The Halloween Program

Audra's preschool class had a Halloween program earlier this week.  The whole class dressed up in their costumes and performed five different songs for all of the parents.  While I will spare you and not post the video here are a few pictures from the day...

The Gang

Just the girls

No stage fright - way to go Audra!

While in Indiana...

we made a trip to Goshen College

It was great to make a short visit to the "old stomping grounds" and explain to the girls that Ben and I met there.  Although Audra did not understand she at least had the kindness to say "Wow, mom that is a neat story".

trip to Indiana

A few weeks ago the girls and I traveled to  Indiana to visit my sister Rachel, her husband Tim, and their little girl Anna.

We had such a great week and are already looking forward to going back in the spring!

The Arch

A few weeks ago when Ben was on vacation we spent a little time as a family exploring the STL downtown.  One of our favorite activities was the arch, the girls and I had been there before but this was Ben's first visit since our move. 

Ben and Audra took the tram to the top of the arch. Phoebe and I choose not to go which had everything to do with Phoebe's fear of elevators and nothing to do with my fear of heights - I swear!

Audra really enjoyed going to the top. She was very brave in the tram and loved seeing STL from "high, high, high in the sky".

Ben was able to get some really great pictures of the arch and the view

Perhaps next year I will join them... maybe

Papa's visit to Casa Yoder

Last weekend my Dad stopped by on his way to visit my sister in Indiana.  It was great that he was able to visit us and break up his trip.  The girls loved seeing him, even if it was just for a short while! I snapped a few pictures with his camera but this was the only one I was able to capture with my camera.

Thanks for being such a FANTASTIC and involved grandpa!

When we moved to St. Louis we promised to buy a bike for Audra (who had been asking for one for months).  It took her some time to gain confidence but now that she feels comfortable she loves riding her bike around the neighborhood.

Such a big girl...

Oh yeah, I got this =)

Phoebe has her own little three wheeler but can't really peddle it with any speed yet so the poor girl has to ride in the stroller for our neighborhood adventures.  Perhaps next year she will be racing Audra down the block!

Present Time

Here at the Yoder house we are slightly obsessed with Princesses so you can just imagine the delight when the girls Phoebe started opening her presents to discover all manner of Princess paraphernalia!

Princess Ariel doll and Little Mermaid Movie.

I think we have already enjoyed the movie about 10 times and I am pretty sure Ariel has not been out of a little girl's hands longer than the time it takes to eat a short meal

My parents gave Phoebe some great dress up clothes which of course they HAD to put on right away.  What fantastic little princesses!

Being thoughtful grandparents they also brought a gift for Audra. She loved her Princess puzzle and enjoyed the fact that it was just her size!

I can't believe it...

My baby is ...

and I don't know where the time has gone!

This year Phoebe was really interested in her birthday and had several OPINIONS regarding her cake. She wanted "sparkle cake cakes" so we made funfetti cupcakes - she loved them!

So much so that she helped her self to some frosting while my back was turned and was very distressed when I momentarily took her cake-cake away to take the paper off!

It was great that my parents were able to be here for our little celebration!

A luncheon in the garden

It is no secret that the Finley family is a bit "artsy", and of course my dad is no exception.  He has created many beautiful things using a variety of media, including some fantastic sculptures. Thus, while my parents were in town we decided to take them to the Sculpture Garden in downtown STL. We had a great time walking around the grounds, having lunch at the pavilion, and playing on some of the art... please don't tell the park rangers!

The face in the ground - I love this one

The apple of Grandma's eye

(yeah they are in the eye - that was a cheap one)

How does one even begin to create this?

"I love this spaghetti, Grandma"

A surprisingly comfortable seat

Pardon me I believe you have something in your eye

A little late but well intentioned

My parents came out for a visit several weeks ago to celebrate the September birthdays, Phoebe's and mine.  We had a fabulous time while they were here and I have been meaning to post pictures of their visit but for some reason I have not taken the time to create posts of the weekend... I know, I'm a bad daughter... but I am trying

Grandma and Grandpa with the girls

A little girl time with their favorite "big girl"

Thanks again for coming to visit us in STL we are so glad you made the trip and we are looking forward to future visits!

Virginia Trip

While we were in Virginia visiting Ben's parents we drove out to visit a farm which belongs to a friend of Duane's.  While we were at the farm we took a hay ride tour of the farm.  The scenery was beautiful!

Audra and Phoebe were really enjoying the ride but neither of them were "into" taking pictures that day

Luckily I was able to get a few cute pictures of cousins Elle and Lewis

The horses were much better subjects!

Snack Time at the Yoder House

As with any household which contains young kids snack time is a regular occurrence at the Yoder House.  However, our girls insist on eating their snack in the "snack time place".  Otherwise known as the middle of the kitchen on the wooden step stool we purchased before moving to STL.  Problem is they constantly disagree about who should sit where... and to think I assumed the stools feature of having folding steps was a good idea.

On this particular day Audra was enjoying a York as her snack (an extra special treat for being brave when surprised by shots at the doctors office).  Yeah, she was slightly excited!

Church Retreat

The last weekend in August we attended the annual St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship retreat at a nearby state park.  It was a really beautiful setting with lots of activities for kids and adults.  The girls and I traveled to a nearby creek with some of the other families (Ben was crawling through a cave at the time)

I was amazed at Phoebe's bravery when walking through the water, even after she fell in face first!  Her bravery may not seem that momentous but she often claims to be scared of things like riding in a stroller if it does not have a bar across her lap and won't walk off the porch without holding someone's hand because there is a two inch drop.  We are going to have our work cut out for us as we encourage her to explore her world... we will keep you posted on how that goes!

Audra also surprised me with her willingness to catch minnows, crayfish, and water bugs.  If you look closely you will see a small fish in the net - yeah its dead.   

The "little friends"

We all made new friends during the weekend and deepened our relationships with others but Phoebe and Audra won over Matt and Jen (a super cute couple just a bit younger than Ben and I).  Phoebe often tried to convince Jen to share her treats with her - as you can see she was able to finagle an ice cream cone and proceeded to finish it herself.  

We can't wait to go again next year!