Yesterday morning, I was jolted from sleep by the reverberating thunder of the sonic boom–two low and powerful rumbles that rattle the windows and shake everything that makes you feel grounded and safe. Hearing the sonic boom, along with spotting random alligators and dolphins, has been one of the unique experiences that accompanies moving to Florida–unless, of course, you count watching the leathery, Speedo-sporting bodies of old men scrounging for coins and watches down at Bonita Beach.
It was the last sonic boom we’ll hear for a very long time, and I had to smile at the realization that I was aware and present for space history’s monumental moment while my weather-obsessed, astronautics-loving husband sawed logs beside me.
The irony continues with the fact that our temperatures are several degrees cooler than our friends north of us…but still sweltering and pool worthy.
The sky was fabulous yesterday–layers of thick clouds that molded into different shapes every few seconds. At one moment, it was all bears.
By sunset, the clouds shifted to pink feathers that floated across pockets of dreamy blue as the last bits of sunshine cast a warm amber glow across the characters in our driveway. We drank in cold beer, lively conversation, and two little girls that dirtied the bottoms of their feet as they scooted, pedaled, crawled and skipped across pavement.
At the end of the day, the girls’ skin smells like a hot summer night–earthy and warm–retelling their outside adventures. Sunscreen, chlorine, grass, dirt, sweat, pavement, popsicles–it all soaks in, and I kiss their cheeks, breathing in that sweet distinct scent of summer adventure. And then, like magic, I dip them into warm suds and it all melts away, replaced by milk-and-honey fresh. I love the rituals of summer.
New Friday Ritual: Instagram dump for week’s adventures:
And I’m happy to report the “Oh” is back.
Baby’s still got it.
*****
A few Giveaway Winners:
The PurseBling winner: Comment #9, Sarah K: The moments you capture always add a little sunshine to my oftentimes cloudy Seattle day.
Hallmark Card Pack Winners (only listing part of comments since there are so many of them!)
Comment #178, Renee: I forgot to add my just because card moment. My friend sent me a special card telling me how proud she was that I was getting my life together and finding new paths…
Comment #610, Emma Krueger: Such an inspiring post. I have got to do this! I love cards and sending them for random reasons is the best way to do it!
Comment #9, Tish: Great post! Love the Challenge! I’m in! Hands down the best “just because” card I’ve received is from a teacher I worked with years before…
Comment #446, ashpuk: I love cards and think it’s becoming a lost art of sorts. I sent 2 this week, one get well and one just because. It did make me feel good and I think made them feel good too!…
Comment #707, Ginger: My husband knows how much I love to get mail. Seriously. It’s like a compulsion–the walk to the mailbox, the excitement building if the flag is up, the peering inside, the disappointment when all I pull out is telephone bills and ads to get staff prices at the local car dealership…
Comment #591, Sarah: I’m heading over to my favorite card shop at lunch to stock up on my “just because” stash. Thanks for the reminder…
Comment #418, Keely: What a great idea! My daughter reminds me often that I need to send everyday cards to those I love when she makes me cards/pictures just because she loves me…
Comment #33, Stephanie: Every time I went away from home {to visit a friend, camp, school trip} my mom always left a card in my suitcase, that sometimes I wouldn’t find for a few days but then when I did it made me smile and not be so home sick…
Comment #389, Anna-Maija: I am so fortunate that my three closest childhood friends, from MICHIGAN 🙂 still send random “just because” cards. Recently, I received one from my friend Kate…
Comment #658, Deb: One of my most memorable cards was from my mum when I was about to embark on a new challenge. It said: “Do not go where the path may lead… go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”…
Winners, please e-mail your address (with the subject line of what you won) to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net. Thank you Hallmark and Pursebling!
*****
Finally, I’m digging new sponsor Oh Ollie and their adorable handmade clothes and accessories. I love the funky mix of fabric choices, and the quality of their designs.
Nella: Bloomer & Onesie Set
Lainey: Left-Paris Halter Dress, Right-Twirly Halter Dress Millie
Be sure to check out the variety of fabric prints and colors under each listing!
Use Code ‘horray’ for 10% off. One comment will be randomly chosen to win a $60 gift certificate, courtesy of Oh Ollie.
*****
After a long week, we are exhausted and ready for a bit of rest. Pajamas call.
Have a peaceful week.
I always love Nella’s faces:) That last photo of her is darling- love baby girls in soft pink dresses!
Are you kidding me? #1? I will drink to that…but I’m pregnant, so it will be cranberry juice, or something equally as unexciting… but still!! woooo- hooooo!!
Love the photo dump!
shit… I was ousted as I typed it…hahaha
YES! OMG, I can’t believe I’m the first! Love your summer memories. My favorite card is when I was moving away to Austin, TX. My parents gave me a card that said, “wherever a daughter goes, your heart goes with her.”
It finished with “And no matter where you go, we’ll always want the same thing, for all to be right in your world, and to know that you are happy.”
It still makes me tear up!
I love Nella’s faces…
The “Oh” is just so precious! 🙂
Love it! Glad to see the return of the “oh”…so adorable. Wish we lived near a cool waterpark like that…
So adorable! Looked like a fun summer day!
SO happy the Oh is back!!!! I am heading to Roanoke VA for my brothers 37th birthday tomorrow…I will have to see if I can get one of his Oh’s to share too!
