Rewind... The Hunt

Every year we have a 9 ft. artificial tree for our main tree in the living room. We were married in December and the tree is actually from our wedding ceremony. Sweet, I know. But, I was over it. Does that sound too terribly bad?! I have wanted a real tree forEVER! I remember as a little girl we had a live tree and the last one I remember was when I was 6 years old. Life sort of got in the way for my family and a lot of things changed. Anyway, that real tree with my aluminum foil star on the top has always been one of my fondest Christmas memories.

So, this year- I bucked the system and left our wedding day tree in the attic. A beautiful Saturday rolled around and hubby wanted to know what we would be doing for the day. My response... cutting down a Christmas tree! The look I got back was priceless. I think my enthusiasm won him over though! So we loaded up the youg'uns in our antler clad minivan and set off for the Christmas tree farm. It was *magical*! We had so much fun! (except for the part where we trekked through a field where most of the trees had already been cut. I was "driving" the double stroller and between the ruts and the stumps it was a tough go!)

Here are a few pictures from our trip. Btw- I think we just added a new tradition to our Christmas-ing! Our poor wedding tree may never see the light of day again!

Our arrival at the Christmas Tree farm

Surprise! Santa was here too! Puddin is delighted!

Monkey See is not so sure! All month long he would say, "i not wike Santa... you tewl him I want a speed wacer car".

And their off!!! (Puddin is waaay off in the distance and Monkey's are in hot pursuit!

But where are the Wonder Twins???

Hangin back with Momma! (poor things really wanted to be out and running free with everyone else but there were so many stumps I was afraid they would fall. Plus- they run every which way but loose and it is just plain exhausting!)

A little sword fighting with daddy and some found sticks...

checking out the trees..."Momma- I think these are waaay too little!"

Posing for a picture! (what's with the leg, Puddin?)

And again... the leg. This must be her signature pose... oh my!

Still hunting

we found it!!!

(the one directly behind us)

Ta-Da!

Daddy gets to work

so pretty!

Done! They packed up and headed off so quickly!

Daddy stopped to pose with the babes.

*hubby* He had to carry the tree he-man style since I was pushing the stroller and our littles are just too little to help carry it... for now!

Having some hot chocolate after all of the hard work!

lip smackin good!


Even the babies had some in their sippy cups!

Definitely a fun day! And we will definitely be back!!

Happy New Year!

*** Business News*** Puddin Pop Designs is still "closed" until Feb 1, 2011. I'm taking a "vacation" and having myself a "Mary" month of rest. If you need to place an order before Feb. 1st you can, I just will not be sewing until that date. Orders will be filled based on the date they were received. Thanks so much for understanding! If you ordered this Christmas season and want to submit your pictures to be shared just email them to me and I'll be sure to feature them as soon as I can!
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Ok- so I have barely made it in time for a New Years Day post- but barely is better than not at all! So, here I am with so very much to say and share, but once again- never enough time! I do hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Christmas and has been overwhelmed by blessings this holiday season- I know I have.

I have enjoyed this Christmas with my husband and sweet, every growing, littles so much! Simply put- it has been magical for all of us. I plan to share some of the highlights over the next few days (can you believe I plan to post again.. more than once or twice a month?! HA!) As we "speak" I am downloading 600+ pictures onto the computer! Yikes- now don't hyperventilate. I won't share all of them. Maybe I'll restrain myself and just share 1/2 of them!! hehe!

In other news.... not only will I be hitting some of the Christmas 2010 highlights, but I will also be sharing some changes on the blog front for Puddin Pop Designs. Change is hard. I'm a little nervous... but it will be good.

Other random news... today is my Momma's birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!!
We just got home from visiting her and finally have all of our little Flowers tucked snuggly in their beds. *sigh* It's a good feeling. I discovered something about myself on the drive home- I really like the sound of snoring, deep breathing children. :) I think my stepdad might have to agree. Bless his heart! All of these littles running in circles around his not so childproof home make him a bit nervous! I'm sure he's probably sleeping as well as my children are right about now!

We had lots of adventures this past month!

And misadventures too! Did you know it's possible to be sprayed by a dog...like "skunk" sprayed?? Well, it is! Just wait until I share that one!

For now- Happy New Year! Love to all!

Tuning in

Remember waaay back when I told ya'll that I usually have a song playing in my head? It's usually on repeat...all day.
Sometimes it drives me crazy, and sometimes it's a really great thing.
So far I have wasted 20 minutes of really valuable sewing time to search for the song that has been playing for 2 days in my head. I guess that puts it in the "really great thing category.
It is BEA*U*TI*FUL! I can't find it on YOUTUBE but I promise, promise, promise if you click on this link, you will NOT be disappointed! This Night is a favorite of mine. I bet it will be for you too! Enjoy!
In all fairness Jessica, the girl singing, is a friend of mine. BUT, I would STILL big, puffy heart LOVE this song if I didn't know her.

