Watching the girls make up for seven days without Daddy.
There were so many moments where eyes locked and melty smiles could have been bottled and sold.
Today I loved…
Settling into old routines. Like mismatched pajamas, french toast and kitchen art projects when the sun has barely risen.
Today I loved…
Opening packages that arrived while we were gone. My friend Meg sends the most thoughtful gifts which have included cupcakes from the best bakery in NYC and a blinged-out Run DMC baby t-shirt. The girls were thrilled with her latest find–a solar powered rainbow maker.
Come morning when the eastern sun comes pouring in our front window, little rainbows dance around the room like disco ball flare.
And we catch them. On our feet.
On our faces.
And if you’ve never caught a rainbow, might I suggest you try.
Today I loved…
Watching Sophie tear up this bone like Cujo. And laughing every time Latte tried to discretely sidle up beside her to get some of the action only to be put right back in her place. No worries, I made it fair with a piece of cheese.
Today I loved…
Catching Nella peacefully ponder life, post cracker snack.
Today I loved…
Finding a place for a piece of faraway home in our living room.
And a little Friday photo dump, cherry on top. These pics seem like a million years ago, and my heart gets all achy reliving that special week.
bottom row, last pic? why yes, those are glitter shoes–hand mod-podged by my friend, Rebecca, who made them for my birthday. Giddyup, Unicorn.
Friday Phone Dump photos are taken on the Instagram iPhone app (free) and dropped into a 12×12 collage using a photo editing software (Photoshop Elements works). I am “etst” on Instagram if you want to follow the feed.
Oh, I just had to pull these two out:
Now, go catch some rainbows this weekend.
Oh WoW! I am the first to comment! Love the photo of Nella post cracker! Have a fantastic weekend!
Welcome home : )
I wish I lived in Florida just so I could be your friend. Nella and Lainey are beautiful and you are an inspiring momma and dare I say remind me to enjoy the small things. Love your blog!
oo the pics amazing!
welcome home!
ps please find out where said rainbow maker came from = must have!
Welcome home! Love all the daddy/daughter pics. Sweetest thing ever!
LOVE YOU! I was supposed to be the 1st commenter, my bucket list goal, but couldn’t sign in! Ah well!
LOVE that last pic of Nella wearing the glasses and checking out Robert Frost! And of course the pics of your girls loving on their Daddy too 🙂
Rainbow Maker is from MoMA.
http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10451&langId=-1&categoryId=11507&parent_category_rn=26715&productId=15854&keyWord=Double%20Rainbow%20Maker&purpose=crawl
Happy joy joy!! Happy happy joy joy! That life pondering post cracker shot is priceless. And Lainey studying her craft with her foot!!? Edible!!
Now go catch your own rainbows! Love that!
*sturdying
Love the rainbow maker!! I love that coming home feeling even after the best vacations…something awesome about home and routine!!
Kelle!!! I love your girls!! Living in Dallas I wish we were closer, I am sure my boys would LOVE your girls!!! And I am almost sure we would be BFF!!:) Happy Weekend girl!
Absolutely precious daddy/daughter photos. And Imma have to get me one of those rainbow makers. What a great idea!
http://www.existation.com
Lovely! I love the picture of Lainey and her dad and the last photo of Nella is so adorable! Great Friday post!
That pic of little, pondering Nella is so precious!
I have hanging in my kids’ playroom right now two vintage license plates: Florida and New York. They were one of my favorite gifts ever. My (super thoughtful) little brother gave them to us last Christmas as a nod to both my and my husband’s birth states. I love that your Michigan one is right next to the camera. It says so much about you.
How are you feeling?! Didn’t you wake up with a stomach bug?
Beautiful post and pictures as always. I appreciate your posts even more now that my husband and I have split and I only see my daughter (who is 5) on the weekends. Your girls are so beautiful and blessed :)Keep up the great work Momma!
nella pondering life is simply fantastic.
Dying over that last photo of Nella. She’s a doll.
Sounds like you are feeling better! Yeah!! Nella in those glasses still gets me everytime.. And her cradling her chin? Adorable!
Oh happy rainbow maker… what a terrific way to start the weekend. And miss Nella bean with her post cracker pondering? Priceless!
xo
Kate
Been sentimental lately with my oldest daughter about to turn 5…. It’s always uplifting to read your post and be reminded to enjoy them every moment and be thankful for today. Thanks for your words!