Brooke Annessa
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com
Wow! thanks sky is awesome!!!! Oh..and is it already fall time colors!?!?!?
Great job!
——————
-Rick (Noah’s Dad)
Check out our fun one minute videos about our son who was born with Down Syndrome!
We get an “oh” sometimes too. I’m hoping it sticks around. Love that Nella’s found her “oh” again too 🙂
We’ve had a glorious week in Florida this week, even if it was hotter than heck here! I really wish I was as dilligent as you with capturing every moment, but I find myself gazing into Everleigh’s eyes too much to remember a camera!
-Amanda
The oh is back!! Yay, that always just makes my day. 🙂
By the way..thanks so much for your nice comments about our video blog! We’d love for you to connect with us on Baby Noah’s Facebook page!
http://facebook.com/noahsdadcom
I always love your sponsers stuff and seeing them on “real” little girls that I can see the stuff on but those halter dresses might be the cutest EVER! Love!
And love Nella’s doll in the last photo of her. Makes a mama smile whether its her baby or not.
Love Lainey in those halter dresses- she looks SO grown up and lovely!
Such summer fun. I bet there was a ring around the tub that night. Love
Nella in the pretty pink dress. I love the Lainey and the mice picture.
I just began following your blog last week. I have read a lot of your back story, and began filling my husband in one night when I spent quite a while here. 🙂 He said that he had read it Reader’s Digest?!
Anyway, today’s shots have simply taken my breath away. My God, what a gorgeous, gorgeous family. I must have studied these photos at least three times today. Just thought I would let you know. Ha. 🙂
how cute! i too love getting all milk and honeyized after a long day of chasing 2 active boys and their tagalong 18m old sister! like the friday dump!
Is it weird that I live my life vicariously through you?! I aspire to be the mother that you are. I have a near 2 year old and baby due any day now but have NO energy at all. I read your posts and think, how does she do it?!? Such an inspiration you are!! 🙂 Thank you!!
Love the little dresses! Summer rituals are definitely special:)
~Jada
I love how summery this post is. And the Oh — gotta love the Oh. 🙂
Lainey’s Paris dress is so beautiful! Especially with that sleek hair do! And I love Nella in her messy diaper! I love to see a dirty baby, it shows they had a great day!
I also love the rituals of summer, even though it means more baths!
This comment has been removed by the author.
The sky is so gorgeous.
I love that one of the names of those dresses is Millie- that’s my little girl’s name. 🙂
Kelle- Your way with words is nothing short of magical. I swear you could make dog poop sound appealing.
Glad to see the “oh” is back !!!!
So glad to see the ‘oh’ back! The first pic of Nella and that’s the first thing I noticed! Have a great weekend with your adorable girls.
I LOVE the OH!! I can’t wait until my daughter, 6 months, can start this!
Awesome cloud bears! :o) Glad the ‘oh’ is back-it’s so sweet!
You rock that Oh face Nella darling! xo
I love how much time you spend with your girls!!! you guys go to so many nice adventurous places!!! I look up to you ones I am a mom i hope to be like you!!!
http://www.stayyoungforever.blogspot.com
I love the pic of a dirty Nella!
Nella’s faces crack me up!! And what a cute shop – I think I need to get Leila the Paris halter dress. So cute.
Love those bear sightings in the sky!
Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
LOVE the oh!
Ah, that smell of summer! For me it is campfire, the iron smell of rock, spilled iced coffee and strawberries. Although to be honest, it’s been on me for a month without a shower, pasted on with a glue of salt water and sunscreen, so I’m happy to smell like milk and honey (or in my case, green apple)…the smell of the first shower after an adventure.
I love your water photos, the way your super fast shutter speed captures the individual beads. Have I mentioned how big Lainey is getting? how did that happen!
xox
Melina
Love the cloud bears!
I love the smell of sticky, sweaty, worn out, happy children… beautiful. And I love how so many of your sponsers are straight from etsy!
I love the Oh Ollie dresses! How pretty and fun!
Ane you never fail to make me want to take a bath. Every blog post. I swear. I now know what tonight’s activities will involve. 🙂
How adorable! My beautiful niece would look so cute in one of these outfits!
Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Ummm… Loving the photo dump! Bravo!
My daughter has a fun face, too. We call it her crazy face. Imagine a big overbite with wide open eyes 🙂
I lover her “oh” face!!!!!
Hmmm, wonder if that Paris Halter Dress comes in my size?
my new little makes an awesome oh face that melts my momma heart.
The picture of Nella and the ballerina baby doll is beautiful!
Your pics are always so beautiful….but could you say the word lanai (sp?) a few more times…it reminds me of the Golden Girls 😛 ….happy weekend!
My son has started making the “oh face” and I think of Nella every time he does it. 🙂
seeing the instagram photos makes me want an iphone. love them.
Love the photo dump!
Your photos are gorgeous and captivating as always! Thanks for introducing me to Oh Ollie! Beautiful stuff.
Oh, how I love your photos! Have a wonderful weekend!
Yes, the dirtier the feet, the more fun was had……also, what a darling dress the Paris halter style is….I want one for me!
I know the Summer ritual well with the girls I nanny full-time. It took quite a while for me to relax about messy, sticky, nasty hands and faces. They’re only kids once, right!?
