Hey look at this

While my sisters were here and Ben was on vacation we were able to go to the zoo. This was the fourth trip for the girls and I but it was Ben's first trip since we moved to STL. I don't know who was more excited to go see the Sting Ray exhibit, Ben or the kids?

Looks like it was a big hit for everyone!

I know lets go to the Zoo...

Since moving to St. Louis we have had multiple visitors which has been wonderful! However being new to the area we are still learning all the city has to offer so when we have visitors we often take people to the same attractions. So when my sisters were here I asked Audra what she would like to do. Her reply " I know mom, we can take them to the Zoo". Luckily that sounded like a good idea for everyone, especially Nora who had never been to a zoo.

The girls were unsure about the gorilla at first but after learning that it was "just pretend" everyone was a bit more relaxed about having their picture taken with him.

The girls enjoyed looking at the exhibits and did not "prefer" to turn around so I could snap a picture. So I will spare you further pictures of the girls' backsides.

Babies can enjoy the zoo too!

Hey look what we saw...

Daddys' girls

So in case you have not figured it out my sisters are identical twins. Being twins they always had a special bond that linked them, you know like having a "feeling" that something was wrong with the other one or loosing teeth at the same time. I being the third wheel never really understood/appreciated this connection but apparently it has carried over into adulthood. My sisters had girls two weeks apart this past March...

Here they are holding each others baby, Rachel in the brown shirt with Abigail and Becca in the white shirt with Anna. With Becca and Rachel being twins we all wondered if their babies would look similar to each other. To everyones great surprise both girls look exactly like their fathers. Cute, female, baby versions of paternal characteristics.

I was able to steal a quick squeeze while my girls were otherwise engaged.

Although Abigail towers over Anna by about three inches I am pretty sure Anna would out muscle Abigail... if it ever came to that =)

Bath time is always better with a friend!

I love you this much...

Well I love YOU this much!

Pretty sure her older sister taught her this trick =)

The Finley Girl Reunion

This past weekend my sisters were able to both make it out to St Louis for a visit. I have visited them both this summer but they have not had the opportunity to see one another in about 6 months. This trip also gave them the opportunity to meet the newest members of each other's family, Abigail and Anna. Their baby girls were born in March just two weeks apart!

I think the last time the three of us were able to all be together was Christmas of 2006! We really need to a better job ladies!

My sister Rebecca (green shirt) drove out from Hays, Kansas with a friend whose mother lives nearby. I am thankful to Shay for driving because I am not sure if Becca would have made it if she had to drive alone with her two girls Abigail (5 months) and Nora (2 years). My sister Rachel (brown tank top) drove out from Marian, Indiana with her daughter Anna (5 months). It was great to see her again and I was amazed at the ways in which Anna has changed in the two short months since we had seen her last.

We had a wonderful time together and as always the days passed way to quickly. I am looking forward to visiting Rachel in October and Becca in December but I hope we have an opportunity to get together as a threesome again very soon!

The Haircut Solution

I love that Audra and Phoebe have inherited my curly hair but it also drives me CRAZY to "do" it every morning (spray with water, comb, spray with conditioner, comb - repeat multiple times all while listening to Audra cry and say "comb it slower mom"). Phoebe's hair is easier because it is shorter but also curlier... but anyway that is fodder for a different post.

I had been toying with the idea of cutting Audra's hair for some time when I heard of a kids "hair salon" called the Hairy Elephant here in STL. So I made an appointment and took Audra in on Monday...

She was so excited 1) to get her hair cut by a real hair lady and "not you mom" 2) to have a little time with me by herself and most importantly 3) to go to the ice cream store afterward to get some "green ice cream" (mint chocolate chip) for being such a grown-up girl.

Audra loved that she got to choose a place to sit while getting her hair cut. Since they did not have a "princess car" she decided the Jeep would be "fine". Luckily, Jozie the stylist had a Princess Barbie movie for Audra to watch while she was getting the cut.

