Brett invited me to come along for what is usually his special “dad only” date–an airport picnic. There are rules, I quickly learned. Like you don’t sit on the seats of the picnic table, you actually sit on the table. And you make guesses for which way planes will turn once they take off. And you don’t even think about suggesting anything for these picnics other than the way they’ve always been done because Lainey will tell you “that’s not the way Daddy does it.”
Our little airport picnic took place in a parking lot that looked a lot like prison grounds with its barbed wire border and frequent airport security drive-bys. But add a couple happy meals and a few “This is fun!” proclamations, and suddenly it’s very special. A tradition long to be remembered. There’s always the possibility of adventure hidden in unlikely places.
*******
And a little weekend fun…
Curlers. Because she thinks it’s very cool. We don’t get much curl because we roll them lukewarm, but still…makes her happy.
Some Happy Monday dancing to start the week…
Nella begs to carry our phones around so she can play music. She knows albums by their covers and effortlessly scrolls through them to find the song she likes. And then she’ll play it for all of seven seconds before switching to a new one. Her current moves and favorite accompaniment:
nella the dj
Songs: Can’t Stop by Miley Cyrus, Get Lucky by Daft Punk, Scream and Shout by will.i.am, Can’t Hold Us by Mackelmore
Have a great week!
Jessica says
My two-year-old went nuts for the video. He was dancing along and, of course, his favorite part was when the puppy makes a cameo.
Life with Kaishon says
I think that sounds like a perfect way to spend an afternoon! Maybe I will see if my kidgets will go for something like that. Pre teen/teen outings are so different than the simple ones of early childhood. I am not going to lie, I miss your kind!
Nella has great taste in music : ).
Happy Monday, Kelle.
The Lazy Mom says
Adorable! Girlfriend has some serious moves! I’m betting the charming quilt for the picnic table was not “how daddy does it”, but mama has to bring something to the mix.
Christiana Marie says
My dad used to take me to sit by the airport and watch the planes take off and land. We would get donuts and sit there and talk- such sweet memories. Love this post.
meg@ourwaytoeat.com says
She’s awesome! Also, Nella and I have the same summer playlist.
Renee says
Can’t Hold Us is Arya’s song, she can’t get enough of it, I love it! Hella has great taste in music! π
TheParkersest11 says
Aww we used to do the same thing when we lived in Maryland, mcdonalds and watch the airplanes landing. Nothing like that here in Jacksonville, Fl. Hope Brett is feeling better, he looks it! Love Nella’s dance video.
TheParkersest11 says
Aww we used to do the same thing when we lived in Maryland, mcdonalds and watch the airplanes landing. Nothing like that here in Jacksonville, Fl. Hope Brett is feeling better, he looks it! Love Nella’s dance video.
TheParkersest11 says
Oh, btw is Nella wearing a amber teething necklace? Does it help and what kind is it ?
Jennifer Ketterhagen says
LOVE LOVE the sweet video of Nella dancing. Made my morning. π Thanks!
Raelyn says
Kelle….
My sister sits on picnic tables, not the benches!! It drives me crazy!! But I am no comparison. I drive those who I’m in close proximity to even crazy-er!! Hee, hee, hee…. ;-D
“Our little airport picnic took place in a parking lot that looked a lot like prison grounds with its barbed wire border and frequent airport security drive-bys. But add a couple happy meals and a few “This is fun!” proclamations, and suddenly it’s very special. A tradition long to be remembered. There’s always the possibility of adventure hidden in unlikely places.”. Love. Love. Love!! π
–Raelyn
Nicolette Gawthrop says
omg. FREAKING joyful!
lots of smiles and chuckles here today!
xo
Monica says
Nella’s dance moves make me SMILE π loved the video!
Becky says
Nothing makes me smile like watching littles dance in front of a mirror. Little sister’s got some moves! My faves are the “drop it like it’s (warm)” and the forward & back steps by the door. She’s soooooo cute!
Brooke Penny says
Too funny! I just took video of my two year old dancing to Get Lucky this weekend too! Love the things they do when they think no one is watching!
Party Box Design says
so sweet! my daughter loves music too!
Reenie says
What a fun dad-daughter date….I’m glad you got invited π
Adorable photos and video.
xo
meason98 says
hehe I love it! I’m not brave enough to let my kids surf my phone but they regularly request their fav songs π She’s got moves!!
Kris says
That video! Cutest little dancer ever.
