First Fourth

This week we had Pioneer Day here in Utah. Which meant more fireworks! I was super excited for this because we were so busy taking pictures of Ollie on the Fourth that I didn't get to really enjoy the show. I'm kind of crazy about documenting Ollie's firsts and about fireworks so it was nice I got a re-do.

Every other year we go to Salmon Idaho for the Fourth of July with the Van Hoose family.

 (it's where my pops grew up)
I completely adore this small town and lazing around with my family!

One of the best parts of small town Fourth is the parade! It's just so cute and quaint!

 ^^ These horses were so tiny!!

 

^^ My Sissy's! To bad the boys couldn't make it this year.

  

 

 

 

 ^^Love my pops!

^^ The kiddies showing their spirit!

The noise didn't bother Ollie too much. There were a few really loud ones that scared him, but mostly he loved looking at the fireworks!

 

I love this country, I love fireworks, & I love my cute little family!

dear mom

You always told me I would never know how much you loved me until I had children of my own. Since having Oliver I realize how much work and love you have always given me. I honestly don't know how you did this 6 times!! (which I'm grateful you did because I like existing) I'm completely crazy about this little guy even though there are some days that I think he is going to be an only child with how tired I am! Through all the sleepless nights, crying fits, stinky diapers, and baby weight I'm still trying to lose, I can't not look at his sweet face and know it's worth it. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to burst with how much I love him and how happy I am that I am his mother. Every morning he smiles and looks at me with his beautiful almond shaped eyes (that he gets from you) and I can't help but melt and kiss the crap out of him! Now I know why you still kiss me to this day.You can't not look at your child and not love every feature and want to kiss them! Thank you for being my mum and loving me through all my good and bad days (silly teenage years). You made every birthday and holiday exciting, were welcoming to everyone that came through the house,  and most importantly made our home a loving forever family home. I hope I can be as good a mom as you are.

Happy Mothers Day! I love you!!

PS-Yes I totally planned mine and Oliver's matching outfits above...that's just how I roll!

Viva Las Vegas

My mom turned 70!!

This pretty lady doesn't look a day over 50 though! My sissy's and I took my mom to Vegas to celebrate and it was awesome!!

I know your probably wondering right now, "Wait your Mormon, what could you possibly do in Las Vegas for fun??". Well instead of gambling and drinking I use my dollars for this:

 

 

 

Yup, I pay dollars to take pictures with weirdos. 

We also saw a Vegas show, Mystere! This was seriously crazy, cool, amazing! I think someone was on drugs when they came up with this cause it was a trip! Super worth it though.

(Apparently they will take your camera away if you take any pictures during the show and watch you delete them all before they will give it back to you...this may have happened to me)

There was also lots of shopping, walking the strip, and eating Vegas style (which just means eating a lot)!!

Love these ladies! They are my best friends.

First Steele Christmas

This was my first Christmas away from my parents and siblings....I may have cried once or twice. It's not that I was sad to be with the Steele family, it's just that I've never not been at my parents home for Christmas and I missed our traditions and the way their home feels during the season. Christmas Eve is a big hullabaloo at the Van Hoose house! We have Christmas dinner Fondue style with lots of sparkling cider to go around! It starts with a cheese fondue appetizer, then onto eating as much steak and shrimp as you can manage (cooking it yourself with the fry daddy in front of you on the table), and lastly we have a chocolate fondue dessert! To end the night my parents always teach us something or tell a story that has to do with the Christmas season and Christ. All of it's really special and dear to me.

Even though I knew I was going to miss my side of the family I was really excited to be in OUR home for Scott and mine first Christmas together. We got to sleep in Christmas day...well as much as I could. I had to wake up Scott so that we could look in our stockings and see what Santa brought! It was just awesome to have some alone time and to enjoy each others company on our first Christmas together. I made my mom's traditional Christmas breakfast, we drank sparkling cider & OJ mixed, opened presents, played with our awesome new Cannon 60D camera, watched a Christmas movie, took a nap, then met up with the family in the evening. It really was a perfect Christmas! Honestly I loved all the quality time I got with Scott over this whole Holiday. We shopped together, delivered presents together, went to the temple, lounged in front of the TV, and were pretty much just being an awesome couple!!

