Happy LOVE Day.
In keeping with my holiday freak flag flyin’ schedule, I thought I should let you know today has it unfurled and wildly flapping.
Evidence A: the excuse to bust out the lace tights I’ve been dying to wear.
Verdict is I like them very much.
Evidence B:
Our Valentine’s Day sugar cookie buzz tradition. Just how much sugar can one pile onto an already sugar-filled cookie? Lainey is determined to find out.
Evidence C:
We’re going out tonight. On a real date. Where we dress up and have a babysitter (okay, my dad, but still). And because this doesn’t happen very often, I enjoy the prolonged process of getting ready that begins with a long bath with the girls and, after a trio of home pedicures, a few cups of hot tea and letting Lainey pick out my lip gloss, it ends with reconnecting with a pair of teetering heels from back in the day when I wore teetering heels almost every day.
Evidence D. Well, actually this has nothing to do with Valentine’s Day or love unless you count the fact that I love weekend outings which is really stretching it, so let’s just scratch the whole evidence thing and call this second part of the post “We Went to the Zoo Yesterday.”
We Went to the Zoo Yesterday.
And being that I’d love to start the getting ready ritual early for tonight, I’m making this quick.
My dad holds Nella like a sack of flour. It freaks me out, but she loves it and he loves that it freaks me out.
It was grand.
Happy Love Day!
Gussy says
girl! you rock those lace tights!
happy valentine’s day – xoxo
fiddlehead says
love day indeed! Love this…… and those tights, oh my are they fantastic!
Kamie says
Hi I just found your blog and am in love- great for valentine’s day!!
Mora says
Nella is adorable!
Sarah says
Way to let that holiday freak flag fly. You know how to do it proud! So much fun.
tablerbunch says
Love day…love it!
Every Little Thing says
Beautiful outfits on all of you! Hope you two have fun tonight!
shellycoulter says
I hope those pictures of Nella in front of that fence have a home in a frame in your home someday! Beautiful!
Ariel says
Date nights are so dreamy! We had ours on Saturday night, and it was grand! Have a blast and take your smallest purse. That always makes me feel great, and the least bit Mommy-ish. Happy LOVE day.
Katy says
Happy Love Day to you too!
The Zoo looked like it was a blast!
Our Little Bubble says
have a FAB date night!! we love date nights, they rock… and because they are few and far between these days… we appreciate them much more than before munchkins came along!!
Skye says
Happy Valentine’s Day.
You always have the most amazing hats for Nella! Can you tell me where you get her hats from (I’m sure it’s all different places!)- thanks! ๐
Skye
Jay and Amanda says
Love Valentine’s Day! Growing up, my dad would hide Hershey Kisses in the middle of the night all over my room and my brother’s room. We would find them in shoes, back packs, drawers. Months later we would still be finding those kisses! A small way to say I Love you, but it meant so much to me!
Adventures in our army life says
Where do you find Nella’s tights? I love all the different styles and colors you have for her and would love to find some for my baby girl!!
Julie says
I just knew there would be a post today! Enjoy your date. After 28 years of marriage, we will be enjoying our newer tradition of a heart shaped pizza and heart brownies tonight for dinner.
p.o.s.h. says
Your tights ROCK, Nella’s bloomers are too flipping cute and I want one of Lainey’s cookies…
Happy Love Day
~CC ๐
Nettie says
Love the tights…. and I love Date nights…Enjoy ๐
Heather says
That look on Nella’s face as your father is carrying her like a sack of flour…pure trust. Love it! Happy Love Day!! Enjoy your date!
Casey says
Love the tights!!!! The pictures of Nella at the zoo are amazing.
Happy LOVE day to you and yours
Jennifer says
There needs to be a give away of winning Poppa for the weekend to baby sit!
:o)
Charla says
Kelle, as much as you are rockin’ the tights . . . . Nella’s rockin’ those red ones twice as hard. Those tights and bloomers . . . good golly, Miss Nella!
Superjules says
Love it!
Stef says
those tights are a-mazing! Love the purple shoes too.
Nella peeking out from her stroller = priceless. That picture needs to be on a magazine somewhere.
Your Dad is so sweet. I wish we had a baby sitter like him over where we live ๐
Have a sexy blast on your date tonight!
Kendra says
Happy Valentine’s Day to the Hamptons! Enjoy date night!
Mary says
oh my word. i say this every time. but your girls… beyond cute. so precious!
A Cappelli says
Happy Valentine’s Day!
http://threeoclockcrazy.blogspot.com/2011/02/odd-couple.html
Kelle says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jaclyn says
I too have on lace stockings and purple shoes today! Must be in the air. ๐ The picture of Nella peeking out from the purple stroller is adorable! MUCH love Kelle! Enjoy your evening out <3
Bethany says
BEAUTIFUL!!
Our Family says
You have the two prettiest Valentine’s I know, well, next to my two Valentine Girlies. Happy V-Day!!
Kara says
Ooh… Look at Nella’s skirt in the picture with her against the white fence! Where in the world did you get that????