Preciousness! I just love reading your posts and gazing at your lovely photographs. You truly have a way with words and the camera! Your girls are beautiful!
Beautiful post as always, and I love Lainey’s overalls!! 🙂
your comment forum is overwhelming. By the time I finish reading your posts, you have had another 50 comments from when I started 🙂 Keep on bringing the small things and the positive light you shine on life
Oh how I love that ‘oh’ face!!! <3
This post made me smile! Love reading about your sweet girls!
And I’m glad Nella’s Oh face has come back, it’s one of my favorites!
LOVE the new Friday phone photo dump ritual AND that the “Oh!” is back! So stinking precious! Her face is perfect when she does that… just perfect! That picture of you and Nella… LOVE the braid in your hair! Too cute! Wish I could pull that off! Have a peaceful weekend also! <3 Amber
Loved the photo dump and the new sponsers….and Nella’s Oh face.
oh how i want to go back and be a child, and come live at your house! it’s magical…love how you put it all into beautiful words, the good, the bad and the perfect!
lovely!
tara
LOVE LOVE LOVE your word collage of summer scents. I’m already starting to miss summer… which is weird considering the major heat wave we’ve had for the last month. Cute dresses on your adorable girls.
Yay the oh is back…isn’t it sad when your kids “outgrow” things…but I’m glad Nella still has her oh….it makes me smile! Have a lovely weekend!
I love the “oh” faces!
Summer does smell better on the skin of a wee one! Happy weekend.
I had a tiring evening. Lots of arguing from my three year old. Thanks for helping fill my glass half full again. 🙂
oooh! i love Oh Ollie. My sister is pregnant and that may or may not be her boy name. which makes me want to buy her something from this shop!! also, glad to see the “oh” face is back!
So happy to see the return of the “Oh”!
Speaking of Ohs, those Oh Ollie outfits are adorable!
I would dearly have loved to hear the ‘sonic boom’ in person! I’ve always been quite fascinated by astronautics too.
And LOVING the Paris halter dress! Love it love it love it.
Hooray for the return of the “Oh” face…too precious!
Love the last picture of Lainey and the mouse! Too cute!!
Those dresses are adorable!
I love Nella’s expressions! She is truly adorable, as is Lainey!
I love the Paris halter. Adorable!
dear Mid-Summer-loves,
Aww, Kelle, your writings and pix never dissappoint!
I’ve said it before, but tonight I will say it again….THANKS for sharing.
love,
long Summer days (and nights)
in
NE
My littlte gal is in much need of some new digs…to go with her new do!
Loving the ‘oh’ face!
love the oh!!! just learning how to use the camera on my new phone…still got a way to go!
Lainey looks so grown up in her halter dresses!
I’ve loved reading your blog over the last year and watching how much she has changed.
As always, gorgeous pics!
I never got to hear a sonic boom =( I think if I put two and two together when I planned this trip back to Connecticut I would have made sure I was still in Florida for that!! And this 107 degree weather we’re having in CT is making me want to run back to Florida – not that the heat is much better, but mere miles from the beach makes it more tolerable!!
Your summer nights make me envious and long for what is to come!!
Happy Friday!
~Beth
So cool that you were able to hear the sonic boom. Reminds me of the re-entry scene in “Apollo 13”. Strangely enough, that’s the first movie I remember crying in.
The sky pics were so good…and I love the Oh Ollie dresses- pick me : )
Ky
The description you gave of your girls’ Summer’s Scent is fabulous and should be bottled up. Not really cause you probably wouldn’t want to sport it on Date Night, but you knw what I mean.
Those are some seriously gorgeous sunset sky colors you captured. My beach is just 2 minutes down the road… perhaps I need to haul it there for sunset instead of doing kitchen duty tonight? You’re inspiring, as per usual.
The last picture cracked me right up. My kids want us to get two white mice soooo bad. They think they’re going to teach them to perform circus tricks and will entertain everyone for hours! I feel like….no. I’m just gonna end up spending many days on my hands and knees under the couch, looking for the escaped “circus” mice. lol.
Love Nella in her dress on the grass with that cute baby doll!
I LOVE the pink paris halter, come on # 90 (I think!)
Your girls are so adorable!!!!!! I love these pics!!!!!!! So much fun…..
Michelle Torres
decorater4life@aol.com
Nella’s ‘O’ face is to die for!!!
Love Nella’s O’s! She is absolutely precious.
Loved to read other’s inspirations for recieving and giving cards. I want to do that more too. Just simple gestures, the little things, makes all the difference sometimes. :o)
Forgot to mention. the sonic boom! You are so lucky to exerience that there. My husband trained all the astronauts sincd 1996. He was so proud to be a part of such a great organization, NASA. I grew up with it in Houston for 40 years.
It isn’t good buy, it’s see ya’ll later!
I finally figured out why Nella looks so grown up in a couple of pictures from the posts this week – it’s the bangs! Cute!
AH! I wondered about you guys the other day… wondering if you heard or watched or took pics of the last shuttle. I’m glad you heard it.
CUTE little clothes. Love them. This would be a good one to win 🙂
When I saw the picture of Lainey and the mouse I thought “Lainey found Stuart Little!”. My bed is practically screeching for me right now. Been staying up late knitting and I am sooo tired now!
