It's time for the Ultimate Blog Party!

My name is Mel & if this is your first time visiting, here is a little info about me!
Kevin & I have been married since August 2002:
We now have 2 beautiful little girls!
Our oldest is Kate & she turned 4 in January.
She loves art & is one of the sweetest little girls I know!
Claire is 2.5 years old and FULL of energy & pizazz!
She keeps us on our toes & brings so much joy to our lives!
And, have we one crazy but love-able yellow lab named Boulder.She is named after Boulder, Colorado. I went to they University of Colorado (Go Buffs!)
I am part time middle school math teacher.I also have a side business of photography and an etsy shop called Daylight Designs where I sell my custom photo birth announcements, shower invitations, birthday invitations, holiday cards & more!

I am a California girl, born & raised!
I love coffee, photography, pedicures & wine.
I am *slightly* obsessed with planning birthday parties for my girls!
My happy places are Target & going to Lake Tahoe.
I stay up WAY too late every night.
I am a procrastinator, right now I should be writing my Matron of Honor toast for my sister's wedding (on Saturday!!!) but instead I am blogging!
My family & friends mean the world to me.I love to cook & I post some of my favorite recipes here on my blog!
Most of all, I love Jesus & I am thankful for the life he has blessed me with.
In honor of 5 minute for Mom's 2011 Ultimate Blog Party, I am doing a giveaway!
Follow along & leave a comment on this post to be entered to win one of my card designs & 25 prints/envelopes, 24 cupcake toppers & 24 favor tags...and $25 Target gift card. You know I love me some Target!
{Check out my etsy shop, Daylight Designs to see all my designs.....birth announcements, baby shower invitations, bridal shower invitations, birthday party invitations & more!}
If you want to read even more random stuff about me, you can click THIS POST.
Thanks for stopping by!
Winner will be picked April 9th via random.org!



















Pick me again. Please. Then you can do Jordis's part too! Can't wait for Lydia's "Kung-Fu, Princess, Wedding, Rock Star, Make-up" party. Soon as your sister's wedding is over we gotta start the planning :)
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! Your stuff is adorable and I love looking at your girls' parties! Can't wait to plan my little one's first birthday!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I happily follow along. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteblancacarlson@live.com
Random.org better pick me! Anna's party is coming up at the end of April! Get ready! :)
ReplyDeleteyou are adorable. I soooo need this giveaway since both my kids' birthdays are coming up!! i need help! my daughter about to be 9 wants a camp-out/hiking party (minus the actual camp-out) and i am not friends with the outdoors. we don't really get along. so her enthusiasm for canteen favors is kinda lost on me.
ReplyDeleteOoooh. I would love to win your own design cards and party supplies. Pick me pls....
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, both my girlies have their birthdays coming up in June. I love your stuff and I love your birthday ideas even more! =) Pick me, pick me, pick me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Hi! Your girls are so cute! :) New follower from UBP :)
ReplyDeletebonnie
(www.thesometimessinglemom.com)
Hi Mel,
ReplyDeleteI am new for you.
I read your blog.
I know you through Laura C's blog.
Love the way you write about your life, including your lovely little girls.
Have a nice (wedding) weekend.
Greetings from
Marion Bolthof in The Netherlands.
I'm a follower! ;-) What a great giveaway! :-)
ReplyDeleteLet's get the party started :) I had a ton of fun last year as well and am sure this year will be no different (maybe only better! Haha!)
ReplyDeleteLoved learning more about you! I'm a follower of the blog :) Your etsy shop is adorable! I will have to utilize it in the future!
ReplyDeleteI love following your blog! Thank you for sharing such great ideas!!
ReplyDeleteIm so glad I found your blog. I love your girlies(they remind me of mine) and look forward to your posts. Thanks for the chance to win:)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sarah
I love your blog and follow it through Google Reader. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeletePick me! I love following your blog. You take awesome pictures:)
ReplyDeleteFollowing from the PARTY! Came in too look at your goodies! Thank you!!! I appreciate talent and how it can help beautify my parties- wink! Have a great party! Bree
ReplyDeleteChecked out your Etsy shop...what great designs!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog been following for awhile! I love your girls parties! You are so creative!
