When all else fails for dinner plans ’round here, we purge the fridge and lay it all out for a giant smorgasbord of randomness. Like half a hockey-puck hamburger patty with a scoop of enchiladas, a withered bratwurst, a dallop or so of apple salad and some random garnishings of olives. chips. cookies. stale pop tarts. You get it.
And, in blog world, I’m cleanin’ out the fridge tonight. Laying out a nice smorgasbord of stuff that’s been hangin’ round my folders for awhile. A few scrapbook pages, some video clips and a nice little ditty I threw together on our blessed little Tuesday afternoon today. Where Daddy randomly cocks his head to the side mid-afternoon and says, “Hey, wanna go to Chuckee Cheese?” And my head spun. Because that might be the most random thing he’s ever suggested. I didn’t even know he knew what Chuckee Cheese was and I certainly hadn’t been to one since I was like…five. So we went. Just spontaneously threw some diapers in a bag, buckled the girls in seats and drove 35 minutes to the closest Chuckee Cheese. And it was awesome. Just pure awesome spending a Tuesday afternoon pulling tickets out of the ski-ball machine and watching Lainey shy smile for two hours straight. And can I just say I still got it? I still got an arm that can chuck a ski-ball so hard into that little bulls-eye hole, I had a crowd of impressed kids eyeing the tickets that were spitting out of the reward slot.
So yes, totally awesome Tuesday.
Insert random scrapbook pages:
(the beginning of Lainey’s FOUR year book!)
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…and some from Nella’s First Year…can’t post them all…there’s so many so far!
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A side helping of my favorite videos lately.
Lainey pullin’ out this adorable baby talk to her sister:
A little Chuckee Cheese synopsis. Bon Appetit.
I just found your blog and just love it! Your girls (and your story) are beautiful. Just what I needed to read tonight. Thank you. Such an inspiration. AND the scrapbook pages are AWESOME.
Love it!! You do such an amazing job on their photo books. It’s inspired me to do one for my son!
That last video was so awesome!! It was so much fun to watch!! The scrap book pages are wonderful! Thank you for the smorgasboard what a fun compilation of life!!
OK, I really think that President Obama and that McChrystal man he might fire, and Osama Bin Laden and maybe the BP Oil guy and maybe Ms. Pelosi…I think they should all just spend an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese. While I think it might be awkward at first, given enough tickets and pizza, I think they’d all be laughing and hugging and laying down their differences–bopping gophers and riding cycles. I can just see Ms. Pelosi holding Nella and falling in love and the BP Oil guy gettin’ dizzy on the roller coaster. What a nice Tuesday you enjoyed! I cannot wait to make Nella smile like the videos…and I can remember when you worried and wondered if she could be the “sister” Lainey so longed for. She is…and more! Bravo. A post that just made me smile…and cry a little, only because I am after all, the Poppa!
Every new post is immediately my new favourite. I love all the scrapbook pages! 🙂
WAY better than stale poptarts! Loved the video. We love Nella and Lainey at my house.
beautiful. treasure.
Oh how I love the randomness of a Tuesday at ChuckeeCheese! Poppa your idea is a great one… world peace through mediocre pizza & fab arcade games. Beautiful photo book pages… I got my new camera & am madly in love. Thanks for the inspiration once again.
xo
Kate
Such a beautiful family, your girls are absolutely adorable, I love your blog…Really, you seriusly make my end of the day better…
Many, many blessings (and many more).
My two little ones are now sleeping ( a girl and a boy, and I cant stop thanking God how lucky we moms are, it is so amazing to be a MOTHER)
Big hugs to that beautiful d=family of yours!!!
Johanna
(From a very rainy Dominican Republic- sights- will this rain ever stop?)
This is such a fun post. Gorgeous photos. Nella’s first year book is going to be magical.
A friend of mine told me about your blog and I have been reading it for a few weeks now. I have read about the night Nella was born and your struggles. But through it all your pure love for your children shows all the time. You have such a wonderful and refreshing out look on life and I am so inspired by you. You have such a beautiful family that you do not take for granted. It makes me look at my life and recognize all the blessings I have been given! 🙂
Team Kelly! Rock on!
I love your Michigan accent! I have family that lives there and I can hear some definite similarities!
what lovely pictures, I almost cried looking at them!!! also I need you do come do my daughter’s 2nd birthday party next year, what a fantastic job you did!!!
Oh Kelle, such a beautiful family! Thank you for continuing to share with us.
Simply beautiful!!! You inspire me to be a better person.
I do a little happy dance in my head each time I realize I get to read a new post form you- do you really know what an inspiration you are to your readers? And that, through your blog, we all know you are just as fabulous as your sweet little girls? A big thank you once again for the bop upside the head to remind us all that we need to enjoy life and all its tiny treasures a little more.
Your photo book pages are amazing… I love how expressive you are with your thoughts and feelings in your journaling.
and my boys love chuck e.cheese, almost more than anything.
