Feeling Crafty Friday

With Easter this past weekend I was getting Mallorie's Easter outfit together.  She actually has two Easter dresses because she got one to match her cousins for a family picture, and I had already bought one for her.  I decided to make a hair clip to match her main Easter dress that she will wear to church.  While I was making that one I had a great idea to make a carrot hair clip.  It turned out so cute that I hope that she can wear it more than just around Easter.

                                                   
Here is Mallorie modeling her other hair clip. (I did not get a close-up shot.  I hope you can see it.)

Thirsty Thursday

Since McDonalds started serving coffee I thought...If only they had a blended iced coffee!  Then they did, and I LOVE them.  My favorite it the Mocha Frappe.  Have you try these?  How do you like your coffee?

Wordless Wednesday

Cousins

Tuesday Tip

Mallorie LOVES food and we have not found anything that she does not like.  But there is one thing that we love too, and that is her Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder.  We will usually give it to her while we eat.  The easiest is a Banana but it is really messy.  We have also tried apple, sweet potato, green beans, and strawberry (with the seeds cut off).  The only problem that I have this this is the clean-up.  It takes some scrubbing to get all of the little food bits out but I think it is worth it.  She is able to eat fresh food. 

Friday Fun

I love Fridays because I get out of work at 8 am and I get the whole day with Mallorie.  Today I am going to go and pick up a hiking backpack baby carrier that I found on craigslist the other day.  I am getting a GREAT deal on it.  I am also going to meet up with a friend of mine for lunch.  I am also hoping to get some sewing and crafting done during her afternoon nap. (I will post later) I love spend time with Mallorie and watching her play enjoy life.  She is growing up so fast!

Thirsty Thursday

What is your favorite drink?  I have been trying (and accomplishing) drinking a lot of water for the past 6 months or so but from time to time I just need some flavor.  I found Fruit2o. It is flavored water.  My favorite is the Strawberry and Grape.

Wordless Wednesday

I found this really cute Video and I just had to post it.  It makes me want to put my boxer on a trampoline and see what he does.  Enjoy!

Tuesday Tip

I love to look at houses.  I think it is because when I was young we would always go for bike rides and find houses that were being built and then walk through them.  From time to time I get on a website in our local area that lists all of the houses that are for sale.  It does not matter who the house is listed through.  It is really nice because you can search by many different categories like county, school district, cost, number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or even if it is waterfront.  I like to see what I could get for my money as well.  We are always keeping our eyes open.  If you have time it is fun to look at.

Menu Monday

Monday: Creamy Chicken Vegetables & Noodles
Tuesday: Chicken on the grill, Salad, Spaghetti Squash
Wednesday: Meatloaf (one of our favorites)
Thursday: Morningstar Veggie burgers, Corn, Cantaloupe
Friday: Foil Pack Chicken Fajita

Wordless Wednesday

Mallorie snuggling with my old teddy bear, George!

Tuesday Tip

Zip-top bags are great, but sometimes you buy something in bulk and you're stuck with an unsealable bag.  Here is a solution to the problem

Cut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in photo.

Push the bag through the bottle neck, fold it over the edges, and twist the cap back on.

 

The bag is made to be air-tight, such that water will not leak, the secret lies with the top and screw cap! 

This is a great idea to share.
Good for us and the environment too.

I am an Aunt again!

I am posting this a few days late but I am an Aunt again!  My brother and Sister-in-law had a baby on Wednesday.  She was scheduled for  c-section on the 15th but started to have contractions on Wednesday morning.  They had a healthy little girl weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 20 inches long.  Her name is Paisley Jane and she is adorable!



Proud Big Sister!



Proud Big Brother!

Menu Monday

Monday: Subway (we are really busy tonight so dinner will be on the run)

Tuesday: Veggie burgers and Sweet Potatoe fries

Wednesday: Santa Fe Chicken

Thursday: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread

Friday: Soup and Grilled Cheese

Saturday: Leftovers

New Baby Food

Now that Mallorie is getting older I am going to be making a new batch of Baby Food.  I use a great website that has a great variety of recipes.  About a month ago we were running low on Green beans and Peas.  I was surprised when my Husband said that he wanted to make a few batches for her.  He is on board.  I was just looking at the website to what I wanted to make in this next batch.  I am thinking about Asparagus, Avacados, Beets, Broccoli, Cantaloupe, Grapes, Peaches, Pears, Kiwi, and Strawberry.  Some of these dont keep well and I will have to make it when she eats it but they are really easy.  I think I have mentioned it before but I love making her food.  It is good for her and I know exactly what she is eating.  And I think she likes it too.  I have not found a food that she does not like. 

Wordless Wednesday

Ready for Summer!

101 things in 1001 days

I got this idea from a friend of mine.  The goal is to make a list of 101 things that you was to accomplish.  It can be as easy as sleep in one day, to as hard as run a 5K.  I started it on 10/23/2009 so if I calculated correctly that would make my end date 7/22/12!  Here is my list...I the tasks in red have been completed!