Fun! Those shoes are to die for. What sweet and thoughtful friends you have.
I love a good quickie 🙂 And can Nella be any more beautiful!
Nella makes me want to adopt a baby. (That weird tension mom’s of elementary schoolers get. We are glad to have the sleep but miss the everything wonderful of babies) She is so precious!
More Rainbow Photos Please! I’m going to be kn the look out for some of my own.
My mother has that exact book of Robert frost poems. Whoa! Talk about a wave of nostalgia! Lovely photos as always.
Ah, peacefulness…that is what I see in the photos tonight. That and such ADORABLE littles. Thanks for bringing me calm before bed. Good night and have a great weekend, Kelle~
My mother in-law had this crystal in an almost ball shape (it is flat on one side). She had it on her window sill to make rainbows when my oldest was little. I have now inherited that specail crystal and it is now on my window sill to make raindbow’s for me, my family and now my grandson. Thanks for sharing.
Love being away and visiting, but settling back into home is so comforting. Pondering life at such an old age, hmm maybe she was thinking unicorns and rainbows for her party.
Looks like you had an amazing adventure (snow photos were all SO gorgeous!), but there’s no place like home. So sweet to see the girls reconnecting with Brett and beautiful photos of catching rainbows. Better get me one of those rainbow makers 😉
Enjoy getting back into normal routines, reminiscing on wonderful holidays and sharing your creative energy in the year ahead – we can’t wait to share it with you.
The last picture with Nella and the rainbow is simply stunning! My 2 year old loves rainbows, sometimes she’ll see them before I do. Children are simply one of the greatest gifts!
You have to be so giddy and so proud watching your girls with Brett, I always drink it in when I watch my babies love on their daddy! So special! All of those Nella pics are so precious… she is such a doll! Enjoy those rainbows… there is magic happening over there!
I have never written before but I have been reading for a while. I find your blog incredibly inspiring. I just wanted to stop in and say that the last photo of Nella is just so precious. She is gorgeous.
Hope you are feeling better, too!
The Dad snuggle s killed me. And that last shot of your Nellabean just about killed me. Gorgeous.
Love their daddy snuggles! Nella in glasses is too stinking cute!
Awesome rainbow maker.
Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
So awesome. Hope you guys had a great vacation!
love the rainbow maker! 🙂
Love this post. Nella is such a cutie patootie. Great pics of her.
i am totally jealous that your friends make stuff for you!!
I know you capture beautiful moments like no one can…but I so want you to know (and I know you already know this) Nella is going to grow up SO beautiful on the inside and out…right there with Lainey. They are such beauties in different & good ways.
By the way, I love and still laugh over one of your Michigan pics you posted, “if your happy and you know it slap your friends”!
That picture of Nella pondering. All I could do was shake my head at how INCREDIBLY beautiful and precious and perfect she is.
What a wonderful thought – to catch rainbows! That’s what I’ll do – and what I AM doing – this weekend 🙂
Not literally of course…
MOMA, huh? Wow…
I love the pics of the girls and daddy, simply wonderful. Really filled with love.
Thanks so much for sharing all that you do share, you really are a special person.
Have a wonderful weekend!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Your blog gave me goosebumps! So beautiful – Lainey crafting on the kitchen floor, and Nella’s last photo just melts my heart 🙂
I love when little ladies love on their Daddy. My husband is a soldier and is gone a lot. Sometimes for an entire year. The moment he hugs his babies after so much time spent apart is the moment my heart explodes. I literally almost collapse from the overwhelming amount of joy and gratitude I feel when I see him safely in their arms. I just LOVE when little ladies love on their Daddy…weather it’s been a year, a week or a day, it’s a thing of beauty!
The girls and Brett melt my heart! And I love those rainbows!!!
those pics are truly amazing!
I love when I find a new blog post from you just as I settle in with my morning coffee. Great way to start the day. Always so positive and inspiring. It’s like an extra shot of espresso! Happy Weekend!
❤Jodi from…
★★The Clutter-Free Classroom★★
Helping Teachers Get Organized
great photos … awwww daddy is getting some love. so sweet. love the rainbows … go chasing & enjoy!! (:
This post was just pure sweetness. I never get tired of coming here girlie. The way you give thanks makes my heart swell. Have a great weekend.
That last pic of Nella should be on a cover somewhere — such a beauty…
Love the rainbow catcher, how awesome. Nella’s post cracker daze is the best! Have a great weekend!!!