Love it Kelle! Keep being the gorgeous wee family you are, we love reading, watching and seeing it! Have an awesome week xx
Those little girls are going to cherish their books forever. They are absolutely amazing! Also, I LOVE the last video, I couldn’t help but smile and tap my toes to the music throughout the whole thing. What a fun day!
Seriously, that last little video could be a commercial for Chuck E Cheese! Chuck E cheese never looked so fun! Too cute! Loved it all!
Love to you,
Angela
That video of your Brett and Nella made me bawl my eyes out! So sweet!!
PS – I REALLY want you to win the Opera show!
Sarah
http://mylittleheroine.blogspot.com
A friend sent me your blog after the birth of my 2nd daughter, on Jan 23rd 2010! I have just loved following along on your journey, as it parallels mine. What a gift these little girls are! Thank you for reminding me to love love love all the good and challenging things that come with mothering.
-Naomi
PPS – How freakin cute is your Poppa? Love.Him.
i love when daddy’s come up with random great idea’s like that! my hubby is always the financially mindful one, so whenever he offers up the chance to do something like that, we jump on it!!
and my goodness….that video of nella smiling at brett….i have had a long, tiring day, and that just put a smile on my face that i totally needed! she’s adorable!
what a great blog and a fab blog post…love the videos. what software do you use for the videos?
Where or where or how oh how do you make the book pages?
Loved watching the video of precious baby smiling at daddy in the morning!
Magic everywhere. What a fun impromptu trip! Laney must have thought he’d reached some sort of heaven!
I wanted to let you know that your book inspired me to make my own. It came just a few days ago!! 12 by 12 from shutterfly. You should get commission from them! Here it is:
http://www.thewildercoast.com/2010/06/hardcover.html
I’m so proud of it! And you completely inspired it!!
xox
Melina
A Life in Focus:
I used Windows Live Movie Maker…doesn’t let you customize a ton of stuff, but for basic videos it’s easy and fast! That one took me twenty minutes if that. You just drop in your video clips (I take short ones) and photos, drop in a song…and voila.
Kelle, your scrapbook pages are AMAZING! I am totally a paper scrapbooker, but you may just change me yet!
One thing though, in case you didn’t notice (and if it were me, it would bug me forever if it were printed that way in the book!), on your page with the title “Watching you grow”, the third line from the bottom, the words “are now” are written “arenow”. Another bonus of scrapbooking on computer, you can just change typos, but when I make them on paper, it’s much harder to change/hide!
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing!
ha ha…anon…just noticed that tonight and fixed it. yes, it would drive me to my grave too.
I love it! You are totally living the dream girl! I loved the video for Oprah-and I loved the big ol pile of laundry! I totally agree with your Poppa about settling differences @ the Cheese’s (that is what my now 16 yr old daughter used to call it).
Thank you for sharing your dreams with us!
Carole M. in Wa State
your website inspires me, Kelle. To be a better, more involved, more creative Mommy. To see the good before I see the bad, to be encouraged before feeling defeated, and to give hugs and kisses, more than time outs. I love your blog and I sincerely hope the Oprah thing works out. I voted! 🙂
How cute! I love this post! It was a little surreal to watch your Chuck E. Cheese video though, because while I was home from work this afternoon nursing my dental work from earlier, I began to surf my favorite blogs. And the wonderful blog “Dear Baby” posted the most ADORABLE video of her little girl bouncing in a jumpy thing to that same Ingrid Michaelson song!! I thought for a minute I was having deja vu! Anyways, you MUST check out the post, and see little Everly’s twinkle toes! You will love it!
Seriously Ken Burns could not have documented Chuckee cheese any better!! Poppa…your comment was hilarious. I’m from Tennessee and I think if people just sat on a front porch swing, they could figure things out a a little better, but chuckee cheese is a great idea, too. And the post made me cry a little, and I’m just some random gal being inspired by your family:)
Kelle, I will one day shamelessly copy the fairy party from you as much as I can! ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!
Sarah from Fredericksburg, Va
Seeing all these wonderful scrapbook pages you create definitely inspires me.
When we have kids, I plan to take a million pictures and create books too.
Love all the photos, as usual. 🙂
Nella has grown so fast! Lainey, such a peach. 🙂
That picture of Nella on the carousel horse, those big blue eyes looking back at you… pure love! That pic just totally made me MELT!!!
LOVE all the photos and the scrapbook pages! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Oh, smorgasboard. The gathering of all good and best things into one place for enjoyment. Thanks for sharing yours.
You make me better. You really do. If only you knew the depth to which you’ve touched (and continue to touch) my heart, and by extension my young son’s life, you would know that your life has mattered. You make a difference in me and in so many others every day. Never doubt your power, your importance, your beauty.
what a beautiful blog today! got me a little teary-eyed (happy tears of course) it’s amazing how time flies. i just made all of zachary’s 6 month appointments today and the whole time i was flipping through my calendar i was just in disbelief that he’s already so big. I was going through files on my computer just last night and came across a pic of little z the day we brought him home from the NICU and i had to take a second look – he was so tiny and new, it took my breathe away to realize just how much he’s changed in these last 6 months. as always thank you for sharing!!