What a stunning dress! I am in love with the cityscape one 🙂
I’m officially jealous – growing up, I always wanted to witness the launch of a spaceship. Seeing that I live in Germany, it just never worked out to be in Florida at the same time. And now … it’s over and I’ll be moving to FL shortly.
Have a blessed weekend.
Darling dresses! And what a fun sock dolly…
Those outfits are so adorable!! I’ll definitely be checking them out. Great post, as usual 🙂
Babies sleeping on their Mama….pure bliss. Love it!
The photo with the clouds made me smile! That’s what Photoshop should be used for, not for unrealistically looking photos.
love those bears. and the girls traffic jam. do not love 121 heat index in dc. our pool was warm, ellie didn’t even react when i put her in the water!!
is there anything more fun than looking up at the clouds to see what you can find? it’s funny some of the things kids come up with.
I love your description of summer smothering the girls…and then the bath afterwards. So refreshing.
The Oh Ollie dresses on Lainey are perfection! I might have to splurge and get one:) Thanks for sharing.
Bathtime is an amazing time of the day! I love your new ritual too; phone picture dump….it wraps it all up!
Love the Paris Halter dress!
Rituals of summer….oh yes….we have them too….and oh yes….. we are exhausted too. July is wearing us out, but we will not slow down up here in Minnesota where summer is way too short.
THose dresses from Oh Ollie?!?! a.d.or.a.b.l.e. My girl would love them.
I love the bears in the sky! I still see animals and people in the clouds. I hope to teach my son that skill. 🙂
Cloud watching is our most favourite thing to do!
I love the bear clouds! And Nella’s doll!
Oh those clothes are super cute!! Would love to get an outfit for our little girl arriving in about 6 weeks!! 🙂
Love all the pictures of your girls! Love the Oh Ollie dresses too-so cute!
I love the bears too. All the pictures are wonderful.
I need the Pairs dress in a big girl size. So adorable!!!
There is nothing like spending a long summer day dirtying up in flip flops then having a wonderful soak in the tub.
I love the outfit Nella is wearing and love the dresses too.
E-mail – ginmae85@yahoo.com
I love the ooh face! So cute! Those clothes are adorable!
I love summer pink skies. And yes, the temperatures up here in NYC are unbelievable!
Thanks for another great giveaway!
Love the painter’s overalls! I am currently making a pair. Will see how it turns out…
That last picture of Nella must be framed!!
Love that the “oh” is back – so sweet!
Lovely giveaway!
LOVE that “oh”. So sweet.
yay for the return of the Oh!!
Great pics- I love Lainey in the Paris halter with the popsicle and nella in her bloomer set looking down! Cute clothes on cute babies 🙂
I check your blog daily for an update and get excited when I see a new post, just thought you’d like to know!!
Yep, up in Canada over here we’ve had unbelievable heat this past week. I love walking outside and feeling the humidity wrap around me like a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer 🙂
But today is cool and rainy and I’m enjoying sipping hot coffee and dressing the littles in cozy clothes 🙂
love the instagram photo wrap up!
Ahh, the smell of summer on our kids’ skin-yum!
I love the bumper car picture in the driveway! Too cute!
Love Lainey laying on the horn in her little car! LOL
LOVE LOVE LOVE the next to last pic of Nella in the grass… she looks angelic. 🙂
Speaking of Summer, I’ll be visiting Florida (not your area, but our favorite vacation spot – Destin) in 2 weeks with my family!! Can’t wait to soak up some Florida sunshine!!!
I’m so glad the ”oh” is back! I missed it. Love Lainey’s Paris halter dress. Adorable!
Have a fab weekend.
No matter how cute those mice are that Lainey is looking at I hope you said, “No darling, they can’t come home!” Have a great weekend from a neighbor up North in the sweltering heat……………susan
The weather was so warm up here in Michigan this week! I loved it, nearly 100 degrees everyday – until Friday. Then it dropped about 25 degrees during the day and rose about 10 degrees as the evening came upon us. That’s Michigan weather for ya, as I’m sure you can remember!
first of all your children are just precious..you make life looks so fun.
The oh ollie stuff is amazing…my little reagan definately needs something from there. 🙂
-Thanks, Amanda
I’ve already asked, but where, oh where, did Nella’s doll come from? My little gal (about the same age) needs a baby doll that isn’t creepy.
Yay for the O face making an appearance! Little Miss Lainey, in that gorgeous dress eating a Popsicle…my goodness, she is precious! Happy weekend:)
Hey, that’s so funny, I just started “dumping” my instagram feed into my blog, too! Is that where you got the idea?
I am so glad the Oh is back!
oh i do love the rituals of summer…yes i do! and lainey’s bibs…do they come in my size?? love!
I love Nella’s O!
your girls are adorable. I am curious how my Ilaria would look like in one of those dresses. so, pick me, and you will find out too :-))
love your blog and your photos!
they are great!
I love those dresses on Lainey!
Oh how I love the Oh! Beautiful post, stunning girls. :o)
Oh how I love the Oh! Beautiful post, stunning girls. :o)
That Paris Halter Dress is a-dor-a-ble!
After a slew of baby boys among my friends, we found out this week that there are two baby girls on the way- so I could definitely do some damage with that gift certificate!!