Uber-cute.
LOVE the skirt, love the pix, love the blog. Enjoy the night with the hubby!
SarcasmInAction says
Love the pics, as always.
That one of Nella standing in front of the fence, grinning, is AWESOME!
j210209 says
Happy Valentines Day!!
Look at Nella standing up! Such a cutie ๐
Amie says
Enjoy that night out tonight! SO jealous!!
Vonda says
The pictures of Nella and Poppa are just overflowing with pure love!!! You can see it coming out of their eyes for each other. Love it!!!
Rachael says
Love the picture of your girls! Just love, that is all.
Love the tights! And date night! Awesome. I hope you have a great time!
Happy Love Day!
Emily P says
I love Nella’s heart bloomers! Have a great time tonight – we all deserve a “fancy” night out!!
C says
That last picture of you and Nella? BEAUTIFUL. love it!
Life with Kaishon says
I am so excited for your fun date tonight. I hope you have the most magical time! Love is the best, isn’t it?
Anne says
Great pictures for “love day”! The one of Nella peeking around the top of her stroller, bustin’ a grin so big is total cuteness overload! And the picture of Lainey and Nella on the bottom of the slide (?? I’m guessing) where litle Nella has her one leg/foot up in the air so saucy-like is too stinkin’ adorable. I also love how Lainey looks like she’s not entirely sure of the whole camel riding thing! And, girl, that mustard yellow dress for tonight rocks!! I hope you and Brett have a great romantic evening.
Ellie says
LOVE THE MSU SHIRT. That is MY love for the day! After spending 10 years at the campus, we miss it! Hey, we did go all the way to the Ph.D. we weren’t that slow on the uptake of undergrad ๐ Happy Love Day! Enjoy your night out!
LeeAnn says
Very lovely pictures of your 2 loves!! Gorgeous. Enjoy your date! xo
Rhonda says
Exciting…I am having an overnight date tonight too….cant wait…Thank God for parents who sleep over!! Love it!!
We are ordering Thai food, getting a great bottle of wine and just going to LOVE!!!
Cant wait…it will be well deserved!!
Enjoy your night…and those pics of Nella by the fence in that dress…that is LOVE baby!
Kirby Johansen says
Nella is just BEAUTIFUL!!! and Lainey is too!!!
Sandy says
…and a happy Love Day to you too!
linda t says
Oh my gosh, could Nella be any cuter!!!
Love this post. SOOO full of happy!
Ima says
I notice that you and the girls are often wearing hats, sweaters and tights while Brett is always in a t-shirt and shorts. What is the deal with that?
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day ritual.
hayley j says
damn chica…you rode a camel?! sweetness! happy valentines day to the hampton family. you guys are beautiful and i’m so glad i found your blog ๐ HUGS!
Valley Girl says
You and that group of Little’s scream LOVE♥
Tommie says
Look at those girls being so big! Lainey’s riding a camel and Nella is standing up! I love the picture of them together. Precious.
lightkeepersdaughter says
Happy Love Day back at ya – and to the people you love!
I loooooove the picture of Nella peeking back out of her stroller – Who’s she flirting with?! ๐ Little Miss Too-Cute!
Lainey’s a girl after my heart – pile on as much sugar as is humanly possible, little girl!
Enjoy your date-night!……….Rosemary
Kelly says
The ruffle bum got me! So cute!
Southern Gal says
Our favorite place (next to the beach) is the zoo! You are rockin’ the tights.
jjpsmommy07 says
I love the zoo and cannot wait to take Jonathon back this spring. Awesome that you were able to ride the camel. Love reading your blog…love your pictures and stories. Happy Love Day back
elaine says
That heart-embroidered diaper cover is ADORABLE! Not quite as adorable as little Nella, but still and all.
Simply LKJ says
You can definitely pull off wearing those tights! Love em!! The girls are too cute.
Ginny says
I want to be as stylish as you. Instead, I’ll just live vicariously. Look how big Miss Nella is standing up against that fence! And the heart ruffle-butt is just too cute for words. Have a wonderful night!
The Hill House says
Nella’s little smile ALWAYS brings a smile to my face; I can only imagine what it does to your heart! I especially love the one today with her standing up against the fence. She is a doll!!
amy says
Love the tights and the fact that you rode a camel!
Larissa says
happy valentine’s day!!! lucky girls have a grandpa that loves to come watch them– enjoy your date!!
MonaBL says
Hope you have a great date-night! The girls are beutyfull as always. <3 Happy Valentines day to all of you!
daniden says
Hi,
I’m Danielle and I just happened upon your blog through a board that I’m on. I read the birth story of your precious baby girl, Nella, and I was so moved…moved to tears.
I have 5 living, beautiful children…with 5 miscarriages along the way…the last one just 3 days ago (my 3rd loss in just 13 months). Somehow…I don’t know why…but your story about your beautiful girls and your life, your ups and downs, has given me hope. That although life is hard, we can’t just lie down, throw our arms up in the air, and give up.