Amber…tears. Thank you. Such kind words.
Bon appetit indeed! Those videos were delicious! Moved me to tears! 😀 I love the way you just make your girls fit so naturally into your life. It’s beautiful and inspirational!
I love this post. I am inspired by your outlook on life. Thank you for sharing! What song/artist is on your blessed tuesday montage? Love it!
Oh my gosh, Kelle, the video of Nella smiling at Brett is SO precious! I love it!
And, I couldn’t help but laugh at loud at Lainey sprinkling the tons of Parmesan cheese on her pizza–too cute!
I will be forever thankful that I found your blog six months ago. Each time I read one of your posts I become even more excited and thirsty for the future, when hopefully, I will be a mama and love my baby birds just as much as you clearly love yours.
Best wishes to you and your beautiful family!
-Caroline
Kelle, my friends and I all love your blog. We love that we love it when it really has little to do with life as we know it right now. We’re all in our early 20’s with no kids in the picture at all but we’re addicted to the way you write, the creativity you lend to everyday life, and the passion you have for loving on that sweet family of yours. Thanks for being a blessing!
LOVE IT! Once again. haha. The first video of Lainey put the BIGGEST smile on my face! I love how sweet she is! Love the pictures, my cousins are coming down next month and i am totally showing them the blog. (Noticed how i said the blog, THE blog. Best blog ever!) Cant wait to see you again! Send all my love and prayers! Mwahh!
Lexi L.
Ohh, i spy myself in Nellas dedication picture! What a wonderful day that was! Love you all!
Lexi L.
Your scrapbooks are so amazing, every one will wish they had one of their own childhood, and that they’d made one for their children. Because aswell as the photo’s it is your lovely words and your memories. Those books really drive it home (if we needed it!) what an incredible life you’ve made for your family and for those little girls. Well done…as you say in America (and as a lot of automated kid’s toys over here say too) good job!!
I can only imagine the joy it must be to be able to look at those little faces whenever you want and know they are yours. I love Nella’s expressions, they are true classics. And I love that we’ve heard Lainey talk in the last couple of posts…beyond cute!
You’re looking ace too (continuing my uk eighties words), think everyone takes that as read but you are!
Whitney, if you’re reading this, you are in for a treat having just found this blog…set aside a lot of time for the backreading!
Kelle-
Love the pages! Who/what site do you use? I would love to do something like that for my son, although I am no where near as creative as you! (I think my “craftiness” peaked when I had to make flower pens in my sorority in college)
also, you should know you have quite the following here in phoenix now. It’s funny, becuase I’m the only one of my friends who is married and has children, but they all love your blog! I think it makes them excited about that next chapter in their lives!
Leah
http://www.lovelifeandmommyhood.blogspot.com
Please share the software and site you use for making and printing your photo books. Thanks!
LOVED this post!!!
First off, I am in love with the books you make for your girls. The pages turn out SO gorgeous. I LOVE the fonts you choose. The one you used for “the fairy details” and “our little expressive one” is SO SO SO cute! I think my favorite page is the one with all of Nella’s nicknames. I love the evolution of nicknames. I may have to copy the books idea. I’ve got some catching up to do though (my oldest little guy turns 3 next week).
And the videos were pure heaven. Loved all of Nella’s little smiles. And the Chuck E Cheese video…I love the joy on all of your faces (and the song too…love that song!). Thank you for sharing them with us.
Kelle,
I am not sure if you read all of your comments, but I wanted to let you know how much you have inspired me to be a participant in my daughter’s life instead of a spectator. I am not a big blog reader, and I am definitely NOT a person that comments, but I NEEDED to let you know that nothing has ever caught my interest and attention like your blog has. I have been reading your blog for a few months (since Nella’s birth) and I truly appreciate your zest and love for life. I know this may sound weird since I don’t know you personally, but I believe I am a better mother reading your blog and I am thankful I have gotten to “know” you through your blogging. Thank you so very much. And I know my daughter would thank you also. Keep inspiring!
Julie
OK. The video of AM Nella with Daddy is too. frickin. cute.
and I love your scrapbook pages!
Darling Family. We wish you the best. The more hands on with Nella the better. Is she still having therapy? Very, Very important to stimulate little Nella.
P.S. When is your next giveaway?
All photobook answers are in the F.A.Q. Photography tab up on the top! Hope it helps!
seeing nella from early on to now … is amazing …
this baby-ness is disappearing already! eek!
and that lainey is so beautiful … how is three for you? i kind of think 3 is kicking my butt. whew.
love your dad’s idea … if i can come too, i completely love the ticket munch monster. it’s slightly cathartic and mindless. my girls love to hand their ticket stub to another kiddo just for fun. i think i’ve finally taught them that sometimes giving someone something is better than getting.
