It’s coming. I can feel it.
Summer. The ceremonious countdown to School’s-Out has begun and soon the ribbons of summer freedom will unravel throughout our neighborhood. Bare feet will tread hot sidewalks, popsicle juice will stain parched driveways, and we will welcome the carefree contentment of the blessed summer months.
I envisioned it all today…the July 4th parade on Fifth Avenue where I will dress my girls in red, white and blue and raise flags to freedom and good. The baked beans and potato salad we will haul over my dad’s for a giant pool party where the boys will do canonballs and the girls will be doted on from their froggy floats. Maybe another road trip to Michigan. Isle of Capri Sundays. Coffee and pajama breakfasts with girlfriends. Picnic checked blankets. Linen skirts with a fabulous pair of huaraches. I can taste it in the air…summer’s almost here, and I can’t wait.
*************************************************************************************
We, last minute, decided on Lainey’s birthday to do something crazy and fun, so we headed out to Isle of Capri in the middle of the day on a Tuesday. I am enthused by impromptu trips to nowhere special as if they were Mediterranean crusises. There’s something so adventurous–almost dangerous–about deciding crazy last minute to go somewhere. Which is why I screamed when Brett casually mentions at noon that maybe we should hop in the car and head out. And because of that whole seize-the-moment vibe we had going, everything seemed sweeter. We prematurely commenced summer with some ocean kayaking, something I’ve been wanting to do for awhile now. Lainey wedged between Rebecca and I for our little jaunt, and as we paddled past the mangroves into this hidden cove, I entered this complete calm. The sky was vibrant, the water was glass and there wasn’t a sound but for the occasional flying fish that came flopping out and about. We stopped paddling and just sat there taking it in. Even Lainey was quiet…as if she knew that harmonious moment of us and nature was sacred. It was beautiful, even if we paid for the journey the next day with sore arms. The whole time we paddled, I kept chanting, “Nice guns, nice guns, nice guns.”
********************************************************************************
Newsflash: Nella rocks Pilates.
She spends half her time now heaving her feet into the air. Seriously. And then she just holds them there, perferctly perpendicular. She looks like clock hands. Cutest damn clock hands I’ve ever seen.
And then sometimes, when she’s really gettin’ fancy, girl pulls out the bicycle.
And when she’s not doing that, she’s either sucking on her fingers or staring at them.
Or randomly cracking herself up.
She has so much depth to her soul, I would climb in there if I could.
I think she knows stuff we don’t sometimes.
And sometimes, when I feed her…we stare at each other until I cry. And they are such different tears than they used to be. They are tears that feel so good to cry…redemptive tears of gratitude. And when I cry, she always smiles. Always.
Nana Kate told me in the hospital that she was certain, in three months, I would drop to my knees and cry, thanking God for Nella. She promised me I would be happy for all of it and for the amazing opportunity to see who we could become with something like this.
I like who we are becoming.
And I can’t wait to see how we will continue to change.
I’ve never been so excited for a summer before…it’s going to be good.
And because good things need good lists, I hereby present my list of fabulous things I want to do this summer. Last year’s list didn’t make it so far because my morning sickness held me up a little, so I am doubly motivated to cross off all of this summer’s to-dos. I even started with one I already crossed-off for good luck…to get the ball rolling.
With no further ado, I will…
Go ocean kayaking (check!)
Paint my bedroom a happy new shade
Become the World’s Best Sangria Maker
Plant flowers
See at least two beach sunsets a month
Lie outside on a blanket with my girls, late at night, and look at stars
Take a road trip
Pick strawberries with my girls in a big open field
Organize a karaoke night
Wear lots of yellow
Bake bread with Lainey
Take a weekend trip to St. Augustine
Hula hoop
Midnight swim
Have Lanai breakfasts
Play Kick the Can
Go Camping
…and about a hundred more lovely things that are certain to make summer splendid.
Happy Almost Summer!
And do tell a few of your own summer plans! What must you do? Catch fireflies in jars? Play hopscotch with your littles? Splurge on the grandest sandals ever? Do tell!
OneGirl says
Take photos on the beach.
Kara says
Thank you for living life and loving it. I come to your blog often when I’m feeling down or need some inspiration and your words always lift me up and make me want to grab life by the horns and take a wild ride. Really, thank you thank you thank you.
As for summer. I’m making my list and I hope I check everything off twice, Kris Kringle style.
Thanks again.
Anonymous says
This summer my baby boy & I will be spending as much time with Dad before he leaves on deployment. Lots of beach days, afternoons by the pool & maybe some camping.
My Loves. . . My Life says
Goodness — I cannot get over the beauty that is your girls. And your post. I love reading your post!!
This summer… Beach trips with my husband and my new baby girl (2.5 months old). Pictures on the beach of my pretty. Family lake trips. BBQ’ing. Sunshine. Warmth. Happiness.
Sara says
Oh you made me even more excited than I already was for summer!! We had our first dinner on the patio tonight and tomorrow we will enjoy donuts and coffee there as well!! We will go camping in Estes Park, we will BBQ, we will hike, we will go to the Zoo, we will take long walks, I will run in my first 5K (walk for life) , we will have backyard campouts, we will enjoy a couple good concerts- IM SO EXCITED for SUMMER this year!!!
P.S. Miss Nella is just as cute as ever!! Love the pilates moves!!
Lori says
Your girls are absolutely precious and perfect. Every time I look at your sweet little Nella, I cry. I had a great-aunt who was DS, Aunt Ruth…she was SUCH A JOY to every single person she met…until the day she died (at a VERY RIPE OLD AGE OF 71!)…she was precious and perfect too, and I loved every second I got to be with her.
I don’t comment often, but love, love, love the joy in your life!
OHmommy says
It’s going to be a good GOOD summer.
Carol says
hi, i love looking at the pictures of your girls , i have a 4 year old girl with DS and looking at Nella’s baby picture warm my heart!!!!
Angela says
This summer?
Go camping in the mountains with the boyfriend.
Train for a marathon.
Roast really big marshmallows over a campfire.
Hop on the cruiser bike, grab a latte, and go garage-sailing on a Saturday morning.
Spend more time with girlfriends.
P.S. I love your blog Kelle. In a ‘wow, it’s a small world’ moment, I think one of your blog friends is a girl in Missoula (Nici) who’s blog I also read. I remember reading about her blog friend who had just had a baby with Down Syndrome . . . fast forward a few weeks and I found your blog completely by chance. Crazy small planet!
Angela says
This summer?
Go camping in the mountains with the boyfriend.
Train for a marathon.
Roast really big marshmallows over a campfire.
Hop on the cruiser bike, grab a latte, and go garage-sailing on a Saturday morning.
Spend more time with girlfriends.
P.S. I love your blog Kelle. In a ‘wow, it’s a small world’ moment, I think one of your blog friends is a girl in Missoula (Nici) who’s blog I also read. I remember reading about her blog friend who had just had a baby with Down Syndrome . . . fast forward a few weeks and I found your blog completely by chance. Crazy small planet!
Jewllori by Lori says
And when she’s not doing pilates, or the bicycle, she’s just being darned right beautiful. Sweet babes.
xo,
Lori
Megan says
My summer is full of B’s!!
2 BOYS!
beach
back yard sprinklers
bubbles- lots of bubbles
and my BIRTHDAY!
ill be 30. not sure how im feeling about this yet.
but I love everything else on my short list!!!
Its going to be one FABULOUS summer. FOR SURE!
Stef says
your girls are both SO cute and your posts are super fun to read. I feel like I’m entering a really good novel each time… and then it ends.
Have you ever thought of writing a book?
iColossus / Monster says
LOVE
THAT
NELLABEAN
And LOVE the pics of Lainey loving on her. Melting.
This summer? Holy moly, that’s comin’ up soon… I guess I should start thinkin’ about that.
Well, thanks for giving me the push I need!
– iColossus
Confessions of a Closet Hoarder but you can call me Judy says
For some reason, I wasn’t expecting to see red nail polish on Nella’s little toes. So when I scrolled down to the pilates picture, I laughed before I even read what it said. Just too darned cute!
Summer for us?
Family reunion
Planting a small garden
Hanging out with the family
And getting rid of copious amounts of stuff I no longer need in my life!
Kacey says
Happy {almost} summer to you! I’m in Phoenix, so summer for me is about whatever it takes to endure the heat. Flip flops & happy nail polish colors, sprinklers for my boys, camping ‘up north’ where it’s cooler and lots of time spent indoors with the A/C, dreaming of cooler temperatures…
Kacey
P.S. Lainey + bright summery dresses & Nella + Pilates = adorable.
julie_mama says
This summer the Daddy will be deployed to crazy, hot places in the world, and while we live over here in Japan we have a huge list of what we will do. I am draggin my 2 girls and 2 boys all over Japan pretending to speak the language while eating raw things, learning to mow the lawn all on my own, sleeping in late until 7 am, drinking more amaretto coffee than I should and making sure the kids go to sleep every night with sun kissed cheeks, pajamas stained with goodness and smiles on their sand covered faces. Yes, it will be a GOOD summer indeed.
Amy from KC says
Oh, I just love to read your blog and feel the love!
My summer list…
Road trip to Texas
Amon Carter museum to see “cowboys” with my little
Toy Story 3 (twice!)
VBS
Cupcakes from The Cupcakery
Fireworks on the Lake for the 4th
Homemade b-day cake w/shape requested by my soon to be 5yo(whale?!!)
Beach Party B-day to celebrate 5!
Swimming, swimming, swimming
Kaleidoscope
Homemade fruit popsicles
Family Reunion
Fireflies
Summer…here we come!!
Seaside Siblings says
Lucky you, we are going into winter here. I am a summer person, I love summer. Your girls, as always are beautiful. Another lovely post, thank you.
airotcivm says
My summer plans is to hold my newborn who is set to be born at the end of June and love him.
Angelina Taumaoe says
gosg nella is so beautiful!!!
thanks to you I plan on taking many many pictures. I want to also make the most incredible homemade malloween costume for my beebee! We are thinking Boo from Mosters inc. it’s going to take all summer make and it will be marvelous!
Angelina Taumaoe says
wow, im a terrible typer!
Anonymous says
Lainey looks like such a big girl now – very cute! My baby boy (2wks younger than Nella) is doing the exact same thing with his legs – so funny!
We’re almost into winter over here on the other side of the world, so I’ve got an opposite kind of list – enjoying the fire and crisp winter days, and lots of warming scrumptious food, lol!
Donna from New Zealand
Anonymous says
Love this post! I am totally addicted to your blog!!!
I made mine a few weeks ago. We all started to get summer fever at school. And it’s so hard not to catch summer fever from your students so I stopped trying! 😀
My Summer To-do List
1. Play my records everyday
2. Bake lots of cookies and cakes with the kids
3. Go camping up by Flagstaff
4. Wildcraft flowers and herbs to make my own medicines
5. Go to the beach
6. Have a dinner party
7. GO TO SEE MY BEST FRIEND IN KS!!!!!!
8. Drop it like it’s HOT! (Dancing once a month)
9. Write every day
10. Spend time with my mom and dad
11. Fly a kite
12. ROAD TRIP
13. Lie in bed with my husband and talk talk talk
14. Color
15. Go to a drive in movie
16. Have sleepovers
17. Build a Fort
18. Go to a sweatlodge
19. Take lots of pictures
20. Have a weekend away with my babycakes.
21. Be happy for everyday I get to spend with the people I love most. ‘
~Danie
Anonymous says
Summer, ahh, looking so forward to it. This year our family will spend as much time at the lake as possible with our new boat (our 2 little girls are so excited to actually get the boat in the water rather than just playing in it on our driveway!!).
