Pudding Painting

3 stir crazy kids and some vanilla pudding, what to do?

My creative sister came up with the idea of finger painting with the pudding and of course to make it more interesting we added a little food coloring.

While it was fun to see the kids enjoy their afternoon activity and snack it was super interesting to see how each kid's individual personality was demonstrated through play...

Nora dove right in and had a really great time experimenting

True to her nature Audra chose not to mix her pudding and only use one finger to paint

Phoebe did not quite understand the concept of painting with the pudding but really enjoyed the tasty treat!

Auntie Rachel and Baby Anna

We had a great time last week with my sister Rachel and her three month old daughter Anna! Audra was completely in love with the baby and her Aunt. We can't wait to see them again later this summer. So glad living in St. Louis allows for easier travel to Indiana!

Kiddie Park

When we were in Oklahoma we made our annual visit to Kiddie Park

It was great to see Phoebe enjoy the park this year (last year she was only 9 months).  Luckily cousins Josh and Isabella were able to come along and enjoy all the fun!

Audra really loved "driving" the horses

Isa and Audra had a great time on the planes although they were disappointed when they could not figure out how to get their plane to fly

All the girls took turns wearing Isa's princess crown, too cute!

We can't wait to go again, perhaps before the summer is over!

One Brave little girl

So everyone who has met Phoebe knows that she is a CHICKEN!  Seriously the girl gets nervous stepping over the door jam.  However, at Kiddie Park she evolved into a new child, trying things that I was sure would scare her.

Like the child size Ferris Wheel!!!!

Sure she was a bit freaked out when the ride started and she fell out of her seat but once she sat on the other side with Megan (stranger turned best friend) she was fine.  Even when the ride stopped and they were 15 feet in the air!

The airplanes however were a different story...

Here is Phoebe before the ride started...

When the ride started she became very nervous due to the up and down movement.  Oh and the terrible bump that occurred every time the plane reset before going up again!

It was PAINFUL to see her "face of terror" as the ride continued.

Luckily Audra noticed that Phoebe was upset and held  her hand 

What a great big sister!

Here is Phoebe's "face of resignation" once she realized she was stuck on the ride until it was over.  In the end she had a great time at the park.  Now when I tell her we are going to a park she asks if we are going to "Kitty Park".

Slip and Slide

On Saturday the family got together for a little BBQ and Isa brought over her new Slip and Slide for all of the cousins to enjoy.

The kids had a great time - especially because the slide had three different lanes, one for each of the big kids. 

What a GREAT afternoon!

Josh, being the oldest, was first to try out the slide and show the girls just how to do it

Isa was not sure about the slide at first and much preferred to play in the pool at the bottom of the slide.

Audra had a fantastic time once she figured out how to use the mats and save her knees!

Phoebe did not quite understand how to use the mats...

Grandma to the rescue!

First (local) Trip to OK

Last weekend the girls and I packed up the mini-van and headed to Oklahoma to visit my family.  It was a fast weekend trip but I am so thankful that our current living situation in St. Louis allows us the opportunity for more frequent visits.

Audra is already asking when we can go back!

The girls had a FANTASTIC time with Grandma and Papa

If only I could get both girls to look at the camera at the same time...

Phoebe LOVED having some time alone with the grandparents... as grandchild number 5 out of 8 these moments are fairly infrequent!

Family vacation

Last week was a busy one for us... 

ALL of the Yoders came for a visit

Duane and Jill arrived on Sunday evening

Ed, Laura, Eleanor, and Lewis arrived early Monday evening

Grandpa Lawrence and Grandma Elda were here from Tuesday evening through Thursday night

and Cousin Liz, her husband Nathan and their little girl Katherine stopped by on Thursday for lunch before traveling on to Kansas to celebrate Katherine's first birthday.

We had such a good time with everyone here that I forgot to take pictures

Here are a few from the times I remembered to bring along my camera

All of the kids had a great time playing with each other as well as grandpa and grandma

Grandpa was such a good sport to play on the equipment with the girls!

As always Grandma was a big hit. The morning after she left Audra's first question when she woke up was "mom, where is my grandma"

Funk

So I realize that I have not posted for over a month now 

(thanks for the reminders you faithful readers)

Even though we have had a lot going on I have been "in a funk" and not really into sharing my "funkiness" with the world.

However, now that we are settled in the new house and enjoying the multitude of things St. Louis had to offer I think it is high time for some new blog posts

Stay tuned...

You are too late!

My dear friend Sarah and her husband Chad invited us over for Easter yesterday.  We had a fantastic time with them and their two great kids Emma and Cooper.  Thanks again you guys!!!

Audra really enjoyed "hunting" but I think her favorite part was running away from me yelling "you are too late" as a was trying to take her picture.  I had to sneak up on her to get this one...

However, she was more than happy to pose for a picture 

to show off her loot!

It took Phoebe a while to understand the concept of easter eggs but once she found out there was candy inside she became VERY interested!

So pleased with herself!

After hunting eggs the kids decided to "break in" Emma and Cooper's new swing set.  The girls loved it and I am sure we will be fielding questions about why we don't have one... maybe next year

PEEK - A - BOO!

Hat trick

Given that we have to transport everything from the townhouse here in La Crosse to St Louis in two vehicles we were a bit limited in the number of toys we could keep with us during our month long stay. 

This is a snapshot of Audra in her hat while dancing to Raffi...

Good thing I have inventive children!

And the winner is...

Phoebe!!!!

4-7-09:  28 lbs, 0 oz; 34 1/2 inches (Phoebe 18 months)

2-2-07: 27 lbs, 8 oz; 33 inches  (Audra 2 years)

Last week I took Phoebe in for her 18 month appointment and as you can see she is giving Audra a run for her money - not only is she catching up fast she is BIGGER than Audra was 2!  

Any predictions for when she will be taller than me?

(I am sure it will be sooner than I think!)

Tagged with a bit of sunshine

I was tagged by Sara and here were the rules:

1.  Take a picture of yourself right now (NO primping or preparing!) Just snap a picture

2.  Load the picture onto your blog

3.  Tag three people to play. 

*Remember, if you are tagged on another blog, we will all be heading to yours to see if you played along!

Luckily Audra was "helping" me check blogs and was more than happy to snap a few pictures with me using the iphotobooth on my MAC.  

Here are a few of the pictures we took using the effects features (A few months ago Audra was terrified of how these distorted her features but now she LOVES them and routinely asks to take "those funny face pictures") Enjoy!

Now it is my turn...

Lisa, Julie, and Maria - you're it!

Thanks in advance for playing along =)