Audra's first look at her "brand new hair". She was a little unsure in the beginning...

She has since decided that she likes her hair because she looks like June from the Little Einsteins (pictured with her here). She actually asked me today if her hair can be short for a long time because "I kinda like it this way".

As for our morning battles... they are a thing of the past. Audra commented Tuesday morning while we were getting ready "Hey mom, I didn't even cry today when you combed my hair. I must be getting old"... yes, Audra something like that...

Grant's Farm

While Grandma Debbie was in town we decided to make a trip out to Grant's farm. We had not been there before so it was nice to experience it with grandma, especially since she decided to treat us! You spoil us Debbie!!!

Audra and Grandma Debbie

Phoebe was in love with all of the animals and kept trying to get them to lick her hands

She was SO in love with them that she decided to try to climb through the fence to "play" with them!

Not sure why Audra is sad about the turtles

I loved feeding the llamas with the girls, they were a little unsure at first about the animal eating out of their hands but quickly warmed to the idea once I helped them

The carousel was a HUGE HIT! Audra had a fantastic time riding her horse with Grandma.

Phoebe loved sitting on her bunny and the idea of the carousel but once it started she freaked out and had to hold onto my neck throughout the entire ride. I am sure all the other parents and spectators got a kick out of me moving up and down with the ride.

Thanks for visiting Grandma Debbie! We had a great time and miss you already! Can't wait until you get the chance to visit again - next time bring Papa George!

Grandma Debbie Visits STL

Last weekend our "adopted grandma" Debbie Clarkin came for a visit from Wisconsin. We had a great time showing her around our new stomping grounds and Audra managed to get in lots of cuddle time!

One of the highlights of going over to Grandmas when we lived in LaCrosse was her stash of ice cream so of course we HAD to make a trip to the dairy to get some tasty treats to have while she was in town.

Phoebe easily adopted the tradition as well!

While Debbie was in town we took a trip to the pool, Grants farm, and enjoyed some "exotic" cuisine (you know... anything different from American and Mexican - the total extent of restaurant selections in LaCrosse).

Stay tuned for future posts about our fun weekend...

Our dear friends Cordial and Chuck Gillete and their two kids Noah (3) and Lydia (8 months) traveled from WI to STL last weekend for a visit. We had a fantastic time sharing our new home, good food, and great fellowship. We are going to have to make this a yearly occurrence!

I had to put this picture first because I often fail to get a picture of myself with my friends (something about kids coming first or some such nonsense)

The gang at the zoo!

Ben, Audra, Chuck, and Noah went to the Cardinal's game on Saturday night. A great time was had by all, especially by Cordial and myself who were able to stay home and enjoy some uninterrupted conversation and a chick flick!

The kids had a great time at a nearby park. Audra was such a great helper with Lydia and really enjoyed pushing her on the swings.

However, I am pretty sure she more throughly enjoyed being pushed by her dad!

Phoebe on the other hand did not enjoy the swings and issued a scream of terror when I tried to push her in the toddler swing. Luckily dad was there to rescue her and cheer her up with a "ride" around the park.

Adventures in Quilting

When my friend Jenelle offered a quilting class this summer I jumped at the chance to expand my sewing "skills". I decided that I would make a quilt for our guest bed in the basement.

A picture of the "blue blob bed" prior to its transformation.

Word to the wise - you may not want to try a queen size quilt for your first quilting adventure, it was a bit more than I had anticipated, but it turned out alright in the end.

This was my "inspiration" pillow. I already had a navy bed skirt and goldenrod sheets so it made sense (and cents) to stay within this color pallet.

The basic elements of the quilt prior to construction...

Completed!!!!

I had a few squares and scraps left over after sewing the quilt (as well as an unused body pillow) so I decided to create a "custom cover" to finish off the bed. I am pretty happy with how it turned out given that I had to create my own pattern!

So there you have it. I finished in just in time for our quests to arrive from WI!

On to my next project... a duvet cover for our super king bed!