I also plan to get a lot of use out of the DSLR camera I got for Mother’s Day (thanks to you and all your beautiful pictures, my husband surprised me with a nice new camera. I haven’t even taken 1 picture with it yet, but will take time this summer to learn how to use it).
Anonymous says
Summer will be interesting for us. May put house up for sale as my husband needs to find a job outside of NASA thanks to the idiot potus not extending shuttle causing 6000 jobs to be gone this fall just here in Houston. Florida will be hit hard too. It will be awful. So, if you have a chance to help someone who is out of a job, by turning their resumes in at your work, do it. It just might help.
karen says
i would like to say…you and your family ROCK! it’s been so heartwarming to see the growth of love from pain that you have put on here for people to share with you. isn’t it great how kids help rip open our hearts and stretch them further than we thought possible? my 3 year old does that on a daily basis:O)
as for summer: beach,surfing, zoo, bike rides, picnics, camping, campfires, hiking, enjoying the sierras, beer drinking with my honey, dog petting, tidepools, small pool on the patio, sticky ice cream faces, popsicle making, family movie nights, bikinied kids, toenail painting, flip flop wearing (although that’s year round where i live!), sunscreen smells, road trippin, finger painting…just continuing to live and love life
ps..tempted to visit isle of capri when i make it to florida this summer
Jen says
as always, your words inspire! i love, love, LOVE reading your blog. not to mention the sweet, sweet pics of your litle ones.
this summer: fishing with my boys, homemade popsicles, flying a kite, lots and lots of bubbles, squirt gun battles, sprinkler runs, visits to the zoo, chasing bugs, cherishing the time that we get with Daddy, painting my living room wall orangey-brown, planting potatoes and carrots
Kristi says
Great pictures!!! And summer ROCKS! 🙂
beens says
Wow, Nella looks like she is growing fast!
My summer plans normally involve picking fruit in the garden and celebrating end of year exams, but this summer I shall be flying right into the middle of a New Zealand winter to start the next chapter in my life. So far I have no job to go to and I don’t know where I’ll be staying. It will give me enough time to plan my first NZ summer! Can’t wait!
Hanna says
I’m going to Australia for four weeks, I’m taking my girlfriends to our cabin by the sea, I’m going to the Zoo, I’m going to Sweden, I’m going to eat lots of strawberries, plus a lot of other things!
Deborah says
OMG Kelle, You captured Nella so bloody well damn beautiful in your pics of her in this post, not to mention the girls together, Beautiful blogging girl friend …for your post yet again evoke tears, but like you said, joyful tears, inspiring tears, damn you kelle, what pms tensions you allow me to release here …lol ….
This summer, I will totally enjoy HOLIDAYS AWAY FROM WORK, 16 blissful days away from work, not sure what I will do in those days, but I am absolutely positively not going to do a spec of work during them 16 days !….*smiles a great big grin* ….as I ready myself for a early 7 am shift this morning ….*sighs* ….
Have a great Saturday my fabulous favorite blogger family …
Love Deborah, the Canadian Nurse …
DaisyBee says
You’ve inspired my own summer list:
1. Learn to rollerblade.
2. Sew more.
3. Completely empty my bedroom.
4. Go to Malta.
5. Go to Portugal.
6. Go to WOMAD festival.
7. Take more spontaneous day trips.
8. Spend more time at the beach (it’a a five minute walk from my house, I have no excuse!)
8. Go clubbing at least once a fortnight, I’m young, free and college is over!
9. Play hopskotch outside.
10. Play skipping games.
11. Play more frisbee! (I actually did this last night at the beach)
12. Enjoy freedom.
michelle says
My list….
1. run my first 5k
2. paint my living room chocolate brown
3. road trips!
4. get my daughter ready for her senior year of high school
5. go to the zoo
It’s not much but enough for me. It’s the little things….
Lillian says
YAY for summer – I SO can’t wait!!! I just made a list last week of all of the things we can’t wait to do:
http://domesticsimplicity.com/2010/05/17/summer-list/
I love your list – especially for all of the things that are for YOU to do and enjoy:)
Sarah says
I don’t have a summer list…yet. But now you’ve got me thinking that I MUST come up with one. My mind is feeling heavy today and your words seemed to make it a little lighter this morning.
Thank you.
Poppa says
OK, Poppa loves Nellabean’s kicker legs! Now I am seeing her representing Holland in the Olympics, doing that on the rings to the applause of many and the joy of her Poppa! This summer I plan to:
1. Take more long walks with my dogs who were neglected in winter–yet they are very forgiving.
2. Bring a Michigan granddaughter down to Florida with me for a Poppa/kiddo weekend.
3. Create some connecting event for my bigger family because we don’t get together like we did when our mom and dad were with us.
4. Spend some lazy evenings with special friends who have exchanged many “we need to get together”s with me yet somehow, we don’t.
5. Write a song about Nella…I know, it’s kinda crazy because I am not a song writer and hardly musical (although I can blow the tiles off the shower with “Hold me, Thrill me”), but lately–I just think about it all the time.
6. Slow down and listen to the sounds that are around us but we move to fast to hear.
7. Make sure every one of my precious grandchildren know they are beautiful, handsome, wonderful, talented, brilliant, unique, perfect in my eyes and heart.
That’s it…I better get on it!
mrs.magoo says
I hope to bring out two year old to the zoo for the first time, see a sandcastle competition at the beach and enjoy family…summer is the best!
BTW – I am such a sucker for baby noses and Nella has the cutest little nose – love it!
Gatorale says
Love your list of summer to-dos! Thought I’d share two great recipes for the easiest and yummiest breads…
BEER BREAD
3 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
12 ounces beer
2 tablespoons butter
Preheat oven to 375. Butter a loaf pan and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and beer and mix well. The mixture should be sticky. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 55 minutes. At the last 3 minutes of baking, brush the top of the loaf with butter and return to oven.
BASIL BEER BREAD
Olive oil for baking sheet
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup (3 ounces) grated Parmesan
1 12 ounce beer
Flour for work surface
1 cup chopped or torn fresh basil
Heat oven to 400 F. Oil a baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, pepper and Parmesan. Add the beer and mix just until the dough comes together. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle with the basil and knead gently just until incorporated. Shape the dough into a round loaf and transfer to the prepared sheet. Bake until the loaf is slightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Turn the loaf onto a wire rack. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
These are so delicious, but be sure to make them when friends are coming over, or you’ll be tempted to eat the whole loaf by yourself! A must with a great bowl of chili and even better toasted the next day.
Need to work on my summer to-dos list; got lots of ideas floating around in my head, but a few musts…
1. Attend Summer Jazz concerts at the Naples Beach Club
2. Have monthly potluck BBQ for family and friends
3. Play P-I-G with nephews and niece
4. Plant a garden
5. Learn CS5
6. Take convertible top-down road trips to nowhere in particular
7. Have driveway/backyard firepit sing-a-longs
8. Throw a “Sips & Dips” party
9. Take early morning and late evening neighborhood walks
10. Visit the farmer’s market and make fresh salsa
And much more…
Here’s wishing you a wonderful and childlike summer filled with much adventure, fun and love! And thanks for sharing a link to Heidi’s blog a few weeks back — love her recipes, photography and crafty ideas too!
Poppa says
Hey, I have to add the Jazz Series at the Naples Beach Club to mine as well–attended last year with Lainey and it is a wonderful, electric way to spend an evening!
(And I will try one of those recipes for sure!)
MJ's Mommy says
Awe you inspire me, remind me to enjoy the moments as I have tried to more…This summer I will:
-read a book by the beach
-eat popsicles outside after bath time
-let the kids trace me on the driveway with sidewalk chalk
-take the kids to the drive-in
-watch movies in the backyard with the projector every Friday night 😉
-tent out in the yard
-make smores with my shorties
-go to family camp
-go on picnics
-dog park with my Cameron
-family night at baseball game
-go to SeaBreeze
-lay in the sun
-drink lemonade
-Bbque
-build sandcastles with my lovebugs
-girlz night out
-date night by the water
-SMILE
-enjoy the moments
-swim
-water balloon wars
-trips to the zoo & playgrounds
-LOVE myself & my family
-outside concerts at the beach
and tons more fun!
Carrie says
We will welcome our missing family member home from a year-long deployment and start the re-integration process. Not knowing for certain how the little will react to his daddy, our plans for summer could go in a variety of directions….all good, just maybe slower and less “crazy” than other roads. We cannot wait! We’ve missed him!
Enjoy YOUR summer! Looks amazingly delicious!! And, Nella? I am certain she could not be any cuter!! Absolutely breathtaking little soul you have there!!
Jenny says
We’re going to spend lots of time on old quilts under large trees full of shady leaves sipping lemonade. We’re gonna paint our toe nails sitting on the porch while a hot south breeze sweeps our hair into our face. We’re gonna swim like olympic champions. Take as many date nights as we can find babysitters and eat chips and salsa while listening to some fabulous bands on the river…
emily petrous says
I was inspired by your road trip to Michigan last year, so this year my sister and I are planning to road trip with our combined 3 kids from Michigan down to Virginia to visit our brother. The planning has commenced!
And we started a vegetable garden last weekend, so hopefully we will be picking lots of fresh greens from our backyard mid-summer.
It’s my first summer off as I just switched to a job in the schools last fall, so I’m looking forward to spending oodles of time with my daughter showing her all the things I enjoyed about summer when I was growing up, including those days of strawberry picking, sprinkler runs, neighborhood beaches, swimming in the pool, and just lounging enjoying the warm weather.
Love the photos and your writing. So inspiring!
Emma says
Love Poppas summer inspirations! 🙂
I will be mainly on my own with my 7 kiddos – while my husband is deployed. But…it’s winter here in Oz, so I need to think of some great wintery stuff to keep me inspired. Maybe I’ll have my own special Oz Christmas and plan it for one of the few weeks that my sweet man is with us!
Chestnuts
Pine needles
Comfort food
and Cranberry and cinnamon candles!
GraceesMommy says
can i just say that heaven lies behind those almond eyes..oh thank you for starting my day on this note!!!!
my list would be..
1. travel with my girl..go see the people that we do not see during school and miss so much.
2. pick black raspberries on the farm..oh baby they are lovely!!
3. build a dock on the pond that is big enough to sleep, eat and dance on (well gregg is doing the building but i am the architect).
4. take pictures like nobodies business and learn how to use that lovely new camera.
5. get up the nerve to ask the old couple who walk around town holding hands for a picture..they are so sweet.
6. it is our 20th anniversary in july and we are throwing a party to celebrate all the things that brought us to this point in our life…we are as close to heaven as it gets so there will be fireworks, food and all the lovely hearts that we call friends.
and i have to tell you the first girl trip that gracee and i did without dad was st augustine..we soaked up the beauty and peace of that place and came home with a captain dad t-shirt that daddy adores..you have fun there when you go and make sure you take oodles of picture for gracee and i to point to and say “i remember that place.”!!! ♥
Diana L says
Happy almost summer to you – although in our part of the world (Canada) we officially kick off summer this weekend…it’s our long weekend to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday. Parades, fireworks, b-b-q’s and Monday off!
Next weekend, I begin working off my list: my beloved and I head out in our motorhome, and are heading to our East Coast, as far a PEI.