Jody Sanders says
We live super close to the airport and hang out there, or where the old airport was, pretty often. Nice to see we’re not the only ones. π
walking dot photography says
That’s awesome! How did that tradition of airport picnicing come about? π
xox
giedre
http://www.walkingdotphotography.com
Erica Ladd says
The first picture from the airport picnic is absolutely perfect, and love Nella’s back and forth move in particular π
Lex Wisniewski says
“There’s always the possibility of adventure hidden in unlikely places.”
Word. My seven-month-old taught me the same thing last weekend. π
Allison says
This is so sweet, because we actually do air port dates too, mainly during lunch time break for my husband.
Ashley Wright says
Okay, Nella is seriously the cutest!
Amy Pollak says
Nella is so precious. Love that video. Love your photos, love your blog, love your entire family. Happy Monday to you!
meg bird says
I love that Lainey is becoming a little blonde you! And that picture of Nella with the curlers and the phone – just too much sassy! So great.
Mark, Wendy, Dale and Rose says
What a happy little video!
Ali says
It’s amazing that more professional dancers don’t dance with curlers in their hair!
A great video – thank you, as always, for sharing your life.
Ali in the Alps
{Jessica} says
That video of a little dancing Nella made me so happy today! Love, love, love it:)
Argyrie says
OMG…I’m dying from the cuteness of Nella dancing and playing DJ. Love the idea of daddy only picnics and especially the photo of Brett kneeling down holding Dash and Dash is so cutely staring at the camera…his mommy. Just loved this post!
KS Photography says
HAHA. This looks like many of our outings……making special out of the ordinary or very, very odd. Haha. And that picture of your husband with his babies just melts me.
Gill says
Nella you can move!
Gill says
Nella you can move!
Tanya says
I have been following you since Nella’s Birth and I have to just say thank you for sharing your life the way you do. You are an inspiration to myself. Today I opened this post to see Nella and I watched her dance and you made the end of a long day a good one. Thank you for sharing that special part of your life.
Tanya
Lauren Bourdier says
That video literally made my day! Thanks so much for sharing!
Clanton Clan says
Seriously ADORABLE! If only we all found such joy in a simple iphone playlist!
Maria says
Kelle~I really don’t know how you can stand that much cuteness every day! The videos of Nella make me shout out loud whenever I see one of them. This one is the cutest so far! I love her!!
Diane says
Daddies just think with their male brains and they come up with some awesome ways to spend time with their babies! Enjoy Kelly, they grow up so very fast. Relish every second! Advice from a mom whose babes are all grown up and is trying really hard to give them their wings.
Diane
Troop 6031 says
LOVED the video of Nella dancing!!!!
Heather at Happy Chippy Junk says
Have you tried rags in Nella’s hair? She is a beauty!! Love!
Farmgirl Paints says
uh seriously she is THE Cutest thing. I love her moves in the mirror. It’s so awesome that you have these little videos. I’m technically challenged…these are done so very well:))
Melina says
Cool stuff my friend. The airport is a great place for photos, I love the wind and the disparity it provides as a background. Plus, dramatic skies! Photographer win!
xo
Melina
Melina says
Cool stuff my friend. The airport is a great place for photos, I love the wind and the disparity it provides as a background. Plus, dramatic skies! Photographer win!
xo
Melina
Mrs. Katie Rose Jensen says
I teach a K-5th cross categorical classroom and on Fridays we turn on Pandora during our fine and gross motor centers….which quickly turns into a dance party. It’s my favorite time of the week and this video made me miss the kiddos that much more this summer!!
Kristy @Loveandblasphemy says
What a great idea!
Denise G says
That is the cutest video. She is adorable.
Pam says
This is one of my favorite posts you have ever done- especially Nella the dj!
Pam says
This is one of my favorite posts you have ever done- especially Nella the dj!
Kiki says
Aw, that is the sweetest DJ I’ve ever seen! And I’m pretty sure Nella’s way, way, way smarter than me at memorizing songs by their album covers. π
Craftysquirrel says
Oh such a cute dj , love the dance moves . The airport picnic – brilliant idea.
Teegs says
Funnest dad. Best post ever. Dj nella rocks! Well done your doing an awesome job at this parenting thing. The girls oh and dash now π are soo lucky π
Bianca says
I love that video – Nella has some really great taste in music! π
Jeanie says
Nella’s got it goin’ on!
MarieCri says
Nella is so so precious! I just came back from my volunteering afternoon with the cutest little DS boy in the world, Joseph. He’s 4, I’ve been working with him since he was 2, and I see so much of him in Nella! They’ve got the same dance moves!!! They’re the best!!!
April Vernon says
Oh, I LOVE the video! Thanks for the smile! Your little man is precious! Mwah!