Could you possibly post a blog with step-by-step instructions and helpful suggestions for making a year photo book for our kids? I would love to make one just like you do, but I’m sure I would mess it up. 🙂
Once again…..I love this post! Those pages are amazing!!!! Beautiful and creative. But the best thing about your blog is that when I read it I can feel the loved. That is why its so inspiring……
Lucky Lucky girls what an amazing mumma, you’re inspired me to capture the life of my 8 month old on camera and inspired me to be ‘present’ with her every day, every moment and as you say ‘suck the marrow out of life’ even if it is winter here in the land of Oz. Your rock, thankyou for being you 🙂
I have been reading your blog for a few months now and this is my first post. I adore it! Your blog helps me to become a better mother, a better wife, a better everything. Your sweet Lainey and Nella are beautiful. Your love stories are inspiring. Thank you for your blog. I love it.
only u could make chuckie cheese look not so cheesy. 🙂
I really enjoyed seeing a yearbook of sorts for the past 5 months. I myself need to get back to doing my online scrapbooks. I use mypublisher. You inspire me to just do it!
:o)
Love the scrapbook pages!! I’m not sure if you’ve shared this or not, but I was wondering what (if any) therapy or supports Nella is getting? Is anything done now for infants with DS or do they wait to see what she might need as she gets older? Sorry if this seems to personal, I was just curious. She is beautiful! God Bless you and your lovely family.
There has got to be a way to get the Oprah network Show people to read your comments to see how you just resonate and inspire..
Ahhhhhhhh! PHotobook pages! You know how I love those!! I get soooo inspired each time. And the fact that this year, you posted Lainey’s entire book….well, I was in heaven! Thanks for the many, many, many wonderful ideas, layouts and inspiration! I love Nell bells!!!
The video of Nella and Lainey brought tears to my eyes. For all of the challenge that raising two little ones can bring, the joy they find in each other is not only priceless, it’s timeless. Stunning.
🙂
Kelle you are my hero. Your girls will grow into women knowing they are SO loved. Bravo mama!
Shake that cheese, Lainey! LOVE IT!
Thanks for sharing!
blessed Tuesday…blessed life, you are very lucky
I seriously can’t get enough of your blog! You are so inspirational and have had such a positive impact in my life the past 6+ months. I know many other mamas who feel the exact same way I do. I would love to see you hosting your own TV show and can’t wait for you to publish your book. Thank you Kelle for sharing your life with us, your faithful readers. Happy Tuesday 🙂
I loved the videos so much. They bought tears to my eyes, once again.
I’ve never heard of Chuckee Cheese before, but it sure looks like a fun place.
Thanks for the lovely post.
Bridget (and Pete)
It just makes my day to see when you have posted a new blog! I’m a first time commenter but have been reading since someone link your birth story of Nella on their blog and I have been hooked since. My Bella is only 2 months older than your sweet Nella so I love watching her grow just as my girl does. And Lainey just makes me smile everyday!
Best. Post. Ever.
Kelle,
This is such a sweet post. My favorite is the last video of your family at ChuckECheese today! What fun! Absolutely beautiful pictures and video. I have to ask: What kind of video camera do you have? Ours crashed recently (7+ years old!) and I need to start looking for a new one and I have no clue where to start! I saw that you use Windows Live Movie Maker~that’s cool. I’ll have to try that program…I have it on my computer but I’ve not used it yet. But, I just love your videos and I WANT a video camera like yours!!!!
Love to read your posts…keep them coming! Thanks!
Oh. my. word. Kelle, how can it possibly already be 5 months since the world was blessed with nella-bean??!!! Oh how she’s changed already…looking back at the scrapbook pages I felt it again…that feeling when I first saw her here, and held my breath while smiling at her little bird-y arms and legs!! What pure magic it is to have the privilege to watch these beautiful sisters love on each other 🙂
these scrapbook pages brought tears to my eyes. what a wonderful gift to be able to give your beautiful daughter’s one day. you always amaze me by how you find time for everything. please do share your secret. 😉 quick question, where do you get your scrapbook templates/story board templates from? are they your own? they are beautiful. 🙂
I have been following your blog for several weeks now, just stumbling upon it and it is so enjoyable! One of those sites that I have bookmarked to tune into everyday! I love taking pictures and yours are such an inspiration to me, especially the love that is conveyed with your family. Thanks for sharing your life with your family with the rest of us out here!
Kelle,
I think that’s my favorite post to date! A little bit of everything! Thank you So much for making us all want to be better people/parents – you continue to inspire me every day (and I feel like Im a member of your family getting to watch everything that goes on!)
Sue
Kelle – what program/ site do you use for your photo books?
loved the buffet! it was all you can eat and i ate till i was stuffed! thanks. 🙂
Kelle, Loving the randomness of your Tuesday! Loving the spontaneity of your day!
OMG! Those scrapbook pages! And the videos! BEAUTIFUL! I’m usually a paper scrapper, but you inspired me to make a book for my daughter of her first year. I LOVE IT and know that it’s something she can cherish forever! Thank you for your daily inspiration, you inspire me daily to be a better person and mom. THANK YOU!
