*Keeping in mind I don’t have the best luck with bike rides…
*And also tucking away that last Friday was an adventure that involved soaking wet clothes…
There’s a little Friday story that goes something like I pedaled the girls and a dog through two miles of grueling leg rotations today to a little park but didn’t bother checking the weather. Cue thunder and dismal clouds.
So, three underdogs and one trip up the climby rope later, we are pedaling again. Well, I was pedaling again. Faster than I’ve ever pedaled in my life. And the girls are ticked that I let them taste just a drop of the park before whisking them off swings and buckling helmets back on. Which is basically like buckling a large plastic box on your kid’s head. They love it.
Girl on the left is happy pre-storm girl; legs on the right are crazed get-home girl. Plus a trailer hitch inflicted bruise that happens to be shaped like a kite.
And both the sky and the man hole covers I am quickly rolling over speak of impending doom.
So, I tell myself I am Sandra Bullock, and my bike is a bus with a bomb. And, in my mind, I’m holding a steady 50 to keep us from blowing up.
And it works, this game. We arrive home in time–sweat pasting clothes to skin, bangs to forehead, butt to bike seat.
Plus, as I’m pedaling, I hold up my phone to take a picture because this steeple in the sun is killer. So I am happy. Because things like steeples piercing sun rays make me happy.
And look–my kids did have fun at the park.
Nella was unavailable for picture because she was clung to my hip, traumatized from that box-strapped-on-head ordeal. Like I said, she loves it.
We had to go to out of our way to Panera to get this water before we went to the park because I was wheezing and parched, embarrasingly out of shape. Bustin’ out some Old Testament history here, but I would have sold my birth right for this bottle if I had to. So who can tell me what Biblical naughty boy did that? Anyone, anyone…Bueller?
*****
You know how I know today was a good day?
Because I found a gorgeous hand knit sweater for Nella at a consignment shop for…wait for it…$3.50.
Plus, we had a diner date with friends, and we walked in the diner to find our friends dressed in uber-cool 50’s attire. This makes sense seeing as they’re uber-cool. FYI: Mel’s Diner has the best buffalo chicken sandwich this side of the Mason Dixon Line.
This is the part where I make up for Nella not being in the park pictures.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Exhibit C and D, respectively:
And the grand prize winner for favorite moment of the day (tied with arriving home before storm and scoring $3.50 hand knit sweater)…
Pouring my coffee (yes, he’s back because he is suave and he smells really good and I have a hard time saying no to a nice-smelling man) and walking past my girl’s room to see sunlight spilling in and my girls just talking and playing and loving.
There, that about does it.
Oh wait. Dessert. Friday Phone Dump:
And a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry on top with our new sponsor :
Welcome to RelishRelish.com, a fantastic meal-planning website dedicated to helping moms get out of the what’s-for-dinner trap. It’s awesome. You select meals that sound good from a huge selection in a weekly planning menu, and it organizes it for you–creating you a grocery list, and allowing you to customize whatever you want (including freezer and slow cooker meals too).
Want a free 2-week trial? Click HERE to redeem your voucher (or look at the top left corner of the home page where it says “redeem your voucher”) and use code HAMPTON to get your gift subscription. It’s a lot of fun and it saves you many an afternoon scrounging through the refrigerator only to make tacos for the third night in the row.
We tried their Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin the other night, and it was delicious.
One commenter on this post will be randomly selected to win a free slow cooker, courtesy of RelishRelish.com. Once you’re in, make sure to check out the slow cooker recipes. There’s a breakfast casserole one I’m eager to test out.
*****
One more itty bitty detail: Sponsor Bubblewish that makes those fantastic felt light strands is having a great sale through September 30–all strands $25 ($10 off!)
*****
Hooray for Friday. Do something fabulous this weekend.
Why, hello there stripes.
yes! first comment!
Oh, how I love your blog posts…let me count the ways. 🙂
ok, now that I am calm from claiming my spot- I’VENEEVERBEENANYONESFIRSTCOMMENTBEFOREEVER!!!
Love the pics!! Nella sticking her tongue made me LOL for real!!! I love your babies…You know, and after your last post, I thought to myself, I really need to wake up and tell myself ‘TODAY IS MY FAVORITE FRICKIN DAY!’
And then MAKE it my favorite frickin day.
LOL Esau and HOW did you you take that photo biking???!!
Nice! I love Lainey and Lanie!
it was esau 😉
and you crack me up! you are so hardcore!
That’s my girl, Patti! I knew you’d pull out the Esau. ;o)
I come here for the fun!
Oh my gosh! I know the feeling of: “oh crap, we are miles from home and are about to get drenched!”. Makes for a good story though, huh?
lol and I’m going to check out that menu site, woohoo!
Ahhhh those girls of yours!!! Soooo friggin cute!
Esau! And I can’t get over Nella’s pig tails. I’ve never seen anyone rock that hairstyle as well as she does!
I heart pink bikes!! xo
Were totally gonna have to try out Mel’s Diner. Buffalo chicken sandwichs are the best!
Good work making it home! You girls are so very pretty! And I love your writing!
I live in the midwest and I wish we had a place like your special island here! Enjoy the warmth! It is about to get chilly up here!
love those tights!!
I’m cracking up at “the rain storm that almost was” story! Love your brutal honesty!
I just left florida this morning and I miss it dearly…back to CO. I will enjoy the fall here if you will gaze out to the ocean for me from time to time…
Off to check out Relish- i miss biking in Florida! Put me in the hat for the slow cooker!
Yum!!!!! I’m hungry as I read this!!!! Nella is just growing up so fast these days! Love the bike as well!
Esau..he was a one hairy dude. Lainey is getting her big girl look…she is beautiful my friend!