Because lobster are in season, we’ll enjoy at least a couple of feasts! Then on down your east coast to Freeport Maine, and do some serious outlet shopping. Home through Vermont, and stop in Quebec’s Gaspe to watch the whales begin their summer search for food.
The rest of the summer – I know it will fly by:
-2VBS programs
– weekends at various provincial parks
– impromptu evenings with good friends enjoying fine wines and fireflies.
Enjoy your summer with your beloved and your two beautiful beach babies…
Alyssa says
I LOVE the black & white picture of Nella under your list!
Oda Karoline says
Happy almost summer to you Kelle : )
This summer I’m going to:
– Grill with my friends,
– Have goodbye party with my friends.
– ride long trips with my bike.
– Move to San Francisco.
And so much more!
Btw.: Your kids are so beautiful!
Anonymous says
How can i make my life as perfect as yours. Everything you do is perfect. Do you ever have a bad day?
The Brink Blog says
Once again, LoVe the pictures of the girls…it’s been fun to watch them grow and change! Starting the summer off with a bang–our daughter’s three year birthday LUAU party! I am a teacher and although we get “summers” off…we never really do! We are hoping to spend lots of time at our local zoo, SouthPointe Friday night outdoor music concernts, Jazz in June on our UNL campus, farmer’s markets on Saturday and a family trip up to Canada…as I speak, am working on our family “to do” list and posting it on our blog! Love the idea!!
heather says
i love reading your blog.. such wonderful pictures 🙂 i am super excited for summer to get here.. i have been in the process of making my list too.. here are a few things that i cant wait to cross off…
1) get ice cream from the ice cream man
2) get everything ready to return to school in the fall for the first time in 5 years…yikes!!!
3) spend more time playing and not worrying about getting dirty while doing it..
4) finger paint
5) clean out closets
6) work on potty training my son
7) go to sips in stroke at least 2 times this summer with good friends
8) planning brennen’s 2nd birthday party (dr seuss themed)
9) work on his baby book
10) get ready for my husbands return from his 3 weeks away with the army 🙂
those are just a few things… i hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Mercy says
Your little Lainey is such a gorgeous carbon copy of you, its surreal!!
And beautiful Nellabean…her EYES, dear me, her eyes tell stories. happy stories that make you want to laugh, cry and love her more, all at the same time.
You are truly a blessed woman.
Kel says
Oh my word…Baby Nella is the CUTEST baby on the stinking block!!! WOW!!! My baby girl is 8 months old and does the same thing with her legs…love the series shots 🙂
Cyndi says
I promised myself I wouldn’t comment until I finished back-reading your blog. Well, I finished last night – every.last.post. And I have to let you know, in the past two weeks it has taken me to read your story, you have honestly changed my life. Really. I have found myself re-prioritizing what is important to me, enjoying my own littles more, and have stopped trying to achieve everyone else’s idea of “perfect” and redefining what perfect is to me. I so admire your talent for writing and photography, and finally decided to use my well-earned bonus check to buy a new camera and start documenting our lives. Thank you Kelle. You are changing lives and hearts, and even though I am a little older than you, I want to be just like you when I grow up. ;P
Summer plans:
1) Buy that camera! (Hopefully today)
2) Revive my neglected blog,
3) Beach trip to Blue Mountain (T-Minus 14 days and counting,
4) Late afternoons at the pool,
5) Look for a class on basic photography to take,
6) Enjoy the fruits of my spring veggie container gardening, and…
7) Enjoy the small things! 🙂
Angie says
I’m new to your blog – you have 2 beautiful little girls!! So precious!
Gatorale says
For all the Naples folks, here’s the Summer Jazz schedule (7:00-10:00 p.m. each night) — already penciled in on my calendar…
Blue Dice
Saturday, June 26, 2010
—
Late Night Brass
Saturday, July 24, 2010
—
Mike MacArthur Band
Saturday, August 28, 2010
—
Denise Moore and Then Some
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Mariana says
Hi. I don’t speak english very well. I’m brazilian. I love your blog and your pictures. I see almost every day. Your daughters are beautiful…
By,
Mariana
Kelle says
Anonymous…Perfection is overated. I do have bad days and take them for what they are. I have self-doubts and moments when I snap at Brett or am not the most attentive mama, sad times when I need a good cry and days when I am completely unmotivated. That’s life. But when you focus on the other stuff–the trillions of moments of funny and beautiful and sunny and colorful, you will begin to shift your perspective. If you knew my past and all the uglies and sad moments, I would hope you would see me as just like you…imperfect and full of possibility to embrace all of life and suck the goodness out of it. It’s a journey. Didn’t mean to have a comment sermon…just a “comment hug” and an opportunity to tell you that we are no different in that we can choose to make our lives whatever we want, independent of the things that “happen” to us. xoxo
Kelle says
Thank you, Gatorale! And reading all these summer to-dos…love it! Such a sense of anticipation and excitement. I’ve “borrowed” some of your tod-dos!
Molly says
There are a great pair of sandals I have my eyes on, but here’s my list:
Jump on the trampoline
Running in sprinklers
Swimming with the kids
Popsicles
Barbeque
Fruit Salad
Fireworks
Trip to Louisiana
Farmer’s Market
Zoo!!
emm's says
I really love your pictures Kelle, I will also be a photographer and you are my biggest inspiration! And the way you write is just amazing. Love from Norwy!
Aubrey365 says
I’ve been feeling the same way about summer’s arrival. We’ve gotten sneak peeks here in Michigan and we can’t wait! I have been working on my summer bucket lis and make homemade gazpacho is a top to do!
I have a great recipe for Sangria if you have a Trader Joes in your area.
1-2 bottles Charles Shaw Cabernet
1 bottle italian blood orange soda
any kind of fruit you like
1 cup vodka (optional….depends on what kind of night your looking for)
Let it all sit overnight
add cinnamon sticks for serving
amypins says
Thanks for your recent entries. I enjoy them all but lately have needed them more than usual. i had a miscarriage recently, at 12 wks,that’s lasted forever, and I yearn for your entries to bring some brightness to my day. But I do have one little who looks like a doppleganger (sp?) to your Lainey. She even sees lainey’s pics and says “aurora?” but, my summer list is growing every day.
1. buy my new Canon Rebel Xsi, i have been saving since I first read your blog months ago and i am sooooooo close.
2. take lots of pictures
3. dance in the rain drops of our sprinkler with my 2yr old.
4. zoo visits, we have a free zoo here in st. paul, mn!
5. sunny days at a local beach with my baby girl, friends and their babies.
6. an adults only weekend with my friends who are my family here (i live away from family)where we can drink without caution of having to get up with sun and our littles.
7. watch my best friend give birth to her first born, a daughter, due June 28th. I’m so excited for her!
8. vegetable garden- it’s my first summer in a house of our own, and yard to go with it!
9. enjoy the sounds of our wonderful pond in the back, when i sit on my deck i can hear the sounds of more animals than i can count.
10. introduce my 2yr old to the magic and deliciousness of smores!
and so much more!
TN says
One month from today, I’ll be in Martha’s Vineyard with the man I love and my fantastic extended family who hasn’t met him yet. We’ll be eating lobster, drinking wine, watching sunsets, and reading books in Adirondack chairs on the beach… sigh… 🙂 The thought of that is seriously what’s getting me through this last month of teaching!
Married2MrWright says
Love this post! My Libby is the same age as Nella and she does the same thing with her legs! It’s hilarious! I’ll hear her in the night lifting and dropping them over and over and it moves her into the corner of her co-sleeper.
I also find myself crying tears of gratitude lately when I nurse Libby or rock her to sleep. It’s so amazing to be in her light.
Have a fantastic summer…our plans? Not too many, but we are traveling back to CA to see family. It’s been way too long (April 2009). And I am excited for everyone to finally meet Libby. I also want to make it a point to get outside as much as possible and enjoy the great outdoors through Libby’s eyes. She loves to just watch the leaves on the trees rustle in the breeze…and watch their shadows dance on the grass. Bliss.
Anonymous says
Nana Kate sounds like a wise woman – I love that she was able to see that so early on. Wow. My mom was like that too when my daughter was born. Amazing.
Enjoy your summer days….
h.
Poppa says
To Amypins…
You are a dear and precious friend to your friends–for you, after your own recent loss, list with your summer bliss your anticipation with joy for the birth of your friend’s first baby. Some would just numb themselves to such parallel dreams…but not you. Now there is the heart of friendship. I am touched and send healing hugs to you and yours!
Hanna says
I love summer pre, during and post time… it is all about sun, bathing suits, chlorine smell, bad hair days and not caring about it.
This year however, I’ll leave summer days postponed in the US, ’cause I’m traveling to my homecountry (Colombia) where we don’t have seasons, but it’s the place where my hubby lives and where my heart is!
kis4s says
I’m going to bake the bread listed above!
We have a busy summer planned – my girls are very involved in dance (youngest) and theatre (oldest) so we plan our summer around their respective camps.
Thus we plan to use non-scheduled time to:
1. Be together!
2. Cook together – my girls are the best meal planners.
3. Road trip together – to see family & friends for way overdue visits, one to Arizona, one to Oregon
4. Read together – My oldest (13) is not a reader but still LOVES to be read to. In the summer we read on the front porch as the sun goes down. I CAN’T WAIT! Just typing this one gives me goose bumps.
5. Run together – my littlest (9) just ran 2 miles w/o stopping to qualify to do a 5k with her school (they have an amazingly motivating principal who started a running club for all ages at the elementary school) Big sis will do cross country in the fall. Me, well, I’m no runner but will do anything to share and celebrate their positive choices! (plus its easier than ballet or improv theater!).
Oh my this is long!
Love your post – thanks for getting me excited for summer on this cold and wet Saturday! I can almost taste summer!
;o) Alison
Laura F. says
I totally get the tears being different. I find my eyes welling with tears of gratitude and tears of pride and tears of love that burst from my heart! Ian has changed me, changed us… in the most amazing way. I look forward to everything more now. I celebrate every little thing, with both my boys. I love looking at how the recent days of sun have brought out these pale, beautiful freckles on my older son’s nose. And I had tears of pride at seeing Ian doing his first open handed, noise making clap! Complete with a proud grin of his own and his big brother’s laugh when he told Ian to “clap” and he did. I love the tears I have now. They remind me of life, a physical reminder of love and being in the moment.
And in terms of Nella’s soul, I totally get that as well. Here is a portion of the letter I wrote to our family and friends on Ian’s 1st birthday:
“And when you look at Ian, be sure to take a look at the palms of his hands. They are wrinkly. If you look closely, you will see really little wrinkles all over his little palms. In these wrinkles I see wisdom. The type of wisdom you have when you get to a certain point in your life and you can look back and say, “I wish I had known then…” But Ian already knows. He has the wisdom of a lifetime at the beginning of his life. All in the palm of his hand. He knows all of life’s secrets, what is really important. His hands and heart are filled with the wisdom that only comes from a life well-lived.”
Here’s to our babies’ sweet souls! And I am working on my summer list — thanks for the great ideas! 🙂
Tristy says
Take my boys to the Lake Michigan shore for some sun, sand, and surf………fireworks, dancing, popsicles, long morning walks, and FAMILY!
I love summer……..your post just reminded me of that and now I am so excited! Thanks Kelle!
dig this chick says
um, you have a glaring HOLE in your summer to-dos…or maybe Nella and Lainey will be romping in the hills of Missoula this fall? OK, then.