Nella just makes me smile 🙂
I’ve been introduced to your blog by one of my girlfriends a few weeks ago. First glance of your blog, I saw a pretty home, time spent at the beach, going out with girlfriends…and I thought “She must have lot of time on her hands. How lucky is she?” Few days later, I went back to your blog and actually spent the time it deserved. Then I was embarassed for making such a quick judgement. I realized your life is presented so BEAUTIFULLY because the way you perceive it. It is YOUR lense that captures all the beauty. For that, I admire you. Since that realization, I’ve been hooked to your blog. Your appreciation for small things in life appears to be very contagious!!! I love getting a weekly dose of Kelle!
One of my summer to do list: Organize my photos of my 2 year old daughter through scrapbooking on the computer…inspired by Kelle Hampton.
I so admire you! How do you do it? I’m in week three of having a newborn.. who was born prematurely.. but she’s doing great! But some days I can’t find the time to even shower. I’m utterly thrilled and over joyed with my two girls… and completely exhausted at the same time! 🙂
I love reading about your obvious love for your girls. And what great photos and videos! Thanks for letting me get a peek into your world.
Simply beautiful. I just love reading about your wonderful family. Your scrapbook pages are amazing. Thanks for continuing to inspire this momma of two.
P.S. we too have many nicknames for our little special girl.
Amy
~Love me some music love~ Great job Kelle girl, you made randomness contagious! Just might get me some of that randomness!
Your friend from the Mitten state (since we all know there are NO wolverines here outside of a certain college campus!)
I’m in awe at the fantastic photos you got at Chuck E. Cheese. I love and am inspired by all your photos but how can you be so great even at Chuck E. Cheese? Last time we went I took about 10 pics and gave up! I decided some events weren’t meant to be photographed….well you proved me wrong and I will try harder next time 🙂
SO Beautiful! I love the randomness and spontaneity of wanting to go to Chuckee Cheese–and you rocking that game! Man, you guys are so awesome! I love all those sweet pages and the beauty that they represent. They’re so gorgeous and I love them. You inspire me everyday to live bigger and better and fuller…and to take more pictures! I only have a point and shoot right now, and its hard for me to keep taking pics, because my camera can’t always capture what my eye can see. I’m saving for a canon rebel, but in the mean time, I’m gonna keep clicking! You’re so awesome, Kelle. Every comment of mine is gonna sound so redundant as I just babble in awe.
MUCH love,
–Hannah
LOL at the Poppa’s idea! Love it!!
Beautiful post per the usual, i really love the pic of your husband’s hand over lainie’s, you capture such beautiful little moments!!!
nella’s smiles are like energy drinks for me.
I read your blog often. Checking for new posts almost daily. Today I finally decided to leave a comment. As I was sitting at work, I found my eyes welling with tears, as they often do when I read your posts, but this time around, I was trying to hold them in. It didn’t work. Your love for your children is contagious and when I need a little encouragement I know right where to go. You have shown me how to love through difficult days, through difficult times, through exhaustion and I just wanted to say thank you! Thank you for helping me love my son so completely and totally. Thank you for showing me this spectacular world through a new set of lenses. I am so grateful for you!
Your scrapbook pages are absolutely beautiful= pure love, pure art, pure inspiration! LOVE your family videos: so much love~life~joy. C:
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” -Mary Lou Cook
LOVE. I think impromptu outings are the best! Looks like Miss Lainey (and the rest of you) had a blast at Chuckee Cheese! 🙂
We had a smorgasboard of a dinner last night too, and oh my it was good! I created a ‘sushi’ style salad and my husband fell in love with me all over again because of the genious of leftovers…gotta love that!!!
I’m all for more smorgasboard posts as well as the ‘stream of conscience’ posts…Love.Them.
Poppa,
I completely agree, we need to get the frustrated government people into a Chuck E. Cheese together and watch the fun come spilling out!
love your scrapbook pages!! totally cute!! and very cute & sweet videos!
ahhhh….wonderful! the last video, just took my breath away! (ohh and the ergo carrier! Aren’t they LOVELY!) it’s amazing to see how much Nella has grown and watching Lainey w/her gives me chills! what a great mother you are to them and an inspiration truly!
Thank you Kelle….i needed a new post from you today! 😉
Christy augustin005@gannon.edu
Kelle,
You have the most beautiful family. Reading your blog has helped me stop worrying about the piles of laundry, the dishes that are sitting in the sink and the fridge that needs to be cleaned out and spend as much time with my husband and 2 boys. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better wife and mother. I look forward to new posts everyday.
Kelle, you are one lucky girl and so deserving!
these are my favorite ever pages! i think it’s because nella is in them:)
bells, these are beauts. i’m getting sad i’m leaving. oh, these pages are stunning.
miss you already. do you think nella will be walking and lainey driving by the time i return?
ha.
love you. xo
This is PURE awesomness. Love the pics. Loved the video. Loved the scrapbook pages. Can’t wait to see them when they’re done 🙂
Kelle-
Just when I think I have read your best post ever, you do something like this?!?!? Gorgeous scrapbook pages AND video of your stunning girls……….it is a treat beyond words:)
Thank you ever so much for allowing us into your beautiful lives….