Camie says
Awesome, made me smile…Nella is so beautiful π
Bless you xox
Maheen says
DUUUUUUUDE. She is so talented. I would have dropped that slippery iPhone SOOOO many times on the rock-hard tile!
Ashleigh says
I love Nella’s dance moves! Our 14 month old “little bug” loves to dance too and it makes me smile wondering what kind of moves she’ll have at Nella’s age. So precious!
Jessica says
Nella has some killer dance moves!! hope you have a great week too!
Marian Hazel says
Love seeing Brett back and love that they have a traditional way of doing the airport picnic.
Our hut is under the flight path of small planes that do the flights down with hikers to the south west Tasmanian wilderness. Although I think our girls will be eagle spotters instead as we have a pair that hang out in our valley. Actually on the weekend I freaked out as I saw what I thought was a massive eagle soar over the crest of the hill opposite, I was speechless and trying to get Rob and Steph to check it out. Rob just laughed as it was one of those micro lite mini planes!!!
Rachel says
Thanks for sharing what you’ve been listening to in the last couple posts. I always enjoy your selections and it freshens up my own playlists.
Alisa says
Miss Nella you have got the moves. So adorable. Good taste in music too.. lol
Patty says
Oh my gosh – the picture of Nella with the plane behind her (#3) – SO beautiful! She lights up a room, even when she’s outside!
Nicole Marks says
I am 24 and still go to sit at the airport with my Dad sometimes π we are lucky to live 15mins from Brisbane Airport in QLD, Aus… I have taken my son there for picnic lunches too π
Leah says
I’m dying over that video!!! Cutest thing ever! π And the date at the airport… So very sweet! π
Audriana says
Oh my goodness, the video of Nella dancing made my day! So stinkin’ cute!
medina family says
What a great video! Makes me want to get up and dance, except its 2am and everyone is asleep.
And a great picnic date tradition…note to self…do not forget the picnic quilt.
Melissa Libertad says
I have a special place in my heart for your dear Nella. However my day is going, she will always make me smile. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Meli <3
http://www.paintingmariposasinthesky.com
Saul Molloy says
Hahah these are really great shots and I love the idea of the airport picnic!
Marianne says
That video just made my day!
Annie says
LOVE the dancing video. My son dances, smiles, and claps every time he hears anything remotely musical. Great idea to video and document it!
Erin Bettis says
Nella the Dj is great! Love the photos too. You’re making very special memories with those three.
– Erin
jenny says
Nella is SO stinkin’ cute!!! She is growing up so fast. We should hook her up with my little “special” man, Jamison. They would make one super adorable pair! Thanks for sharing that video….girl’s got moves!
Ryan Elizabeth says
Come on!! She’s so darn cute! Love the video of your little dancer. My two year old loves to bust a move too – and must have her dancing hat (an antique hat hanging on my living room wall of course!). Happy Tuesday!
Julie says
video brought a smile to my face this morning – thanks! π
Michelle says
I’ve been missing from blog land for a while and it was so happy to click on your post first. Thank you for the morning smile!
Liz Roberts says
My Daddy would take us to DC every once in awhile and we finished each adventure in the parking lot of Regan. I love it. <3
bubblegirl says
haha Nella the DJ, seriously 4 of my favorite songs π
Kimmy says
Love Nella “The DJ” she is great.
Kimmy says
Love Nella “The DJ” she is great.
Unknown says
Okay that just MADE my day!!! So cute to see her dance!!!! My daughter (with Ds) is 15 months and has recently started “dancing” with her three older sisters by shaking her head and waving her arms in excitement when they dance but I can’t wait until she is walking and on her feet joining in on our family dance parties!!! My girls dance to “Soul Sister” a lot!!
noah wuz here says
Kelle me and noah-a-guy do the same airport picnic lunches. we are overdue, thanks for the reminder! Perhaps tomorrow π
Jennifer says
I love the drool coming down out of his mouth in the pic of you holding him up. Such a “real” picture of life. Boys drool so much!!
whitneyo says
OMG, I just love her. awesome video.
6512 and growing says
Nella! You rock it!
http://mylittlehappies.blogspot.com says
That video is adorable! Nella’s hair looks beautiful.
janet says
Priceless. Love that video!
AdrienneSullivan says
Nella the DJ just made my night. Soo stinkin’ cute. She is going to cut up quite a few dance floors in her life!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful family with us!!
Karen says
OHMYGOSH!!! The video of her dancing!! Too much! We were at the Ds conference and took the kids to the dance. One of my favorite parts! Love watching the little ones dance with one another!
Meghan says
I LOVE that first picture of Brett with his Lainey and Nella!