ReplyDeletejust found your blog and am having so much fun browsing. Thanks for all of the great ideas. I have a big girl turning 4 in a few months and am looking forward to borrowing some of your creativity.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I love your invites. Thanks for doing such an amazing give away.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog! I have a cute little Strawberry Shortcake party coming up in a few months and this would be great!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Kelli
My sister is engaged so your stuff would be perfec to throw her a shower with!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! Would love to win some of your cards!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy to see you joined the party this year! Nice to meet you. This is my third UBP. I am looking forward to reading your blog and getting to know you better. I hope you drop by my blogs and leave me a comment.
ReplyDeleteCascia Talbert
The Healthy Moms Magazine
http://www.thehealthymoms.net/2011/03/ultimate-blog-party-2011.html
The Zoo
http://talbertzoo.blogspot.com/2011/03/ultimate-blog-party-2011.html
I would love to win some ladybug designs for my daughter's 5 birthday but I also just love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog, the pictures are great and you do such wonderful things with your kids!
ReplyDeletePretty please pick me! It would be the perfect timing...I need your help with the girls invites! Love the pictures of your girls...so, so cute!
ReplyDeleteI am your newest fan from the Ultimate Blog Party 2011. I would really appreciate it if you follow me back through Google Connect Friend. I have a lot of contest going on Madame Deals. $25 amazon gift card, Vera Bradley purse, $100 in jewelry, 200 cut coupons, bare minerals gift pack, $30 for an organic outfit, $75 P&G products, and the chance to win $1000. Thank you Amee
ReplyDeleteHi Mel, this is my first comment on your blog but I have been reading for a couple months, since the water project. I also read Joy's Hope and Cookie Monday's. I would love to win the awesome prizes but I would have an awfully hard time deciding what to get from your shop! Have a good weekend! - Chelsea in MO
ReplyDeleteYou have such a lovely family! You are incredibly blessed :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment on my blog. I love making new blog friends and this party is the best way to do it!
I love reading your blog. You have so much fun with your family. I can't wait to read all about the wedding.
ReplyDeleteSusan at: susansbarn@yahoo.com
I love reading your blog... I'm a new follower! And that picture of your family with the girls on your shoulders is absolutely precious!!
ReplyDeletemel I am so creepily obsessed with your blog that I check it during class...thats not weird right? I'm so unbelievably stoked to hang out with the girls on saturday (: see you then!
ReplyDeletetorrey
I am a new follower from the Ultimate Blog Party!!! Nice to meet you!!
ReplyDeleteSarah
www.sarahsblogoffun.com
www.twitter.com/SarahsBlogOfFun
www.facebook.com/sarahsblogoffun
Stopping from the UBP '11! I have a lively three year old son! Your girls are so cute!
ReplyDeleteI am glad I stopped by. This pics are beautiful! I was also married Aug 2002! :) I am from www.livingonloveandcents.com Please stop by some time! I have a car seat giveaway on my blog party post! I look forward to reading more from you! ~Heather
ReplyDeletebtw i am following via google
ReplyDeleteStopping by from UPB11. Great to meet you!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many fun blogs to visit! If you have time, I hope you’ll stop by:
http://atticgirl.blogspot.com/2011/04/welcome-to-ultimate-blog-party-2011.html
You can enter to win a $25 Gift cert to my eBay store to spruce up your spring/summer wardrobe (details on post)
Have a great weekend!
I want to WIN!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! You always have the sweetest pictures and your girls are adorable. Hope everything goes well with the big Wedding Weekend! Congrats to your sister and future bro-in-law.
ReplyDelete:-)
Thanks for the chance :)
ReplyDeleteaubreyfick@yahoo.com
Hi Mel! Nice to see a friend at the UBP11! You are so creative and fun- I love your designs and photography! Now you'd better get to work on that speech, ha! Have a WONDERFUL day tomorrow!!!
ReplyDeleteHi! I see you feature Reviews and/or Giveaways. I would like to invite you to add your blog to my “Review and Giveaway Blog Directory” if you haven’t already . Hope you’re having a Sweet Week!
ReplyDeleteApril
A Mommy’s Sweet Blog Design
Custom Blog Design, Free Blog Tutorials, Buttons, & Template
I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your life with us, I love looking at pictures of Kate & Claire!