A few items I have planned:
watch my bff’s man do an ironman in coeur d’alene
two great friend’s weddings
trip to Minneapolis
lots of camping
even mid week camping, which is something I have so looked forward to being able to do now that I am home
play with margot at our neighborhood water park
backyard cocktails
late dinners
more fresh food than I have ever grown
holding hands with you, celebrating the beautiful arch that connects our lives!
The Johansen's says
Take a trip tp Cali sit on the beach, do flips on the tramp and sleep out on it. Have picnics, teach my little boy to swim, have lots of BBQs and go for late night drives in the canyons.
Jess says
Oh, this post is exactly what my mind has been thinking about none stop since my senior mind realized we only have ten more days left of school.
I haven’t appreciated summer like I should have in the past years, but this year is going to be so different. I am going to summer myself out until I can’t think of anything to do anymore.
I have so much on my list, and so much I’ll forgot, and so much that will be added on latter. But here it is:
Go on a road trip to visit friends
Finally go to a beach
spend a whole day with friends at an amusement park
eat enough cotton candy that it permanently turns my mouth pink
throw a summer party
have a ballon fight
spend most of my time outside, soaking up the summer sun
take more photos than I ever have in my life before
sit in my lawn with a nice drink, a lawn car, and just feel the sun on my skin
redecorate my room
go camping
That’s just some things I want badly this summer. I can smell sea salt in the air, taste cotton candy on my lips, and feel the heat of sun against my face in anticipation!
Hope you get everything & more on your list done. You are going to have a fabulous summer with your girls. and you made me hungry for a Popsicle! I’ll have to go out and buy some now.
samantha says
my summer plans will include wearing lots of flip-flops, taking my dog to our favorite park and listening to my favorite album (twilight soundtrack) on my ipod as i just walk, and my fav…laying out by the pool with my girls and drinking tasty strawberry margaritas 🙂 which is exactly where i’m headed in a couple of hours!
C & A says
Cuddle up in a cozy, private beach house with my one and only, spend many a day soaking in the sun in the apple tree hammock, kiss passionately at Admiralty Point lighthouse to commemorate our first kiss there, and do LOTS of computer programming…
proudmommy says
Take as many pictures as I can this summer YOU are my insparation I LOVE looking at your pictures and want to be just a good as you when I take pictures. i also want to take my girls ( 3 and 7 months) to our local zoo, our local amusement park, on roadtrips, the drive in all kinds of things!!! Have a great summer!!!
MelissaKeaster says
Audition for and possibly lead in our community production of Peter Pan (it’s been 2 years since I’ve been on stage, which is way too long).
Go canoeing with my family.
Teach Micah (my 15 month old) to enjoy swimming.
Travel to Florida to see longtime but seldom seen friends.
Read and write to my heart’s content.
All My Monkeys says
a week at “the cabin” (northern MN) on the lake, go fishing – w/o kids and with, Wednesdays in the park (my family meets in teh park across from my house, have a potluck supper, and let the kids run while the adults chat), see some fireworks, and enjoy my step-daughter’s visit, clean and fix up a bedrrom for her, finish decorating my and the girls’ bedrooms, and maybe make a few trips to the pool, and tie-dye tshirts for everyone in the family since I had the kit for ages.
Vonda says
First of all our special little ones DO know a lot more than we do. I can sense it when I look at my Noah. Sometimes I feel he is looking directly into my soul and sometimes I feel like I’m going to just fall into his eyes. No greater feeling on this earth, and those around us that know nothing about Ds and have never experienced this, well I feel sorry for them, ya know? 🙂
Did I mention how yummy Nella is, oh yes I did, about 3 million times, sorry, but anyway, those cubby legs and those FEET, you are torturing me here, again I could eat them up!!!
We live in Maryland so we intensely look forward to our summers, especially after the snow that we had this past year that was taller than my kids. We look forward to Maryland steamed blue crabs dumped in the middle of a huge picnic table, the smell of the Old Bay rising up from them and finding our noses. YUMMY. We look forward to planting more flowers, taking long walks with our jars to see if we can find some unusual bugs, or turtles or… GULP… ring neck snakes. We can’t wait until the June Bugs come out so we can tie a string on their leg and let them fly around like a little motorized airplanes. We picked our yearly strawberries on Friday night in a huge field with my Noah’s face COVERED in strawberry juice and hearing his little sighs as he stuffed each one in his mouth assurred me they were GOOD!!! We go on long bike rides on the C&O canal until mommy feels like she’s gonna faint or puke, and the older kids laugh at me. We go to the river and swim and collect bags and bags of the perfectly shaped rounded river rocks which we bring home and place in the garden. We fish, we get Rita’s Italian ice, we sit out late at night on the Futon that I have on the front porch (which my husband says resembles something that you would find on a trailer down by the river. MEN!!! After I place my old patchwork quilt on it, in shades of lavender and purple, that match the paint on the spindles of our wrap around porch, then place tons of patchwork throw pillows on there, it’s spectacular, just like something out of Better Homes and Gardens and HE is the one that spends the most time there. Go figure!!! It’s cozy and wonderful, and my kids and I sit out there late at night and listen to the frogs, and then swear we hear noises that we have NO idea what they are, until finally we scare ourselves so badly that we run into the house knowing we heard a bear or wild animal that was about to eat us!!!
I love summer, crave it, can’t wait for it to replenish my vitamin D with all that sunshine!!! Now off to plant some more flowers with the image of Nella’s toes in my head!!! 🙂
PILCHERS says
I love all the colors in this post! So summer-ish! I want to take more pictures AND actually do something with them.. We are actually going to do family shots soon..that’s the plan. Go to the lake. Let the house go and play on the slip n slide with my littles. Buy one of those old school bikes (ones with the big handle bars) and go bike riding with the children of the corn. Take the kids on a road trip. Go to Hawaii with my love!That’s just the beginning!
Vonda says
That should have been CHUBBY legs up there on my post. I don’t know what cubby legs are, ha ha ha.
Kathleen says
Drive to the coast (from Ontario) and dip my two year old’s toes in the OCEAN for the first time!!! So excited.
Sheri says
I am going to spend the summer at the lake with my dog Brutus and friends and family, and take millions of pictures with my new Canon Rebel camera that you inspired me to buy. I am SOOOO excited!!
Megan says
Your Lainey and Nella are delicious! I miss having baby girls! the prints and yummy fabrics!
We are soo ready for summer here in Ohio. We’ve had a few tastes of it already.
We are going to be (in no particular order):
eating popsicles
playing at the park
swimming every day it doesn’t rain
going to Assateague Island for the first time in a few years for a huge family reunion/ campout – can’t wait!
smelling babies covered in sunscreen and sand
enjoying our little house in our little town and not worrying that it’s not really big enough for 11 people!
making it to daily Mass once in a while more often
doing ART with DAD
finding more reasons to use my new mixer
perfecting my homemade salsa
reading Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn with my middles
reading lots of Pooh with my littles
and waiting for the new Twilight movie with my bigs!
Anonymous says
I’m not much of a blog reader, but I thoroughly, thoroughly love yours. Your perspective, your writing, your style, and of course, the gorgeous pictures, especially of your two beautiful girls! How lucky and blessed you all are to have each other. Thank you for sharing your life with the vast interwebs. 🙂
Ashley says
Kelle, as always you inspire me to slow down and enjoy the small things in my life. Thank you 🙂
My summer list:
1. Try to not let work irritate me so much
2. Try to not get sucked into my family’s drama
3. Go camping with my boyfriend
4. Go to the lake & beach more than once
5. Spend all the time I can with Michele’s (my best friend) daughter Sophie (she’s three months old and brings a sense of calmness to me)
6. Have a “girls night out” at least once a month with my fabulous friends
7. Start saving for my new camera & find lessons to take
8. I want to start painting again
9. Plan a fabulous road trip
Once again, thank you Kelle, from the bottom of my heart for reminding me to stop and enjoy the small things 🙂
Happy Almost Summer!
Jenn says
This summer = Having our sweet baby boy + Enjoying maternity leave with the new little man and our other little guys + Spending lots of time at the dirt bike track watching the boys do what they love + some camping + Grilling out AT LEAST once a week + fireworks and popsicles and parades and beach days and planting veggies and bike riding and a million other things…can’t wait!!
Angie says
Summer Plans:
1. Lay on blanket in backyard and make shapes out of the clouds my kiddos.
2. Camping….which leads to roasting marshmallows, making smore’s and star gazing. Being bundled up by a cozy fire and talking late into the night.
3. Watching the sunset with my three kids and dear husband.
4. Run half marathon.
5. Participate in local duathlons.
6. Visit best friend in Florida.
7. Visit parents in Kentucky.
8. Read a really good book.
9. Stop stressing over the last five pounds.
10. Host my son’s first sleepover. Do it up really big, movies, popcorn, cookie making, camp in the backyard.
11. Friday night margaritas in our cul-de-sac with neighbors over a fire pit.
12. Journal in each of the kids’ notebooks.
13. Stay up late and enjoy every single minute of my boy who will be in all day kindergarden come fall…and secretly praying my husband will agree to me home schooling him instead…
14. Picnics.
I could go on and on…
Thank you, Kelle. You truly inspire me to be my very best self.
Anonymous says
OH…I love hearing about your adventures with your little precious little ones. The pictures are fabulous too!!! Hold tight to making new memories …when the children get older it is a little harder to make memories as a family.
Vero says
This summer I will enjoy the small things!!!!!
THANK YOU KELLE FOR CHANGING MY LIFE!!!
Crystal says
I know exactly what you mean! Though it has been raining here in Oregon for weeks and will keep raining, it will magically disappear around June 1 like it does every year, and then….the fun in the sun begins! Can’t wait for it to come. Now that Jack is 2 and old enough to enjoy some more, we’re going to live it to the fullest!
Kira says
I am feeling the call of summer as well. My little ones are finishing up school, and already we are making impromptu stops for ice cream, swimming more, and stretching out the evenings a little longer!
If you do make that day trip to St. Augustine, and are interested – i would love to have you photograph my 3 little ones! Your pictures (and words) are beautiful, and inspire me to find more beauty in my every day.
Future Mrs. Reed says
This summer I’m starting the greatest adventure of my life. I’m getting married! 🙂
Elena says
I plan on getting sand in every crack and crease of my two littles.
Olivia says
I have two concerts in Ireland with my twin sister! We leave in two weeks! There is really nothing better than doing the thing I love most with the person I love most. We fit perfectly in our music, as we do so in our life. We just ended our freshman year at different colleges-the longest time we have ever spent apart (gasp!)- and I can’t wait to take pictures, sing, laugh, and dance with my best friend and twin sister.
justadrienne says
I’m going to grow a baby this summer. ::Smile::
Party of Nine says
Your list looks so awesome…Thanks for the inspiration! Just started our list here:
http://togetherforareason.blogspot.com/2010/05/summertime.html
I linked to you, too 🙂
Katrina says
Your posts almost always choke me up — I guess it doesn’t help that I’m 9 weeks pregnant and very hormonal 😉
Summer for us means days without a schedule. I love that. We live in a community with lots of pools and waterparks for the kids to play in. Lots of parks. One of my favorite things to do with the kids in summer is walk to all the parks in our community. We like to see how many new ones we can find. (there are always neighborhood pocket parks that we discover) We spend about 15 minutes at each park, then move on again….like nomads. And we pack our towels in the bottom of the stroller and wear our bathing suits so that when we get hot from all the walking we can just stop by a pool or a waterpark to cool off. Those are my favorite summer days.
