Azure turns 7!

Azure has grown up so much this last year. School has changed her and she is different than she was this time last year. We've always had deep conversations but, they are increasingly getting more deep. (ie- women & the priesthood, sex, and homosexuals) I can't believe that she will be baptized next year. She's so excited about it and has already told me that she wants a white cake. I have thought about my children's baptisms since I was baptized at age 17 and I feel like my heart will explode with joy and gratitude on that day. I pray we will be able to share it with as many family members as possible.

Vince gave his first talk in Primary the day after Azure's birthday. As soon as I announced to her that he had been assigned a talk she asked, "Can I help him give it?" She is such a little mother to Vince. I think often on Vince's baby blessing where Charles blessed them with a special relationship to be close and share many experiences which would strengthen him throughout his life. I pray that I am enabling those type of experiences in our home.

She is getting so tall. It seems like since she's gotten out of school at the end of May that she's grown over an inch! Wish I had measured. She took a reading test at the end of the school year and she's now reading at a 4th almost 5th grade level which is astounding!

The last week of school both her and Vince took swimming lessons. She is having a hard time with form and breathing. I think it's frustrating for her to realize that while she excels in things like reading, other skills don't come as natural.

Watching the sunset on her 7th bday in Beaufort, SC

Since Charles had decided to run a 50K on her bday, we did a skating party the day before. I loved not having the stress of trying to get my house clean and organized for a party. We did cupcakes at the Tybee Memorial Park right by the Tybee YMCA.

She also got her ears pierced by a Cuban woman that just moved here from Cuba! How cool is that?! We had always said she could get her ears pierced when she stopped sucking her thumb, and while she still does at night and in the car and while watching movies, we decided her 7th bday would be as good a time as any :) She looks so grown up now! 

She wanted a TMNT cake but, since they didn't have it at Sam's Club, she chose Star Wars instead. Charles has been watching the movies with her after Vince goes to sleep the past few months as a Daddy-daughter date so she wasn't disappointed at all.

One of the boys she invited (Garrett VanYperen) as soon as he saw the cake said, "You like Star Wars?!" That made me smile :)

 Love this pic of Colton and Zeke smiling at each other :)

 A little too much frosting and food coloring :(

This is her friend from her class, Bella who she plays ninjas with at recess so it was fun watching them play together.

 This is my favorite pic from her party. Such a happy birthday girl :)

 Vince was jealous. "Hey, that's the guy I wanted!"

I used to go skating all the time when I was in elementary and middle school so it was so fun to relive the experience w/ Azure and her friends.

The actual day of her bday we went to see How to Train Your Dragon 2. Such an amazing movie! So many gospel principles- family history to help you understand your true identity, the importance of having both a mother AND a father, the blessing of marriage and how that relationship changes the dynamic you have with your children, listening to the still, small voice (it isn't loud) agency and the power to choose, Satan is real and powerful, service-leadership. I should write an entire post just about the movie. Can't wait to see it again :)

Bday Breakfast- Spinach pancakes, a new fave!

And, this is definitely a girl after my own heart. She said she wanted to go to Chipotle for her bday lunch and wanted to get what I usually get. I said, "Are you sure you don't want to go to Chick-Fil-A?" She's such a big girl. I love her so much!!!

Staying up waaaaay past their bedtime to watch Daddy finish his 6 hour race!

Such a stud!

And, I'll just finish this post with how much I love Charlie, because why not? His dedication and determination blow me away. He is such a man of integrity who works hard and trains hard. I'm in awe sometimes that I get to be his wife. I'm so proud of his accomplishments and look forward to doing more amazing things with him at my side. Such a blessing to be married to someone who loves and honors me just as much as I love him. And, our 3 beautiful children is the icing on the cake.