You’re such an inspiration and your little girls are so incredibly lucky to have a mommy like you.
God bless you,
Danielle
IRWSMom says
I’m digging the heart butt ๐ TOTALLY ADORE the very first pic of the girls! Thanks for the smiles!
Claire @ Scissors Paper Rock says
Happy LOVE day to you too Kelle!
You go, ROCK out those teetering heels & hot yellow dress & enjoy a date of LURVE ๐
And..ummmm….how cute is Nella with that baby bonnet hat….she makes me melt Kelle!!!
xo
P.S. Loving your lace tights!!
Krysta says
Happy Valentines Day!!! We are going out on a real date tonight too. You have inspired me to draw out the getting ready process. ๐
Mrs. Buckingham says
Oh. my. freakin. gawsh… those lace tights paired with that innocent, frilly skirt, and those plum shoes… just says ROMANCE! Fabulous! Love the pics of Nella standing and her valentine bum! Too cute! Enjoy your date night!
My Secret Rooms says
Hope you had a great date!
Magnificent Adventures of Michelle & Mack says
Ok…the look on little Nella’s face with Poppa holding her made me teary. Now THAT is the look of 100%-I-adore-you-to-the-moon-and-back-infinity LOVE on both their faces…Nella in particular seems to be saying…”you’re my guy”….sweet sweetness. What a special moment. Well done.
April says
Get out! Just love this post and all its beauty. Enjoy your night out!!
XOXO…
Oh! Baby Designs says
Love, love, LOVE the outfit… So romantic, yet sophisticated!!!
Aleksandra says
lace thigts, date night….hot!!! happy Valentines Day
Lexi says
These are the best pictures to date! The smiles on your faces is pure joy and love!!! Love this post! Happy Valentines Day to you and yours! ๐
Kathryn says
Have an awesome time tonight!!!! My first date with the love of my life was 21 years ago today!
Daniele โฅ says
<3 the skirt and tights. happy day of love to you ๐
Farmgirl Paints says
You look gorgeous in the tights. Not everyone could pull those off…meaning me;) Have fun tonight. Happy love day:)
dig this chick says
And happy love day right back at ya. Holy hot in the white lace tights, purple shoes sister friend. I am not sure my thighs would love white lace tights like your thighs love them.
Those standing photos of Nella are incredibly adorable.
Enjoy your date. xo
Molly says
Oh, the pics of Poppa make me miss my daddy so much! I’m so glad that you and your girls can spend so many love-filled days with him. ๐ He seems like the best father and grandfather!
Siri says
Love, Love, Love the tights and date night:) Have fun…
Chic Homeschool Mama says
Fantastic shots- your girls are just beautiful looks like it was a very fun day!
laurieg says
lace tights, that header of the girls, laineys curled bangs in the pic, that yellow dress, nella’s bonnet, camel ride, the heart on those bloomers=LOVE!!
HAPPY LOVE DAY!!
Many Titles says
Nella’s bloomers are amazing!!!! They are just too cute. Have a great date night.
Cameo's Angels says
OMG love the tights and the skirt(or maybe it was a dress), so adorable on you!! Love the pics of Nella on your dad’s shoulder. I carry my youngest like that sometimes when she just gets too heavy :). I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Nella’s bloomers, so cute!! Happy valentines day and have a great time on your date!!
jen says
enjoy the night out! rockin those tights lady …
i thought husband was going to be home tonight. late. but tonight …
and the flights are all sorts of delayed.
so maybe early-ish in the morning.
super early-ish. like when i’m sleeping.
but still.
it’ll do.
MG Atwood says
I love your tights, but those purple suede shoes…ahhhh perfections! I should have my head examined as I made sugar cookies with two 5 1/2 year olds..not sure when the sugar reside will be gone.
Happy love day!
Shannon Johnson says
Hope you have a fun date night!! That black and white picture of you and Nella looks so 70’s vintage, like a shot out of a fashion magazine ๐
Eric says
Let the flag fly high as often as you can…it may just encourage others to stop being so stuffy! Hope you enjoy the date night. Thank you for the pictures and continued inspiration.
Sarah says
I’m my way out too and savor getting ready with a glass of wine!
My Thoughts says
Oh my gosh. Those sweet babies just take my breath away. They are so precious. I have no idea how you get anything done during the day with those adorable little ones to stare at, dress up, take out and do all the other bits of loveliness that you get to share with them. (-; You’re one lucky mama for sure. I can’t wait to have little ones in the house! (-:
FitForAPrincess says
That’s how I hold my toddlers when I have to take them out of the store kicking and screaming ๐
Well… my daughter. My son has never done anything like that >__>
It is the easiest way to hold a kid, especially if you have a bad back ๐
FEAS613 says
I love that your dad does something to flip you out… it’s payback for all the swearing and I’m sure the millions of unknown things you have done that has flipped him out!!
Happy Valentines Day!!