He's so talented! We sang Christmas songs he played  on the guitar (and Beatles songs).

 

I really did enjoy the fun times with the Steele Clan this Christmas as well! They made me forget about not being at my parents and we just had good times! We played dodge-ball on Christmas eve! How awesome is that!?! I tried super hard to get Scott, but that boy was too good (or I'm not as good as I think I am), so I had to hit him with the balls after the game at close range..with his back turned. :-) Along with the dodge-ball there was lots of yummy food we ate, more games we played, family chatting, plus the kiddies acted out the Christmas Story (which was so super cute)! All in all, I'd say it was a successful good Christmas!

Seriously how cute is this baby!?! Half of my pictures may or may not be of this little girl.

  I love being a Steele! This family is serious awesomeness!!

welcome to your Wedding Day!

Happy 6 months anniversary!!

  I realize I haven't posted on my wedding yet.
It's busy work getting into wife mode!
I would never in a million years want to plan another wedding,

but when the day finally came...it was perfect!!

The details:
I did a 40's do with the hair and took the pearl crown my mother wore to her wedding and twisted it into this accessory. It was my favorite!

How cool is my brooch bouquet?!? I love it for the fact that I can keep it forever! I have it on my piano right now in a vase. Notice the manatee brooch? Haha! That was for Scott.

Peacock boutonnieres for the men. Made that myself!

The day:
The wedding was at 1pm so I was able to relax and get ready with my mum, sisters, & bf Julie.
One thing I totally recommend is having your hair and makeup done for you! It was so fun and worth it to get pampered!
I had butterflies in my stomach the whole way to the Temple.

(I look nervous, but I swear I was nothing but ready!)
I just kept saying over and over to myself "I'm getting married today!"
It's was so surreal that the day had finally arrived.

Right before Scott and I went into the sealing room to be married we looked at each other and said "we should have eloped".
Haha!
It was just kinda nerve wracking to know that everyone was going to be staring at us and making a big deal of us tying the knot...which of course it is a big deal. We just weren't ready for people to be gushing over us.

During the ceremony I could not hold still!
I felt like I was going to burst out of my skin!
It was just a combination of it all.
Finally being there marrying my love; plus I had never seen Scott look at me like that before; plus the spirit was so strong; plus I was beyond happy!


After the ceremony we came out of the Temple to greet all our well wishers,

 and take the customary photos.

 



Scott and I couldn't stop smiling!
 
Doesn't he look happy? :-)

I can honestly say I had never felt happier!
After the Temple we had a luncheon with our family and close friends at Settebellos.
I love that place!
 It's true what they say that you never get the food on your wedding day though.
I was too excited to sit and eat. Plus I just wanted to be visiting with everyone.

After the luncheon we had more photos to take of the two of us, family, bridesmaids & groomsmen.


The whole Van Hoose Clan
(minus Christine & Benat)
 
 
The Whole Steele Clan
 
 
Groomsmen
 
(Chad, Santi, Scott, Jon, Zo)

  
Bridesmaids

 (Julie, Bexxx, me, Jenna, Jen, Alex)


We had the reception in the evening at Pierpont Place and it was epic!

 Chandeliers and white lights strung up, peacock feather centerpieces, mocktail bar, & yummy desserts!
 It was awesome!
I have to say I hate the whole meet and greet part, but I know it's something that must be done because I didn't know all of his extended family and he didn't know all of mine.
When we finally got that out of the way we were finally able to dance!
I love to dance!

Our first dance
 I had so much fun! I was a bit sweaty from shaking it in all the wedding dress layers, but who cares! It was my wedding day!
Scott was probably the better host because he mingled whilst I stayed on the dance floor all night.

I love all my family and friends and I'm so grateful they were there with me to celebrate marrying my love.

My only gripe is that I didn't get enough quality time with them all.

I wish I could re-live this day over and over!
(but with a smaller group so that I get my quality time)

It was the best day in the whole world!
Here are some more of my favorite pics of the day:

 
It really bugs Scott that his tie was off center...how did no one tell us during all these pics?? 

This is how Scott holds hands. He holds my neck.
 

 
I must say I LOVE photos! I love taking them and being in them.
Especially when I look like a princess! :-)