Kelli Trontel

The lifestyle blog of Kelli Trontel | Whitefish, Montana

Thanksgiving 2013

December 1, 2013

We had a really nice, low-key Thanksgiving with the family, here in Montana. Haley [Reeds sister] drive into town from Salt Lake so it was really nice to spend some quality time with her. She absolutely adores Ezra and I love seeing him with her. She is so great with him!

Ezra was all about the Thanksgiving meal this year….I have a feeling he’ll be looking forward to this [and all the second helpings] every year. He can absolutely throw down a meal….and I don’t think he’s experienced that many flavors on one plate before! I love experiencing the holidays through his eyes and wonder. The sweetest thing…

We have much to be thankful for….and as I sat around our simple and quaint Thanksgiving table….I loved being surrounded by our family. Many of us were separated this year [it’s hard traveling with kids!] and we opted to stay put this year, but I am thankful for my in-laws. They have been a huge support to Reed and I as we have entered this season of parenthood.

I’ll be blogging our day-after-Thanksgiving tradition…..Im already loving these family traditions with Ezra in tow. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving…..

Thanksgiving morning was gorgeous. The frost froze…and all of nature was showing off. It was fantastic! I couldn’t help myself….I jumped out of the car every few minutes on the road to Reeds parents house to take all sorts of photos. Here’s a peek into our wintery beauty….

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12.1.13

Amanda Lovig Hagg - Kelli, I LOVE your jeans/pants… do share details!! And while you’re at it, I also want your jacket. Okay, I’m obsessed! 🙂

Portland Adventure

November 20, 2013

Last month we drove to Portland, Oregon for another coffee training at Stumptown Coffee headquarters. This time we brought Chelsea [one of our fine baristas] along with us. The last time we were there, Ezra was just 3 months old….so it was fun to adventure the city with our curious little man this time around.

Our trip also included a super windy day at Canon Beach. The view was spectacular, but we’ll definitely have to visit again on a more calm day…..sand was flying around everywhere and we almost lost Ezra’s stroller with him in it- as the wind pushed him down the beach! Yikes!

Oh I love Portland…..such beautiful scenery, creative people, so much good food and fabulous coffee, of course. A few of our favorite stops included Salt&Straw and Goorin Hat Co.

I actually left my camera at home, but thankfully we were staying with a photographer friend, who was kind enough to let me take her camera out for a few days. Here are a few details from our trip….including a rare portrait of just Reed & I [iPhone photo, yes….but we are finally in a photo together].

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Favorite Little Moccasins

November 12, 2013

I met Melanie of Starry Knight Design this past summer at the Whitefish Farmers Market…..actually, at Huckleberry Days! I had been dressing Ezra in her adorable handmade shoes for months…so it was awesome to meet the sweet momma who puts her heart and soul into these teeny tiny shoes!

While I was in Dallas visiting Vanessa….we did a little photoshoot with Ezra & Stella in their handmade moccasins. How cute are they?? I just love these little faces…..and those cute soft sole shoes, of course.

For our blog readers….Melanie has offered a DISCOUNT CODE! So visit her Etsy shop and use kandv10 for a 10% discount off your purchase. OFFER ENDS this THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10th! Ezra also has the Bison & Fox ones….my favorites!

/// I photographed Ezra in his Fox shoes this afternoon! I ordered these a little bigger so he could wear them with socks as the weather chills.

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Vintage Whites Market

November 8, 2013

Vintage Whites Market is an event that started in 2009 in a garage with 5 vendors and has grown to be one of the most well-known and attended shows in Montana. VWM has been named one of the top 25 markets in the US by Flea Market Style and Romantic Homes. Needless to say, I am pretty proud of my friends Jana and Vanessa….these girls have worked so hard to bring such a fabulous market to Montana. I seriously look forward to this every season.

I had the honor of documenting a few of the markets this year…..so I wanted to share a peek inside VWM. Also, if you are in the area tomorrow [Saturday, November 9th]…..the Christmas Market [the last market of the year] is happening at the Kalispell Fairgrounds from 10am-4pm. Admission is $3. See you there!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

XO!

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11.11.13

Hollie - I’m obsessed with these photos! I kept going back and looking at them again. I can’t remember if I’ve told you before, but your are awesome at detail shots!!

11.21.13

Mercedes Campbell - I really like the way your pictures are presented… i like the way the photographs are close are and the backgrounds are blured out.

November Desktop Download

November 6, 2013

I love it that a few people messaged me about this months download. Seriously…..just confirms that we aren’t doing this for ourselves. So glad you all are enjoying these monthly downloads! Ashley and I have been collaborating on this for over a year now and I really do look forward to dreaming up a new idea and looking for inspiring quotes every month. So thank you….thank you for supporting this creative project!

I really love this months quote and it’s fitting for November, where we are reminded everywhere we turn…to Give Thanks. What gets me with this quote is the challenge that is attached to it. Don’t just GIVE…..but GIVE FROM YOUR LACK. It’s easy to give from abundance, but when we give from a place where we can really feel it…..thats when our hearts begin to change.

A few goals of mine this month is to give of my time. To open up our home, to have friends around the table and to get to know a complete stranger. My days seem to fly by and our schedules fill up, but it’s intentionality that will slow us down and allow us to connect with those around us. I’ll begin my social media sabbath in the New Year as well. It’s just a good thing to unplug, slow down and re-connect [face to face…online doesn’t count here!]

My dad was so great at investing time into people. He talked with everyone. He knew no stranger. This inspires me to this day. Before my dad went to Heaven- he wasn’t in a good place financially. My sisters and I would all send him what we could to help him out each month and it wasn’t until after he left this earth that I learned that he would use part of the money we sent to buy grocery store gifts cards- to give to others in need. Are you kidding me?!? This didn’t surprise me…this was definitely something my dad would do. My dad always told me that as long as I gave….and helped others, I would be ok. There’s something that happens to our spirit when we take the focus off of ourselves….my dad knew this and I believe this was a huge factor in the joyful spirit that he had even though….times got tough for him.

What are your goals for the month? How do you want to end the year? In honor of my dad….”If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” How can you be intentional with your time and resources…and in what ways can you give till it hurts?!? I challenge you to slow down and bless someone around you with something simple as time, yet it’s something we all seem to lack these days.

Also, if you’re on INSTAGRAM….join our #ichoosethankfulness series!

Be encouraged, my friends!
XO

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