Love your blog. Your photo of the Big Boy sign made this fellow displaced Michigan Girl home-sick!
daddy and daughter pictures always melt my heart…. I lost my father suddenly 9 years ago… and I have lots of pictures but few from when I was a child…. Rainbow… fun.. and the little corner of michigan… I LOVE>>>>> I am taking an inspiration board class this weekend… wish you lived in my town.. you would love it.
Welcome home…to the sunny state 🙂 Oh the love between a dadda and his girls…such precious moments you caught!!
What a perfect gift your friend Meg found for you and your girls-happy rainbow catching!
My heart skipped a few beats with Nella’s pondering life photo…there’s such magic in those eyes! Then there’s the b/w photo of at the end with the glasses-too precious!!
Thanks for sharing
Happy weekend
Monique
I love all the pictures. But the pictures of Nella catching the rainbow and kissed by it is super cute. you are a great photographer :).
Love the rainbow maker. Love Nella with the glasses. Love the daddy time. Enjoy your weekend!
That first pic of Lainey and Brett…she looks so much like you! And I can’t stop staring at the one of Nella pondering post crackers…so beautiful!
Photos with daddy? Pure gold.
Dancing rainbows? Awesome.
A rainbow maker!!!!! I want one!!
Brooke
http://www.TheAnnessaFamily.com
Is it odd that I got a real kick out of the photo of your bookshelf? I love looking at other people’s books – it’s something I love to do when I visit friends. Anyway, pleased to see you own, amongst other things, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” – one of my favourite books. Hope you enjoyed it too.
oh that sweet nella gets me everytime 🙂
have a lovely, rainbow-filled weekend with your family!
One of my favorite things about getting to know someone is checking out the books on their shelves. I notice you have a Post Secret book, I LOVE Post Secret! And that Postcards Never Written book, I think I have to have it. It looks like you have a good collection on that little shelf, makes me wanna talk good reads with you. Have a fab weekend!!
I just want to eat up little Nella. She’s beyond delicious. Have a nice weekend!
Today I love: Finally waking up to snow!!! The trees glisten in the sun light. The crisp cold air smells so clean. And the world is still…. Here we come big hill, here we come! Sledding!!!
Utah has snow!! 1st time in my life we did not have any snow fall in December. I never realized how much I was missing it.
Snow is my rainbow today!! Happy Weekend!
Welcome Home~Hugs
What a cool rainbow maker! Yes I have caught a rainbow – and I see much more rainbow catching in my future.
Happy Weekend too you -I will try to find a rainbow to catch – just might be the thing to brighten my sick kids day ( both have ear infections – my 9 month old has one and my 4 year old has a double ear infection) – yuck. I think the rainbows are a must.
Kelle, is there a link to where you can get that cute rainbowmaker? Thats a great gift! 🙂
Thanks
fiveindulgences.blogspot.com
Oh, I just saw, its from the MOMA. Thanks so much!!
The rainbow pictures are framers. 🙂
He just seems like the BEST daddy ever! what precious photos! have a blessed weekend!
tara
Oh my goodness I died when I saw those pics of Nella reading the Robert Frost poems! She is just too cute. Love your blog and the beautiful photos.
Love those pics of Nella with the glasses! 🙂
Your photographs and your daughters are so beautiful! I have just started a blog (http://pleasuresimple.blogspot.com/)and I find yours a real inspiration. Mine is in its early stages and will no doubt never be anything like yours, but please take a look if you would like to. Thanks x
I have never seen a rainbow maker….how clever! My 3 year olf daughter loves rainbows. Every morning we have a little one that is somehow created through our door peephole 🙂 We always think its funny! I am def saving this idea for a birthday gift!
Love the photos! The Robert Frost book and those glasses is priceless!
We lost our precious dog last night and these photos made me smile. Thank you for that!
The rusty licenses plate is rad! I love it. The whole shelf scape in its entirety is actually pretty sweet. Welcome home. I can not imagine traveling with two kids while being sick. kudos!
Peacefully Ponder Nella. That just might be the most beautiful picture I have ever seen.
I bet those rainbow makers will sell out quick! Robert Frost and a snowy vacation…so perfect. Add in Nella, and it’s even better. Precious!
Nella pondering life…I melt!
Love the pics!! You have inspired me to raise the bar with my own photography! Counting down the days until the next photobook share….Nella’s second year! Woohoo!