~Beth
Jagers says
I have the lace tights…they make me feel instant pretty. I am not sure the older ladies like them at church…I rock them everywhere. Enjoy your date night!
Sarah RDH says
Okay so I’m feeling extra lovey right now, mostly bc I just wtached Toy Story 3 with my son, and it makes me cry! At the end when Andy’s mom cries & says she always wants to be with him & he says it back, my little Austin said “Mom, I always want to be with you too.” Happy Valentine’s Day to me! Made me melt. Anyway- so then I read this post, and just looking at the first pic of Lainey & Nella made me cry! That is just one of THOSE pictures, that years from now they will look at, and it will mean EVERYTHING to them. And to you too. And in the 2nd pic, of Lainey, I noticed, she really looks like your husband there! Happy Love Day to you & your family!
heather says
you always rock your clothes , you inspired me to buy leggins the other day , i have yet to wear them . lol happy love day hamptons
love and blessings
the doughtys
Ky says
I love that shot with the two girls sitting on what looks like playground equipment, and Nellas has her leg casually up in the air.
She makes me giggle.
REALLY love all your photos. Wish I had your camera!
~KC: says
LOVE the bonds between Lainey and Nella, Brett and Lainey, Poppa Rik and Lainey, Nella and Poppa Rik, Nella and you…so precious. :)))
“A person wishes to be confirmed in his being by another person…Secretly and bashfully, he watches for a Yes which allows him to be and which can come to him only from one human person to another. It is from one human being to another that the heavenly bread of self-being is passed.” ~Martin Buber
XOX. Much Love~
Catherine (WA in PA) says
Kelle your tights are awesome. They look great, but at the same time crack me the hell up. Love it.
DeAnn says
Just had to wish you guys a Happy Valentines Day, and hope you have a great date night, and that Poppa has a great night the girls. Thank you so much for bringing so much joy into my life this year, and for reminding me daily to not only appriciate the small things, but also to see the love in them.
Momza says
Was that Crandon Park Zoo? If so, that’s the Zoo of my own Miami-native childhood.
Love the tights, the hearts and kisses, and awesome Nella STANDING!!!
Happy Love Day…you deserve all the good in the world.
The Clip Cafe says
I just found your blog via Thornton Family moments. I LOVE IT! Your photography is awesome. This post is great I love your clothes.
The Clip Cafe says
Ps ๐ http://theclipcafeblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/relive-romance-challenge.html
just jen says
happy love day and toasting your kicky, teeterint heals. mwah, sister!
Nicole Schlossberg says
I love everything about this post! your lace tights and glorious purple heals, your flare for words and all the amzaing photos.
A+M+S says
in love with your bathroom mirrors!!!!
**Amy** says
I just found your blog and I have found Love today. Wow! I know I will be reading your blog daily! Great job! Truly inspiring!
irishtwinsmommababybook says
Dads and fathers love to do things like that that scare that crap out of us when it comes to our kids, don’t they?! ๐
LOVE your skirt!!!
AND! Enjoy your date!!!
Kristin says
Happy V-day! Hope you enjoy your date! It’s funny one of my friends sells Stella and Dot jewelry (and is trying to convince me to sell it in rural NH. You were one of the first people I thought of, this lady would love it. I saw with Nellas first b-day fundrasier that a few of your friends sell it. It is fun stuff.
Jorie says
Those girls are beyond adorable! Happy Love day!
TRB Holt says
BE MINE Valentine……
xoxo. Bug & Ruby’s Gram
Sharen says
Those tights are fabulously Alice in Wonderland! I so love reading your blog and drooling over the beautiful photos you take – how blessed you are with your gorgeous family!
demandablog says
Oh my god, Nella’s little bonnet is to DIE for.
Have fun on your date! Happy V-day!
Lynn Ann says
Impact….I have been following your fabulous blog since Nella’s birth and want to thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your family. You inspire me to do better, reach higher and dream bigger…
This past weekend I was out shopping with a friend who has girls. We were carousing in the girls section of the department store which is something I don’t usually get to do – my only little boy just turned 5. I came across these darling little baby summer dresses, with massively discounted price tags (I’m in Australia and the summer stock is on its way out…) and I was thinking of all my friends who had new babies recently. I was thinking “everyone has had a boy and there are no girls little enough to fit into these sizes…oh – Nella would look so darling in one of these!” – just like that, your precious baby has become a part of my consciousness because her beautiful Mama feels so much like a treasured friend. Thank you…Love from Lynn Ann
LCR says
Happy Love Day!
you rock the lace tights, and the “holiday freak flag” so well, we all feed off your spirit:)
xoxo Happy Valentines!
LCR says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pam says
Love the pictures! Nella looks like such a big girl standing!
Happy Love Day- hope you had a great date night!
Micca says
Have a great date–and post some “after” photos!!!
songskatesang says
Sweet as pie.
Jill Carilli says
Happy Valentine’s Day!! ๐ Love the pics of Nella waving and her and Laney on the slide. ๐
KWQR says
Happy love day back at you! This has been one of the worst V-days ever in our house… somehow the crankies went viral & took down every single one of us. Thankfully we have decided to have a do-over later this week & will be celebrating LOVE on a random Thursday instead.