Anonymous says
Will you share your sangria recipe when you nail it? I have been working on this myself.
Love the photos, the narrative, too, by the way.
Bethany says
I just want to say “I told you so!”? 🙂
As a mommy to 5 with a set of twins where one has Down syndrome – I have experienced, as many moms, this crazy journey of love and acceptance and love and adoration and love… that these littles with their extra something take us on. It will only keep getting better until one day you’ll even wonder what the big deal was all about! You’ll want to go back and hug the “old” you that cried in the delivery room knowing now that everything is exactly as it should be. And you are who you were always meant to be!
angela says
I just started my list this morning!
Many beach trips (we live in Tampa where the beach is just a hop skip and jump away!)
Slip n slide in the backyard!
Pottery classes
take craft classes at Michael’s
Ikea trips when it is just too hot outside plus, my kids love that place!
take my girls to gymnastics and my oldest to basketball (all inside too!)
lots of library fun too
Sarah says
enjoy my first non pregnant or newborn baby summer in 5 years!!! Maybe I can actually make it to the pool!
The Dixons says
These are some of the best pics yet. Are you getting better or are your girls just getting cuter?? I like the list. It’s a grand idea. I myself tend to dread summers. 7 years ago when my husband lost his job I was forced into becoming a working mom after being a SAHM for 7 years. I miss summers with my kids. Time by the pool, trips to the library summer reading program, sleeping in… now summers are spent feeling guilty because the kids are shuffled from unreliable sitter to unreliable sitter. You have challenged me to find the good. Find the positive. Take the time I have and make it count. I’ll work on my list. Thanks for the challenge!
Smocking with Gwen says
Hi Kelle,
Had to get my Nella fix today. Lainey is so much the big sister…bless her heart! Have been off visitng my 2 grands and loving all the crazy stuff. Now, I need to make a list! Thanks for the push.
Best Wishes,
Gwen
Kathryn says
I wrote this super wonderful long post and blogger wouldn’t let me hit publish *argh*.
So, I’ll leave it at this,
Nella’s eye are like looking at pools full of so much soul, I love it!
Callie says
Lainey is beginning to look so much like you!
Great post, great pics & great summer to do list…..
Bulldogma says
This summer I hope to watch fireworks from a boat as it gently rocks in the currents of the lake. I want to feel the cool grass as it peeks up from between my toes and lick melting ice cream from the sweet edges of a waffle-cone. I want to watch as my 7-year-old leaps off the sun warmed dock into the cool waters of the lake. I want to finish training our 7-year-old bulldog to be a service dog…
I also want to wear a bathing-suit without worrying about looking like a wayward moose, lost by a lake in VA!
Heidi Lee says
I look forward to not making packed lunches.
I can’t wait to sleep in until 10, finish breakfast by 11, and laugh when Chris comes home for lunch at noon and we’re not hungry.
I am excited to be lazy with nowhere to go, just hanging with my girls for a nice long summer.
We plan on taking business trips with Chris again…it’s always fun family time.
Amy Parris says
Summer goals:
1. SLOW DOWN
2. Not be in a hurry
3. Take it easy
4. Relax
Get the drift? Of course there will be Vacation Bible School, vacation, family reunion, and other projects as well as training for a Half Marathon.
But..while I do this I want to stop saying, “Hurry up”. I want to savor each sweet moment of having the kids home. I want to enjoy the summer – really enjoy it.
RMAinMD says
1) build a castle on the beach
2) watch fireworks from d.c. mall
3) eat plenty of icecream
5) somedays do nothing
6) run my first 5k in d.c.
7) prepare more barbeques outdoors
8) picnics every week
9) see gordon lightfoot in concert
10)see pat metheney in concert
Life with Kaishon says
Excited for your summer for sure : )
There is something so marvelous about summer. So carefree and fantastic. I live for it.
Here are some of the things on our summer list:
impromptu day trip to the Jersey shore!
boat ride at lake nockamixon
visit to inner city Philly to hand out some water ice to kids! We love kids in the city. love. love. love!
vacation to lancaster
picnic as much as possible
movie night at the pool!
sleep out in tent in the back yard.
be happy and thankful every.single.day! because good heavens…life is short!
Stacy Kaye says
I also can’t wait for this summer! You have motivated me to make my own to do list for the summer…some of the things on that list:
*Pick fresh blackberries at our cottage and make a blackberry pie
*Go to the beach at least once every week and watch my little man splash in the water
*Take in some area of this beautiful land I live in that I have never seen before
*Paint my toenails a new fun shade each month
The Longos says
Hmmm….this summer?
Watch my baby girl turn one.
(God-willing) Move into a new home.
Sunday brunches with my mom.
Children’s plays and KinderMusic.
Bring back Date Night.
Bake cupcakes.
Get back on stage.
Soak up the sun and d*^& the consequences.
Your little Bean is more precious by the day — what a happy little girl! Lainey looks so proud to be her big sister. I can’t wait to see what antics those two will get into when Nella is mobile.
Thank you THANK YOU for reminding me how beautiful life is on a daily basis.
When you get that Sangria recipe down, I know we would all LOVE the secret 😉
Melina says
oooooh!!
1. Make a giant beautiful inspired photo book about my last year in Chile (thanks for kickin me into high gear on that one….I love your baby books!)
2. I will continue to go whitewater kayaking even though I broke up with the boy who took me all the time. I will find a way and I will keep improving!
3. I will soak up/drink up every tiny piece of this brilliant state called Vermont.
4. I will take pictures. of. everything and make my blog beautiful.
xoxox
melina
teri the big red dog says
holy WOW… you got yourself one TOTALLY ADORABLE baby there! i wub her beary much!!! thank you for making us think and accept and love people wtih differences!!!
Cassie says
OH, St. Augustine!!! One of my favorite places on this planet we call Earth! 🙂 And one of the reasons that it is my favorite is a little shop called Notions and Potions. Now they have some really kooky stuff in there, but I collect dragonfly perfume bottles and trinket boxes and they always have a fabulous collection of perfume bottles, frames, mirrors, trinket boxes, etc. I can literally spend an hour crammed into the little space next to the display case deciding just which one I will choose! I miss Notions and Potions! My summer list is a great one! Not your usual paint my toenails bright colors, bbq every night of the week so that we can partake of the kids’ latest trout catch, dream about planting lots of beautiful flowers in the yard but not actually getting to it kind of summer(although I am sure all those things will still happen)! But my baby brother is getting married in October and my mom and I are in charge of decorations and invitations and such! Soooo much fun! The Save the Dates are done, and the invites are started, the decorations are too! I am so excited for this wedding to be held in my home state of Maine in October! Oh the colors! I am like a kid who is counting down the months to the most fabulous, all expenses paid trip to DISNEY WORLD!!!!! And this summer, while I don’t want it to rush, will be filled with cutting and stitching, and stamping, and WAITING!!! Happy Summer Kelle!!!!
WWZ says
Don’t know if you’re in the market for a sangria recipe – but I’d like to consider myself a rival for “world’s best”, so here’s mine:
1 bottle wine
1/4 cup suger
1/4 cup triple sec or Grand Marnier
1/4 cup brandy
2 Tbsp lime juice (fresh)
2 Tbsp orange juice (fresh)
lime slices
orange slices
apple slices
1 bottle (750 ml) sparkling water
combine all ingredients (except sparkling water) several hours in advance and chill in fridge. Just before serving, add sparkling water. Serve with plenty of chips and guac.
The original recipe called for red wine, but I actually prefer it with WHITE. Crisp, yummy, and oh-so-strong on a summer night!
Anonymous says
WHERE IS LAINEY’S LIFE JACKET????!!!
Kelle says
Dear Anon,
This photo was taken on the beach, after we arrived back, after Lainey’s life jacket was removed, after she climbed out of the kayak, and after her daddy bribed her with a really cool pink shell to climb back in for a photo. I could disclaim every photo I post, but I trust readers know I would not put my kids in danger.
Thankfully, I understand comments like this are most likely from one concerned mama to another…so thank you for caring about my kids!
~k
Gini says
Love seeing Nella’s pictures. Our almond eyed babies are beautiful! The BIG thing on my list – take lots of pictures.
Hope to see you again soon!
Gini
xxoo
Lisa says
Another beautiful post. I LOVE seeing your pictures. You inspire me to write in my blog more often. Capturing what’s going on in my life *right now* is important.
I was wondering if Lainey and Nella’s brothers live with you guys full time?
What a BEAUTIFUL family you have 🙂
Jennifer G. says
I love the hoodie picture! You do such a great job of capturing special moments with your family!
On my to-do list:
1. Late evening river trips.
2. Homemade popsicles.
3. Jump off the high dive. (Eek!)
karla@westernesse.com says
LOVE the baby legs! My little guy just turned 6 months, and when he puts his legs out really straight I call it Sticky Outy Legs… and then when he gets really excited, or impatient, he kicks kicks kicks. He’s so animated, so full of personality, and I too swear they know much more than we give them credit for.
Yesterday was beautiful here. It was warm and sunny with a cool breeze, not humid – my fave kind of weather. I always want ice cream in the Summer, but I’m trying to cut back on unhealthy foods so we opted for Del’s instead (it’s not Summer in New England till you’ve had a Del’s lemonade).
This Summer I want to have more picnics and tea parties, make my husband skip work so the whole family can spend the day together, get fresh food at the local farmer’s markets, finish clearing out our garden to make room for plantings (we already have tomatoes and herbs, and my MIL made a huge pot called a “salad bowl” with salad fixin’ plants), put up a couple more bird feeders because we already love watching the humming birds, take a walk around the neighborhood after dinner, take the top of the Jeep and just drive around…
Tomorrow we’re going canoeing, and it’s the first time we’ve done it with our littles. I’m excited!
Peeper says
St. Augustine? We got married at the gazebo in the town square on NYE! The Christmas trees were still up and the park was lit with twinkle lights. Such lovely beaches there too…have a beer at Scarlet O’Hara’s for me 😉
My summer to-do list can be found at
http://peeperblog.blogspot.com/
1. Time with Ada
2. Eat from our garden
3. picnic in Golden Gate Park
4. grill out!
5. Alemany Farmers Market
6. camping
7. hike Tomales Point then eat oysters
8. tomato, peach, corn salad!!
9. celebrate: birthdays, weddings, visitors, baby showers
10. make strawberry ice cream
11. Run
12. trip to Kansas City to see Heather
13. bonfire in the backyard
14. Trip to Portland to see Katie
Vera says
That second to last picture cracked me up, because Nella’s expression is exactly the face my three month old makes when his older sisters hold him sometimes ha! Your girls make me so happy – I love coming here looking at your beautiful pictures of your beautiful babies.
My summer plans… two road trips, a Mystic Pizza party with my girlfriends, eating popsicles and rinsing off in the sprinklers, swimming lessons, LOTS of birthday parties.
Heather aka Bananasmomma says
Take our annual camping trip and drive around on the golf cart until the sun goes down.
Rachel says
My summer check list is simple…I’m gonna spend time loving on my girls and let them stay in their jammies all day…or until they stick the swim suit on and wear that until it is time for bed again. Very few errands, just being together.
