Lazy Day

I just love lazy Saturdays!  Cuddling with my dog and a good book while Mallorie runs and plays in her jammies until 2:00 in the afternoon!

Cowgirl Party

For some reason the other day I got to thinking about my blog and I thought....I don't think I every posted about Mallorie's cowgirl birthday party.  I looked back and sure enough I didn't.  So here it is only four months late!!!

Mallorie loves to gallop around the house and pretend like she is a horse.  so when it can time to plan her party we thought what would be better than a cowgirl party.  I love to go all out for her birthday parties and my hubby thinks I am a little nuts but I was surprise how involved and how he jumped on board too!  We went to a western wear store about 40 minutes from our house and bought Mallorie some "real" cowgirl boots.  She LOVED them and wore them everywhere.  We invited family and friends to her party and we had a great time! I forgot to get a picture of the food but we had barnyard dogs (hot dogs), Cow chips (potato chips), Pig slop, (Pasta salad with olives, pepperoni, Italian dressing), Watermelon, Hay bales (rice krispie treats), and cow plops (no bake cookies)!

Sorry for picture overload!!!

I made a banner for her!  She also loved the cow print balloons!

 














We used hay bales as seating.

 My Hubby made troughs for the drinks!

We even had a mechanical horse for the kids (or adults) to ride on!

We had ask everyone to wear their western wear to the party.  It was fun.  Even our dog Carter dressed up!

The Birthday Girl in her Cowgirl outfit!

We had friends and family over for a cookout.

Mallorie loved opening her gifts.

One of her favorite gifts was a quiet book my Mom made for her!  

I made her cake again this year.  I cut the boot shape out of two 9x13 cakes.  It was pretty easy.  then I just piped the best I could a design on them to make them look like real boots!

Singing happy birthday!

I had goody bags for the kids to make.  Candy, little toys, and tattoos tied up in bandanas!

Mallorie was scared to ride the horse by herself so Daddy had to ride with her!

 We got pictures of all the kids on the horse but this one just makes me laugh.  (it is so Lewis)

She had so much fun at her party!  (She even got a Jeep!)

Christmas Program

My niece and nephew had their Christmas program at their church this past weekend.  My sister-in-law is the children's music director and my brother plays guitar for the kids choir.  Both my niece and nephew had special parts of the program.  Ruthie is learning to play guitar and she played along with her dad (my brother).  Link to video

My nephew is a break dancer.  He LOVES it and started less than a year ago. (I can tell the carpet tripped him up at times.  He is not use to dancing on carpet. Normal it is a hard smooth floor.)  I think that it is really cool that he is breakdancing in church.  He is using his talent to praise God! Link to video

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Miss you Uncle Rich!

Sad Day

Well.... today was a tough day.  I got home from work and went to bed like normal.  Then at about 11:15 i got a text from my sister-in-law and it said "call me or Staci when you wake up." (Staci is my cousin)  I figured that it was about a girls night out that we are trying to plan so I rolled over and went back to sleep.  Then at about 3:00 p.m. one of my Aunts called me.  The first thing I thought was something bad happened to my Grandma.  I called Staci my cousin.  She told me the worst news.  My Uncle passed away this morning.  I was shocked!  I was speechless! He was up at deer camp with his son (Aaron) and brothers.  This is the first time he had gone in four years.  Last night he had gone to bed around midnight as was going to sleep in his van while his son was in a tent  and brothers in a cabin.  When he went to bed to started a propane heater for warmth and fell asleep with it on.  He never woke up.  (it is a little reassuring to know that he didn't suffer.)  Aaron woke up and noticed that his dad was no up yet so he went to the van and tried to wake up his dad but he couldn't.  They did call for an ambulance but he was already gone.

After picking up Mallorie from daycare I went over to my Aunt's house. I was happy to see she was surrounded by family.  I gave her a big hug and she broke down.  She told me that it just didn't seem real.  I looked out the back window and saw the van.   I broke down.  We talked about all the memories that we had with Rich and were there for each other.  I feel so bad for my Aunt and cousins.  My Aunt lost the love of her life and did not get to say good-bye.  A few of my cousins were there while I was and it was hard to see.  One of Rich's daughters came in and just broke down.  Also two of Rich's grand kids were there.  one is 9 and the other 7. The were aware of what happened and were having a hard time with it but were coping in their own ways.  I know that time will heal but it will take a long time.

Please pray for my family. Pray for peace, reinsurance, and knowledge and understanding that this is God will.  Everything happens for a reason, we just might not know what that reason is yet.  I also pray for Aaron.  He has had trouble in the past with drinking but he is clean now but I am afraid after all that he has been through and with the lost he will relapse.

This story was also on the news.  Here is a link

Wordless Wednesday

My Favorite!