Hope you have a great night out… love the yellow dress!!
xo
Kate
Kaia says
Hi Kelle ๐ Love so many things about this post The first “love” pic of your beautiful girls is gorgeous, those tights of course and the outfits the girls had on at the zoo. Lainey looks beautiful in yellow and blue and i adore Nella’s skirt and little bonnet. I’m 5 weeks pregnant and hoping for a little girl( though will be happy either way of course) I already have a almost 4 year old boy and i’m itching to buy some girly stuff, dresses, hairclips and purple boots!!! Hope that you had a wonderful date xo
Misty Sedehi says
The sack of flour comment had me giggling for quite some time! I could just imagine a father/daughter “discussion” about this. So endearing!
allieg says
Your daughters are adorable and SO lucky to have all of these amazing pictures to look back on!
Linda MG in Soquel, CA says
Happy Valentines/Love Day to you and yours too, incl. Poppa Rik. OOH, date night! Lucky that you have Poppa Rik there with the kids. Dates are very important; gotta have time just for the two of you! LOVE LOVE Those tights! And the SHOES! And the yellow dress! Hope you have a fun date nite! OH, I make valentine sugar cookies too! Love from the blog mama~
Mandi says
Those tights are utter fabulousness! Happy Valentine’s Day
Angela says
Happy Love Day to you all too! PS I work at the Fort Worth Zoo, so if you’re ever this way, I can get you all in FREE! ๐
rebecca says
,,,love the photo of poppa and his sack of flour,,,happy heart day!,,,
bobbiebrownphotography.com says
Nella waving … and then the shots of her standing totally melts my heart! Love the shot of Lainey making cookies.. and the B&W of you and Nella is perfect and so happy! Enjoy your date tonight ๐
Happiness is... says
My husband saw the shots of Nella on Poppa’s shoulder and said, “Hey, it’s a sack of potatoes!” – which is Alex’s favorite way of being carried by Daddy. Sounds like Dad’s version of Payback, my dear.
Here’s wishing you a wonderful date. We snuck ours in on Friday night. It was too cold for tights, but not for a backless top!
Nella standing – love it. So big.
Happy Love Day.
Jennifer from Annapolis
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson says
Your blog just makes me happy. ๐
Thank you. ๐
kayla*marie says
happy valentine’s day! you remind me to enjoy the not so little things in life like love and holidays. although it wasn’t an eventful day today. i cherished it more than i usually would thanks to you. hope your date goes wonderfully <3
Lisa - Happy Mama says
OMG could Nella get any cuter? Doubt it.
Your whole fam is gorgeous and joy-filled. I love seeing pics of them!
Happy LOVE day!
Maura Monahan says
hmm let’s see. i love it. i love it all. the frames on your bathroom mirror – pure genius. your lace tights and ruffled skirt – hello, lady! adorable little heart-butt on a baby – i think i’m dying from the cuteness overload. your blog in general – perfection.
Jess says
Look at Nella bein all proud and standing up!! PRESH! One of your earlier posts a long time ago when you went to the zoo has pics of LL in a yellow sweater very similar.. but she has less hair and more baby chub ๐ So amazing to see your littles grow! Happy Day of Love Kelle!
Melinda says
Aww, love your post today! Your girlies are so beautiful! Glad to see some pics from the zoo – I want to take my boys so bad. They have never been. Yet. lol. Love the cookies…my son is the same way…he loves the sugar rush. lol. We made some today too. ๐ Love the heart on the underpants – soooo cute!!! Date night? Awesome! We had that too – and we definitely needed it! Glad you got to dress up a bit too! ๐
Rosa says
2 Things: Love Nella’s smile and thinking your dad is a looker! Just sayin….:)
Brandie says
love the pics of Nella standing in front of the fence! I must say,when I read you blog, I’m transported back a couple years to when my Goldie was her age. Happy Days!!
Hallee says
MSU on you blog on Valentine’s Day? Makes me love your whole blog/life/story family even more! ๐
Marie Rose says
to carry on your love theme…I love your blog and your girls. They are so stinking cute!
The Ericksens says
I just found your site and I am very grateful to hear your story. I found out in August that my 1 month old daughter has a chromosomal disorder call Cri Du Chat. Its a partial deletion of the 5th Chromosome. Anyway your story sounded very familiar to mine and I am so glad to know that I am not alone! You have a beautiful daughter and I will definitely keep up with your story. If you want to see more about Lily you can check us out at:
mikeandbrittanyericksen.blogspot.com
Sandy says
hope you had a happy date! those pictures of nella smiling are so incredibly adorable–it makes me smile right back!
i carry my littlest like a sack of flour sometimes, and she loves it. go figure. but why do grandparents get such delight in freaking us out? at least they also babysit. ๐
Rain In My Head says
Oh my gosh. .lovin your skirt!! Where is it from?