I was all ready to bust out Esau and Patti beat me. But beat this – my Old Testament professor was named “Trempor.” Doesn’t that sound authoritative? He was awesome.
Kelle – I love that you and coffee are reunited. Love that beautiful scene, too, with your girls playing.
I am pumped to try Relish! Yay! Sorry your fantastic adventure turned into a real one.
The Story is Jacob and Esau! And I love crock pot cooking, that and my pressure cooker keep me sane. I love good deals at consignment shops! it makes my whole week
Sounds like a happy Friday (minus killing yourself to beat the storm)…love Nella’s sweater & Thanks for the Relish code…I’ve been wanting to try one of those sites…and what better way than free!? Have a great weekend! 🙂
You have the best blog EVER! I felt like I was on that bike ride with you. My heart feels happier when I see a new post and it feels a little sad when I have reached the end. Sooo, I go back and read it again and I feel all better!
love picture “c” of nella! and I would also love the slow cooker–my big goal for this school year is to actually dinner for myself and my daughter every night, even on week nights!
Oooooo, I’d love to win the Relish dinner planner subscription!! Pick me!!
🙂 Sarah
Slow cookers rock!
Glad to see that you made it home before the storm. Nothing beats getting into your jammies, cooking up a hot chocolate with marshmellows (of course) and watching the storm pass over.
I can’t wait to check out the recipes from Relish!
I know it sounds silly, but I’m so glad you are back w/ coffee. Maybe because I love it so much, I was feeling bad for you having to give it up. Sweet pics.
Esau of course 🙂 Love the bike pictures. I haven’t been on a bike since before kids…they beg me all the time, but I just know it would not end well for me!
I still love that chandelier in Lainey’s room!
OMG, I spy saltwater sandals on both you and the girl (LOVE THE RED, MAMA!). I got Alex a pair this summer and they look great dressed up or dressed down and they can put up a beating if you run in and out of water. Ok, enough about my love for shoes.
Laughed about the storm story. Way to go to get home, even if you were sweaty and bruised. Beautiful light coming through the girls room in that one shot.
Nice catch on the $3.50 sweater. I found a handmade Dorothy dress at our local kids consignment for $4.50. $4-freaking-50! Handmade. Check. Amazingly cheap. Check. Too big, but who cares? Check.
Have a wonderful weekend. I have a lot of birthday celebrations with friends this weekend. So looking forward to that!
-Jennifer from Annapolis
Firstly, you are super mom. Getting out there and having fun!
Secondly, I love the new sponsor. Can’t wait to try out some new meals! Maybe I’ll even get my husband to help pick out the meals. 🙂
Ahh! #30! I’ll 30 Tuesday! I LOVE the candy cane socks, they are fabulous! I can’t wait to walk by and see my two babies playing like that, what a dream come true!
would love a good slow cooker because ours is on the fritz. : ) Going on an edible garden tour with my hubby this weekend! Can’t wait!
So excited to learn about RelishRelish.com. This has been my one area that I am trying to get a handle on with kids back in school and crazy schedules. Gorgeous picture as usual and LOVE the great sweater find. Always look forward to reading your blog!!
You crack me up and give me inspiration all in one blog post!
I must say, I know those tags: Once Upon a Child. We have that store in our area, and I love finding treasures there for my daughter.
PS I would love a slow cooker! 🙂
I can totally picture you guys booking it home trying to beat the rain. Glad you made it! Nella with her tongue out is awesome! And the pic of the girls playing together makes me want to give my little girl a sister…don’t tell the mister…LOL!!
Oh that Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin sounds yummy!
The meal plan sounds like a cool idea 🙂
Kate is 21 mos. and so into the tongue thing – it is out at all exciting moments! And ‘Bueller’ is a word known by both my little one and the 4 y.o. I utter it often here in my crazy, stay-at-home mom rants!
Oh Kelle….I’d ask how you do it all but I’m sure you get that a lot and the answer probably involves getting up very early. This post was hilarious and spunky. And dude, that photo of the steeple? Ridiculous! I want to go to Mel’s diner and have an egg cream soooo badly.
Still recovering in Seattle,
Melina
O beautiful girls! I really need to start biking. Looks like a whole lot more fun than walking …
Happy Friday :).
love Nella’s sweet happy faces, especially in the adorable frog shirt! happy weekend 🙂
Love Lainey’s park shirt and Nella’s new knitted sweater (what an awesome find)….
Love moments like your bike ride, especially when I am looking back…they give the best laugh, something you and your girls will find hilarious one day.
relishrelish.com is just what I’m looking for…thanks! I could use a new slow cooker, too…lol! Have a great weekend!!
I am probably not the first to answer this (sorry, I didn’t read the previous comments), but the “bad boy” who sold his birthright for food was Esau and I think I would call him a man because he had a one-track mind. “food, food, food, food. . . etc.”;)
I am glad you still enjoyed your adventure to the park even if it was short. Your girlies are beautiful as ever and so happy. What a great Mom you are!
P.S. I was so going to try the coffe substitute idea if it worked for you, but I’m thinkin’ there is no hope for me now. . .
Yay for sweater weather! Making up for Nella not being in the park pictures was adorable! I do that too, only it’s usually my husband getting booted out of pictures. It’s also nice to know that I’m not the only one that trailer hitches attack.
Happy Weekend!
Esau! haha love these photos and your style of writing, lovely.
happy weekend!
xo
Erin
pinkandpolos.blogspot.com
Cute strawberry shirt on Nella! Love it!
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.blogspot.com
Ugh!! Comments are driving me crazy. My google acct keeps messing up and every time I leave a comment on blogs, they always disappear and THEN I have to type the comment all over again. I’m sure you are skipping over reading this right now. : )
Anyway, like I said before, you know before this comment. The one that has disappeared. I said, and this is the short version, “props for pedaling SO FAR! Wow! And I could really use a subscription!”