Susan from Boston
Kelle, just curious… how do you get so many amazing photos of yourself? Does your husband take them all? Is he a photographer, too? Do you set up self-portraits sometimes, too?
I’m amazed!
BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! The scrapbook pages are amazing!!!!!
Kelle –
You are such an inspiration to me! Thanks for sharing your family with us!
Such beautifully done pages! Just letting you know that I think there is a space missing between “are” and “now” on Nella’s “Watching You Grow
page (“Little coos arenow…”)
Wonderful post. I love the pictures and that one of sweet Nella on the carousel is just too sweet. Love the picture books you make for your daughters, may have to do that now LOL!!!!!
Eliza, I am sure Kelle will thank you–she loves it when commenters are proofers for her as sometimes, you are so close to the project you miss the obvious. Better now than after it goes to print!
Oh, the CEC video made my heart burst.
What an amazing day. What an amazing family.
Nella looks like a china doll, she is so beautiful. I am a special education teacher, and I love my kiddo’s with Downs’. They have the best personalities. Nella is going to bring you years of precious joy!
The newest video of Nella is soooooo cute!!! There should be an iPhone app that plays that clip at the press of the button – when someone is annoying you, just press the button, the clip plays, and the person subsequently melts into a puddle. How can you not?
Love the scrapbook pages, i seriously hope with a little girl on the way that Tre and Kaylin can have a bond like Lainey and Nella.
Your blog always makes me smile 🙂 Thanks!
So beautiful. I love how your cherish and honor motherhood to the fullest.
What lucky daughters you have.
Seriously best dessert ever! Thank you, Kelle for sharing! How fun! We had a spontaneous Tuesday as well in my house and boy was it ever fun! And Poppa….definately, world peace through Chucke Cheese!!
Hey Kelly,
Long time reader, first time commenter. You pictures are breathtaking.
I have one little request…I know you are super busy, but if you have a chance, would you post a tutorial of how you make your scrapbook pages?
Love them!
Love it! Love the colors in your life which you so eloquently capture with your camera lens, love the words you write and how they soothe my very soul! We should all have a little Nella in our lives!!
How can I post something new that hasn’t already been said? Love your blog, love your style of writing, love your outlook on life and the way you can find beauty in almost anything, love your photography and your beautiful girls, love, love, love their clothes! Etc, etc etc.. I have been really going through a difficult time in my life lately. My son is wheelchair bound and has never walked, nor will he ever walk this side of heaven. His life is a gift, though, and we have been blessed with 14 years with him. His life is fragile meaning he could die from a simple cold. That kind of worry that hangs over me on a constant basis can be so heart wrenching and painful and overwhelming at times. But, somehow we make it through each day. I look forward to reading your blog every time I see a new post! You have a way of cheering me up and making me realize there is beauty everywhere. All we have to do is open our eyes and see it. One day my son will have the strength to walk and to even wrap his arms around me to give me a hug. Even if it’s not until we get to Heaven. I can’t wait! ((HUGS)) to you and your girls!
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i loved seeing your little girls come to life through words and expressions (not just their beautiful photos) in my own house!!
Lora, your comment made me cry. Sending all my love and prayers to you and your sweet son. x Alma
Lora, your comment made me cry. Sending all my love and prayers to you and your sweet son. x Alma
Lora, blessings to you and your family. I am reminded of our blessings from all the kinds of mamas in this world, especially the ones who have to carry greater fears everyday. I imagine from your comment that you have become strong and accustomed to this “different” life, and yet I know it can’t be easy. Love to your family, to your son. And yes, there are many things in life to enjoy…even if we can’t walk.
You and your pal Heidi–so talented! I love the last video–precious memories, and love the spontaneity and randomness of the visit – also feeling the need to revisit my ski-ball skills.
Kelle a few questions…
#1 – Do you sleep? Where do you find the time? Seriously, party planning, blogging, mommy to 2, photographer and scrap booker?!!
Which leads me to question #2 – How did you do those adorable scrapbook pages? Do you use a company online?
And #3 do you primarily shoot your photos in manual? Mine always end up blurred when I do, but I am still learning….
Thank you Kelle and Alma! Yes, we are reminded daily of how many things we really do have to be thankful for. Ryan’s disease takes away most of his physical abilities. But, it hasn’t taken away his ability to smile or talk or even to see! And I pray that he will always have the strength to smile and talk. Sometimes, this cruel disease even robs children of those things as well. Thank you again for sharing your family with us all Kelle! God Bless you!
I am so in love with your photography AND your journaling. It’s two things that rock my world. Your blog has inspired me to do more journaling on my own blog (something that I’ve kept “private” for our personal scrapbooks). Check it out at http://www.TodaysTomfoolery.wordpress.com
BTW…if you are looking for a state-of-the art publishing company for your great .jpg scrapbook pages, check out my company at http://www.TakeTimeToRemember.com. I won’t publish anywhere else. Your books are stored for a lifetime for future reprinting. Come with an Heirloom Assurance policy and you have multiple sizes to choose from. Let me know if you want a list of the current specials. Ordering online is a different price than ordering with me.
