not be afraid. 

So Brave!

Hanging out with Grandpa

I absolutely love slow melt popsicles!