Rachel says
One thing on my list was to post about it being almost summer. AHH! you beat me to it. 🙂 Also, to have another giveaway on my blog. Just thought I’d let you in on it!!! It has to do with photography so I thought you’d be interested. There is one picture in this post with Lainey and Nella that is just awesome. 🙂
~KC: says
Lainey and Nella are so beautiful! LOVE seeing their pictures. C:
I know what you mean. My little big love knows so much. What she knows best is how to love. One look with her beautiful almond ayes, one hug, one kiss, one soft touch, one smile, one word with her sweet voice is enough for you to feel blessed in her presence. Her essence is so powerful that sometimes I can’t stop crying and laughing at the same time. Also, she is very smart and generous. She shares her wisdom with all the people she meets and leaves heartprints wherever she goes…
This summer I’m looking forward to: Walking to Central Park every day for a week–>check! Family reunion. Spending more time in nature. Taking some Philosophy and Meditation classes. All kinds of trips. Going to concerts. Visits to museums and galleries. Going to the theater. Wine testing. Going to amusement parks. And much more. Try to do everything at least 3 times (:3 is my favorite number, also 6 & 9:).
May we all have a wonderful summer~
“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.” -Alan Cohen
Peeper says
Love it that Reason to Believe leads the playlist just now. This is one of my favorites on this particular Springsteen tribute album!
Megann says
Your girls are beautiful!!!!
This summer I am planning on spending many days at the pool with my boys, time with my Mom,Dad and brother when they come to TN to visit, a trip to the beach, finish my LIBS class with an A, cookouts with friends, and just enjoying the nice hot TN weather with my family. I love reading your blog. I also enjoy listening to your music. Thanks!
Thusa says
Do I spy little pink dollops of pink nail polish on those little toes? So adorable.
Your babies are beautiful.
susan says
LOVE the new pictures. So cute that Nella is doing her exercises. I love her black hat. I might have to find one for my future Lanie:) I am glad your tears are happy tears now:) It is so wonderful when you get there.
Summer plans…
Lots of camping. We are going to camp this weekend. Who cares that I am 9 months pregnant:)
Taking lots of pictures.
Enjoying being a stay at home Mom for the first time ever.
Hugs.
Susan from Michigan
Summer says
I love Nella’a sweet baby tummy and the popsicles totally spell summer. I knew what you meant before I even read it. Love your blog!
SDM says
I absolutely adore the bear hugs Lainey gives Nella!! You can just tell how much she loves her & how proud she is to be the big sis!!
Can you please add “write a book” to your summer to do’s 🙂
xo
-s
Samantha N says
I want a glass of sangria now. I will have to wait though until my little boy is born in almost 2 months. Please share your sangria recipe. I loved reading your list of summer adventures. I need to think of mine.
Your girls are so beautiful and I love reading your blog.
Caryl says
Super cute pics of Nella’s legs. Can that sweetness get any cuter?
Summer to-do list:
1) Finish figuring out my camera
2) Figure out my photo editing program
3) Take more pictures of my girl
4) Take more pictures
5) Love my family some more
And some other stuff =)
xo
c
Misty says
This summer we will…
Plant our own tomatoes and peppers (transplanting tomorrow!)
Experience the circus
Vacation in cottages on a lake in Ontario (with my Fiance’s ENTIRE family!)
Go to Ocean City Maryland for our first ever “just-the-four-of-us” family vacation
Take weekly trips the farmers market for fruits, veggies, and lunch… just like my mama did with me!
Mama Monkey says
Ahh…lazy summer days! Zoo trips, hanging out outside…just being together! that’s what our summer is going to be all about 🙂
I have to know–Where on earth did you find Nella’s CUTE pants on the first pictures of her doing her yoga moves? ADORABLE!!!
Girl From the Ville says
I’m in Australia and it will be winter here in a few short weeks. Winter in Townsville means that we only have to turn on the airconditioning in the middle part of the day and we can venture outside without melting into a puddle.
Our winters are probably very similar to your summers and the weather is perfect!
So during winter here, we are planning to
Do some camping
Spend some time playing on the beach (the sand is too hot to touch in summer)
Go for a bike ride and have a picnic at our destination
Take a holiday to go and see some snow in a colder part of Australia
Sleep with the windows open so the cool breeze can blow over us during the night
Thanks for sharing your stories and beautiful photos. Love love love reading your blog!
emily says
love this. i’ve been waiting until june to freeze the otter pops 🙂
Annie says
I caught frogs tonight! And we chased lightning bugs and played golf with wiffle balls 🙂 Summer is a coming over here in Alabama!
Larissa Jade Gray says
We are just transitioning to Winter over here in Australia – your Summer-ness makes me look forward to the next one even more! I can’t wait to read about yours.
PS – I agree, Nella has such beautiful, old, soulfull eyes… your girl knows everything <3
dot says
Hang out in the driveway with my awesome friends lighting sparklers and eating smores…check!
Andrea W says
I am a summer soul too!
I almost bought new socks for my little boy yesterday because all his current socks are too small, but then I remembered – summer is almost here and we are all going to be barefoot for the next 4 months!
Last year we built a beautiful new patio and after 2 years of summers spent doing renos I am really looking forward to just hanging out in our yard and staying close to home. BBQs, jumping on the trampoline, taking care of our garden, watching my daughter ride her bike and taking short walks to 7-11 and the library.
It’s going to be soooo good! 🙂
Can’t wait to read about your summer!
Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend says
Just when I think there could not be a cuter post or picture….there is a cuter one…You make my days…I finally have a few hours to blog hop…Be sure and check out my new post on a GREAT FATHERS Day gift, plus a great Disney giveaway that ends Monday…Some really fun stuff…
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
Cindy says
Kelle,
Just wanted to tell you that I love your blog. It brings me such joy, contentment and peace. With your words, you take me with you, back to a person I used to be. I missed her. I feel her in here again, when I relive her with you. Thank you.
It made me smile too, when I saw you write about the littles. I’ve had littles for 20 years.
Bless you and your darling girls, your sweet life. May you always have the ability to find and recognize the joy. It is a gift and a wisdom.
By the way, your music is awesome too.
Kimberley says
Beautiful post, as always. Makes me want to give Nella a cuddle. I love babies at her age, they’re the perfect size for snuggles!
Its just heading into winter here in Australia, and your post has me thirsty for the beginning of summer again.
During YOUR summer (my winter), I will be;
stealing as many cuddles from my husband in a warm bed before we both have to get up.
Making hearty soups and rich hot chocolate and taking them in thermal mugs on picnics with big thick wooly blankets!
Knitting my nieces hats and scarves and booties.
Staying in when its rainy, and writing long and heartfelt letters to my family back home.
Heck, I might even invest in a cute pair of adult gumboots with obnoxious polka dot patterns on them and go splashing in puddles.
Molly says
Hmm Summer plans… run in the field behind our house with our dogs, spend an entire day by the pool doing NOTHING, and karaoke for sure!
I can’t believe how amazing Nella is developing. I was curious of milestones like rolling over and lifting the head after seeing her roll over in the video you posted and all the pictures of her lifting her head. She is doing fabulous! I really think the support of parents makes all the difference. Encouragement and just the sheer joy you showed when she did roll over for the first time, that has to be playing a big part in it. Oh, and the fact that she is a rockstar! Can’t wait to see more milestones soon! For both of your girls 🙂
Amanda Dunn says
I have been reading your blog for a while now. I have 2 little girls and My oldest is Delaney and we call her Laney. She reminds me so very much of your Lanie. My littest is Addison and Your blog has taught me to cherish every single waking moment with my girls. To be spontaneous. To cherish the nightime wakeups and their own sleepy smell. I have never commented before, I felt as if I was intruding almost but I had to today because I felt like I needed to. I just wanted to tell you that world away, You and Your girls have made such a huge impact on the way I have been living the last couple of months. Your daughters and beautiful and Nella makes my heart happy.
Angela says
What ‘must’ I do this summer?
Plant flowers again.
Actually water them!
Sophie says
I so love the Nella pilates…. you go girl… good for your tummy muscles 😉
Kulio says
Just wait until your littles start school, the anticipation is even greater! Only 5 days of school left for mine – we get out early and enjoy a looooong summer – I feel so bad for those sweating in classroom into June and returning to school mid August! 3 long months await – plenty of time for boredom and the creativity it inevitably brings.
Kim says
My goodness…St. Augustine…how can I put into words how much I love visiting that city? I have 3 suggestions for you, Mizz Hampton 🙂
1. Palomilla steak at Colombia restaurant
2. Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche…I could very easily spend hours strolling the grounds there
3. St. Augustine in December is gorgeous! The holiday decorations are oh so pretty 🙂
My name is Alena says
Your girls are beautiful as always 🙂
5th ave? What city do you come from, that makes me think of NYC 🙂
My plans for the summer? Simple:
Meet my little boy! (EDD 6/8)
Enjoy my little boy & my man 🙂
Summer nights
Pool days
BBQs
Get the new apartment ready & move in
Go back to school or at least consider it
Start working again 🙁
Beth says
My son was born with End Stage Renal Disease. He is has been on dialysis since he was 2 months old and spent the first 6 months of his life in the NICU at our local children’s hospital. He is now 2 years old and able to receive a kidney transplant. So our biggest event for this summer is for me (his mother) to donate one of my kidneys to him on July 27th. It is going to be a life changing day for all of us.
Diana Doyle says
Fabulous photos and words as always Kelle, your babes are growing.
I’d love your Sangria recipie when you perfect it…and knowing you it will taste delish!
I’ve never tried Sangra so would be interested to know what a yummy one has in it! 🙂 Thanks!
Amy says
Dear Kelle, I NEED to know where you got those pictures that are beside (behind?) the change table?? I LOVE them!
I love the pics of the popsicles!
Our plans include take our baby girl canoeing, and practice crocheting some wicked hats for the fall!! And eating the delicious food out of our garden. Happy summer!
Kelle says
Beth, what a beautiful event for your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers…and your sweet boy…oh, what a gift his mama is giving him. I would do it in a heartbeat for either of my girls.
Theresa says
O.M.G.
In the picture of your girls (the one where they are both wearing white and black) Lainey looks like SUCH a 3-year-old! So grown up!
Also, I love your list, and I’m stealing the “learn to make the best sangria’s” idea. I love me some sangria.
This summer is my last summer before Scarlett is a preschooler, so I’m determined to make it spectacular. Every day I want to either do a baking project, craft, play date, or a kid-oriented outing. Weekends excluded, because when Daddy is home, we always end up doing something fun and unplanned like your impromptu beach trip 🙂
I’m going to go make a list now 🙂 It’s good to have some specifics written down!
Caterpillar Creations says
Oooh girl, don’t kick me but, Miss Nella is looking SO grown up.
The thing we look forward to in the summer is the Minnesota State Fair. It’s the worlds largest, dontchyaknow!
Food on a stick. That’s what it’s all about…deep fried candy bars on a stick, Walleye on a stick, Pizza on a stick, Bacon on a stick…you name it. And they always come up with something new every year.
I think you would have a BLAST!!!
~~Ann~~
Crystal says
I could not possibly pick a favorite picture this time.
I love baby feet. Nella’s pink toes are scrumptious! And Lainey’s curled toes on her little bike peddles are adorable.
Has it been three months? Look at that girl grow. She is beautiful. She has changed more than just a Mommy and a Daddy. She has changed me and I’ve never met her. (And your blog was reaching a point where I could read and not cry… no such luck today!)
And for the record, I like Nana Kate. She is very insightful! Falling to our knees is good for the soul. Promise!