You make me LOVE summer…I’ve always loved it, but you make me LOVE it.
Oh, how I miss Florida summers…
I’m even beginning to miss the leathery old men in speedos. Sad. 🙂
your blog speaks to my soul, i love everything about it. thanks for sharing your heart with us, readers. we could all learn a lot about life (and writing, blogging, and picture taking!!!) from you. thank you for writing.
xo, jessica
I love the “summer smell” and I also love the “O” Face! My sons does that too, but it’s getting less and less these days! 🙁
Leah
http://www.lovelifeandmommyhood.blogspot.com
Seeing that the “Oh” is back just made my day!
Sweet post! I love summer!! I also LOVE Nella’s sweater doll, and those dresses are so cute! They would be so cute on my baby girl that’s turning ONE on Wednesday! Where did the year go??
Love the Oh Ollie stuff! And the “O” :O :O
Loved your posts this week, Kelle… and so happy that “oh!” is back!
As a teacher, and the start of the school year just around the corner, I find myself taking in the “summer scent” of my children every night before bath. In fact, after a last minute sprinkler playdate a few nights ago, I was telling my friends about this scent I love so much! The combo of sunscreen, heat, chlorine, dirt, and a the sticky popsicle bellies make me long for summer time ALL YEAR LONG! Summer is so magical!
Oh my GOSH, Kelle!
“Have a peaceful week”!!!! Thank you so much for that sentiment! Do you find it interesting and exciting to see which little bits of your writing speak to readers in different ways? I DO!! I am literally trying RIGHT NOW to get into a peaceful state of mind. Nora’s birthday party is tonight (actual birthday on Monday). My heart is racing with an anxiety-ridden beat, only 2 hrs of sleep last night, and yucky family drama while trying to plan her precious celebration. Oh, and all of that on top of the last year’s emotions….UGH! I need this to be a peaceful weekend and MONDAY! (Be sure and check out her slide-show on FB sometime on Monday 😉
Much, much love to you this “peaceful” morning,
Kelly
Hooray for the return of the “Oh!”
GAH! Nella’s “Oh” face is SO sweet!
Love the summer rituals! Beautiful photos as always!
I love the smell of summertime babies too…even after their nightly bath, I can still faintly smell the afternoon’s chlorine and sunscreen. (perhaps that means I’m not scrubbing hard enough?!)
I would love to see a pink feather sky. Too bad in Washington it’s typically a gray, pensive, sky:)
Laura
I love when you have links to older posts! I always go back and look at them, and I remember reading them what seems like forever ago, but really it’s only been 18 months since I started reading your blog. I love looking at how much your kids have grown. Seeing Nella so little reminds me of when Maddie was that little and how far we’ve come in these short 18 months!!! Do you have a list of other blogs you read? You’ve mentioned some, like Dig this Chick (love her blog, too) and apartmenttherapy, but I was wondering what other blogs you read on a regular basis?
Oh, thank God the “Oh” face is back. This world is just not quite as beautiful without it!
love the bears in the clouds pic…so fun. I love the rituals of summer as well. something magical about the sweet memories made in the summertime!
That last photo is just magical.
Love the instagram photo dump 🙂
Nothing better than getting all sweaty and dirty with your kiddos during the summer. Love it! That’s what life is all about!
Lainie Bug’s hair is getting so long! The “bears in the sky” photo made me Smile…Big!
LOVE the pic of Lainey and the mouse. What an awesome capture!
At what age do little white mice become disgusting? My little girl loves all things mice related and I remember loving them as well. When did that change? 🙂
Loving the scents of summer here, too. Is there anything like it?
Summer rituals are the best! Today it was swinging on the swings and playing in the sand. Pure bliss. Lainey looks absolutely adorable in that paris halter dress!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend…
Love all of this….enjoy your restful weekend!
Ahhh, I love seeing more photos of Nella’s ‘Oh’ face. She is so precious. 🙂
Loving the fact that the OH face is back. I bet she’s getting lots of applause around the house for the cute face!
P.S. My two girls would look so cute in some new dresses 🙂 Please pick me random.com.
I love looking at your photos as well as reading your blog. The girls are so beautiful! I love the dresses Lainy has on:)
that outdoor smell transformed to clean pajama wearing babies that smell of powder- so good!!!
These dresses are too adorable!
We have a similar face out little munchkin is making, but I can never capture it on camera! You are really fast 🙂
Can’t wait to check out the site, we have a baby girl coming into the family soon!
Have a great weekend.
Melissa
Oh! I am so glad the OH is back. I have been trying to teach my girl the OH but she is more interested in figuring out the quack quack of a duck.
Adorable outfits! Adorable post, as always.
How sweet your photos……they all take my breath away. And those babies of your’s. Just too cute in everything they wear. Long week here too, so please enjoy your weekend:)
Thanks for chance at winning something special Kelle!
those last two were my favs kelle. finally made it to virginia. missed your blog. you have a peaceful week too!
The pic of Lainey Love in the grass is one of my favorites of all time.
the ‘oh’ !! i LOVE it!! 🙂
p.s. you have got the BEST sponsors!
Your blog is always so inspiring, thank you! Your connection with your girls is beautiful, I love the picture with you and Nella making Oh faces at each other. 🙂 Happy weekend!
Pajamas… perfect idea!
