Phil's PhD Graduation Ceremony

This past week Phil participated in the pomp and circumstance of college graduation. He missed his Australian graduation after his bachelor's degree because of our move to Utah, so I insisted that he participate here, especially because he earned his PhD! That's a huge deal! It was fun to celebrate his hard work and join in on the festivities at BYU. Plus, August graduation is absolutely the way to go...less than half the amount of students. Yeah!

Thursday was the commencement ceremony. We got there nice and early, staking out a spot, but again, it was so much less busy than my April graduation ceremony a few years back that we didn't really have to get there until it started. Luckily I had Phil's parents there with me to help keep the kiddos entertained while we waited for the program to start. 

ALL the graduates fit in those chairs down on the floor. I couldn't believe it!

Happy campers

Jayne was excited to be with daddy again afterwards

We celebrated by stuffing ourselves with some food (of COURSE) at Golden Corral buffet.

The next day was the main day of fun, convocation. This is when Phil would be hooded as a Doctor of Philosophy in Micro and Molecular Biology. (Phew, try to say that ten times fast!) We decided to head to campus early for some photos while the little girls were in their prime aka not naptime! :)

Ready to go!

And...cue the pictures. Never too many pictures, especially when you're graduating with your PhD!

Thanks Mum & Dad B for coming out for Phil's big day!

It was a nice day and the girls did great, but by the end of things they just wanted to play!

That afternoon we headed to convocation. Phil's parents, my parents and the Perucca boys all came out to show their support. Shout-out to my sisters who made it so I could go without entertaining two little cuties again :) It was a very nice ceremony. I couldn't help but feel so much happiness and accomplishment for Phil. I sat there not really believing our college journey was ending (theoretically...Phil still had to finish up and do his defense). It kind of felt surreal but also exciting at the same time.

Phil is the one with the white stole around his neck. His two advising professors are on each side, preparing to "hood" him

And a picture of the action up on the monitor...so we didn't have to squint the entire time :)

And a video of the hooding

There were some good motivating talks and then, voila, Dr. Bennallack!

Phil with his advisor, Joel Griffitts

Phil gave his Mum the stole of gratitude for all of her (and his Dad's) support through out all his education. 

We headed back home to reunite with our kiddos and my sisters and snapped some more photos with the Perucca group

...aaaaand then some more food at Wallabys, because, Aussies!

Congrats Phil! So proud of your hard work!!

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!