Mallorie's First Birthday

I am late in posting the but I guess better late than never!  The weekend after Mallorie's birthday we had friends and family over for burgers and hot dogs on the grill and a lot of other yummy food.  I went with a flower theme for her party.


This is a shot of the table and some of the decorations before all of the food was out. (I was to busy to get one with all of the food out.)  I loved the idea of putting the silverware in mason jars decorated with ribbon.  I also made her garland.

I used pool noodles that I found at the dollar store.  I cut them about an inch thick and then strung them together with clear thread.  I love the was that it turned out and Mallorie loved to play with them after the party. I also decided to make her cake.  I spend a lot of time baking the cake and had big plans for it.  It was going to be a big daisy with Mallorie's cake in the middle part of the flower and a 9 inch round cake cut into sections (like a pie) for the petals.  The recipe called for me to frost each section of the cut 9 inch round cake that I had cut.  That was harder that I thought it would be.  the frosting pulled the cake apart and it was just a mess.  So at about 11 p.m. I cleaned up and just went to bed.  I decided to just make cupcakes for everyone else and still use the middle part for Mallorie's cake. 




I got the idea for these from a blog that I follow.  In the end I LOVE the way that the cupcakes and Mallorie's cake turned out.  Mallorie loved her cake too!





She has such a fun day filled with friends, family, good food, presents, and celebrating. 





I can not believe how quickly this year has gone and that my baby is one.  She is such a joy in our lives and can not imagine it without her.  Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Mallorie is ONE!

It is so hard for me to believe that Mallorie turned one a week ago already!  We made her birthday a special day.  My hubby took the 13th (her birthday) off and I took the 14th off so I did not have to go back into work that night and we could spend the day together.  we made a pancake breakfast and then after nap we went to the beach and hiked in the dunes. It was such a special day!  I also got to spend the next day with her.  We met my mom for lunch and went shopping.  During her afternoon nap I looked through her baby book and some pictures and I could not believe how much she has grown.  Here are some of her stats, favorites, and accomplishments. 

~Although she was born a big baby at 9 lbs. 13 oz. she is now 22 lbs. 5 oz.
~She is now 33.5 inches long
~She can say "Mama", "Dada", "Da" = dog, "baba" = bottle, and "Yeah"
~If she hears a dog barking outside she will say " Da"
~If our dog Carter is drinking she can imitate him.  (See here )
~ if you ask her if Carter is a good boy she will pat him
~She can stack her rings (See here)
~She can put on her "prettys" aka necklace
~Ask her what a cow says and she will say " Booooo" = Mooooo
~She has taken 7 steps and is walking more and more everyday
~Anything with buttons is a cell phone and will go up to her ear
~She gives kisses
~ She will blow kisses
~She points at what she wants
~ Can do how big is Mallorie? Then she raises up her arms
~she can sign "please"
~she can clap
~ if you say "Oh Man" she will put her hand on her forehead
~ if you sing "if you are happy and you know it"  she will clap her hands
~She loves to dance whenever there is music on
~ We have switched her to milk and off of formula
~ she has mastered sippy cups
~ She LOVES her blanket
~ she also loves her Paci when she sleeps
~ and she can not get enough of her dog Carter
~ She sleeps all night and takes 2 naps on most days

She is such a joy in our lives and we love to watch her grow.  the other night she was full of it and just making us laugh and my hubby said "She is just pure love!" and that really does sum up Mallorie.  She is a happy, laid back, and loving little girl. 


Pretty girl


Cuddle time with Carter


Starting to walk!

101 things in 1001 days - Update

I thought that I would update a previous post.  There are a few things that I wanted to cross off my list and I colored those in Green.

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 week21. No chocolate for a week
22. No eating out for one month23. 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 Zoo30.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 5K36. 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 supervisor43. Take a family vacation44. Get a cute purse
45. Work out 3 times a week for a month
46. Go on a date with Brad47. 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 Brad51. Dutch Dance52. 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 machine58. Coach Volleyball
59. Go Camping60. 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 Fishing63. Sleep 8 hours straight64. 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 phone86. Get new glasses
87. Go to training at work88. Follow a T.V. series - (Teen Mom 2)
89. Get a new hairstyle
90. Play pool
91. Play darts
92. Work in church Nursery93. 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 recipes101. Finish this list

So far I completed 55 out of the 101.  I guess I better get to work.  I will keep you updated.

Never Forgotten

I saw this commercial today and I just had to post a Link..  I got a little choked up.  I wish it was longer because it is inspiring but I am kind of glad that it wasn't becasue it is so touching. 

Today I will think about all of the family and friends of those that were lost in the 9/11 atatcks.  I would also like to thank all of the men and women that are fighting for our freedom.  NEVER FORGET!!!



Proud Mommy

Here is a link yo a video of Mallorie.  I am so proud of her and how much she is growing.  She amazes me everyday!

Rake to wine Rack

When I saw this I thought that it was such a cute and easy idea.  My parents just bought a new vacation trailer and this would be so cute in it.  I will have to show them this idea.  All you have to do is screw the head of a rake into the wall and hang the wine glasses upside down from the tongs.