Thanks for the inspiration to capture even more in my own family to be remembered in years to come!
I love movie maker! That was so cute!!
1)Lainey is the best sister ever! Look at her making Nella laugh! God Bless her!
2)Nella smiling at Daddy… priceless. I wish I had captured more of this stuff with my five boys.
3)Chuck E Cheese… oh, we have a love hate realtionship. What a beautiful trip you had! Love Lainey pointing at the glass to pick out her ‘rewards’.
4)Thank you for Ingred Michaelson. You have had me hooked on her since the birth story qhen Breathing was one of the songs rotating. My kids love her too. As I was watching the Chuck E Cheese video with Everybody all of my kids came running to the computer… someone else listens to the music in our car? was the look on their faces. They are so funny!
I’m not into scrapbooking but I need to be after seeing your gorgeous pictures!! Lovely!
And Chuck E Cheese … oh, how we love that place. I had to get over my phobia with how dirty the place must be … building up their immune systems, right?? :o)
I visited my parents over my 23rd birthday a few weeks ago, and mentioned bringing my first year baby book home with me. My father told me very specifically that the baby book stays with them.
You, your daughters, and your family will love those books for years to come. What wonderful memories they hold!
Another amazing and beautiful post. The book pages are incredible!!
Another amazing and beautiful post. The book pages are incredible!!
I was looking through paint colors when I came across the most beautiful coral color named Isle of Capri. I thought of you and we don’t even know eachother! Love your blog and I think you need your own show!
I love me some smörgåsbord once in a while! Thanks for sharing yours Kelle!
Kelle, Great post! Love the scrapbook pages-such sweet words for your little girls. And the video is very cool. Great way to take a simple day and make some great memories!
Your photo books are literally amazing. That photo of you snuggling with Nella on the orange-rimmed page could win an award.
Kelle
OMG you inspire me so much
I was feeling so down today, just to watch at your pics/ videos made me feel much better.
Thank u !
*love*
Beautiful scrapbook pages!
I love your blog, and your music. Today I was studying and listening to my pandora “quickmix” when the song “Little Things” by India Arie came on. It sounds right up your alley, so I just thought I’d share. Thanks for another great post!
Great video. Did you make that yourself? You’re so talented
I loved the video!!!!! Oh and that first pic of you and Nella, the one where you are gorgeous – you have Grandma’s lips!!!
We call that “mustgo” night at our house cause everything “Must Go!”
In watching your Oprah video – I could not stop thinking: Emma Stone!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Stone
🙂
you are beautiful!
I wish I was able to document our life the way you do. You inspire me every day to at least try!
Thank you for your blog, you are amazing!
i love chip-and-olive kinds of dinners! we do them all the time!
you probably get hundreds of music recommendations now, but i think you would really love Sarah Slean. maybe start out with the songs Day One, Lucky Me or Universe; anything from the Night Bugs album is fabulous. my very favourite song, though, is Mary. so sweet and lovely.
hope you enjoy!
totally in love with your girls’ books! i’m making one for my girl too! such an inspiration, kelle hampton! and the videos make my heart smile so wide.
Hi Kelle, I just scrolled down to
look at the music list and there
was the picture of Poppa in the 80’s . What a looker, those blue eyes
that see so much and then he has
the great ability of writing things down in such a lovely way.
You both bring me joy and a gentle
reminder to love and live today.
Smiles to you all.
Oh…Miss Kelle, Miss Kelle. My throat has just closed and tears are streaming down my face. I have just arrived at a time in my life where I wanted to change and be a better person and what happened just 3 days ago? You. Lainey. Precious Bunny…Oh Bunny! Brett and the Boys! How lucky I am to have been bestowed this gift to glimpse upon your beautiful family every day. Your family gives me the strength to be the person I desperatley wanted and needed to be; the person I was looking to become. Thank you Hampton Family for all that you are and will become. I needed you so much!
Much love,
Sarah and Family
you just do it all don’t you?? awesome blog, books and now videos too?! will you ever get tired of hearing how inspiring you are?!!
those pages are just absolutely beautiful!! i created books for my girls on shutterfly but thanks for the info and ideas for creating something more original!!
love the videos of nella…who by the way looks like a baby doll on that carousel!
xo
This post is so full of fun and cuteness, I really would need hours to comment!
We love Chuck E Cheese (on weeknight when it is not crazy chaos!) and always have a skee-ball competition and our photo “sketched” in the photo booth!
Scrapbook pages are wonderful and your videos were so much fun to watch!
Jill B. (Overland Park, KS)
Kelle – PLEEEEEEASE share how you made the video!! That was sooo cool!
