Blueberry Pickin'

Today we went with Suzanne and her 2 kids to a blueberry farm and picked lots of blueberries. Luckily it rained about half the time we were there. I say luckily because the rain cooled it down about 10 degrees which was nice :) And it was fun to pick berries in the rain!

Even Azure picked some! She ate about 20 or so while we were there!

Ideas Wanted

Friday night we went camping for the first time with Azure. It was a nightmare. Azure could not grasp the concept of sleeping in the same "bed" with mommy and daddy (something she hasn't done since she was 2 wks old). She woke up at 2am and didn't fall back asleep until 3:30. She crawled all over us in the tent (rubbing her eyes the whole time mind you) half trying to fall asleep, half figuring out what it was we were in. Our camera batteries were on the verge of death so no pretty pictures of the beautiful lake or the fireflies.

Charles and I being from the west have never seen fireflies before and were thrilled like little kids to finally see them on our camping trip. They are amazing to watch!

I am also happy to report that we are growing things! What things? Fruits and herbs! We are very excited about this as we have been unable to grow things before. So, here you have it!

Grape tomato, green bell pepper, basil and oregano.

I am especially excited about the grape tomatoes and the basil. They are growing so well and I love eating and cooking with them. I can make my very own pesto with my very own basil leaves now :)

So back to the title of this post. The reason we went camping was to hang out with the Young Women in our ward because I just got called as a YW leader! I am thrilled and a little bit scared. Please share any ideas/suggestions/advice if you have had a similiar calling in YW or what your favorite memory is from being in the YW program yourself.

The Proof

Birthday Steps

I know this is horrible but, I'm not really sure when Azure took her first step. I think she might have as early as 8 or 9 months but, I wasn't sure it really "counted" since it wasn't a full step and b/c maybe she fell right after so I didn't really keep track of that.

I do know that she took a full step that would probably count, before we moved and that was when she was 10.5 months. The most I had seen her take was 2 before she would fall or voluntarily drop to her knees b/c she realized that mode of transportation was a lot quicker.

On her birthday she took about 4 steps and then today about 5 or 6! So, we can fully count this! I wouldn't quite say she is walking though, she's still quicker on those knees.

Daddy made a fort for Azure's birthday and they had SO much fun playing in it all day.

Then we took a break to have our new friends over for some strawberry shortcut cake.

Yummy!

A year ago today...

Wow. It is crazy that Azure was born a year ago today. Charles and I have learned so much this past year and have grown in many ways. What a blessing she is in our lives. Though we were thrilled to welcome her into our family, the actual day of her birth was a hard one for me and somewhat devastating as all of my plans for the birth failed. You can read some of that story here. I'm grateful that the Lord allows us to learn humility when we need it and remember that He always has our best interest in mind, regardless, or especially, when we pass through trials and disappointments.

And we have nothing but JOY as a result of all of that as we celebrate this special day! She has grown so much:

Almost looks like two different babies!

There she is growing out of her infant car seat, good thing her new one is on it's way in the mail.

I love children's natural excitement for the simple things in life. It helps me put things into perspective. Azure is SO happy to splash in the pool and in her bath tub. She gets SO excited to see animals: birds, squirrels, cats, dogs.
Every day would be that much better if we could see the world through the eyes of a child and be filled with wonder, amazement and gratitude for every living thing.

"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart" (Doctrine and Covenants 59:18).

She has a newfound joy in climbing in and out of boxes.

And her toy box

I love this pose (above)! What are you doing Cubby?

And there you have it, the cutest baby that ever was and ever will be :) We thank the Lord for this wonderful opportunity and blessing to have Azure in our lives. Happy 1st Birthday sweetie!

Father's Day Weekend

There are so many things to love about Georgia. One of them being all the parks they have, EVERYWHERE. Azure loved swinging at one of the many parks we've visited this past week.

And also chasing birds with mommy

Saturday we went to a puppet fair put on by Jim Henson's daughter! We bought a long wanted puppet stage :) And can't wait until our first home puppet show with Azure.

We love the Spanish moss hanging from all the trees.

Last weekend was free admission to all state parks so we took advantage by going to two forts. The first one was Ft. Morris. This was a fort during the American Revolution so the women there were wearing Colonial attire.

Then we headed over to Ft. McAllister. This is a Civil War fort on the bank of the Ogeechee River.
There are also TONS of squirrels here and since our "backyard" is wooded we can see lots jumping from branch to branch from our living room. Azure squeals and waves her arms fanatically whenever she sees them. We'll have to get some pics soon but, they are quick little critters!

Famous by association

The day before we left Provo we went to Tucano's for a goodbye lunch with all of Charles' co-workers. As the hostess seated us I looked across from me and lo and behold, who did I see?Excitedly I turned to Charles and told him who it was. Then I turned to some others seated by me to tell them and no one knew who he was except Charles. I was surprised because he is in pretty much every church film! So, naturally I asked him for a picture with me and my baby :)

Do YOU know who this is?