I've been following your blog for awhile. Always like reading about your family.. glad your joining up with the UBP too :-)
ReplyDeleteI love following your blog! I am having a baby in June and would love to win birth announcements! Hoping for no rain for you this weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi, just stopping by from the UBP -- glad to have found your blog! I see your from one of your badges that you're a breast milk donor. I tried to donate but had just been traveling around the world and they wouldn't consider me :( But I found a local mom who was thrilled to get it. My z-baby was a reverse cycler who refused bottles and I was/am an uber-producer so I had gallons and gallons and gallons stacked up in my freezer. Anyways, always love to see another lactivist momma in blogdom. Would love to have you over at my blog... stop in anytime!
ReplyDeleteOh I love giveaways!! And I love reading your blog!!
ReplyDeleteIs it too early to be planning my unborn child's birthday?? Hehe. He's due in June, but I'm already thinking about his 1st birthday next June!!
Hi! Visiting from the party and now following you :)
ReplyDeleteLove following your blog and love the birth announcements we bought from your shop!!!
ReplyDeletelove you. love your blog. do not love your future BIL's sports choices. no rain in the forecast tomorrow!! YAY! :)
ReplyDeleteOh so exciting! Now get to work on that darn speech :-)
ReplyDeleteLove your designs and love Target!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and am constantly looking for updates! I love all of your posts but especially the party posts. I started reading your posts after following cookie Monday's! You guys are super creative and I hope one day to be as creative as you!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog as always! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pics on your site! Hope I win!
ReplyDeleteI love Larson Lingo giveaways!!! I'm a loyal follower :) My little guy is turning two on June 1st so this would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteBeen following for a while, love your blogs posts! :)
ReplyDeletePick me.....Love your blog and follow..... so happy to find your blog...what a fun party
ReplyDeleteHope you will stop by...I have some extra giveaways that require nothing but a comment...no jumping through hoops.
Teresa
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/
Yayyyyy!!!!! I just found your Blog, and Ohhhh my I am so happy I did!!!!! This giveaway would be such a blessing right now, as I am planning BIG birthday parties for my four daughters!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle Torres
decorater4life@aol.com
I've been reading for a long while via Google Reader, but now am officially a "follower" too! Harper's 3rd birthday is still 5+ months away, but by then I will be 9+ months pregnant and need all the help I can get! Her party this year will have to be an easy one. I hope I win!!
ReplyDeleteHave a fun wedding weekend! Your pics have me wanting to visit that part of CA. Never been there!
I enjoy reading your blog! You are so talented with the camera too! Your children are beautiful! I would love to win! I love birthday parties too!!!
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the UBP. So nice to meet you and your adorable family. :)
ReplyDeleteNow get to work on that wedding toast!!
Cheers,
Tracy All Thumbs Crafts
I'm Here from the UBP11 adding you to my blog roll page.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great prize! My Ultimate blog party post
barb g.
directorylanesuperstore(at)gmail.com
Adorable Family! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHappy UBP! Hope you enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteLovely shop! This would be great for my daughter's birthday in May :)
mrscoxblog{at}gmail{dot}com
I love your blog and have followed it for the past year.... Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog. I too am a teacher, mom and lover of target and photography. Please pick me!
ReplyDeletefellow procrastinator here! Hope you are enjoying the party :-)
ReplyDeleteLove your designs!
ReplyDeletelove all the great pictures and story about you and your blog nice to meet you find me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi! Long time lurker! I <3 your blog. Pick me Pick me! I have a 3rd birthday party coming up and would love your designs.
ReplyDeleteNew google friend!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your speech!
Stopping by from the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!
Hope you’ll visit my party: http://momandmore.com/2011/04/2011-ultimate-blog-party-welcome-to-mom-and-more.html
I'm a follower!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and love your blog! I too, LOVE to throw a party!!!
ReplyDeleteYour stuff is so cute! My husband and I are expecting our first in July and I would love your cards for shower invites.
ReplyDeleteYour work is beautiful! I love reading all about your family.
ReplyDeleteEWW Pick me, Pick me, I love your blog.. I love your pictures, your recipes (which I use all the time), and your stories. I think you are fabulous Mel, I read your blog every week.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I happily follow along. Thank you for the fabulous giveaway!