Holla!
That recipe looks good and my sister just gave me a squash today from her overabundance 🙂
happy weekend!
I feel like I am always cooking the same things for dinner- can’t wait to check out the site! Happy weekend, we are definitely going to enjoy ours…we ran errands and went grocery shopping tonight so we can stay home and do nothing all weekend! YES-we are always on the go so this is a victory weekend!
I love how most days are an adventure for you and your family. Your writing has a unique way of keeping me at the edge of my seat waiting to read what happens next.
I can’t wait to try this site out! We are always stuck in a rut with our meals and it would be nice to have some variety! Love the pictures!
Your girls, my goodness. Lainey’s soulful eyes (yes, I’m using “soulful” as a descriptive for a child) and Nella’s ecstatic smile, they never cease to make me smile in turn. Also: I’m glad coffee’s back.
That froggy onesie is adorable. Love the one of N laughing in the floor sporting her froggy.
And L climbing the rope ladder is excellent. Great perspective — she’s playing, but she looks like such a big girl there! Like a little lady grown up. (gasp)
Where does the time go?
Loved the Esau reference! My heart melted at the picture of Lainey and Nella playing in the room together. I long for the day for my son and his some-day-not-in-the-near-future-sibling to play together like that. <3
okay…I gave up coffee just a little over a year ago for health reasons and have tried hard to find a love affair with teas….while I like a good cup of warm tea…it just can’t compare to coffee. I’ve been drawn to the smell and desire to have coffee again as the fall weather here in Cali is surely just around the corner. I might be giving in after all the success…just can’t help it. I am feeling good these days 🙂 Have a great weekend!
How did you manageto take those photos while biking?! P.S. LOVE your red SaltWaters. 🙂
I am so out of shape. Sandra Bullock inspiration or not, I would never have made it. Kudos, mama.
That meal plan thing sounds awesome. I have no clue what I’m doing in the kitchen. Therefore I have little to go on when trying to meal plan 😉
Have a great weekend!
Quite talented…taking the pic riding the bike! I want to scoop Nella up and bring her home to play with my little Hailey.
Esau. Bazinga.
ooooh, I am addicted to recipes! Especially slow cooker recipes!!
Your blog and pictures always make me smile 🙂
Love the park pictures, love the tights, love it all! Your girls’ sweet faces always bring a smile to mine. Happy Weekend. 🙂
Esau sold his birth right to Jacob.
Kelle, you crack me up, with your crazy escapades, you must have more than a little of Anne of Green Gables in you! Nice bruise, how talented of you to make it kite-shaped! I always bruise easily and am forever wondering where they came from. Your girls are both growing up so beautifully.
ok now i think exhibits c and d are two of the best photos EVER of your precious adorable baby girl! made me laugh out loud.
glad to hear you made it home before the rain came down!
have a great weekend!
Ok, first of all — you aren’t out of shape, like you claim to be, if you can bike with 2 girls and a dog at the speed of light — and still manage to take pictures! HAHA.
Second, I LOL’ed over the kite shaped bruise. I have an irregular shaped one right now — same leg, same placement — only I got mine from running into the corner of our bed in the middle of the night, while running {correction, attempting to run} to get my crying daughter downstairs. There was a loud THUD, my husband gasping, and me crouching and saying…”You go, You go!”. 😉 Good times.
Your pictures and stories always make me smile. And I have to say — on one last note, I’m a little happy that you brought the coffee back. He’s a good man. A realllll good man. And well, I was a little jealous thinking you could give him up so easily when I didn’t have the banana pancakes to even give it a try. I love me some coffee, every day. 😉
Happy Friday!!
That bedroom is just so happy. I love it!
I absolutely love the shirt that Lainey is wearing in the first few pictures!
Also, just wanted to let you know that some of my new friends from college and I bonded even more over the love for your blog!!
I love your bicycle!
Tomorrow is my daughter’s second birthday, so it’s a great weekend already!
I sure love to read your blog! I like your saltwater sandals your wearing…I have some in hot pink 😉
Kelle – I always love your posts.. so insightful, so real. Thank you for making me want to be a better mom and for reminding me to spend more “quality” time with my son. Your girls are adorable!
I have to say I was surprised not to see your name on the babble.com contest “mom’s changing the world”.. because your blog has definitely changed my world for the better. I love your optimism.
And might I add– since you’re not on the list, would you mind voting for another deserving mother? A girl from my area is on there – Courtney Roth. She reminds me of you because she is so stong and optimistic. Her son has a rare skin disease that’s basically killing him. When anyone touches him it creates painful blisters. Oh it’s so horrible. Imagine not being able to scoop little Nella up and kiss her whole face? Yet Courtney has such grace, strenght and optimism despite her son’s pain- I swear it’s enlightning. If you’ve ever wondered how people feel uplifted by YOU after reading your blog – read Courtney’s and you’ll feel the same way. It’s amazing.
Anyway- if get get a minute- check it out: http://www.randycourtneytripproth.blogspot.com
and maybe vote for her — she could use a ray of sunshine, even just for a bit.
anyway — sorry for the rambling post – LOVE your blog. LOVE your girls..thank you for all of the inspiration.
Your bike stories kill me. Your second book: Kelle and Her Girls On Bike: A Collection of Well-Intentioned Pedal Journeys.
Ah, coffee, that suave, smooth talker.
xo
That first picture of Lainey at the park, was she climbing on a thing that looked like cheese? We had one of those at the park where I played when I was a kid and I’ve never seen one since! Awesome.
we got cought up in the storm the other day, no bikes for us, but it made for a fun run back to the house.
I’m going to give that site a try, thanks
LOVE. THIS. POST! Such a cool style you have! I am totally diggin’ the bike ride photos and the fact that you took them during pending doom!
Esau.