Lisa @thebeadgirl says
ok..you had me at the michigan state t-shirt! ๐
xo
Megan says
LOVE the bonnet – so ridiculously cute. And the tights! Love! So cute – hope you had a lovely night out!
Michelle says
ok, I have to ask. How do you keep Lainey so stain free? Am I the only one whose little ones have stains on half their clothes lol?
Brandi says
Love the lace tights and purple pumps!
The heart on the ruffly bottom is my fave!!! ๐
kristanlynn says
i love love love Nella’s little wave in all the pics!
She is such a doll!
Lainey looked very happy at the zoo. How special!
mrc-w says
Nice shirt, Gary!! Go Green! ๐
Happy Valentine’s Day, Kelle! I love how you do up all the holidays big time! Mmmm, those cookies look so good! And I LOVE Nella’s heart-pants – so cute!
Linda says
Never mind the tights, where did you get those shoes???
Crystal says
Nella- you make me smile! Thank you. ๐
Nicole says
That 2nd pic of Nella standing against the fence at the Zoo?! OhEmGee…. I died! She’s beyond adorable!!!
haveFaith says
I’m glad your valentines day was filled with love and a romantic evening with Brett.
Mine was filled with mix emotions, happy and sad, and a nasty old cold. I worked during the evening of this windy valentines day, and it was great seeing couples, family and people ready to celebrate come to the restaurant.
Happy Valentines day!!
Chelsie says
Omigod…I love those purple suede shoes, and your lacey tights, and that impish grin on Nella leaning against the fence and those turquoise be-ribboned pigtails of Lainey!
Love love love!
Love,
Chelsie ๐
Holly says
Beautiful photos, I LOVE your tights and shoes!
Allison in AK says
Hi Kelle,
Long time lurker, first time commenter! Found you following a link to Nella’s birth story. Just in case you get to all these comments, I’d like you to know that you’ve inspired my to begin my own blog for encouragement and information about life with a child with cystic fibrosis. Our boy is 16 now and I figure I’ve got a few things to share!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours, my internet friend,
Warmly, Allison
Roksalanna says
Hi Kelle,
Hope you and your family had a lovely Valentine’s Day!
I love the picture of you and Lainey on the camel and Nella looks gorgeous in her bonnet waving.xo
Muffin says
LOVE that yellow dress! ๐ Supernice.
And I would definitely love being able to go to the zoo a random day in February! ;P We’ve got snow by the loads. Have a good week!
Helene says
You take fantastic pictures!
Sophie says
Oh my goodness, Nella is so cute standing up, your girl’s outfits are so creative! Love that you got to ride a camel!
Rocksee says
Who doesn’t love LOVE DAY! Whooo hoo!
The girls look like they had a blast at the zoo..! I love they smiling faces!
Have a great time out tonight!!!
tutusandconverse says
LOVE THOSE TIGHTS!
Your pictures are inspiring and your family is beautiful. Hope you had a great night out!
Trondheimspiken says
Dear Kelle.
My name is Ida, and I am Norwegian. I came upon your blog one day because my friend said that she’d found this amazing story that I had to read. It was the story of Nella’s B-day. And I cried, laughed and smiled all the way through it. Since that day, I’ve read your blog all the time. I love the way you write, and after reading your blog for now over a year, I feel as though I know you. And whenever you are sad, I am sad. Whenever you are happy, I am happy. And I absolutely adore your photos. They are gorgeous!
Keep smiling Kelle, and stay just the way you are. Your daughters are the luckiest girls in the world who have you as there mama…
All my love,
Ida the Norwegian ๐
lynne1 says
Wow your photo’s get me everytime. But that first photo of your gorgeous babies is way special. I love love love it and just had to say so. Your blog never to ceases a smile on my face. I always leave so happy too.
love to you all
Kait says
Love. Such a small word. But such a big meaning. I’m glad you and the hubby got 1 on 1 time. Your girls are gorgeous as always!! <3
Natalia Jean Sansosti says
Sack of flour – oh, I know that one well. In my home, it’s “sack of potatoes,” it freaks me out too, and my husband does it more because it freaks me out. And my daughter LOVES it as much as Nella appears to! Happy <3 day!
theenglishgirl says
Happy love day.
The girls are so beautiful.
Love the tights and hope you had a great date night.
johanna says
there’s nothing like nella’s smile to brighten my day
Evelyn Louise says
“My dad holds Nella like a sack of flour. It freaks me out, but she loves it and he loves that it freaks me out.”
LOVE THIS!!!
So can I just tell you that I LOVE that your dad went to the zoo with you on Sunday and is watching the girls on Monday night? Why? Because my mom watches my girl quite often and sometimes I feel like we might be abusing the priviledge since she lives “right there” and she insists that she’ll say no when it doesn’t work or she is tired.
It makes me feel great that she isn’t the only grandparent who is all up in their grandkids’ life and totally invited to be.