ReplyDeletei hope the wedding was fun!
ReplyDeleteI am following you (suelee1998) from the blog hop party, you have a great site. Would you like to follow me back? http://susansdisneyfamily.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletethank you :)
suelee1998 @ gmail.com
love following your blog! i would use your invites for my son's 2nd birthday in August!
ReplyDeleteHi Mel,
ReplyDeleteLovely to meet you and your blog through UPB. This is my first year and I am finding many wonderful blogs, like yours.
Fondly,
Glenda
Gg - Notes on the Journey # 269
Target is my happy place too! What an awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteJust started following your blog
ReplyDelete(Barbara Montag)
And yes I love Target!
Thanks for a great party!
barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com
it's so nice of you to host a giveaway! i love your little snippet about yourself.
ReplyDeleteHiya, I'm a new follower from the UBP'11. Nice blog! Please stop by A Little of This and a Little of That and follow back. Have a super week!
ReplyDeletehttp://alittleoftheother.com
New follower on google friend!
ReplyDeletehaydensmommy05@hotmail.com
Stopping by from the UBP! Your girls are absolutely beautiful and their parties look like so much fun! Will be coming back again!
ReplyDeleteNew follower ia UBP. Hope you will follow me too @ http://masalabowl.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-298-ultimate-blog-party.html
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I'm hoping you'll stop by and visit my blog. I'm new to blogging and UBP. I LOVE it! When I reach 100 followers, I will be giving 1 Lavender Essential Oil to 1 lucky winner.
ReplyDeletehttp://frankandcandice.blogspot.com
newest follower here :) SUPER CUTE BLOG!!! you take beautiful pictures and have a precious family to photograph, that's for sure!!
ReplyDeleteHope you'll come by and visit my blogs soon!
Stopping by to say ‘Hi’ from my 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party 2011 link-up! What a great blog you have and I will be following! Stop by and say ‘Hi’ back! I have blog parties on Tuesday and Wednesday’s that may interest you. Tuesday is Tutorial & Thrifty Treasures Tuesday. Wednesday is What’s Cookin’ Wednesday. I am also looking for guest posts on home décor and crafts if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Extreme Personal Measures
Visiting from UBP...LOVE your blog. I am your newest follower...cant wait to keep in touch!!
ReplyDeleteI’m a new follower from UBP11. I just wanted to say hello. Your daughters are too cute!
ReplyDeleteLisa
www.LisaBlogs.com
Hi! I'm stopping by from the UBP. Nice to meet you! I am a new follower : ) Your blog is so pretty- I love your header!
ReplyDeleteI have two blogs, and I'd love for you to stop by when you get a minute. Thanks!
http://giveawaycorner.blogspot.com/ (A free giveaway every weekday)
http://anne-somekindofwonderful.blogspot.com/ (Family blog)
I'm so happy I found your blog through UBP! I'm really excited to follow you now. I read through your 111 and I think I could relate to about 99 of them.
ReplyDelete{sigh} I love the blogosphere. I get to meet so many cool people!
Wow - I get to be your 100th comment! :^) I'm visiting from the UBP - #73 (Being Made New - http://tinahollenbeck.blogspot.com) on the Christian List. Very glad to get to know you a bit - your girls are adorable. I am a former middle school teacher myself, but have been home since my girls were born. I hope you might be able to stop by my place, too. :^)
ReplyDeletePoppin in from the UBP! You have such a beautiful family! And great photos!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to your sister, and her marriage!
As your newest GFC follower, I hope you'll follow me back :)
http://www.lisavsfitness.blogspot.com
Love your blog! Just stopped by from the UBP. Hope you're having a great week. Your girls are too cute. I am also a party planner. It's a problem really... :)
ReplyDeleteWow you have some awesome pics on your blog!!!! Im soo jealous. Not to mention a beautiful family! I bet daddy has the shot gun ready for when those girls get a bit older. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance please stop by for a visit! http://www.flipflopmama.com/2011/03/ultimate-blog-party-2011.html
So happy I stumbled upon your charming blog. I love your etsy store...I'll be visiting for sure! : ) Your family is adorable.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great blog! I just happened upon it and I am hooked! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteDana West
dana10879@yahoo.com