Ok, so all I kept thinking through the whole post was that you were going to tell us right after you took that shot of you riding the bike at what looks to be like ultra high speeds was that you went flying off it. Because seriously, that looked really dangerous. And totally something I would do. You know, just before I flung myself off it.
I’m dying over Lainey’s shirt- where is that from?! My chicklet needs one like yesterday.
you always have such great giveaways!
Your eye for detail is always a joy to see…so anticipate your photos in each post.
And that sweater!!!…what an exceptional find!
If you are out of shape, I don’t even want to think about what I am… but I do want to think about Crock pots!
I love how the rays of sunshine are bursting through the window in that picture of the girls playing on the floor. Perfect.
Love Laney’s shirt. Love the hand-knit sweater. Love the striped stockings…and LOVE the give-away. My slow cooker has seen better days. The nob was picked off by my then 18-month old and long ago lost, and the handles have since broken off during a difficult move across country. I think a new slow cooker is in order! Love Relish site! Great idea!!
Oh how I miss a good ole FL thunder storm.
Oh Esau sold his birth right, I think! I cheated though and asked hubby. I can never remember these things.
Lainy’s Shirt is the bomb. Love it! Also the stripes. And Nella’s adorable smile. And the slow cooker. Happy weekend to you!
Love the bike story, your red shoes, Nella and her smile, Lainey’s beautiful shirt………
Glad that the lights are on sale, going to buy some right now…… 🙂
Have a great weekend!!!
What a story, glad you all made it home safely. Thank you for the trail to relishrelish.com, I am so anxious to find meals that do not elicit an “yucky-pee-woo” from my two year old!
I love your blog! So wonderful to read.
sarah
srockney@hotmail.com
Super cute pics! Love the stripes!
Love the pic of the girls playing together! Did you say Lainey’s new bedroom is your old office/workspace/playroom? Curious: I loved your old desk…where is your computer staion now?
Happy Weekend!
” I would have sold my birth right for this bottle if I had to. So who can tell me what Biblical naughty boy did that?” Hilarious!
Esau
oops…computer station?
Mmmmm. Slow cooked stuff.
That photo of you on the bike is gorgeous. love it, love all you and your consciousness streamin’ awesomeness. 🙂
Love absolutely everything about this post!! Your girls are completely, adorably lovely and lucky to have such an adventurous Mama. Take Care.
Can’t wait to try out RelishRelish! My menu plan could definitely use some shake’n up! Loving exhibit D, silly girl! And WOOT for a steal on that cute sweater!
Reading your blog always puts a smile on my face 🙂 Even tho you had one hell of a bike ride you still found “the good” in your day!! Love it
Esau….but a million people already posted that…
My favourite picture is the last one where the girls really do look like angels. That photo…it’s a keeper.
Ps. You can’t possibly read EVERY comment posted to you can you?!?!
You made my night!! 🙂 Even though it’s been said before, the biblical dude that sold his birthright was Esau…
Love your photos and your stories! Glad you made it home before the storm…
Love the idea of the menu planning, and a slow cooker… I recently moved just south of the Arctic Circle and during my move my slow cooker broke–and can’t believe how much I miss it! Gotta replace it asap! 🙂
have an awesome weekend! 🙂 Sarah
Oh! I knew you’d go back to him (meaning coffee!) 🙂 I wrote out this long involved post 2 weeks ago about how I cheated on Mr. Coffee with Green Tea recently and he “just didn’t do it for me” (but blogger ate my comment). Anyhoo…who can live w/o coffee, seriously!? So excited for October to hit so I can start buying pumpkin coffee!
And I am so unsavvy on this…but are those dolls American Girl dolls? I can’t “spot” them yet. Madeline, my six year old, is really wanting one. Of course the fact that we got the catalog in the mail isn’t helping matters.
Love the photos! And your girls are just adorable… I will definitevely visit their site to take a look at some recipes. 🙂
Love menu planning . . . but need some new ideas!
Wendy Ens
LOVE the bike ride story! Your a Rockstar mom!! The girls are adorable, as always!
This mama needs new recipes!
Sweet photos and who doesn’t love stripes?! xx
Love Nella’s new cardigan!
Have a wonderful weekend Kelle!
xo
Once Upon a Child is a wonderful place! Is it sad that I recognized the tag from the sweater…LOL Great finds!! I have probably saved hundreds shopping their!
Thanks Kelle – when I read your blog it always makes me see & enjoy the good in my day. Even on the crapiest of days! 🙂
Ooh! I see you’re drinking a Blue Moon! A girl after my own heart. Happy Weekend!
um… that would be Esau… am I right??? 🙂
i’ll be honest, couldn’t think of the name, but it was the guy who put goat hair on his arms…but then i see everyone else remembered. oh yes, esau.
nella is rockin’ those pigtails! what a doll.
Oh I love Nella’s froggy onesie! My Vivian has just grown out of that very one. Hope you have a great weekend!
That Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin looks to die for! Thanks for sharing this!
Bullet list:
*3rd pic of Lainey at the park….GORGEOUS!
*Happy pre-storm girl…..GORGEOUS as well!
*STEEPLE PIC!!!! Holy smokes, or Holy something. That was beautiful!
*Nella’s sweater….swooooooning.
*Recipes! THANK YOU (said in my halleluiah voice 🙂
*I knew it was Esau, but my answer is anti-climactic now…HA!
*Favorite phone pic: Sittin’ at the table with brother…..those big brothers get me everytime 😉
*And finally, you make me laugh. I love your humor….even the way you say “Exhibit C and D, respectively.” That was funny, right? Or am I just rummy tonight?
Blessings ~
Kelly
Love the stripes, love the bike pics, love this post! Happy Weekend!
Esau, silly boy. Awesome bike pics!