Laura says
I am new to your blog, and I can’t get enough. I love looking at all the photo’s of your ADORABLE girls. I love being able to read another mother’s perspective. Just love it all! And I also LOVE the tights! Thanks!
The Birds says
Don’t you just love how dad’s enjoy freaking us out so much! Hope your night was great, Happy Valentines Day!
Lianna says
Gee, what a perfect story of pics! LOVE LOVE LOVE your girls! Hope you had a wonderful date night!♥
Lola says
Happy Love Day!
Beautiful thights and love Nella’s outfit.
Does Nella go to sleep easy when you are not there?
Hope you enjoyed your date!!!
Lora says
Oh these pictures are so sweet. I love reading your thoughts every day. How was your date night? Hope you have a great “day after valentine’s” day.
Lora
ps – LOVE your dad’s shirt. GO STATE! ๐
justadrienne says
Nella just gets cuter and cuter. Some of those pictures are just plain ridiculous. I think my favorite is “sitting next to Lainey with my foot in the air”.
SallyGirl says
Lovely!
Justin says
Every time I read your blog, I go back to what your fabulous doctor said when Nella was born. She is perfect and beautiful. And how lucky she is to have such a wonderful, beautiful, loving family!
B's Mommy says
Lainey’s glasses Rock!! She looks adorable! A camel? How cool is that?! What a magical day…
xoxo <3
Thing says
Happy Loveday, yes! ๐
Bowen says
Can I tell you how thrilled I am that you’re using something other than photobucket?! ๐ Not that there is anything wrong with photobucket… but it’s “blocked” here at my work and I can’t see the pictures. I was so giddy when I pulled up your website and pictures came up. I normally have to look at them at home. =) So that’s my random comment for the day and I should probably get back to work now…;)
Happy Valentine’s Day!!! ๐
The Fischer Family says
OK…where did you get the tights!?!?!? I LOVE THEM!!!!! They looked hot girl! You are too stinkin’ cute! Glad you had a great love day!
Lisa Hewlett says
Nella’s smile warms my heart ๐
Michelle Vandepol says
the girls are so cute!
jennymariee says
husband and I had our first date nigt in quite honestly, a year, a couple of Saturdays ago. It felt nice to flirt and enjoy each other like we use to. Hope your night rocked!
I think the pictures by the fence are sooo amazing. I wish you lived closer because I’d be paying you to shoot my girls.
and because of your flag flying… My little and I made goody bags together for her friends at pre-school. I am normally daunted by such projects with her because she’s autistic and really struggles with stuff but it was a magical project. Thank you!
Fay says
I love love, so I love Valentines day! Your girls are just beautiful! Sounds like a pretty good love day to me!
Denise says
Loved, loved those pics of Nella at the end against the fence. So cute!!! I would have loved to see a picture of you after your ritual. I hope you had a great adult night out. I so need one of those.
Cheers.
OnCallMom says
I’m lovin’ those tights. I hope you guys had a fabulous night out!
OnCallMom says
P.S. Thanks for introducing us to that song ‘Home’ on your playlist. I’m in love. It’s one of my newest favorites.
Kristine says
omg, those last two pics of Nella against the fence are so precious. made me smile from ear to ear!!
the tights are fantastic…as is the ruffle skirt!! hope you had a wonderful time on your date!
xo
Kris
Diary of a Diva Mom says
I LOVE your pictures!! No matter what you take you really show the beauty in everything. I have to know where your mirror accents came from, and how you did that! It looks AMAZING!
Caitlin says
That outfit is spectacular! Sounds like you had quite a day, I’m glad to hear it. It’s good to have a day that reminds us even more how blessed we are.
I just posted about my Valentine’s day too, check it out here.
Beware, the photo of the chocolate might work like a Pavlov bell–they do for me! ๐ Happy day.
Caitlin
Ellen says
i am so in love with your blog — keep doing what you are doing… it’s wonderful!
Megan says
Nella’s little tie on sun bonnet is the cutest. thing. ever. and I really really want one.
Calli Elizabeth says
Loving the Michigan State shirt in this post… Go Green, Go White… GO NELLA!
Rik says
Truth: My superb baby-sitting was punctuated with multiple text messages from my babies’ mother asking, “How are they now?” And I mean multiple. And the answer was always, “They are great!” We took a moon walk with the double stroller, several cozy blankets and a dog on the lap. We made Valentine Cards to place under their parents’ pillows. We read books. We watched a Rapuntzel movie. We talked…or rather, I listened. We giggled. It was bliss. And when the parents returned home, both girls were sound asleep–Nella nestled in my arms and Lainey in a little bed she made herself, on the couch beside me. It gets no better. Time stops when we focus on children. It stops and becomes magical. And the photos of Nella and Me–I wish there was audio because she was telling me something very, very important. She knew I would understand.
Sonya says
Oh my gosh, that smile of Nella’s makes my heart smile!
Michelle says
um, suddenly Lainey looks JUST like your dad? WTH? ๐ havent seen THAT before. Someday Im gonna snuggle Nella for a few minutes, does that sound stalkerish? Someday, at some DS Conference, it’ll happen. ๐
Anna Ruth says
What a fun trip for the girls!
