July 4, 2016

We figured we won't be living in Provo by the time next July rolls around :'( so we decided to make the extra effort this year to trek out to the big Freedom Festival parade. Luckily, it was in walking distance from our house (score!) so we didn't have to brave the parking crowds. We started off the morning across the street at our ward's annual fundraiser breakfast. Its a fun little tradition and our chapel is a straight-shot down the road from the parade route.

After filling our bellies we wandered down to the parade route. It was crazy-town already, and we were early! But we expected it and just walked along the street until we found a little spot to park ourselves.

Our cuties all ready to go!

We worked hard to entertain our little ones in the blazing sun (at 8am!) until the parade started.

They were such troopers and once we got some treats and water, it was smooth sailing!

So glad we grabbed our giant umbrella at the last minute!

 Like the balloons, Phil & I knew our girls would love the parade. Even Elle liked the loud fire truck sirens and little Jayne was of course in little kid heaven!

We all lasted maybe half the parade...maybe less? But we had to quit while we were having fun, plus, its all about the spirit of it...right!? ;) So we headed home for a swim in the backyard to cool down. But first, pictures of my cute little American girls! 

After some much needed rest, the patriotic festivities continued up at my parents' house where the Perucca side of the family gathered for food, company and of course, fireworks! 

The girls with their grandma...three cute red-heads!

Jayne has no immediate cousins on my side (c'mon siblings...get married! :) but we are close to my cousin who has a daughter, Aria, who is just 9 months older than Jayne and they're besties! Jayne adores Aria. They had SO much fun together that night.

And there was no shortage of cute kiddos to go around that night. We had fun piling them all on to the couch and trying to get them all to look the same direction at once haha. Look at his cute bunch! 

We moved the party outside and the fireworks show began. My uncle bought some amazing fireworks. It was awesome!

Two peas-in-a-pod I tell you. All set to watch the fireworks and enjoy a perfect summer night!

It was a great day full of  4th of July classics: parades, family, food, patriotic clothes, hot weather and fireworks. Perfection!

Provo Balloon Festival

We love Provo's Freedom Festival. They have such great events and some are even in walking distance from our house. The balloon festival was only a few blocks from home. Phil & I were so excited to show the girls the hot-air balloons this year. Despite the early wake-up call, we knew they would love it, and they did!

LOVE my little Jayne!

This PICTURE! It says it all right there. My two girls, my heart!

It was spectacular to watch and see. The girls were good and wanted to just sit with us and watch most of the time. I guess giant balloons can be a little intimidating :)

Heart melts...

It was fun to see the balloons start on the ground, fill up and then eventually fly away. Elle kept pointing to them all in the sky.

They all go up and then play certain games like popping small tethered balloons, beanbag drops etc. Its fun to watch!

Jayne was in heaven and thought the giant balloons were amazing. Totally worth getting up before the break of dawn for this cutie!

We kept an eye on the balloons as we made our way home. Some came right on over to our area much to the girls' delight. Such a fun morning!

Fourth of July - 2015

Having left the hospital after lunch on the 3rd, July 4th is kind of a blur. We had our first night home with Elle the night before-no nursery to send her to for some sleep, and no electric bed to help me sit up (4 days after a c-section...woof!). We were tired and looking back, we were crazy, but we got up at 6am and took Jayne to see the hot air balloons because we knew she'd love it!  They inflate/take off right next to the hospital so being there, I kind of felt like we never left...maybe we shouldn't have because we would've had parking  right close by and a nursery to watch Elle... :)

We didn't feel the need to get super close as you can see the balloons from far away so we found a nice little spot of grass and shade and enjoyed ourselves.

We thought Jayne would love it, and she did! She was so excited to see the "BIIIIIG bwooons!"

Unfortunately after all our work of trekking over there, it was too windy for them to take off. I guess we were lucky that they chose to even inflate them just for the crowd/kids.

The crowd started to thin out once people realized they weren't going to take off so we wandered over for a closer look. Jayne LOVED it! 

When we told her it was time to go home she held out her hand for us to hold and asked for more. Once I held her hand, she turned me around and walked me back toward the balloons. We loved seeing her excitement and that made it all worth it! 

Later that night we had my family over for fireworks. We snapped a family photo too. (I definitely didn't think we'd have a baby for the 4th of July, unless by some "small" -in my mind- chance I delivered that day...still so crazy to me!)

Jayne had fun seeing her first fireworks, that she remembers that is. She helped dad and grandpa light a few.

And then she just kicked it with the fam

Braden brought his friend, Matt, along and Jayne really liked playing with him!

Jayne even held her own sparkler (with help from daddy) and asked for more when we were all finished. 

 After the balloons, a new baby at home and fireworks at night, we were exhausted. But it was the 4th! So we had to celebrate-and we had a great time!

Happy 4th of July! 

July 4th, 2014

I love the 4th of July (said every American ever). But really-its such a fun holiday with traditions, fireworks, BBQ's, parades and a whole lotta family fun. This year Phil was in charge of the scout/youth breakfast for our ward. It was a big task and he was up before the sun working hard. My parents came over with my grandma to support Phil and enjoy breakfast.

(I think Jayne was confused that we were up and out of bed so early...she usually likes to sleep until about 10!)

Still all smiles though!

After breakfast/cleanup we headed out for some fun on the boat. It was a perfect tubing day and we've figured out how to get some awesome air on the tube! I didn't snap any pics because we were too busy having fun! We headed back from the lake for a BBQ at my parents. Nothing like a traditional BBQ on the 4th!

I made our shirts, my skirt and Jayne's headband. Jayne's dress is from my mom. Phil tells me we're the typical patriotic American family who dress up in stars and stripes. Yesir we are! 

Koda partied with the family too!

Me and my girl :)

After eating we headed to the park to set up our spot for the fireworks in Pleasant Grove. We love just hanging out as a family, waiting for it to get dark so the fireworks can begin.

Jayne really loved the glow sticks! She did not let them go! 

By the time it was finally getting dark, Jayne was relaxed and a bit sleepy. So was Phil after a long week/early morning prepping for the breakfast.

When fireworks started, Jayne was mesmerized and watched intently in my lap for a long time. Then I laid her down on the blanket and she put herself to sleep...while the fireworks were still going. The fireworks were awesome! I just love fireworks and this show never disappoints!

By the end, we were all tuckered out and ready to head home. (she's still clinging to her glow stick!)

That wrapped up another Independence Day for the Bennallacks.