I think I have mentioned this before but these two have such a special bond!  (this is Lewis my Nephew)
Mallorie ADORES her cousin Lewis!  These pictures are just priceless!

Time to Play Catch Up

This summer has been CRAZY!  I feel like it just started but it is already over.  we had so many things we wanted to do but just going not fit them in between the vacations, birthdays, anniversaries, and work.  I did take a month off from my blog just to focus on family more and i needed it.  I am now excited to get back to the blog and have a lot of projects I am excited to post for you.  but here is a recap of what we were doing while I was gone.  (Sorry for the over load of pictures!)

Splash pad with buddy Bryce!

Movie night with Elliott

 We found two baby bunnies in our yard!
Mallorie said "Awww they Cute!"

We also had a Toad that was living in our garage.
we would move him out and the next day he would
be back!  Of course Mallorie had to play with him.

On Vacation

Brad (hubby) turned the big 3-0!!!




















All of these pictures were from my phone.  I have plenty more on my camera but they will have to wait.  I also started to coach Volleyball for a local christian school.  I love to do it but it takes so much time between practice, games and planning.

 Mallorie and I also took a trip to the Zoo with my parents and cousins.  Here is Mallorie and Lewis

 Mallorie and Paisley with their suckers while waiting for Ruthie and Lewis to pet the stingrays.

Cousins!!!

Wordless Wednesay

The other day I was picking up Mallorie's toys and I came across this sweet, adorable, precious, and priceless picture.  My hubby must have been playing with Mallorie and he traced his hand and then hers inside of it.  I had to take a picture!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Football season has started!  Mallorie loves to lay on the couch and watch football with Daddy!

Birthday Girl

So Yesterday was Mallorie's 2nd Birthday!  I can not believe how fast time has gone.  We will be having a Cowgirl themed party for her on Sunday (and will post later) for her.

I feel like it was just yesterday that she was born.  I love watching her grow and learn new things everyday.  She definitely is starting to get her own personality.  She just started her fourth daycare (Long story) and is adjusting well.  Her new daycare provider told me the other day that she is VERY impressed with how advanced she it. (not to brag!)  She is talking a lot and will repeat anything you ask her to.  Some of her favorite things are:

Her Blanket!!!! She has loved it from day one and we do not go ANYWHERE with out it.

She like football...especially watching it and eating popcorn with Daddy!

She likes "bites" and her sunglasses.  If the sun is out and possibly in her eyes she asks for them.

We are lucky we live so close to the beach!  she could spend all day there.

She is an animal lover,

A girly girl at times,

A tomboy at others. (Catching Toads)

She LOVES her Carter!  They are best buds!

She loves to look at books and have us read to her.

She loves all of her cousins but Lewis is her favorite!  From day one these two have had a special bond and are just drawn to each other.

I am so excited to see what Mallorie's future has in store for her.  But for now We are soaking up everyday minute and just cherish these times!  She is such a joy to us and can not imagine our lives without her.

Wordless Wednesday

This post is in honor of my Nephew, Lewis!  Today is his 6th birthday!  He is the most caring, talented, loving, and funny kid I know.  I am so proud to be his Aunt.  This past year he started breakdancing and LOVES it and is so good.  Happy Birthday buddy!

Happy 4th of July

Because I had to work we kept the 4th of July festivities low key.  we cooked out (Ribs) and potatoes and baked beans.  I had picked up some sparklers for Mallorie in hopes that she would love them.  I had seen this idea on Pintrest earlier in the week and LOVED it. It seemed so simple and honestly why didn't someone think of this sooner.


It works perfectly!!! Mallorie Loved the sparklers. the only problem was that she wanted to touch it with her other hand.  Solution....put one in that hand too. she was making big circles with them.  It was too cute.  I will definitely recommend this to others and will use it in the future!  I hope that everyone had a great and safe day!

Happy Father's Day

I want to wish all of the fathers a happy Father's Day but especially two. First, to my Dad!  Not only have you been a great dad to me and Chad but a great Grandpa to Mallorie!  She sure does love her Papa!

Also Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy a little girl and I could hope for.  You are so amazing!  I dont know how many guys would be able to do all that you do.  I would love to be there at nights but since Mallorie has been 1 month old he has gotten up with her every night because I am at work.  Luckly she is a great sleeper.

You are love to have fun and are always cracking jokes.  I am so glad that Mallorie got that part of your personality.  I see so much of you in her.   You love the outdoors and creating memories.

I love our family and I don't know what I would do without you.  You help me out around the house with even doing laundry and dishes.

I know that you just loved it when Mallorie's first word was "Dada"! That look in your eye was just pure joy and love.  I am so happy for Mallorie that she has a Daddy that adores her so much and wants the world for her.  Over the past (almost) 2 years I have watched the two of you and it melts my heart and I can not wait to watch and she continues to grow.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!