Love it! 🙂
How do you make your photo pages? Awesome. It is so sweet what you write. I’m almost ashamed I don’t have something like it. Lucas was extremely colicky..I said I love him everyday but happy, happy, joy, joy.. not so much. Thankfully, I think we are starting to turn the corner finally so we can enjoy more of those happy moments 🙂 I know I always say it, but I LOVE your blog 🙂
OMG one of my favorite posts ever. Love the Chuck E Cheese video at the end. Love love love it all !!
Just a few questions/comments here:
1) If you don’t win the O-contest (and I’m doing my part voting at least 50 times a day, I kid you not) are we still invited for coffee at your house?
2) That Lainey is really smarter than I gave her credit for…..anyone who has eaten Chuck-E-Cheese pizza would put just as much cheese on that cardboard pizza as she did!! (she was there for the games, NOT the food!!).
3) How’s the book coming? I’m counting on my 50 copies for Christmas gifts this year, so don’t fail me, ya hear?!! hee hee Git on it!
4) Ever made “tye dyed” cupcakes with Lainey Love? Use white cake mix – divide up into bowls, color each with food colorings; use a ladel to scoop into cupcake papers and bake! WELLA! Super fun, super cool!
5) Do you realize you probably have the most “girlfriends” that you’ve never met than anybody???!!!
XOXO
Happy Happy Day! 😉
I really hope that when my husband and I are finally blessed with a child, I remember the books you create for your littles, so that I can make one for ours! TOO CUTE!
Are you on this website http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/index.php ? I just came across it while I was browsing on another blog. Your blog should be listed because it is definitely one of the most awesome ones I have read!
I love Nella’s first year book thus far. So awesome at capturing the wonderful blessing she is!
Kelle you’re awesome! I just wanted to let you know your blog music has been the soundtrack for our lives lately – as soon as I get home from work, I come here and we listen to your songs while I cook, bathe the kids, get them to bed, and then when I’m alone I listen while reading your blog, which ALWAYS brings a smile to my face!
I like your blog !!Thank you. They are really great .
do not miss my goods , they are very beautiful !!
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woah woah woah! this post made me smile non stop! i love the smorgasbord! i gotta break all this happiness down!
okay. 1. the pic of you and nella on the horse – my FAVORITE ever. i don’t know what it is about htat picture but it is seriously ridiculously adorable. i lover her face in it. i love the way your hand is so gentle on her chin wiht your watermelon polish! ha!!!
2. teh nicknames of nella. nellabean. all the way. nellabean!
3. all those scrapbook pages. and the pics of nellabeans feet in the air! so FREAKING CUTE!
4. the videos. the chuck e cheese stuff was awesome! we were there last year and loved loved it! lainey looked soooo overwhlemingly happy.. not in a bad overwhleming way but just so excited with all the excitment around her! it was jumping out of the screen!
i love your family kelly! xoxoxo
What a BEAUTIFUL blog you have!! I have an extreme passion for children with special needs as a special education major, so I am happy to be a new follower to such gorgeous little girls!! I have a 3 year old as well and a newborn, so we have a lot in common. I look forward to reading SO much more!! 😀
~ Marlessa
http://southernloves.blogspot.com/
I love the scrapbook pages. They are beautiful. What a keepsake. Your girls are going to love them.
Stream of consciousness:
-After seeing the pics of newborn Nella, it’s hard to believe how fast she is growing and changing.
-The book pages are beautiful!
-I’m not a lover of the summer heat, but your blog is making me enjoy it so much more!
-Lainey had a great time at Chuckee Cheese, but I think Daddy had the best time of all!
Thats it…I’m throwing all my baby books OUT!!!
Love the videos!
Dearest Kelle,
Enchanting, as usual. Your wolrd is so full of color and vibrance… I net you never want to close you eyes!
Thanks for the feast… I didn’t see a withered hotdog one… I’d enjoy your leftovers anyday!
Love,
Completely Stuffed in NE
Dearest Kelle,
Enchanting, as usual. Your wolrd is so full of color and vibrance… I net you never want to close you eyes!
Thanks for the feast… I didn’t see a withered hotdog one… I’d enjoy your leftovers anyday!
Love,
Completely Stuffed in NE
Hey Kelly!!
Love love love love love your blog!! I get all excited every time I get to read a new post and see more pictures of your beautiful family!!! Makes me want to pack up my family and move to Florida so I can be your neighbor!! Looks like you guys have soooo much fun and are truly enjoying the small things!!!
p.s. what song did you use in your Chuck E Cheese video?? Love it!!
What beautiful pages you’ve created. I hope to do this for my little ones some day.
I think what I enjoy most about your blogs is how the pictures of your littles show the absolute wonder and amazement in their faces!!! Beautiful!!!
I can’t believe that you didn’t win, Kelle!!! 🙁 I am just catching up on your blog after having my first baby (boy did I miss reading it) and didn’t get a chance to vote 🙁 You’ve given me inspiration as a new mom and shown me motherhood is something that enriches and doesn’t cause all of your social life to end!
I’m still learning from you, but I’m trying to achieve my goals. I certainly enjoy reading all that is posted on your blog.Keep the information coming. I loved it!
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