1. Pay off my Parents -(July 2010)
2. Pay off my student loan - (March 2011)
3. Pay off out loan for our new windows - (Feb. 2011)
4. Get pregnant - (Dec. 2009)
5. Have a baby - (Mallorie May Koetsier, healthy girl on 9/13/10, 9lbs.13oz. 21 inches)
6. Print off all photos
7. Organize photos
8. Get caught up on photo albums
9. Get a "big" digital camera -( I had been saving money and Brad surprised me with the rest!)
10. Get back into Photography
11. Move craft stuff upstairs -( I did this when we made the front room the Nursery)
12. Paint back entry way -(I painted the trim black. I was nervous but it turned out great.  & the walls sage)
13. Paint front bedroom -(we made this the nursery)
14. Redo the kitchen -(it was a mess but so worth it)
15.Get new living room furniture -(We have matching furniture now.  No more looking like a dorm room.)
16. Get a new mattress -(Brad wanted a Memory Foam... I love it it is like a cloud)
17. Take a day trip -(We went to Ludington for the day)
18. Make a fall tradition
19. Make a Christmas tradition
20. Don't drink pop for a week
21. No chocolate for a week
22. No eating out for one month
23. Start a blog -(Thank You to all who follow and read my blog!)
24. Be in a  craft show
25. Lose 30 pounds
26. Make Christmas gifts
27. Go to Ludington -(We took a day trip on a Sunday to just get away)
28. Go to Chicago
29.Go to the Zoo
30.Go to the Fair
31.Get family pictures taken
32.Get a new (to us) car -('01 Alero)
33.Host a cookie exchange -(Dec 2009)
34. Set up an Esty Shop
35. Run a 5K
36. Send out 10 "thinking of you cards"
37. Get Brad a riding lawn mower -(It is used but he loves it)
38. Raise money for something -(Molly's Miracle  I was not at the fundraiser because I had Mallorie earlier that week but I helped with the planning.
39. Drink only water for one week
40. Try making a menu plan again -(I stick to it about every other week...Better than nothing)
41. Get or make art for the living room
42. Be a better supervisor
43. Take a family vacation
44. Get a cute purse
45. Work out 3 times a week for a month
46. Go on a date with Brad
47. Have baby baptized -(it was a special day)
48. Be there for someone when they need it -(Brad when he lost two grandparents in one year.  My friend with daugthers medical problems)
49. Volunteer
50. Go antiquing with Brad
51. Dutch Dance
52. Play Softball -(this was fun)
53.  Ride on a train
54. Be happy with myself
55. Get new clothes
56. Look into ancestry
57. Use more features on my sewing machine
58. Organize photos
59. Go Camping
60. Christmas Tradition (I think getting into PJ's, get hot choco, and drive around and see Christmas lights would be fun)
61. Work overtime - (I have done to much of this one)
62. Go Fishing
63. Sleep 8 hours straight
64. Make a new friend
65. Go for a hike
66. Have a baking/cooking marathon
67. Pay off new car
68. Read a good book - (The Last Song - by Nicolas Sparks)
69. Watch a good movie -( Dear John)
70. Sell a photograph
71. Get Brad a new bike -(he got a new bike at the end of fall and got to ride it a few times before the snow fell)
72. Go for a family bike ride
73. Pick Apples
74. Decorate house for fall
75. Spend $300 a month on groceries
76. Surprise Brad with something
77. No tickets
78. Get new shoes - (I got new running shoes)
79. Get winter boots
80. Go to fireworks
81.Go to Tulip time concessions
82. Play Volleyball - (it was fun but not very successful)
83. Get new Jeans that I love
84. Subscribe to a magazine - (Parents)
85. Get a new phone
86. Get new glasses
87. Go to training at work
88. Follow a T.V. series - (Teen Mom 2)
89. Get a new hairstyle
90. Play pool
91. Play darts
92. Work in church Nursery
93. Put house up for sale - (It was for sale but no bites.  if anyone is interested let me know :) )
94. Get a Camcorder - (having fun recording memories)
95. Surprise someone -(I had a surprise baby shower for my sister-in-law)
96. Eat Tofu -(it was not good)
97. Try veggie burgers -(these were pretty good)
98. Get a jogging stroller -(now I just have to use it)
99. Have a girls night once a month
100. Organize my recipes
101. Finish this list

So far I completed 37 out of the 101.  I guess I better get to work.  I will keep you updated.

Friday Photos

The other week we had  Mallorie's 6 month pictures taken.  They turned out so cute.  There were a few more that we wanted but Mallorie was not going to have it.  When she was getting the pictures of her in the basket she got really excited and started to "flap" her arms and she tipped over backwards.  She was fine it just scared her but cried and did not want anything to do with having her picture taken anymore.  I got a call yesterday that the pictures were in and I get to pick them up today. 


Here is a link to preview the pictures.  Enjoy!