Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...

Preparations are winding down around here. Only a few more quick finishing touches to some homemade gifts, a few more to buy (assuming the store gets them in time) and about 1/2 the wrapping left. So I think I'm doing pretty well. Zoey and I have an awful cold so not making much progress today. But my Monkey will be home in 6 hours and I get him for 5 whole days this week and 5 days next week;) Lots of family visiting and cleaning but mostly I think we will just have a nice relaxing break and I can't wait.

I will post pics on Friday of all my homemade gifts. And of course my cuties in their Christmas clothes.

A question-- I am considering participating in a blog giveaway day but I'm at a loss for ideas of what I could make to giveaway...if anyone has any thoughts please share!

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sugar Cookie Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

She steps!

My Zoey took her 1st steps today!!! 4 of them...not in a row but 4 x's she took one step and then fell over but she did take step! And she did them for me, not that I'm selfish or anything like that;)

And Charlotte went right to sleep tonite!

Two tiny victories in the crazy life of the Duck! My Monkey is skiing with the boy scouts this weekend...the girls and I are surviving, I think!!!

Speaking of crazy I think I might be about 1/2 way done making Christmas presents and I can't even share what I have finished since I'm not entirely sure who all reads here. But I have made progress and I will post pics right after Christmas.





Sweet Charlotte in a rare calm moment


What Zoey was doing while I typed...playing in my scrap bin



My Monkey's birthday was last weekend...and this is what he bought...


Yes, those are shoes and he wears them everywhere. They make him giddy like a kid in a candy store and they are truly weird!


His cake


Zoey dressed up for Mom's Nite (she still gets to come)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

I've been tagged!

The Rules
1. Copy the questions and then answer them (post it on your blog remember).
2. Tag 4 people and let them know you have tagged them.
3. Let the person [who tagged you] know that you have done a post for the tag.

What are your nicknames?

D
ucky


What TV game show or reality show would you like to be on?


Wheel of Fortune


What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?


Honestly, not sure I've ever bought one...I think the few I have have been gifts.



What is your favourite scent?

Anything baking in the oven



If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?


Fabric, quilting machine, minivan, and shoes!!!



What is one place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to?


Savannah, GA



Do you trust easily?


I don't think so...



Do you generally think before your act, or act before you think?


Hopefully the first but probably more accurately the second



Is there anything that had made you unhappy these days?


How fast my babies are growing


What is your favorite fruit?


apples and bananas



What websites do you visit daily?


the weather channel, my email, and lots of blogs


What have you been seriously addicted to lately?


Coffee w/ Mint Chocolate Truffle Creamer



What's the last song that got stuck in you head?


Growly Bear



What is your favourite thing to wear?


my new pretty earrings



Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?


Yup



What items couldn't you be without during the day?


My "ears", cell phone and Charlotte's pucky


What should you be doing right now?


Cleaning but my baby is nursing so I "can't" do anything else;)


Anybody who wants to can do this, I'm not tagging anyone. Please let me know if you do! And of course if you know me feel free to correct anything, being my family I know there are plenty of opinions out there...

Thursday, December 4, 2008

A Special Thank You Note...

Tis the season for being grateful and I'm horrible at remembering thank you notes so I will attempt to start the season on the right foot.

Thank you Buzz for all your help today! I would never have gotten finished without having extra hands for the kids. (Louie, please make sure he sees this)

Thank you Lisa at The Princess and the Monkey for drawing my name in your giveaway! I can't wait to see the tote!

Thank you Laureen for taking the loud child for a few hours! I can't believe how much quieter it is around here without her constant chatter. (I tried to tell her to stop talking this morning..."But Mommy I need talk you!")

Christmas Decorations

Uncle Kyle and Charlotte


The purse I made for the Mom's Night Christmas Party gift exchange


Getting locked in by the big sister...again!


My Advent Wreath


My wreath, complete with the yoyo garland I made


Zoey putting the angel on the tree


Charlotte looking for just the right branch


My new tree...Thanks Todd!


Girls just wanna have fun!!!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Christmas Preparations

We are freshly back from Thanksgiving at the farm and knee deep in getting ready for Christmas. I will hopefully get some pics up soon. The tree is up and most of the decorating is done. Now I just need to get he presents finished...Zoey's quilt got finished at the farm--Thanks Omah for the use of the walking foot!!! So the major one is done I just need to make myself sit down and do the rest. If only there weren't so many distractions...children in the next room undecorating everything, Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway day, and an entire internet to give me more ideas than I know what to do with or time to complete them.