I LOVE the photo dump!! How do you do that? That is the first I have seen it…maybe I’m living in a hole here (a hot hole), in San Antonio…we are always behind the times. My 4 kiddos are loving our summer traditions too…we’ve practically moved into the pool we are there sooo much!
hello summer, where have you been we missed you over here in the olympic northwest!
Photo dump is a keeper 🙂
long live the “oh”!
LOVE the ”Oh” face… and love the photo dump idea, too 🙂
Oh my! Lainey looks so grown up in that last picture and her hair is getting so long! Beautiful! Have a great weekend!
Love those clothes! Kayla
So… as I sit here holding my very own miracle… I’m still loving the pictures of your miracle(s). I’m feeling exhausted as we just returned from vacation with 3 under 3. So thanks for the re-charge. We are gearing up to bath away those sweet smells also. I have some questions about how you “run” your sponsorship. I have some AMAZINGLY talented friends who would like to sponsor my blog. I was wondering how you did it – if you could give me some pointers. Kristen http://www.alittlesomethingforme.com
Coolest.Cloud.Picture.EVER!
Are you getting a pet mouse? My son has been begging for a hamster for the last year. We told him we couldn’t because we had a cat. Damn cat ran away last month…..ugh.
The mouse and Lainey scoping each other out is priceless. Love it!
Love the bear clouds too 😀
And Nella in that dress with her dolly. Just so much love. Love love love.
Yay for the “oh” face being back! It’ll always makes me smile to see her adorable faces.
i am so so glad the “oh” is back! i’ve missed it! 🙂
Love Lainey’s Paris Halter Dress, it looks so cute on her! And that picture of Nella with the doll is so so sweet. 🙂
I love love love the halter dress.
Your babies are beautiful.
We really haven’t been getting much summer here (BC, Canada) so enjoy it for us!!! xo
Happy weekend to you!!! I got a chuckle out of reading the smells of summer…my kiddo smelled the same way this evening. In fact this mama smells fairly similiar. I need to go soak in the suds myself! I have found this summer in FL so enjoyable! More enjoyable than I previously remember. I can’t complain about the heat, when it’s small potatoes to these truly magical moments I’m sharing with my family. Thanks for inspiring me! 🙂
The oh face has to be the cutest!! Love it!!
Nella’s “oh” face is priceless. I hope you make a “oh” collage so she can see how stinkin’ awesome she was when she was just a little.
What a cute little baby doll Nella is holding!
There are few things sweeter than the dirty feet of summer followed by a freshly washed, tuckered out from all the sunshine kidlet to snuggle with.
I love the Oh! Too cute!
Those clothes are so cute, especially on your little ones! You find so much joy in every hot summer day! 🙂
My little Russian peanut puts an “ee” at the end of every word…watee(water) and Doree(Dora). Of course she says cooka for cookie, huh? I love it and don’t want to correct it!
Love the bear picture of the clouds. Adorable dresses!
Love the city print on the dress!! Reminds me of Madeline!!
What darling dresses.
Ok, so that Paris halter dress is beyond fabulous!! everyone should get that in adult size!! Lainey is darling in it…plus LOVE the mouse shot 🙂 hee hee
Hubby & I have been talking about moving south. Your Floridian adventures keep nudging me. Just lovely.
Oh how I wish this week were going to be peaceful… no, I take that back. I am at church camp this week – in charge of 34 12-18 year olds. It is insane and busy, but one of my favorite weeks of every summer. I will take time each day to look for moments of peace.
As always, thanks for sharing your life!
I love the “Oh” face. Such a cutie pie! hehe! :0)
I love the bears in the clouds. I haven’t cloud watched in way too long. ALso Lainey’s dress from the sponsor on the Right is super cute. Very Asheville.
I am so happy the “oh” face is back! And I love that first picture of Lainey!! My daughter needs that Paris dress! So stinkin’ cute!!
I love Nella’s oh! Glad to see it’s back. 🙂
Esther Dush
I love the smell of summer – after a day in the sun, fun in our kiddie pool, two layers of sunscreen and a parade, I inhaled deep as I lowered my babies into warm suds of lavendar and sent them to dreamland! And I am so glad the “Oh” is back!
I hear ya on the rest. Lounge around and drink coffee all day long…with a smile.
Love the picture of Lainey with the lil’ mouse! have a great weekend 🙂
Love Lainey’s dress and Nella’s Oh face!
We love summer skin. It’s the best when you’ve just come back from the salty beach at Chincoteague.
Where’s Nella’s dolly from? So cute!
I’m one of those people north of you and boy, is it hot. We are keeping the lemonade out, and trying to stay cool. I love the Paris dress! It’s SO cute.
Oh, for the love of summer! Thanks for helping me appreciate it even more!
Beautiful family photos!
I saw your mother in one of the pictures, and every time I do I am reminded of her story. I love the story of her meeting her new husband online and it turning out to be love. So romantic!
i like when you dont blog on the weekend..when I see you havent done a post.. it makes me think you are out enjoying your weekend.. and it makes me do the same!!
so thank you!
Oh, the “oh face!” Aren’t you glad when little things are back when you thought they were gone forever? I miss my babies as newborns when you pick up their scrunched up bodies when they’re sleeping, and they still stay srunched up, and arch their backs, and stretch.
