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!

Elle's First Birthday

Elle's first birthday started off with some cute smiles and a traditional first birthday pancake-cake for breakfast. 

I think it is safe to say Elle enjoyed them :)

Later that evening we opened presents. Thank you everyone who thought of our little girl and sent gifts from overseas!

Jayne was pretty excited about Elle having presents as well ;)

Elle eventually got the hang of ripping the wrapping paper to open the presents. After she finished we just gave her the paper and she played for a while with it.

We loved that the princesses quickly went into her mouth. Silly girl! 

We ended the night with cupcakes. This was Elle's second time with cake (after her party) so this time she didn't waste any time diving in.

See what I mean! 

I can't believe she's one already. I still feel like she arrived just yesterday and I miss those newborn cuddles!

It was a happy day to celebrate with our sweet girl. Happy 1st birthday Elle Marie!

Elle - 1 year!

Our little miss is one year old! We absolutely adore this little girl and can't imagine our family without her. 

Elle's 1 year stats:

• Eats anything and everything. If someone in the house is eating, you can bet Elle is too :)
• Crawling on all fours
• Says "momma", "daddy", and "woof"
• Teases us/makes us laugh any way she can - climbing on us, pretend hitting herself in the head, making funny noises
• Signs "more", "all done", and "milk" 

Elle has grown into our own little entertainer and is such an easy going girl. She is such a joy to have in our home. 

Happy Birthday Elle!

Elle's First Birthday Party

We invited some family and close friends over to celebrate Elle's birthday. It was fun to give her a party for her special day!

  We watched this short video featuring Elle's first year:

Then we opened presents, at cake and visited. It was perfect!

She liked the cake more than Jayne did. She was slow to start but eventually figured it out :) We loved celebrating this little cutie!  

Mother's and Father's Day 2016

Phil and I have been so blessed to have these two sweet girls in our lives. It was fun celebrating Mother's and Father's day with them this year. We snapped this picture of the girls and I on Mother's Day and I love it. I'm usually behind the camera so having this sweet moment captured means that much more.

Love my babies!

These two cuties had fun taking photos for Daddy's present this year. How cute are they!?

And for fun, here's a timeline of our Father's Day pictures. I have a love/hate relationship seeing how Jayne has grown. Stay my baby!!

Elle - 11 months

11 months old! I am in serious denial that my baby will be 1 year old next month!

Elle's 11 month stats:

• Quickly army crawls any where and every where. No interest in getting onto her knees unless she's on the grass or concrete
• Climbing up on and over everything. She is very determined and is so proud of herself when she pulls herself to a stand
• Just cut her 5th tooth and the 6th should be here soon. Something about getting those top front teeth makes her look so much older!
• Really interacts with Jayne these days. Its so sweet to watch and I love it!
• Loves to feed herself and we have to use portion control or she'll try to fit it in her mouth all at once
• Babbles as she 'reads' books to herself - its adorable!

Love you little mini! Happy 11 months!