Loved this post. That rainbow maker is so cooool!!! Great pics.
The one of Nella pondering is beyond priceless!
i have same solar moving things i call them. its like always having a rainbow when its sunny in the house!!!
http://WWW.STAYYOUNGFOREVER.BLOGSPOT.COM
Looks like a joyful day! The loving moments with dad and catching all the rainbows – I’ll be walking around smiling after reading this!
Thanks for sharing!
I knew I had missed a couple of your posts, but I check in today and it’s three WHOLE posts! I thoroughly enjoyed living through your photos of the crisp snow and rosy cheeks. Laughed out loud at Nella with her crooked glasses in the ‘Cousin time’ shot! And her leg warmers? While walking? It doesn’t get any more delicious than that! Perfection!
Lainey looks more and more like her beautiful mama every day.
I miss my snowbound wintery home of Saskatchewan, too. Thank you for sharing this as it helped me to feel sentimental and like I had a big of a visit with family, too.
And the pics of the girls with Daddy? Well, tears were flowing. These were such beautiful posts. Thank you, again and again.
The Robert Frost pic? My goodness! That is poetry, right there!
I am in love with every single picture in this post!! Post cracker pic made my heart melt, I just want to squeeze her! Beautiful 🙂
Even without the rainbow there are little bits of heaven in your home, Kelle. That last picture? Sigh.
OMG, can we get Rebecca to guest post a tutorial on those shoes? PLEASE???!!
Yay for rainbows! Woo Hoo!
Sweet rainbows!
We took down Christmas decorations at my house today. My daughter (2 yrs) was distraught and declared that “our house is not pretty anymore”. Bring on the Valentine’s Day finds from the Dollar $tore!
Nella is just so pretty.
Looks like an amazing weekend. I love all the photos. If you have some time, would you mind telling me what lens you love/always end up using?
I looooooooove the rainbows. I am obsessed with finding rainbows and they look great on all of you! I had chalk rainbows all up in my blog yesterday. Also, any chance those boss saddle shoes with the flowers on them came from anywhere I could possibly pick up a pair? They are on my “a girl can dream, can’t she?” list right now. God bless!
There is nothing like a daddy and his babies…so sweet! I love the pic of Nella after the cracker. Her eyes are beyond gorgeous. I also love her name. I had twin great grandmothers named Della and Zella; you just don’t find whimsical names like that much anymore:)
The pics of the girls with their daddy brought tears to my eyes! What doll babies!
KELLE – THANKS for the info on the rainbow catchers! To ALEXIS – yah, i think many of us wish the same. Well, heck, I think I, along with many, feel like we ARE Kelle’s friends (we just dont live in FL, ha). I feel like we are all, well..sort of FAMILY. And..girls lovin’ on their daddy- too sweet! Love you, Kelle – from your Blog Mama~
what a beautiful picture of Nella at the end..and that one of your husband and daughter locking eyes? priceless.
Love.love.love.love.love.
Gosh Nella has grown so much since I last checked into your blog Kelly. What a sweet little girl.
I’m a long time reader but brand new “follower”. Just wanted to say I really adore your blog, and it gives me motivation to keep up with my own blogs. I’ve started full force blogging as my new year’s resolution.
And P.S. You have incredibly beautiful, darling, little ones.
– MH Abroad at http://internationalbabydance.blogspot.com/ and http://aroundtheworldinaframeaday.blogspot.com/
Oh wow….that first picture…Lainey looks like she’s grown up a heap just in the last few weeks!!!!!
And, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who has a creating toddler at work early in the morning 🙂 My kitchen or lounge room floor is usually covered with the contents of our ‘art n craft’ box by 7am 🙂
Happy weekend Kelle. I’m off to catch a rainbow 🙂
x
Nella looks like such a big girl in the last picture!!! When did that happen, mama?!
Love your blog…thanks for sharing your family with us. And your pics are AWESOME! ♥
That first picture of the rainbow right across Laineys face … delicious! And of Nella pondering life post cracker … gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Kelle, enjoy being home, off to catch some rainbows or my own ;0)
X
Precious moments between Brett and your girls.
Papa and daughter moments are so sweet don’t you think? I know I shouldn’t care either way, but I’d really like a little girl, just so I can see this with Rob.
LOVE the glitter shoes. So awesome! Nothing brightens up your day like glitter shoes and rainbows.