Jene says
I will make potato salad and baked beans and lemon bars to have with our grilled burgers and watermelon. I will invite people over on the spur of the moment and hang out in the heat, soaking in as much vitamin D as my skin allows. I’ll take naps on my air mattress in the pool and gaze lovingly at the garden flowers summer brings me. I’ll watch the palm trees sway in the breeze and look at the asure sky relishing in it’s sublime color.
Ceciley2007 says
I love your realness, I lOVE to dance and I am with you.. we can have it all!! I really do not have major plans for the summer… I love the fact that you bring out the simple things in life!! I thinkg we are going to tye-dye family shirts for our summer trip to Disney. I am a Disney Travel Agent and I would be honored to help you and your family plan your Disney trip one day!! Love your pics! I cry those same tears and oh how the tears are so different now. God does not make mistakes!!
Have a great week!!
Becky says
We have been counting down the days until summer for months already, bring it on!
I love that someone commented about Lainey’s life jacket, and that you were so gracious with your answer.
People make me crazy when they try and warn me (for example) that my toddler is climbing something they think is too high (at the PARK, not a bookshelf…for goodness’ sake!) and I say “oh, I think he’s OK…” Or when they tell me I should be slicing grapes into quarters…etc.
But, I do think most of the time the comments come out of genuine concern, not because they think I’m incompetent. Or, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and choose to believe that anyway 😉
Love your blog, love seeing you love your family.
Million Dollar Mamma says
gonna make a list…just like you. thats what i will do. i have 5 months left of my oldest son before son number two comes. so we have big plans. also, thank you for having pink bows, ponies, flowers, dresses, etc etc so i can live vicariously through you. it is as though girls are not in our plans this life time. thanks Lainey & Nella!
Nicole S says
Happy Summer!
Our list for this summer . . .
Visit the new Sesame play area in Busch Gardens that my sister has spent hours and hours working on
Cook new things for dinner that we have never cooked before and have our own “top chef” scoring at dinner
Watch sunset as often as possible
Since I just passed the FL Real Estate test (yay!), get the ball rolling with becoming a Realtor
Celebrate my son turning the big TWO in July with a fun party
And finally, enjoying the small things 😉
Here’s to a wonderful summer for all of us!!!
Poppa says
Beth,
I just circled July 27th on my calendar and I will be praying for you and your baby–what a gift from a mother! What joy awaits you both with his restored health!
Mommy says
This summer I will.
-not clean so much.
– camp in the backyard with my boy.
-take night time walks
-enjoy more of the small things.
-soak up some sun.
-wear short shorts
thanks for being so excited about life. its contagious. (:
jen says
i was going to tell you some beautiful things that i’m bound to do this summer and cora just yelled out holding a pine needle … “look what i found in my bagina!”
so i guess my best plan for the summer is to put the hose NOT under the pine trees in the front.
Anna Ruth says
For the love of summer!! Can’t wait to be able to just go and do as I please without a schedule. Nella in the hat is just precious.
Vonda says
Jen I am dying laughing over that!!! “Bagina”!! My son Noah calls them “fageena’s”. 🙂
Beth says
Kelle, I love your summer list! I definitely have one going too. Mine is: visit the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, have a cook out on the beach, paint my girl’s room yellow and pink and officially move to the Big Girl Bed (saying good-bye to binkies!), look for shooting stars in August, take a canoe ride by a full moon and see a movie with my kids at a drive in theater. I have so many more but that is the top of my list. I LOVE summer!!!! ~Beth
Kelly says
Oh, those pilate pictures were just too much; especially in that hooded striped sweater. There needs to be a warning posted when you have pictures of Nella is clothes Lily borrowed. I could eat those clothes I love them so much! Adorable pictures all around!
amypins says
Poppa,
thank you so much! I recently talked with a friend of mine, who is due 10days from what my due date would have been, and told of how i just hosted a shower for this sister friend of mine and she said “i could never do that” and I told her that throwing the shower wasn’t hard, and how i threw a baby “sprinkle” for my other sister friend for her second born. Because I truly believe that pregnancy and pending births need to be celebrate (and every one of them, not just the first). I am healing, slowing with hills and valleys but i am healing. and reading kelle’s blog helps remind me to keep looking every day for those good things.
Anonymous says
Who is singing Reason to Believe? Love it.
Kendall Bethy says
1) i want nella’s pilates pants
2) i love that she already has a pedi!! I bought some new polish today for my little Lulu girl.
Ann says
Teaching allows me to enjoy the summer with my kiddos. We will kick back and enjoy the pool in our backyard, go to the water park at least once a week, take day trips to famous KY landmarks every other week (when the cleaning lady comes, enjoy the summer reading program at the Library, grill at least 2 times a week, have popcorn and watch movies on blankets in front of the t.v. and the list goes on and on…
Tallcurlygirly says
1) Dance in the late afternoon with the bubble machine cranking.
2) find a good humor truck. Yum.
3) Sail. Stop and enjoy a good anchorage. Sail some more.
4) Catch a firefly
5) Go to Martha’s Vineyard
6) Make a sand castle.
7) Design and plant a new garden bed!
8) Sleep on the deck
9) Enjoy and seize a day like your 6 years old. My daughter gives me the license to do so!
10) Make endless amount of smores, even if I put on a good 5 pounds.
11) Finish an album or two.
12) Purchase my camera.
13) Master my embroidery software and make some kick ass items for my friends.
Rebecca says
I love looking at the pictures of Nella with her beautiful eyes that look so much like my son, Trevor’s. He is into the pilates thing right now too! Adorable!
:) Miranda says
my list consists of alot, that is not fully developed yet.. but I will give you what I have.
1. save for a car.
2. look at everything in this world like God does.
3. smile at a stranger once a day
4. wake up everyday telling myself that today is going to be a happy day.
5.clean my closet and under my bed
6. start riding my bike again.
7. &exercise at least three times a week (every other day)
Anonymous says
Mine started today with “Blowing Bubbles”!! I was by myself….(my
kids are 19 and 22) 🙂 ……they think I am silly….that’s ok!!
MyRayOLite says
I was so looking forward to a new blog for this Sunday night! :o) Yes, we must allow you to make more memories before you can share them!
This summer I plan to explain the birds and the bees to my 12 year old! Thanks in advance for all the prayers! LOL I have been trying to do this for a year now!
We are just going to lay low and take it one day at a time.
:o)
Jennifer
Raina says
My summer list consists of painting my toes with every bright fun, crazy color of polish I can find….pylon orange, sunshine yellow, hot pinks, bright greens and so on. The even better part is when my daughter wants her piggies to match mamas! She will be 3 in August, and her party will be my summer’s high!
Jess says
I’ve already commented with my to-do list and own little words about this post of yours but, in checking back to see if you updated…I just have to say one more thing.
Nella is absolutely beautiful, kelle. She is breathtaking in every photo you post and although you are a fantastic photographer, there’s no way this is just your skills! You truly have wonderful kids, and I think everything is going to be okay. Nella is going to grow up to be a beautiful lady. Down Syndrome will not hold her back from contributing great things to our world.
You have been given such a beautiful gift. I know a lot of mama’s would be scared and discouraged about what nella has been diagnosed with. I’m sure you’re scared, you have every right to be, but you also haven’t let it get you down. That is wonderful, and shows just how great of a mama you are.
You make me want to appreciate my own mother 100% more every day!
nadinediazlagahit says
hi kelle. i’ve been following your blog for some time alredy.
it’s the middle of summer here in the philippines, and it.is.hot! everyday the weather bureau measures a hottest day ever.
my baby boy is 16 months already. we had to forego our yearly family summer outing because i had just given birth. but not this year! we have taken aren to the beach and he loves.the.water!! i think we will do more of that before the rains finally come.
nella doing pilates is soooooo cute!
-nadine
Romaine says
I too cannot wait to see how things continue to change for you and your family. Aaah man the pics you loaded of Nella are so beautifull it’s like she is blossoming each day. I cannot wait to get to work on a Monday and see the updated pics. Your girls are beautifull and you are such an Awesome Mommy, wish I had half your energy. WOW you are truly an inspiration!!!
pinkpedicure says
this should help you cross off the sangria one!
http://www.momswhoneedwine.com/2010/05/recipe-classic-spanish-sangria/
McMel says
i plan on enjoying my first summer as a mother with my sweet boy who is just 2 days older than your sweet Nella- who just looks like such a fun little girl- babies become so fun at this age! you know they say the eyes are windows to the soul, and i can see her beautiful soul every time i look into her eyes- she makes me melt!
Stef says
Your blog reminds me daily that there’s nothing wrong with LOVING my life. There’s nothing wrong with gushing over my amazing (truly amazing) husband and my 3 kids, who I like to say are the cutest kids evar!
I love your zest for life, I love the way you take pictures and I love your boldness.
Engineered hardwood floors says
This post is full of cuteness. They are so adorable and priceless. Wishing you and your family an enjoyable summer.
B. McKenzie says
She has so much depth to her soul, I would climb in there if I could.
I feel the same way about my Jack.
Happy Summer!
Tisha says
i love the descriptiveness of “heaving her feet into the air”. as if there is alot of grunting and panting. love it.
i love spontaneous trips!! remember of spontaneous road trip to FL. way back when… in the huge van?! lol or the mystery trips? ha, fun times!
summer plans…
beach. bike riding. banana hammock.
Daniele says
Last summer I was big and pregnant. My second daughter was born Aug 5th, so I had very little non-pregnant summer time. I remember so many times last summer, watching my 2 year old and saying “I cannot wait till next summer when….” and the blank was filled in by simple things like roll around in the grass with her, lift her over my head, run with her at the park…By the end of my pregnancy I was very sore and not able to do all of those things. So this summer, I am doing those things with BOTH of my girls! And one other thing I’m looking forward to is the birthday party for BOTH of my girls, turning 3 and 1 just two weeks from each other. 🙂
Midwest Girl says
I am dating a new fantastic man who has 2 daughters. And in our home city there is a free concert every night at one of the local lakes. I plan on us taking picnics with the girls to hear the free music, play on the playground, enjoy the sunset, the water and each other.
The Swanson Family says
Ok Kelle – you have inspired me. Today my husband and I have decided I give my notice at work – I am petrified but my children will be better for it, even if we are poor – so this summer I vow to be the best poor in money – rich in life mother to my 2 children and to enjoy every moment and everything I cannot have so that my children can have it all….THANK YOU.
Kristine says
A few weeks back your blog gave me inspiration to make a ‘to do’ list… and yesterday my son and I (stolen from said list) carved our names in a big old maple tree in our back yard. 🙂 a few mosquito biten ankles later, we made a sweet memory that will be there for years to come. I love your lists and I will not lie, I also stole the “lay out on a blanket and look at the stars” one. 😉 my son is so excited about that!
more of our plans are to walk the beach at sunset, camp out in our back yard, use our new ( 5 bucks at a yard sale) lemonade stand to raise money for a good cause, among lots of other spontaneous things that my little boy inspires me to do.
When you find that perfect Sangria recipe, please share. I am always tweaking mine to get it “just” right.
xo
Kris
Anne says
Wear more sundresses and cute sandels…no one does in my town (too much work for people??) and I always get looks like, “who does she think she is” when I wear them around…screw ’em. I love them and I will wear them 🙂
Evelyn Louise says
Okay…you inspired me. I’m welcoming Summer with a list of my own! Thank you for all the ways you inspire me!
Find my list at:
http://evieloucronin.blogspot.com/2010/05/summer-2010.html
You ROCK, Kelle!