The Next Big Thing!

Look out NKOTB and BSB... Here comes the Fabulous 5 (minus 2 for today's show):)

My Only Sunshine from Melissa Flowers on Vimeo.

Puddin is the ballet dancing, camera hog.
Monkey Do is the rockin' farmer.
And Monkey See is paying homage to Michael Jackson in his one glove, his underwear and his sister's mary janes!
What a trio!

I made a turkey!

Yes, I made my traditional Thanksgiving day turkey!
It was a hit- and soooo easy!



If you have fruit and skewers, you can make a turkey too!

Fruits of my labor

Don't you just love to see productivity?

Anything other than spinning wheels is good these days!

Well, my helper Elf hubby and I have been busy churning out the Puddin Pop Kids this weekend. Yes- he helps! He has become quite the pro at leg turning and stuffing!

Usually, when things aren't so busy, I just make the PPK's one order at a time. However, because this year has been much busier, Hubby has been learning and has done fantastically! I couldn't do it without him, that's for sure.

Anyway, here is round 1.... If you have a PPK in this bunch I will be contacting you tomorrow or Tuesday for pick up or to let you know that your puddin is shipping. If you don't hear from me then hang tight! The rest will be going out in the next couple of weeks.

Tis so sweet...

 

Puddin (big orange bow) singing in the children's choir.

Too funny not to share

Who can relate??

the shop is restocked!

i have extended custom orders for Puddin Pop Kids for tonight only!! If you plan to order, I must have your order by midnight, central time!
Now, I'm off to watch ELF (yay!!) with the hubby!!


I have listed all of the available Puddin Pop kids on Etsy and Facebook. If you are looking for a Puddin Pop Kid, check them out!
I do still need to list the dresses, baby blankets and pillows, but I ran out of time today!
There's always tomorrow!

Be Prepared.... this may melt your heart!

I am Special from Melissa Flowers on Vimeo.

Family Pictures preview

This weekend we had some family pictures taken. It has been forever since we had a whole group shot! Even last year when Kate was following us, Hubby seemed to be working for every shoot or we were just busy with life and couldn't get us all in a shot together. SOOO, we scheduled it in an effort to get at least 1 picture of the 7 of us, hopefully looking at the camera and happy... not always an easy feat!


I emailed Miss Christina. She's the photographer that took these shots.

The Fabulous Five

Daisy and Bud

2 weeks old

Bud

Bud yawning **swoon**

Sweet baby boy

Daisy

sweet, sweet girl


my little beauty



It had been a looong time since we had seen her so I thought it would be fun to see my family through her lense this time.
My oh my, how my children have changed!! Especially the babies!! They're not babies anymore!!

In fact, they are older than the boys were when they were born!


Here is a quick preview. From what I've seen so far, I think we did pretty good!

Happy Sunday!

Hope you had a happy Sunday!

Halloween??

Pumpkin row... the pumpkin faces drawn by the kids and cut by mommy and daddy...

L-R... (and in birth order, just cause) Puddin, Monkey Do, Monkey See, Bud and Daisy.

Did I share this? Things have just been c to the r to the azy around here lately and I don't know which end is up it seems.

Anyway, I think sharing our halloween pictures is one of those things that fell to the wayside the past couple of weeks! So, 2 weeks into the November, here we go!

(BTW- my last show is coming up next week and then, while I'll be plenty busy with custom orders, I will be able to slow down a breath a little, I hope.)

Halloween 2010

Theme: Old McMonkey Do and the barnyard gang... totally decided upon by Monkey Do and his deep admiration of Farmer Jason.
So, thanks to Monkey Do we had a puppy, aka Monkey See, a lamb, aka Puddin, a mouse, aka Bud and a baby chick, aka Daisy. Bud and Daisy's costumes were from our costume collection previously worn by their siblings, but still as cute as ever. Monkey See's costume was courtesy of Gymboree and Puddin's was a home made lamb suit.

Ta- Daaa!

It is so, so hard to get everyone looking in the same direction and happy at the same time!

they're off!

after wards... assessing the loot. I put the babies to bed while hubby and the kiddos got busy with the candy! I think he was as happy about the loot as they were!

ummmm- Reece's peanut butter cups... yummmm!

Hope you all had a happy Halloween too!