Ali's Mom says
Rik- You make me miss my dad SO much!! He was a great poppa too just like you and sadly, he died 11years ago today. I miss him every day. Enjoy all your beautiful grandchildren – every minute you can have with them.
Alli says
Just discovered your blog and I am in LOVE with your photos. Perfect lighting, angles, and the cutest subjects. ๐ I’m looking forwards to many more days seeing these lovely photographs!
mommy dearest says
You may or may not think this is funny but twice now when I have gone to type in
“Enjoying the Small Things”
I have mistyped and put in
“Enjoying the Small Thongs”
Seriously I have laughed about that for days!! I hope you do too!!!
Heather says
Your blog just makes me smile! Thank you for reminding me to LIVE IN THE PRESENT…each and everyday. While it is a challenge (most days if I am being honest) I am striving to make that my mantra for 2011! Happy Love Day…and every day!
rebecca says
,,,”poppa rik” i’m guessing this ain’t your first rodeo and you have the babysitting down to a science,,,(smile),,,ohhhh, to be able to translate nella’s conversations, wouldn’t that be something wonderful?,,,i imagine she was telling you all the things she plans to do when she grows older, and how she’s going to add to the greatness of the world,,,
Amy says
Oh my goodness the last pic of Nella standing against the white fence is adorable! What a character. She and Lainey bring so much sunshine to the world. Thanks for sharing their light.
danielle says
Your blog is such an inspiration to me. Nella and Lainey are beautiful!
ksmile says
I love those babies, I love the zoo, I think you’re pretty and your Dad’s hot too! ๐
It's a Wonderful Life says
I am very much in admiration of you. Your girls are beautiful and I love your pictures!
alicia says
Love stopping by here. So happy.
Nancy K. says
I smile so much, from the beginning tht the end of your blog posts ~ that my jaw hurts!
Such a wonderful pain…
Can you even believe that for even one moment you were unsure about Nella? Talk about hind-sight!!!
Kelly Cach says
GOODNESS!!! So much love….I can seriously feel it! Nella in that hat…uuhhh, can’t get enough!
Happy Heart Day, for sure,
Kelly
p.s. And you have the cutest clothes…lovin’ your skirts I’ve seen on here lately ๐
loveMYgirls says
Hey Kelle! In keeping up this post of Valentines Love sharing… I would love to continue the support of Nella Oneder fund! I tried to give during the weeks before her birthday but you must have missed my email. I did see that someone else set something up with their Stella & Dot so hopefully you’ve had a chance to check out their fabulous jewelry! So I set it up and 100% of my profits from now through the end of March from anyone who shops using Host Nella Onderfund will go to her ONEder Fund:)
A few of my personal suggestions to check out are the Foundation Bracelets. Just got myself and my girls matching ones and they are beautiful – Multi-colored beads in either coral pinks or turquoise that come with charms. And all of Stella & Dots proceeds of their womens and childrens Foundation bracelets go to support 3 Foundations that share their mission to create positve change for women in the US:)
Also their charm collection is amazing – You can make personal necklaces and bracelet, add fun whimsical charms and your childrens initials, birthstones, make them totally unique everyday wonderful. I love mixing gold and silver when making these!
And then the new Copa Necklace and Bamboleo Necklace along with the green Garden Party chandelier earrings, Turquoise beads with your favorite broach, and the Goa collection are so beautiful fresh for spring/summer and oh so Florida!
And of course the Little Girls collection is amazing – So nice and beautiful, very grown up for such little girls:)
My site is http://www.stelladot.com/hostert Use Host: Nella Onderfund when shopping and I can’t wait to send you a big fat wonderful check at the end of March to towards the ONEder Fund!
Any questions or to request catalogs email me at christy.hostert@gmail.com
Thanks! Have a great week:)
loveMYgirls says
Oh and I should add – you dont have to wait until end of March to get your jewelry! Your selections will come to your door, beautifully gift wrapped for $5.95 and will arrive in 3-5 days! Makes gift giving very easy:)
white collar | green soul says
those tights are wonderful! they remind me of the kind my mom used to made me wear and I hated! I would love to have a pair like that now!
Your bathroom is so happy I can hardly stand it! It’s great!
Ali Caudill says
lookin hot, mama!
Siany says
I am so in love with your family x
Jessica says
I LOVE your Valentine’s card. LOVE it. Half-tempted to print it and put it on my fridge like we’re friends that go way back. Might be weird when I explain to people we’ve never spoke or met. Your zoo looks way better than ours here in MI. You get to ride camels?? We have a prairie dog exhibit you can stick your head up a plastic cap that smells like..well, anyhoo, and to get to it you have to stuff yourself into a tunnel with 100 other kids climbing on you. You do this so you can watch the prairie dogs not walk by you. (Can you tell it’s my favorite exhibit?) And finally, love that you have an iPhone ๐