FotoFly Photo Studio

A friend of ours works at a new Photography studio in Draper - FotoFly, she asked us to come up before they opened because they wanted to do some practice photo shoots. The studio is beautiful (great backdrops), they have fantastic props (not that we used them) and the best part is they charge you for the sitting then give you a CD of the pictures & the copyright.This one (below) is one of my favorite's because Deano is watching his sissy (whom he adores)but he also has 'that' mischievous look in his eye (that we see ALL the time). Brielle looks like the 'little miss perfect' that she is (most of the time)!

They are such little buddies...we're always amazed how they turn to each other for comfort (when they get in trouble) and defend one another...yet drive each other crazy sometimes!

To say that Deano was 'difficult' would be an understatement...he lasted about 15 minutes and then he was 'done'! Not to mention, every time they told him to say "cheese" or "Mom's funny" or whatever he'd get all silly! Taking pictures of a 2 year old is not an easy task but I can't help but want to kiss this little face every time I get close to it! I could just eat him up!

Fantastically Full Freedom Weekend!

We had a crazy busy Fourth of July weekend! It is a 'big' holiday in my family (I realize I say that about a lot of holiday's..,), so we have a lot of traditions...thus this is a long post!My parents neighborhood has a children's parade, Deano and Brielle decorated their car & scooter a couple of days before and they were all decked out for the big event on Saturday the 3rd! Aunt Nat & Uncle Ty came into town (just in time for all the festivities), so after the parade we had a BBQ with my Gledhill cousins and our annual volleyball game.
Then we all dressed up in our 'western wear' before heading up to Oakley for the RODEO! My cute cousin Nicole was definitely the hottest thing at the rodeo with her belt from Cherry Lane. But these were the most adorable things at the rodeo! We had such a great time! Bri & Deano loved every minute of it (especially the cotton candy...sorry no pictures...I was too busy wiping hand's and faces), but the Bull Riding & the Fireworks were definitely the highlights! Deano told me during the bull's "I ride the bulls, I be so carefull mommy, I promise I not fall off"....yeah right Deano, only in your dreams!Sunday (the 4th) Nat planned a little early 30th birthday party for Tyler. Uncle Ty was so sweet to let Brielle & Deano help him blow out his candles (aka-spit all over his cake)! Then we topped the night off with a few fireworks in the driveway.

Needless to say...it was thrilling!
Monday (the 5th) it was time for day 3 of the festivities! It would not be Independence Day without the Provo Freedom Festival Parade!

Then we headed up the canyon to the Losee's for another afternoon of party. We had lots of fun with some of my favorite people (pictured below--my sis & my pseudo sis). Brielle & Deano had tons of fun playing with Starli & Cash (and Kastle, Golden & Grace who were not around for the picture). They spent all afternoon swimming, eating cookies, playing on the swings and most importantly making smores with giant marshmallows!

No trip to Losee's would be complete for Deano without a trip to the garage to check out the car collection. He loves car's...just like his bobpa. This picture is a little fuzzy but I love the way they are looking at each other. My dad likes checking out the car's with his little buddy because he gets so excited...however, my dad was a little nervous when Dean walked up to the Ferrari, pointed at the emblem and said "dis a ferwawi" (apparently 2 is too young to know that:) .

We topped off the night by placing a stick, shooting sparks (aka. sparkler's) into the hands of 5,3 and 2 year olds! It was a little scary, but we all survived!

I love celebrating our freedom, forefathers and those who defend us...it is one of my favorite holidays! Although, I'm glad it is over because all of those events (combined with my overly tired children) was exhausting (my poor pregnant sister could barely keep her eyes open by the time she left).

Strawberry Days

We through on our boots and headed out to Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days in June. The kids were so excited to wear their boots! Deano is constantly trying to 'control' Gracie....and she is not the kind of girl that wants to be controlled! I love this picture (above) b/c he is trying to get her to look at the camera, and she is about to elbow him to back off! The picture below is so sweet, he stood in line for the roller coaster with his arm around her...he loves his little buddy Gracie! I did not get a picture of the DELICIOUS strawberries and cream we had for dessert, probably because we all ate them so quickly! We love Strawberry Days!

Je joue au tennis

Brielle started tennis lessons this summer. She is doing such a great job, it is so much fun to watch her progerss. "Je joue au tennis" is Chris' one french phrase that he learned in high school, and he often 'through's it out' when someone mentions french...usually it's followed by "Franch Fries, Franch toast, Franch dip sandwiches" (only Sarah will understand why I'm writing Franch instead of French)!

Summer Projects

Chris got a little 'bee in his bonnet' this spring (actually he's been talking about this project for years)...he wanted to make our concrete patio larger and put in an in ground trampoline...I finally relented and went a long with it! Deano LOVED having a giant dirt/mud hole in our backyard! The project is still on-going but I'll take a picture and post it tomorrow!

Little Dancing Queen

Brielle has been dancing with the 'Colleen Collins Smith' dance group for a couple years. It's kind of a 'love/hate' relationship...I love the songs they learn --'Annie' medley, 'Wizard of Oz' medley, Animal Crackers in my Soup (just to name a few of her 7 numbers) but the concerts are crazy--3 hours long, 4 nights in a row!!! Dean loved the concert for about 30 minutes--he sat on the edge of his seat watching and listening...then he fell asleep! Our neighbors Ms. Gladys & Mr Keith also came to the concert, Brielle was so excited to see them! She & Dean LOVE going over to visit with Ms. Gladys, it's so nice to have such sweet neighbors.

Brielle with Colleen (above) and her daughter Collette (our neighbor), they are both the teachers (Collette teaches while Colleen tells them what to do). This is their life, they LOVE dance!

Brielle's Father's Day Post

Brielle asked me to "put something on the blog about Daddy," so I told her I'd be her scribe:

"My daddy is my favorite pal and I help him everyday...I'm so glad that he's my dad and I know he loves me too" she sang this Primary song to me and then asked if I'd write it all down.

"My daddy is the best daddy EVER because he gives me piggy rides to bed, plays duck duck goose, let's us have "1 minute" (which means he let's them get out of bed and cuddle with him when they are supposed to be going to sleep, and I've gone upstairs), takes care of us, he loves me, he plays with us in the playroom, he can do a flip on the tramp and he helps me do it too, he tells me stories in my ear and reads to me every night, he watches movies with me, he let's us help him work..."

Deano said "He fights light "saver's" with me; You are not my father" (Chris has gotten Deano REALLY into the old Star Wars movies and he is always saying "You are not my father" (which is a line from one of them). He also said "my daddy's big."

We are so blessed...Brielle and Deano have a great daddy, and Chris & I both have wonderful fathers , who are now terrific grandpa's too!