The girls are doing well. Zoey is starting to sign when she wants things and says Momma when she wants to be picked up. Charlotte is playing and into everything as usual. And the ornaments on the tree expand her "baby" collection so I keep finding her tucking them in all over the living room. She tried to sit on Santa's lap yesterday. Nope, not the one at the mall. I don't think we are that brave yet. She sat on her little stuffed one. Yup, she's that "smart" or something.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Black Friday Drawings

http://kandykissesboutique.typepad.com/

Check it out! She is doing drawings every hour all day Friday for some great giveaways!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Finally some finished craftiness...

A stuffed Nativity set for my kiddos


An art smock for my niece, Sofia




And finally, the top of Zoey's baby quilt


Saturday, November 15, 2008

Generous People

I simply cannot believe the amount of work people put into their blogs and giveaways! Wow! And yes I am a sucker for giveaways, maybe someday I'll actually win something. I found yet another quilt giveaway this morning over at Camille's blog. She is even letting you pick the pattern! It makes me want to get busy on my Christmas present making. My babies get a quilt for their first Christmas so I have to get moving on Zoey's if its going to be ready in time.

Its been a busy few weeks getting settled back into our routines here at home. Lots of crazy Charlotte talking nonstop and now Zoey is learning too. She can say "Momma" and something that sounds awfully similar to "I love you" so that's what we say she says...

Charlotte has been learning songs and her bedtime prayers. She now sings along and hits most of the important words in her prayers. Its so sweet but sad because it means my baby is growing up. Can't I freeze them at this age??? Last week she was looking at the computer and this picture was up on the screen. And she starts yelling about Daddy having a chicken on his head.




So yup... that's my hubby w/ the "chicken" on his head...two year olds are so funny. And their language is inspiring. Charlotte can talk quite well but her sounds don't always come out when needed. So she needs "nuggles" when she is "tidered" And then there is "fat jump" because what two year doesn't like to jump. She had asked if I would jump with her and I told her no and then she wanted to know if Daddy would jump with her and I told her that probably was not a very good idea. The response to which we heard from Daddy in the kitchen "Was that a fat joke?" which was immediately interpreted by Charlotte as "fat jump" Maybe things are funnier in the moment so maybe typing it does not give it the justice it deserves but I try.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Quilt giveaway!!!


No not one of mine...I'm not that nice or talented. But this nice person is doing just that...and this is my way of getting more chances and spreading the word. http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/
is the place to go and try to win. She is giving away 3 of the prettiest quilts.

Nordic Bo Peep and Long Lost Sheep Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Nordic Bo Peep and Long Lost Sheep Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween Costumes and Pictures

It appears that I am a forgetful duck!!! I have been home over a week now and I have not posted any pictures. I am very sorry for not remembering!!!! My computer is loading them as I type so I will try to get some up, however I apparently took close to 200 so it will only be a small sampling of our adventures. Or not...I couldn't decide!

We are slowly getting settled back in to life in our own crazy farmhouse. Zoey is now into everything so I am having to re-child proof everything, which I did not think was possible since I had already done it for Charlotte. She can walk along furniture and even walk only holding on with one hand. Charlotte seems to be readjusting well and we are slowly ridding her of some of the lovely bad habits she picked up being off routine. She is talking so much more now. She and Zac constantly argue over me..."my ducky no my ducky" which is cute and makes me feel loved so I let it continue. The other night at dinner she kept calling me "my woman" ...not entirely sure where that phrase came from but Zac encouraged her until she started calling him "my woman". She survived trick or treating last night far better than anybody anticipated due to her fear of costumes, masks, and face paint. Once she realized that the clowns and pumpkins at the houses would give her candy she did very well. She ended up with half of a pumpkin of candy! Our only sticking point today was fear of Uncle Kyle. Apparently the face paint stuck with her and when he tried to come in today (without face paint) she about had a coronary until she actually saw him and realized he looked normal (well, normal for him anyway;)



Tony


Jenny --poor thing can't sleep in the car


Charlotte & Zelie-- finally sleeping


Zoey is happy...for the moment


My stained glass in progress-- I'll get the finished product up once its in the window


My towel on the loom


Omah and my girls


Eloise and Zoey


Charlotte


Isobel


Charlotte and Sofia


My very cold girls and me


Mark and Kim and their very cold girlies


Kim and the girlies at the zoo


Charli Sue


Pops and Zoey


Happy 1st birthday, Joey!!!