Kelle, I’m not going to lie…
I check for updates on your blog DAILY and frequently comment.
So I don’t feel guilty… I’m commenting to this blog for a little itty bitty chance that I will be one in a thousand + to win this slow cooker.
I have one. I love it. I know how invaluable it is.
Which is why about a month ago my husband came to me and said, “We have to get Charlie and Stefanie a slow cooker for one of their birthdays.. Or Christmas… Or sometime in the next couple of months.”
Because they are our girls’ godparents. They dote and gloat and LOVE like every pair of godparents should. And they love cooking and deserve a good slow cooker.
I was just perusing amazon today in search of their destined meal-time stress reliever (aka: A slow cooker). And then I read this post.
Maybe it’s fate. Maybe not. But either way: I love an excuse to marvel at your beautiful daughters and to throw this out into the universe… Random number picker… Please pick Charlie and Stef! 🙂
I love your action photos of the bike ride… very coordinated! Mine would have been followed by ‘crash’ pics!! Anyways, my husband will love you for bringing your new sponser into our lives :o) Thanks!!
Pretty much desperate for some meal inspiration and cooking guidance! I would LOVE to win a slow cooker and am definitely going to check out the website and free trial. You always have the coolest stuff Kelle!
Perfect. I’m just back from a sweet (hot) morning jog and _hoped_ I’d get my reward here. Which I, of course, did!
You’re such an inspiration and I’m so so so high on life this fab Saturday morning that it’s all tickely in my legs ;-D
!!!
I wish you a truely wonderful weekend!
Thanks for happy and cute photos!!!! Love them.
Between relishrelish and the crock pot girls, we just might make it to 2012 without having to eat yet another bizarre version of meatloaf. You know what I mean. Corn chips instead of bread crumbs? Sure! We’re out of ketchup? Use some Ragu! My poor husband…
I loved today’s photo dump! especially the pic someone took of you and sleeping nella! what i would give to just have one awesome pic taken of me with my son!!!!! you have so many 🙂 that’s good! have a great weekend!!!!
When I am tempted to believe that there’s little in life to love and that the whole “life is beautiful” mentality is horrifically flawed, your blog reminds me otherwise. Your blog keeps me from believing the lie. Your blog is my Panera water bottle on a two mile bike ride. 🙂 Thank you for that.
I love the way you can turn a “oh poop” time into an adventure. It’s not always easy but lady you help this mama see the fun in our misadventures. Thank you. Totally excited to try Relish!
My kids relish running around the house with the box on their head. On the bike? NOT SO MUCH!
It really is the little things that make us smile. I’m heading out to the consignment store this afternoon – seeing that my husband nearly let our brand new kindergartner out the door with jeans 2 inches too short. Sheesh. Hope to come home with some $3 treasures 🙂
I love how you love life! keep on lovin’ girl!
I love the photo dump…..i need to pick a day to do that…..I always have too many on my phone….
Every time I read your blog I laugh.. many times out loud! I live in Singapore where it often just starts pouring…today was one of those days! Even though it was raining we went outside and my little girl rode her scooter to the gas station for a popsicle! Life is short, kids grow up too fast so have some fun!
Dear Kelle ~ Your posts are always a delight to read and your pictures truly wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your life and heart with us.
Have a wonderful weekend ~ FlowerLady
What a funny story. My kids also hated bike helmets (still do). I am off to check out relish relish as I need it!
Twin Esau sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob, for a measly bowl of stew.
Love the recap!
The diner looks like the bee’s knees. I love your fun friends : ) So cute.
Great photo’s of you racing home to avoid the rain..
i love that 50’s diner… your right uber cool indeed.
great blog post.
you had me at frezer recipes, lol. can’t wait to hear about your weekend.
weather’s amazing here in Minnesota this weekend, summer’s last hurrah i think. I’m planning to can tomatoes, make home made apple sauce from the apple tree outside (and hopefully apple crisp too) and harvest our potatoes and carrots for a good early fall stew. yummm.
I had to read this twice. Just to remind myself to do something fabulous this weekend. Something other than well, you know, clean the house and go grocery shopping. 🙂
Esau, of Jacob and Esau fame–all for lentil stew.
I wonder if RelishRelish has a lentil stew recipe.
I’ve been on the sites, read the recipes, made the lists. I’ve decided I don’t like cooking, or it doesn’t like me…but I love to eat!
Once again your post is better than getting my favorite magazine in the mail. Have a blessed weekend.
The girls are adorable & Nella is getting so big!!
Looks like you had a fun Friday despite the looming clouds/rain! Your girls are so cute, did they really wear all those different outfits in one day?
My hubby and I really need to get bikes, we are by a beautiful bike path and it’s getting to be the perfect weather where we live here in CA. (Actually it was 105 today, but hopefully fall weather is coming soon!)
Have a great weekend and pray for me if you can, although we don’t know each other, I read your blog and would love if you could pray for this next kidney stone to pass quickly!
I’m looking for a good, easy to use recipe site!!!
I love stripes….and slow cookers.
Your girls have such wonder in ther eyes….beautiful!
RelishRelish sounds like a great company. Free trial, here, I come!
Relish looks great! My day yesterday was like yours…I sent a pic to my husband with a note saying, “I Love Today” I unplugged and spent time with my daughter who is almost 2. Loved it.
Great post. Been there. Done that. Disappointed and crying kids on the way home. Ya just have to laugh at the ridiculousness sometimes. Happy weekend!
Hubby is home from 2 weeks in Australia so we are planning some well-needed family time.
I still can’t get over how awesome the button mobile is from the last post.
Just gifted someone with Relish and took a free 2 weeks for myself! Yum.
Yep, that’s me…struggling every Thursday night to plan something different for dinners the following week (I shop on Fridays). I’m a big chef, but you can only serve your specialties so many times in a month.