FitzFamilyFun says
My comment is more focused on the middle of your post… I have a 4 year old daughter named Darcy with “undiagnosed congenital abnormalities” with characteristics remarkably like someone with Downs. She even has those beautiful almond eyes that make my heart melt.
I also have an older daughter, Gwen, who is 6, and a younger boy Beckett, who is 2.
One weekend we were at our condo in the mountains with some other families. All the kids were having a blast running up and down the hall of this resort. I stepped out into the hall to observe the fun and saw all the kids run by except my own. I was just about to start asking around, when I see my Gwen rounding the corner running at a snail’s pace with her arm around Darcy, who is running her little uncoordinated run with her arms flailing. Even though all Gwen’s friends had run ahead, she didn’t leave her sister behind. I had to retreat to the safety of my room to cry my proud tears.
My point in writing this is that They Make Us Better People. You have already discovered this and you will continue to over the next years and months, just like I continue to everyday. Someday I think we’ll both feel sorry for those souls who have not had the opportunity to be touched so deeply and taught of such great, great love.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
Kendra says
First off…bring my little one into this world! (Very soon) Then watch her discover this world with innocent eyes that I can’t help but be jealous of!
Nori Coleman says
Ohh, so good to read thispost. I was thinking of your posts today and what I was thinkingwas I want to participate in more fun stuff with my kiddos. I even got in on their water baloon fight today. I also just held my 2 yeasr old and bounced her to sleep listening to your blog and listening to that great music you have on it. Awesome inspiration.
Molly says
I need a new Kelle post. Having a day in Holland.
May says
Wow! Go Swanson Family! You can do it. I was a fifth grade teacher. A nursery school teacher and day care worker before that. Even on your worst days at home with them you are still giving your children the biggest gift in the world. No amount of money will ever get you back these amazing years. Enjoy the summer with your kiddies.
🙂
Amy says
i have no plans for the summer, just yet….but i did just HAVE to comment and say that this is my favorite post ever. ever. hands. down.period.the end. ;0)
Anonymous says
I could spend all day reading you blog and looking at the beautiful photo’s of your gorgeous girls – true inspiration. Its winter here in Australia so first on my list is to rug up, snuggle up and head out for early coffee with Dad and daughter Charlie each weekend. Perfect. Thanks again for being the courageous, open hearted women you are.
Sue W says
I just love hearing about your beautiful girls and the fun you have. you seem to love life to its fullest and teaching your girls to do the same!! Love it! I hope you continue to share your life, girls and fantastic photography!!
Critchfield fam says
I don’t know you, but I love your blog. Your birth story is beautiful. So great of you to share. Hopefully it will prepare future mothers of DS babies to think of the possibility and to realize it’s okay. Your girls are beautiful and you seem like a great Mom! I have a 1 year old and 3 year old (girls). Love Lainey’s b-day party pics. What an awesome party!
Anonymous says
Same with Anne….sundresses this summer is going to be a must. I am so tired of my look. Oh and flowers in the hair. 😉 Also trips to Lake Michigan, running through the sprinkler and tons of bike rides.
LOVE your blog. I have been reading for awhile now. BEAUTIFUL. Thanks!
Rashelle
jweinzettl says
Nella is SUCH a sweet pea! I love, love , love the leg kicks! My girl, hubby and I plan to do much as all these other wonderful commenters and you do this summer- beach days, camping, cooking, soaking up the warmth of the sun, play dates, kid parties, etc! Summer is the best! This is the third summer I’ll be enjoying as a stay at home mom and the anticipation building up to it is almost as better than it was when I was in school, counting down the days until summer vacation! I’m so thankful I get to be home and play with my girl all day, everyday!
Katie R. says
Your pictures of Nella are beautiful (of Lainey too)! Thank you for such wonderful and inspiring posts. Your positivity and zest for life are infectious! I laugh, smile, cry, and marvel when I visit your blog. Enjoy your babes!
Missy says
Two words~~~~ absolutely precious!
marthamac says
I simply adore your blog. I am an about-to-retire preschool special education teacher in Boise Idaho – and your sweet words and amazing photos delight me every single time I click on it. I have shared you with so many co-workers. I am also a grammy to 5 kids here. So my summer is going to be:
lots and lots of swimming pool fun
s’mores
kid float on the salmon river
more s’mores
bubbles
vacation Bible school
scooters, bikes, and roller blades
walks in the foothills
books to read
markers and playdough
and hopefully, sangria when you figure out your recipe and share it with us!
Missy says
You once again have inspired me! I am taking the summer off from all work to enjoy my 4 year old son and 21 month old daughter. We will go to the beach at least 4 days a week! Long afternoons that run into evening in the yard with all the neighbors. Last minute cook outs with burgers and beers. Long visits with family and friends!! I acn’t wait! Thank you for the inspiration!!!
The Big Blue Sky says
Oh – come to CANADA for your road trip!!! Although it would be a crazy long road trip…. boo…
Summer list
waterski at the lake
play with my little
nap in the hammock
love my Mr
not go back to work 🙂
Aaron and Jessica says
I LOVE your post! I enjoy your blog so much. About a month ago I created my “Summer Bucket List” and when I read your post I was so excited just to see yours. I love the summertime! A goal of mine is to take loads and loads of pictures.
Aaron and Jessica says
P.S my “Summer Bucket List” is on my blog if you want to check it out.
I absolutely love your girls the are so beautiful!! I get so excited to read you new post. Thanks for sharing your life. It really is so enjoyable to read about.
Elise says
I don’t even have children yet, but, where in the world is Nella’s AMAZING knitted pants from? They are so lovely I might even buy them now and save for a future child. I also found this website, and instantly thought of you and your two lovely girls. (These ones I also might buy now for my future children, haha 🙂 )
Here you go : http://www.rusticangels.co.uk/acatalog/playhouses.html
These are some of the loveliest playhouses I’ve ever seen.
With love from Elise, a norwegian in England.
Lisa says
My daughter Sarah was born May 13, 2007. Her and Lainey are so close in age and they both seem to have the same love for the soother (“soo”) in our house. This summer I want to learn more about red wine. We are heading down the Oregon Coast this summer and I am very excited about that. Have a great day,
Lisa
Betsi* says
The picture of your Nella, where you say “I think she knows stuff that we don’t sometimes” is beautiful and true.
These special kids, that God gives us, know so much more about unconditional love and pure joy than we with all our reason and whereabouts can grasp.
When I look at my son, who has autism, in a moment of quiet, I want to know what his soul is about because I know it must be profound.
Perhaps the reason that all these “special needs” kids are being born right now is because we, as people, need to be reminded what’s important in life.
Thank you for sharing and doing it so beautifully. I find myself wanting another baby, with that extra special chromosome, just from reading your blog.
Love, Betsi*
Emilyisasecret says
OKay ive spent all day looking for this song and i know i heard it on your playlist. its no longer there.. or maybe i havent looked hard enough. Its a song by a girl and its about a sailor (i think) its kinda folky/country.. I CANT GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD! lol
robyn anne says
i love your blog! just read it for the first time… ive seen this summer to do list on a few other blogs. im totally going to make one now!
thanks for the inspiration.
ps- amazing pictures!
robyn anne says
i love your blog! so cute.
that summer list is great! ive seen it on a few sites and im totally going to get ours going! love it!
ps- great pictures!
Sarah says
I am starting my diet this summer…but I am going to eat lots of cantaloupe and blackberries and all the good fruits. I am going to see my 2nd nephew be born. I am currently sitting in my other sister’s house visiting my new niece!!! This is going to be a fantabulous summer!!!
Natasha says
Write a letter to each of the most important people in my life, telling them just how proud I am of them! We know they need to hear how much we love them, but often overlook telling them how proud we are of what they’ve done.
A Life In Focus Photography says
i love lists! especially seasonal ones.yours was inspiring, here is mine in part:
spend time on my bike and my swing
appreciate the garden my hubs has
realize a new breakfast routine
spend time with my grandson
beach time
watch our fireflies with a still heart
read. and get my books from library
grill
sundresses
pedicures
white jeans
mint iced tea
late evening walks
eat more: corn, tomatoes and crabs!
Diana Esnayder-Flores says
Thank you for inspiring me and reminding me to hug my little ones just a little tighter each day and play with their little bubble gum toes! I love coming to your Blog to fill my life with happiness, inspiration, sunshine, and thank God for the wonderful life he has given me…I love your poetic writing and how your girls pictures warm my heart! Thank you for creating your blog and sharing it with us!
Summer 2010 To-Do-List
1. Build sandcastles and moats with my little ones at La Jolla Shores or any of our beaches here in San Diego
2. Teach my boys Spanish through songs, music, and books
3. Visit the San Diego Library weekly or biweekly
4. Art projects with my sons
5. Take lots and lots of pictures of all the small things in life that make my world wonderful, Isaac’s big smile and loving heart,
Chritian’s curious imagination
6. Enjoy God’s gifts around me
7. Spend time with my closest friends and their families
8. Road trip to New Mexico
9. Day trip to White Sands, NM
10. Visit the Cat Walk while in NM
11. Daytrips to Sea World
12. Daytrips to the Wild Animal Park, which is just behind our house
13. A few more daytrips to Disneyland before we are blocked out
14. Sing and dance with my little guys and big guy
15. Love my husband, just a little bit more for being an incredible husband and daddy
16. Lay in his strong arms at the end of the day
17. Work on eating healthy
18. Lose weight to be healthy for my sons, my hubby and most importantly, for myself
19. Paint with my children
20. Read your blog weekly
21. Create my own blog
22. Slow dance with my hubby
23. Smile and talk to people around me
24. Clean out my garage
25. Exercise 4 to 6 times a week
26. Order butterflies and set them free once they go through the metaphorsis stage
27. Buy ladybugs and watch them play in their playland container and set them free in our garden
28. Discover life through my children’s eyes
29. A patient and loving heart everyday
30. Work on Christian’s and Isaac’s scrapbooks
31. Design my parent’s Christmas album
32. Create next year’s calendar for my mom and mother-in-law
33. Mail a care package to my niece from her trip to Anaheim
34. Mail a care package to our brother-in-law who is now in Afghanistan
35. Camp in our backyard
36. Take our sons fishing
37. Fix my SLR Nikon camera to take incredible pictures of my little ones
38. Plan an amazing Father’s Day for my hubby
39. Mail a gift to my Dad and brothers for Father’s Day
40. Celebrate life each and everyday
41. Fly a kite with my hubby and sons
42. Start running again
43. Use my Ipod to inspire my running
44. Download special music
45. Read, Read, Read incredible stories and adventures to both of my little boys
46. Play with playdough
47. Play with fingerpaint
48. Organize Isaac’s Baby Box
49. Run through the sprinklers
50. Take my sons to the swimming pool
51. Pray and thank God for everything wonderful around me everyday
52. Read the bible
53. Make each and everyday special for our little ones
54. Design fun projects to teach my little ones higher Math, Language, and Reading
All Home Resources says
These are beautiful angelic baby photos. They remind me of when my kids where that age – no point getting broody now – I’m well past it.
Abby says
Oh my, KelleHampton of May 21, 2010…this post is so wonderful! Your excitement about the build up to summer has made me apologize out loud for already complaining about the Tampa heat. And the middle pinky photos of Nella…stunning. She is truly gorgeous. Both girls are…just like their Mama. I could go through every photo on every post and tell you everything that is right about it and what I love about it…but I won’t. But you should know that in my mind, I do. 🙂