I like the Friday dump. And Nella’s pink dress is super-sweet.
Love the photo dump: that’s what finally got me using Instagram 😀 *thanks*
The Paris dress is to die for – makes me wish I had a girl to dress up in it 🙂
The instagram pictures are great! I agree- Summertime is the best!!
Fun Summer pictures! The “Oh” is just too precious!
Awwww, so glad to see the oh face is back – SO cute!!
I love you” blog 🙂
The picture of the bears in the clouds cracked me up. When we talk about weather in my Kindergarten class I always pick a cloudy day for us to go out and look at the clouds and it’s amazing what the kids come up with.
Friday 22nd of July, buildings in Oslo in Norway were bombed by a terrorist. Seven people died. There was also a shooting on a small island outside of Oslo where approximately 700 teenage polititians had gathered for disgussion and debate. 84 of them were killed. Four are still missing. We’re all shocked. We have always been the ones hearing about other countries far away being attaced by terrorists and other horrible things, it has never happened in Norway if we leave WW|| out. We were basicly smacked in out faces friday. And the terrorist was a Norwegian himself… My great grandmother, who we thought would die from aging during Christmas but is still alive, had her 87th birthday friday.
Awww in the top right picture of the instagrams I can totally see the resemblance in your and Nella’s smiles! So sweet! 🙂
I love the shot of Nella with the dirty tootsies, and also the one with her teeny tiny pigtails!
Dirty hands and feet tell the best stories.
Dee
dbyrne1[at]gmail[dot]com
love love looooove the “oh”! and the smell of summer on littles is one of my favorite things ever.
I’m so glad the “oh” is back! Too cute! Darling girls, as always
Beautiful photos as always. the pictures of Lainey on her back in the grass and teddy bear clouds just encapsulate summer for me.
What is your username on Instagram? I love seeing your girlies grow and explore!
Loving “oh” too!
Dirty feet are what summer is all about!! The girls look so old all of a sudden…..enjoy every minute!
Great pictures from the week! 🙂 I enjoyed the “photo dump” and pictures of Nella doing her signature “Oh” face! Adorable!
Not that my girls need another dress but I’m heading straight to Oh Lilly!
Happy to see the return of the “oh”, it always puts a smile on my face!
Yeah for the Oh face–it is absolutely precious. Love the Oh Ollie dresses and bloomers–your girls look adorable in them.
So glad the “oh” is back…..ahhhh I love summer. 😉
I love the photo dump! It’s so fun to have family out to visit. Two of our Nieces and one of our Nephews are out to visit for the week. They come every year…they only live a few hours away…but the cousins LOVE being together! Tonight all but the 17 month old is staying at Grandma’s house! Fun memories!!!
Hugs!
Great picture of Lainey with the water droplets splashing over her.
Love the “Oh”!
Kellie, I just love your blog. I am up in Minnesota, and right now we are having a total heat wave as well. I have taken pictures of my kids out in the pool, and I think of your water pics with your girls when I upload them. Love it! I also love the new sponser. My little Lilly would look so CUTE in the get up like Nella has on.
You can tell a good day with the kids by their smell at the end of the day. I love the sweet sweaty smell of my little ones at the end of the day. I equally love inhaling them after a nice warm bath. I too, love summer.
As for the weather here, yes it’s hot. I was at the Michigan beer fest in Ypsilanti this past sat. and it was H O T!
You super inspire me! Love the new sponsor! And, LOVE the bears in the sky picture. 🙂
I LOVE the dressed on Lainey, CUTE!
I’m such a sucker for dirty feet — love the one of Nella with the dirty feet and dirty pantaloons.
And the mouse picture!
Just so you know – I want to be you when I grow up.
Those coordinating outfits are so sweet. And the doll? Swoon!
I adore those bloomers!!
Love the bloomer and onesie set from Oh Ollie. Must get one for my new niece… she’ll be soooo stylin’, just like Nella!!
for some reason, jets used to fly over lake superior when my family was on vacation one summer. they would literally come out of nowhere and ZOOM across the lake causing sonic booms!! used to absolutely terrify me as a kid!
I was just talking with a friend about how I love summer and that you can tell a great day from how “dirty,” your little is at the end of the day!
I so love the oh face and laney laying in the grass pictures. I think I need to buy my daughter that pink Paris dress. Too cute!!
So excited to see the return of the “oh face”. So precious. Also glad to hear that i’m not the only one who loves the smell of summer on their kids. That glorious mix of suntan lotion, saltiness of their little bodies, the sweet smell of fruit on their fingers…yum.
I love the feeling of bare feet on the hot asphalt. Always reminds me of summer in Texas.
Triple love the Salt Water Sandals! Both my kids wore them forever. I even had a pair of adult-sized ones. Best ever. Glad to see they are still out there.
I love your words, Kelle. They’re as beautiful as your picture.
I also love taking my pool smelling, dirty footed little girl and dipping her into a nice clean bath and sniff sniff sniffing her after.
I hope you and yours have a peaceful week as well!
Love the bears in the sky. 🙂 And your girls make those clothes look even cuter!
Oh, gosh, that Paris halter dress…to die for!
Being in the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy pajamas call to me all of the time. =)
The “oh” is so stinking cute! So is your new sponsor. My little one would love the Paris dress. She loves calling herself “tres chic!”
