For sweet Kyler’s first birthday, we decided to make her birthday party a nautical theme complete with anchors, whales, stripes, pink and navy! I started working on making things for her party well in advance so I didn’t have to stress out and stay up night after night working on her birthday party…. yeah…. I still did that. Not sure where I went wrong or perhaps I kept adding to my already long list of to-do’s but I felt like a Christmas Elf on Christmas Eve for the last month now. The day before the party I told my mom that next year we are going to Disney for her birthday. I am half-joking, half serious.
For those of you that don’t know me or my background, I am in the event industry so event and party planning come natural to me and I LOVE to do it. Anytime I can wrap my head around an idea, theme, or project, I tend to go all out (money hindering of course 
). I ended up making 80% of her decor items so that can be cumbersome. I made the invitations, thank you cards, monthly photo cards, menu cards, other signs around the house, birthday bunting as well as all of the other bunting, ONE letters and KJ letters, and painted all sorts of anchors and whales.
Invites and Thank You cards:
The party came out great and I think Kyler had a great time. Thank you to EVERYONE that helped me with this party Pictures are below Let me know if you have any questions!
Outside decor:
Foyer & Thank You pails for the kiddos.
Kitchen area & Monthly Photos:
Dessert, yum!
Push-Pop cupcakes and cake!
Kyler’s First Birthday Cake!
Cake Eating Chair!
Food set-up:
Drink Display:
Family room aka party spot!
My First and My First Holiday photos:
Looking into the backyard:
Now the fun begins…. cake time!
She LOVED the cake <3
She ate more than I thought she would!
Time to clean up!
The Birthday Girl!
Talking to her cousins in North Carolina on FaceTime.
My love.
Kyler and her cousin Cole.
Grandpa helping Kyler with her new car.
Opening up gifts.
Cruising along with her new ATV from Grandma and Poppa.
It was a GREAT party and we are so blessed to have such great friends and family that love her to come celebrate her birthday with us! I think Kyler had a great time but the poor girl was tuckered out afterwards.
Well Kyler Nicole, we hope you had the best first birthday a girl could have. We love you so much and are so lucky to be your Mom and Dad <3
Michelle,
We are your Dad’s cousins from NJ. After I read your touching memorial to your brother, I looked at the photos of your beautiful daughter’s birthday party. I can’t get over the wonderful decorations that you made for Kyler’s first birthday!! I’ve never seen anything like it. You area very talented person. Enjoy her… I’m sure she will ease the pain of loosing Craig.
Valerie & Andre’
Thank you Valerie. I love planning parties and it makes it that much better when it’s for my little kiddo
How precious! We’re doing a nautical themed party for my little girl this year, and I found you in a search. (: Where in the world did you get her precious little outfit/bow at the end of your post? I order a little ruffle bottom onesie online, and it didn’t fit.
(No returns)
Also, if you don’t mind me asking – where did you get the covers for around your water bottles?
Hi there! Her outfit was from Hartstrings and the bow was from http://www.etsy.com/listing/111260676/pretty-prepster-bright-pink-and-navy. I just had her change a few things on it. I also ordered her the 2T custom shirt on Etsy too (not sure how big your daughter is). The water bottle labels are free printables and you can find them here: http://www.bumpsmitten.com/2011/03/diy-shower-water-bottle-labels-free.html. Good luck with your party and let me know if you have any more questions
Hi there. Beautiful party!!!! Can you send me or post a picture of your invitations? I want to do this for my little boy and replace your pink with orange but now I’m searching for an invitation. Love your site
Hi Brooke! Thank you so much
I just updated this post to include the picture of the invitation and thank you card. Orange and Navy would be so cute for a nautical party, great idea! I searched all of the internet but just broke down and designed one myself. It’s simple but I love it 
Good luck with your little man’s party and let me know if you have any other questions!!
Thanks! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the invitation. You wouldn’t by chance have the template would you?! :0
I do
I will send you an email 
And also, how did you make those K & J signs? What is it on and what did you use? I’m sorry I just adore this party!
Those are super simple! Buy the paper mâché letters from a craft store, your favorite scrapbook paper, glossy Mod Podge and the wooden anchor or whales! Turn the letter upside and paper upside down and trace. Cut it out and then Mod Podge it down! Give it 10 minutes and then Mod Podge over it to seal it. I did this a couple times. Last but not least, hot glue your anchor or whale somewhere on the letter and tada! And please, do not apologize! I love this stuff and don’t mind at all