Zoey and Uncle Kyle


Enjoying the 1st day of November


My bumblebee and hershey kiss

Friday, October 17, 2008

Trip Update

Hi Everybody!

My babies are napping at the same time for the 2nd day in a row. And Kim and her babies are all napping too!!! I think this is the first time I've had to myself all week except for showering. It's been a fun week here. We got here on Sunday and got to settle in for a day before Kim and Mark went back to work. And I think we've settled into a pretty good routine for our mornings watching the girls. Fia goes to preschool so she's not around so its like having two sets of twins, two eight month olds and two 2 yr olds. Next time I say twins might be cool...I'm lying I really am! It's been a lot of fun though. Bel has warmed up to us some and she and Charlotte play well together for the most part. Some issues with sharing but for 2's they are doing well. Zoey and Eloise play on the floor and in the jumper. And even coordinate naps;) We've been to the parks in the afternoon. Charlotte loves the swings and even tried the big kid tunnel slide and twisty slide. A very exhausting but highly fun week to be sure!

Last week went really well at Omah and Opah's! I got to make a stained glass and weaved half a towel on the loom (will finish it at Thanksgiving--I promise Tilly and Louie I know you guys want yours off too...) The girls had a blast playing outside and meeting the animals. They got to know Omah and Opah too which is great for them. Charlotte calls them both "PahPah" but considering at the beginning of the week she didn't understand which name went with which person I think that's good progress. Zoey learned to wave and play patty cake. Lots of fun and a very relaxing week not having to think about meals and being able to play in the loom room was awesome. I took some pics so I'll load them when I get home next weekend. I'll try to update more over the next week. We are having lots of fun hanging out with the cousins and there is a zoo trip and a pumpkin patch in the plans for the weekend. And the best news is that Monkey gets to come see us for part of the weekend:) We miss everyone bunches!!!!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

A slight dilemma...


This is my fall wreath. It is also my first wreath. Thanks Tilly!!! It has a lovely pumpkin ribbon and nothing else. I think it needs some help but I can't decide how to fix it. Any thoughts?

Field Trips

First, the pics in the last post are way out of order and for that I am sorry!!!

We've been busy the last few weeks with some exciting field trips. Zac went camping with the boy scouts a couple of weekends ago so I took advantage of being in complete control of the schedule. The girls and I went up to my parents and ended up spending the night due to the tiredness of the momma. And then we spent the day at Edinburg Festival with most of my siblings and their kids + Tilly and her littles. It was great fun. Sofi, Charlotte and Isobel go to see the firetrucks up close and even go in some. We had lunch near some live music which is always a big hit with the kids. And Charlotte got to see her first parade!

And last weekend we took another fun adventure to the pumpkin patch. I haven't been in soo long and Charlotte is old enough to think it's a fun exciting day. We even got to borrow Zelie for the day so she could go get a pumpkin too! I got some gourds to make up a "fall" basket for my mantle and Zoey even picked out her own tiny pumpkin.

Today we did not go anywhere but Tilly and the kids came and we made some awesome applesauce. It was a big hit! Charlotte ate all her dinner so she could have more--no coaxing needed!

The girls and I leave Saturday for Omah and Opah's with Tilly and her littles and then we get to go to Kim's for two weeks! I'm sure I'll have lots of pics of fun and exciting adventures!!! I will try to update often but I'm not sure how that will work yet! But at the very least I will have lots to share when we get home!! I think this is the longest I will have ever been away from home for a vacation, so exciting and stressful at the same time.

Pics

Hanging out with Uncle Kyle


"Riding" the cow train at the pumpkin patch... a very short lived adventure!


Picking the best little pumpkin


Zelie, Charlotte and Jenny


A new flannel nightgown!!!


Firetrucks are so big!


Zoey enjoying lunchtime


Parade watching apple eating fun


Off to pick a pumpkin


Just our size