Love that picture of the steeple, it is amazing the pictures phones can take! Happy weekend!
I love how you turn negatives into positives. Such an inspiration to me. The adorable picture of Nella on the floor smiling and the one of her sticking out her tongue just made my day. Love it!!
Um, Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew : ) I do know my Bible history lol
I don’t blame Nella, bike helmets are the worst. I was wondering when coffee would reappear. I am a full blown addict, and would dearly miss my morning cup.
oh that photo of Nella on the floor laughing. <3
Nella is sooo big and adorable! Those pony tails! Great post as always! Happy weekend!
hahaha, ohhhh I have been there. Took the kids on a bike trip this summer so far into the woods that the mosquitoes attacked and we had to turn around and pedal out. James quit, so I gave him my bike, yelled for him to go go go and then rode his, my knees up near my ears, all the way out of that sand pit horse manure trap of a rails to trails path. But they will always remember it. Plus we got ice cream for supper. 🙂
Leave it to Patti to get that answer right first 🙂 I’m gonna blame the fact that it took me a whole 2 minutes to grind my brain from Isaac to Esau on the fact that I’m in a post 200 cupcake baking not enough sleep haze. Now to the important stuff…Reagan would like to know if she can borrow that sweater. I would like to know if I can borrow your photography talent!
I simply adore your blog and can’t wait to try out relishrelish.
Eager to check out this new website…I always tell my husband I’m willing to cook anything, just tell me what to cook!!!
Happy weekend to you and your beautiful family Kelle!
Those first 2 pics really give the feel of your race home, lol. I love it.
I’m a sucker for steeple pictures…. Always so magical no matter what the sky looks like.
I want a pretty pie plate. My white one is so boring in comparison.
L-O-V-E the sweater!
ESAU. 🙂
Love your pictures. And I’d have had a coronary if I’d pedalled there and back, so don’t feel too bad.
How did you take the pictures of yourself pedaling without falling over? That’s some serious talent.
The light streaming in the window while the girls play- beautiful!
I wish I looked that fresh and cute when I was bike riding!! XOXO
Oh girl, you are stylish! From bicycle to girls wardrobe and your point of view!
The pic of the steeple was great! Happy weekending!
Sounds like a great website! Will definitely be using the voucher. Love that sweater, Nella will look ADORABLE in it!
I love your blog posts! I check everyday for a new update, and it’s like a slice of pie when there’s a new one! thanks for keeping me happy as pie!
Love the comparison to Speed on the bike…creative motivation. I always love Friday photo dumps too. Also love the idea of the RelishRelish site…sounds perfect 🙂 Thanks.
So glad coffee is back…life is not the same without it:)
Love the girls’ tights!!! And love dressing 50s style for a night out at the diner. Fun!
what an adventure! I enjoy reading about it.
Your posts make me miss Florida
I just started drinking coffee last week.. I think I am already addicted to the stuff!
Probably a frequently asked question, but how do you get your pics from the Friday Phone Dump to look like that? All old-school and stuff?
biking is not my forte either. dang if it isn’t a whole lot harder than it looks!! lovin’ the striped socks. love the phone pics. i need an iphone! oh and score on that sweet little sweater. gotta love a steal like that:)
I can’t wait to try relishrelish.com
as always, love the post and the friday photo dump! You must have mad bike riding skillz to take photos with your phone whiltst riding 50 MPH! Nice work! 🙂
Love the striped tights. Too cute!
i’m in florida too, but the weather in your florida always looks nicer. what’s up with that?
Love reading your posts and looking at your photographs. I have a new DSLR and you have inspired me to start taking more photos and learn more about my camera. Also the relishrelish looks like a website I need to look at because most days I need some dinner inspiration.
I am going to try this meal planning site, I am at such a loss for dinner inspiration!
Beautiful photos, inspiring as always. Love from your Mexico followers.
Looking for new ways to use up all the fresh zucchini, I’ll check out those recipes, thanks!
My little one feels the same way about bike helmets!
I love the striped stockings!
Can Canadian’s comment too? Because I’m Canadian : ) I read your blog every day. -Anneke
All photo dump photos are taken with a free Iphone app called Instagram. It’s super easy to use and edit, and it has an easy depth of field feature called Tilt/Shift that allows you to choose your focal point and blur the rest. I’m trying to figure out how to share my template for the collage so you can download it and use it too if you want. On the to-do list.
And red sandals are Saltwater Sandals. Lainey’s had a pair and I recently found out they make them for mamas too. They are affordable and durable, and I want them in every color.
Love your cool photo angles! And your beautiful angels too.
Love it all. Your posts didn’t come up in my blogger feed this week, and I kept wondering why you didn’t post. I was sad because I was reminded of my pre-Enjoying the Small Things days. So glad those days are behind me and that my feed was just in a funk.
love me some good ole OT history! Esau and his stew made by Jacob of course. I always did wonder about how their relationship worked before that whole debacle. were they ever friends?
So glad you and coffee are friends again. Life is too short to not have that tall, dark, and handsome guy in your life.
Happy weekending!
favorite sisters picture— capturing them in Lainey’s room…Nella looked so grown up.
I am in university with no money to waste on throwing food into the bin, this would be absolutely perfect!
Bike riding is one of my favourite things to do! I love the feeling of the wind whipping through my hair and the soft humming sound the wheels make while turning over bumpy tarmac. Its my favourite!
-Katie
Esau sold his birthright! Do I get a gold star?? 😉
I love your description of the big helmets! I’m sure that’s exactly how every child would describe them too!
Oh, and LOVE the stripes!
I love Friday phone dump! Your pictures always make me feel something. Yes, you are that good 🙂
Another great post Kelle! And I am dying to know where Laney’s top comes from! I am drooling up here in KY!!
Definitely going to try the zucchini and squash gratin…..looks delicious!
