DIY

We recently purchased new furniture from Ashley and I of course "needed" new pillows because the old ones did not match.  Ben wanted me to wait a while since we had just spent a bunch of money and I can't make a Target run without spending at least $75.  So instead of being patient I decided to "make" some.  I used some fabric from a previous project and the old pillows.  Although I have never made pillows I am pretty happy with the way that they turned out. I am especially pleased with the bolster pillows, I found a super simple pattern that used no zippers.  The larger pillows are actually slip covers and don't totally close in the back, so please don't flip them over when you visit =)

The Forrest

Ben is off this week so we have been doing a few family things that we don't normally get to do when he works.  Yesterday we traveled to Madison to go to the zoo and then the outlet mall.  (Sorry we did not take any pictures - someone was not in a picture taking mood).  Today we went for a family hike on the trails north of La Crosse.  
Phoebe loved it because she was able to ride the entire time (Thanks for the backpack Townsends!)  
Audra enjoyed the hike as well.  Her first comment when we entered the trail was "Wow mom look at the real trees".  Apparently the small trees in our yard are not "real" enough for her.   Audra's favorite part of the day was being "in charge" of Greta and she particularly enjoyed "leading us the right way", good thing the trail was well marked.  

Stay right here

Annoyed that Phoebe kept moving away from her today while we were playing on the deck Audra devised a plan to get Phoebe to stay where she wanted.  She hooked Greta's leash to the keyhole in back of Phoebe's shirt.  Perhaps not the kindest thing to do to her sister but cleaver all the same.  Can't fault the girl for being inventive.  Then again perhaps she has seen those terrible harness things that parents use to "walk" their children.  

Finally...Our new baby cousin!

Lewis Eli Thomas Yoder                       

Ben's brother Ed and his wife Laura finally introduced the newest Yoder family member to the world on Tuesday August 19th,  several days after his scheduled arrival.  We can't wait to meet him and are sad that we have to wait until Christmas to do so.

Healed..mostly

Here is the most recent picture of Audra's knee.  It is healing quite nicely and thanks to the cream I do not think she will have much of a scar, thank goodness.  The picture is hard to see as the flash "whites out" the color (sorry).  There is a small patch of red, raw skin but it gets a bit smaller everyday and Audra is good about putting lotion on her new skin (and enjoys showing it to everyone as well).

The Neglected Child

Our "first born" Great has been neglected lately. With two young kids running around she does not get the attention she feels she needs or deserves. Perhaps this is why she "escapes" to our neighbors whenever she can. 

Greta was a bit wary of me taking a picture, as you can see she was not very fond of me invading her space. Basically she spends most of her days lounging on her mat in the laundry room.  However, she does venture out when I feed the girls or when Ben is home.  Funny thing about her "relationship" with Ben, she LOVES him.  Seriously!  I think she believes she is a person and she and I are in competition for his affection.  When he is home I do not exist, in fact she won't even tell me she has to go outside to use the bathroom she will go and find Ben, even if he is running.  

Solitary Silly Yak

We had Audra tested for Celiac Disease last week. They did a blood test, much easier than the endoscopy I had to endure.  Ben took her to do the blood draw and she was very brave, although she really did not like it when they "pokeded" her.  I particularly love the "cat" bandage they made for her.  

We received the test results back today and they were negative.  When I told Audra she said " I am so sorry I am not silly like you mom."  Guess I am the only one =)  We won't have Phoebe tested until she is older but I hope that she does not have it as well.  Thank goodness for small blessings. 

My first Cupcake!

Audra and I made cupcakes yesterday for Ben while he was at work. We had a bit of extra batter so we made "bitty" cupcakes for Phoebe.  She was not so sure about them at first but once she had the first bite she was in love (thus, the picture of her stuffing the remainder in her mouth).  However, the third cupcake (given by Audra when I was out of the room) did not go down quite as well.  All good things in moderation (Phoebe is so advanced she is learning this wisdom early - ha).  

The Club House

Audra has decided to turn our dining room table into her clubhouse and of course Phoebe has to join in the fun.   Usually Audra arranges the chairs so that Phoebe can not escape but on this particular day I was cleaning so Audra had to resort to other means in order to keep Phoebe captive (poor girl).