Just stopping in to say that I love your blog and your photography. I recently started my mommy blog and you are my inspiration! I hope to be able to capture my little guys everyday life as beautifully as you do for your girls. 🙂
Suas bebês são lindas, adoro suas fotos
Love Nella pondering…happy new year to you and your girls xoxo
Oh my goodness……every pic. Every single one I kept saying, “Oh, this is the best one ever (Lainey & Daddy)….oh, wait. No, this one is the best (Nella pondering life).” And then I saw the last one. Seriously, she has the most beautiful, calming gaze. So maybe THAT’S the best pic ever?
Impossible to choose. Thank you!!!
This whole post made my heart swell 🙂
your little nella is a beauty! love the photos you caught of her. such sweet pictures of being home with daddy.
the pictures with Daddy are OMG adorable!
I purchased a crytal sun catcher thing to hang outside but it was too windy so I hung it in my kitchen. When my bos (4 & 2 yrs old) woke up they ran to wake me saying “Mommy, come look, there are colors everywhere”. It was the best morning ever to see how excited they were to find and “catch” rainbows for like 2 hours. It was the most fun thing we ever woke up to 🙂
Wonderful and amazing and lovely all wrapped up into a ball! You are blessed! Thank you for blessing the rest of us.
Ah! The life-pondering Nella photo is just too beautiful for words! I love it.
Also – the rainbows caught on faces is fantastic.
Welcome home!
Hi Kelle, I am a huge fan of your blog and love you photography (coming from a fellow photographer)! A dear friend of mine also has a son with DS who was born in August. I have donated a photoshoot to auction as we are trying to raise funds for them as he was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and has already had 1 open heart surgery and needs 2 more. Their family is from Idaho but they have been staying at the Ronald McDonald house in Seattle to be close to the Children’s hospital. I was hoping you could help us get the word out! Thank you so much! Here is the link to the FB page of the woman hosting the auction: http://www.facebook.com/4HankinsCrochet
Her is a link to the father’s blog! http://www.gabrielshope.net/
I agree with @ LondonHeather and
@Midwestgirl – love the bookshelf! I have Oriah Mountain Dreamer and CS Lewis too on mine too. Yay Kelle!
The Nella post-cracker pic is just…beautiful!
Welcome back! Happy New Year!
I have so enjoyed your last few posts about “Home.” (I’ve had to drink hot chocolate after looking at the pictures to warm up a bit.)
I also LOVED “Today, I loved…” in today’s post. What a great way to look at your day. I’m going to try making a list of the things I loved TODAY!
Love your blog, pictures and red lipstick!
Love the pics, especially of Nella and the rainbow. So Pretty!
I am completely moved by how beautiful your little girls are. You capture their essence and uniqueness so perfectly and powerfully. I find myself just wanting to squeeze Nella with all my heart. I work in marketing for an organization in PA that provides services for kids and adults with special needs and your writing and photos have been such an encouragement to me. Thank You, Kelle.
Love thinking about one day at a time. I also love that still see a tree up at your house in the background. I have yet to take down one decoration in protest of not being ready for Christmas to be over and that we have had NO snow yet this year (SE Wisconsin). Really??? Glad you had fun on your trip. I loved the snow pictures! I just started taking pictures myself and wish I had some snow as a background.
the last pic is beautiful and i LOVE the Robert Frost photo with the glasses!
I do love your posts and pictures, always filled with joy, hope, optimism and lots of good vibes 🙂
I´m a silent reader from Belgium, but wanted to tell you today that I appreciate your positive spirit, which brings happiness to me as well!
Best wishes, Marjolijn
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I love what you share and how you share it. I was ECSTATIC that you got to take your girls to experience a Michigan winter. I fervently hope that you can make trips to Michigan every year. You have the best of both worlds, geographically, and imagine the memories your little Florida mermaids will have of northern adventures and extended family! Plus, as a mother to a 19 year old who relocated 2800 miles away, I relate to your pangs of homesickness from both sides of the fence! Summers in Seattle with my girl and winters in NC with my man is my goal. Motherhood is such a wonderful adventure!
I think we need to know how to get one of those rainbow makers. My vintage chandelier does a pretty good job, but I don’t know that you can ever have enough rainbows… we catch them too 🙂
‘giddyup, unicorn.’
actually laughed out loud. rare.
The last picture of Nella-the one with the rainbow on her face.
I have never seen her look more beautiful. It took my breathe away.