I so ENJOY your blog !! Can’t wait to see the recipes !
Slow cooker… to make yummy breakfast food for my family? Yes please 😉
Squash casserole looked great!
I gave up coffee for lent this past year. Not caffeine, just coffee. It was pure torture for me. When I was able to, I walked into my morning coffee shop (where the workers missed me terribly), and downed 4 shots of espresso. It was amazing! The shaking for 2 hours after…not so much!
Those pics of Nella are adorable! Love Mel’s Diner! Of course I may be showing my age, but I totally get the reference – LOL!
that birthright thing? that would be the story of Jacob and Esau. Esau selling his to Jacob to be exact.
love the steeple pic…and, pretty much any other picture you take…this blog of yours ranks WAY up there in my little book of faves.
That squash gratin looks delicious!
Esau sold his birthright to brother, Jacob for pottage. Yum, yum!
Sounds like you had a ‘fun’ weekend. 🙂 I love your bike ride adventures.
Esther Dush
I’m glad “girl on the left” didn’t smash into a tree. 🙂
I’d love a new slow cooker. We need to fill the freezer with easy meals for our brand new stay at home dad,
I may be a guy, but that Relish site looks like it could be pretty cool! I forwarded that over to my wife!
By the way, I like how you do the Friday phone dump…curious what you use for that (or how you line up the thumbnails like you did.) I like it!
Hope you guys had a great weekend!
-Rick
(Noah’s Dad)
I love how adorable and stylish your girls always are. Also I am loving Lainey’s new room. My daughter is almost ready for her nursery decor to be upgraded to a big girl room. I hope to create a space that encourages creativity.
I love the au gratin dish.. it’s on my to do list.. Your bike stories are so funny… Nella’s tongue pic.. is priceless…
Love the stripe socks, I love my 2 little boys but my heart aches for a sweet little girl that I can put pigtails in and match socks, I ordered her from God, her name is Hannah and she is coming in 2 years. Until then I will enjoy u loving your girls while I enjoy dirt and frogs with my boys
Love your stripes!
Speaking of crock pots, I just figured out how to make yogurt in the crock pot, feeling pretty Pioneerish about it all.
Have a great weekend!
I love how you take what would have been a day-ruiner for me – too short park visit, grueling race home to avoid storm disaster – and you make it an adventure. At least for the reader, it seemed like it. Hope your legs have recovered from all that Speed-style pedaling. Love reading you!
I wish someone would have taken your picture with the kids in tow riding like crazy to beat the storm. Glad you did. Love the stripey legs and that sweater for
Nella. Your kids are always dressed so cute.
Now that slow cooker, mine died and I really need a new one.
i need….N.E.E.D. some meal planning help!!!
Hi Kelle! I’m in love with your red sandals! They remind me of my almost 2 year old daughter Penelope’s bright yellow Saltwater by Hoy sandals. Are they the adult version? Please share! P.S. My husband, kids, and I are living in Novi, MI for the next year–not far from your Michigan roots! I’m sending some fall weather love your way!
Sarah P
I really need a crock pot to make my life easier.
The Friday photo dumps are my favorite! Love the Biblical reference…Esau…and love to your fab family!
Lovin’ the froggy and striped tights! And thanks for the Relish sight and the voucher. Definitely checking it out 🙂
Your baby girls are beautiful.
Nella’s smile is infectious.
And yes, I’d love to try a slow cooker…
I am loving your friend dressing up in her 50’s attire….so want to do that!! every dinner should be dress up 🙂 plus steeples and storms (very biblical indeed).
Sounds like a wonderful Friday! And I could never pass up a nice-smelling man either 😉
Lovin’ the Friday Phone Dump!
YOU HAVE AMAZING KIDS AND YOUR PICTURES ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!!
BEST OF LUCK.
MEG
< http://www.hausofgala.com/ >
you are SUPER MOM! Love this 🙂
I love the picture of the steeple….so pretty!
mi3ragamuffins at aol dot com
LOVE hearing about all your fun adventures!! =) Glad you are enjoying your coffee again – Have you tried Chai Tea though???
We haven’t seen the kitty lately. I guess the owners are really keeping their kitty under lock and key?
I love the picture of Nella laying on the wood floor with a smile bigger than the froggy on her shirt.
I love menu planning sites! We’ve just recently started and it’s saving us so much money. I do think I’m the only person in the world that can’t cook with a crock pot though. Nothing ever turns out properly – and it’s usually completely inedible.
Funny how sometimes you won’t hear about a certain topic for a while and then it will be everywhere…My son was just talking to my last night about the story of Esau and Jacob and then it was referenced here…weird how that happens! Anyway, love the pics as usual, missing FL everytime I read your posts…those rain showers come from nowhere sometimes…I remember getting stuck when I was out running and haveing to sit in a drugstore for 30 minutes!
Hi! I love your blog and love looking at all of your wonderful pictures. I have too say, though, I was surprised that YOU aren’t wearing a bike helmet! 🙂 Maybe it was just for the picture…I’m a big bike helmet pusher- glad your girls wear helmets, but you should too! (sorry for the preaching- foegive me)
Look at Nella sticking out her tongue! Too cute!
I love it! Love all the photos and fun! I’m trying to get more organized in getting meals planned ahead. I did breakfast ahead on Monday last week for the whole school week and it really helped getting my littles out the door! I will have to check relishrelish out! Oh…and Esau sold his birthright. I too did my fair share of Old and New Testament studies. Hugs!
Sounds like a fantastic Friday! I love the stripes!
love reading your blog! and glad to see you have good taste in beer 🙂
Oh Kelle how I LOVE your blog!! I LOVE seeing your adorable little girls most of all!
love the sweater!
Love the stripes and hand-knit sweater find!