Just got caught up on your last couple posts. It was exactly the start I needed to my week. Thanks for your honestly, the gorgeous life moments you capture, and your encouragement to get my butt to a Hallmark and tell my nearest and dearest I love them-just because 🙂
Love the “oh!” Our new little one makes the “oh” face without the noise. Cutest thing ever!
Awesome once again. I love that Paris Halter dress on Lainey as well as the chic pulled back hair. Your little girl looks so grown up there.
Love Nella’s dirty feet and “fancy pants!” We stomped in the puddles last night after a needed rain. Griffin had a Green Lantern mask and ring- and only undies! Hilarious!
My little one (12 weeks) makes the OH face too…..we call it his “zoolander”.
I love the cloud bears. I am reminded of when I was little, my mom would take us out to lay on the grass and find animals and other shapes in the clouds. What a great way to stoke our imagination.
Glad to hear the “oh” is back. Your children are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your lives with us “lurkers”.
Love your post and love the dresses! Oh, and what the heck…LOVING summer!
You are such a great Mom!! I love all the adventure you bring to your kids’ lives =) You make me think of things “out of the box” to do with my daughter =)
I love Nella’s doll and these outfits are adorable! I want I want!!
As always, LOVE all your pictures! But the one with the mouse especially made me smile. Too cute!
Love the paris dress! Very, very cute!
Kelle, where did you find that gorgeous knit ballerina doll???? We have a 1st bday coming up! 🙂
Simply beautiful!! My grandbaby would totally rock out in those cute little outfits 🙂
Love the pictures and the header you have right now!
I love Lainey’s dresses. I want one!
We were vacationing in Orlando, and two days after visiting the Kennedy Space Center, we were jolted awake by the sonic boom – so cool! A highlite of our trip. Florida is a beautiful place and we loved floating in the ocean at Seista Beach under that Crayola blue sky!
In love with that Paris dress AND Nella’s Osh Kosh’s!!
Amazing how 2 little girls bring smiles far and wide a few times a week!
Nella’s hair is getting soooo long! And old men in speedoes? Really? I pictured the leathery skin, bending over… uh, not the nicest picture in my head. Back to looking at your beautiful pictures to erase that image.
Those dresses are adorable!
My son has started making the “Oh,” too. Love it! And I love your blog. I’ve been reading since K was born. It’s been such an encouragement and a source of hope. Thank you!
I’m thrilled that the Oh is back! Every time my kiddos do something that is purely them, it puts a huge smile on my face. Personality in a single look – what’s not to love?
Digging your bear clouds. We have been reading books about clouds. My five year old is fascinated. You should look up the book, “Cloudette,” by Tom Lichtenheld. Lainey would love it.
I so wish it was hot enough for the pool here! Awesome pictures as usual!
Oh Kelle, lovely! I hadn’t been on here in a while, too busy in the moment here! Thanks for the sweet photos and scents of summer…
I love the smell of summer on my kids skin too. It’s magic that happens where I’m instantly taken back to my own childhood but relishing that I have littles of my own.
Love your words, girl!
XOXO,
Angie from Ohio
I am so getting one of those swings for my daughter. Looks like Nella is having so much fun.
I just love both girls’ hair 🙂 Sweet, wispy, little girl hair.
Would you mind sharing some of your weather? 🙂 The Pacific Northwest obviously does not remember what a summer is supposed to be like.
Oh – and so very glad the ‘oh’ is back. Always brings a smile to my face!
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=121995
LOVE this!! (Article about a girl with DS who becomes a kindermusik teacher)
Oh Ollie. Loves it ‘Oh-so-much’! 🙂
It makes me happy that the “Oh” is back! *smiles
Oh Ollie!! looks right.up.my.alley!!! So fabulous. So cute. And I just have to say…those skies and clouds are my most favoritest. Ever. As are your gorgeous pink sunsets…we get those in Texas too. Fav pic, you wonder? Of Nella and her dirt feet. LOVE that. Ohhhhh yes I do.
Those dresses are beautiful! I love how stylish all of your sponsors are…you have great taste! Also, if you get the chance can you tell me where Nella’s green sweater in your more recent post came from? I love it!
melissacaitrin[at]gmail[dot]com
Beautiful babies as usual! It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one that loves the smell of dirty babies after having a long day of fun. I love the Friday Phone Dump also! 🙂
P.S. I can’t belive I actually won something! Thank you!! 🙂
you forgot a bear 🙂
http://tinypic.com/r/2zyhero/7
[IMG]http://i55.tinypic.com/2zyhero.jpg[/IMG]
That Paris halter dress is so adorable!
Dear Kelle, A few months ago I somehow came across your blog while searching for information on Down Syndrome. I was so touched, into my core, by the birth story of your little Nella. I have come back often to read and look at the beautiful pics of your little girls,your family and your life. I am touched by your mothering and the love and zest you have for life. I love how your children come first, your desire to see them grow to loving, giving adults. I truly adore your girls, little Nella with her pictures has wrapped her little self into my heart and Laine with her big sis attitude. I love it! It so makes me want to return to the days when my own DS son and his siblings were small and young. My son will be 35 in October. I wish I could do it all again, even though some days you wonder how you will ever make it through. Thank you so much for sharing your family. It never fails to cheer me!