LOVE those socks in that last picture! Too cute!
love the photo dump. yet another reason why i need an iphone.
Esau sold his birthright and I totally get it!
And I would love a new slow cooker and will sign up for that free trial.
Fifties wear at the diner, love it!
Ashley S.
darling pictures and words as usual! (don’t know if anyone commented on this yet, but it was esau who sold his birthright to jacob for a bowl of stew!)
that sweater…so perfect. i love it and that dish of zucchini and yellow squash gratin….now i am hungry!
today i made up three meals for the week. i am good till wednesday…maybe even thursday with leftovers…perfect! i did think how i need to try the whole slow cooker thing…..need to make chili in one….yum!
I adore this post. You and your family are beautiful 🙂
I am so terrible at figuring out what to make for dinner! I will try that out.
That would be Esau. don’t follow his example – that story didn’t end well. : )
I think you should have pedaled a little slower and enjoyed some biking in the rain 🙂 Growing up in the PNW, biking in the rain was a daily ritual from home to school and back. Sometimes we even stopped to stomp in some puddles 🙂 It makes coming home to hot cocoa and fresh rice crispy treats from mom that much sweeter.
Wow. your phone takes great shots. Sometimes, I’m not even sure which kid I’ve taken a picture of, mine’s that bad.
And you’re still smiling as you’re pedaling. Amazing.
Was it Esau? But I can’t remember his brother’s name so maybe it was his brother.
OK…I had to look it up…his brother was Jacob, but it was Esau who was famished coming in from the fields.
Love your phone dump. Gotta get a new phone.
Have a great week with those precious girls of yours!
“Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, look inside at all the people!” Love that steeple/sun ray photo!
I’m impressed that you can pedal like the wind, while towing the bike trailer & take photos! Nicely done!
i love that although your bike trips seemingly always end “interstingly” you still go, quite a bit.
way to perservere! at least you didnt have to pedal your bike AND laineys!
Looking up the recipe for squash and zucchini gratin as we speak!! Thanks for the WONDERFUL idea!!
The answer to the question: Esau 🙂
And I would love the slow cooker please!!!!!!!!!!!
ooo,oooo (eagerly raised ‘pick me” hand) The answer is Esau…yay, yay!
CanNOT believe you got that gorgeous sweater for 3.50…and SO very happy to hear you are enjoying coffee again..I was beginning to question my indulgence 🙂
If you went to the park I am thinking about, I have never been there because there isn’t a parking lot…. and I live to far to walk or ride a bike to it.
Way to go getting out in this awful humidity! Sometimes I feel like I could drown in it. But you have got to love Fl.
This post came at a great time, cause 1. that gratin looks so good, and 2. my slower cooker lid just broke and shattered!! I need a new one bad! Great post!
I am surprised you didnt have images of Dorothy as you rode your bike fiercely trying to get back!
I love your blog! Thank you for sharing! Glad you beat that storm home!
ah i love slow cookers. have coconut curry in the crock pot today =)
love your blog, enjoy your day!
Gearing up for a good old midwest winter – you know I need that slow cooker! Love the pics! Always do!
Kelly,
How did you take your pictures while riding on the bike? I love that you are riding at top speed to getthe girls home and still were thinking of how beautiful the church steeple picture would turn out if taken. That to me is a real photographer. Thanks so much for your blog.
Esau!
Esau! 🙂
That picture of the two of them in Lainey’s room is precious. I was wondering if you’d be able to resist Mr Coffee once the seasons started changing. Something about that man leaves you all warm and cozy when those temps start falling. It’s alright. You fought a good fight.
Ha, I can just picture you peddling with such ferocity.
I always enjoy cooking and can never have too many recipes and once my husband comes home from the hospital I am gonna have to be more organized with meal planning! Can’t wait to check out relishrelish.com.
yeah I’m late- did you pick a winner yet? 🙂
I am hooked on your blog; love it! Love the pictures and all of the sentiments and “realness.”
i am a slow cooker fanatic! Pick me, pick me! 🙂
After having a not so good terrible Monday morning, it hit me that the one thing that lifts my spirits is your blog. Add to that, I haven’t read it since the post prior to this one… mix all that together and you got yourself one uplifted friend. Thank you Kelle for all your wisdom, happiness, and helping me see the sunshine through the clouds. What did I do before I found you?!? So thankful that I did! 🙂
Love, love, love the pictures!!! What adorable little girls you have.
I checked out RelishRelish.com and I’m pretty sure I’m in love. Thank you SO much for featuring them. 🙂
That website sounds amazing; I’m going to have to check it out!
Love your blog and your beautiful photographs! If you are ever going to visit Italy I hope you will stop by my two travel blogs to the local Rome and the local Florence: http://www.mysweetrome.com and http://www.mysweetflorence.com
Best regards
Birgitte
I love reading not only about the honesty of your days, but your quick rain dumps too! Out in California, it takes at least half a day if not a full day to bring a storm in. Although sometimes inconvenient, I love the idea of an impromptu rain. . .it would make for so many adventures! 🙂
Suh-weet! I love the tights, the bike story, and recipes so you set me up well today!
HI!!! I been reading your blog for some time now. This is my first time leaving a comment. I don’t remember how I came across it but i’m glad i did. I reading your post and love the pics. You’re girls adorable. I have two little munchkins, a 3 yr old boy and a 14 month girl. I have a question, if you don’t mind answering, where do you buy Nella and Lainey’s clothes and cute shoes?
I look forward to reading tomorrow’s post.
Thanks,
Magali
Houston, TX
I will def. be making the zucchini squash gratin!!1 yummy
loving the froggy shirt on Nella!! =D
Your girls are so adorable! Just thought you should know that…;)
I just foind your blog via Ohdeedoh and LOVE it!!
hugs from Brazil!
Precious little girls – love the trike riding!