Steps, stats and sweetness

When my kids start walking I call it "walkies."  Azure's first step was on or about July 7.  She took her first two steps in a row on July 20 while we were on the Hill Cumorah in Palmyra, NY.  Yesterday, July 23rd, she took 5 steps in a row with her Daddy encouraging her.  She's a tough little gal!  She is one year and almost one month.  At her doctor's appt, on July 2, her stats were: *30" and 17.5 lbs.  *The height was not correct though - I believe she's actually shorter by a half inch or so.  The Doctor thought so too.
We love Azure and her sweet, cuddly nature and her beautiful little body and great spirit.
 We are all thankful to have each member of our family.  We love each other tons!
"Kindly heaven smiles above when there's love at home;  All the world is filled with love when there's love at home.  Sweeter sings the brooklet by; brighter beams the azure sky.  Oh, there's One who smiles on high when there's love at home..."  (Love at Home, LDS Hymn #294)  I truly believe our Father in Heaven was smiling down on our family as we welcomed Azure into our family last year on June 28.

 

13 months later:

 Here she is beating (lovingly!) on her big brother.

                                      

Love my Azhie Boo!

Azure playing and talking

Azure loves her pink blankie, her baby, and bubbles, bottles and balloons.  After Dada, Hi/Buh-Bye and Mama, (not always, and not very distinct, but hey, she's 1!), she will now say baby and balloon. 
We love this little lady.  She is a happy gal.  I'm so happy I got videos to work!!  At least, they did for me.  :)  I should be able to get up some more video clips soon. 

Cliffton's Moving up Ceremony

June 19  -  We went to Cliffton's "moving-up-from-pre-k-to-kindergarten" ceremony.  I think its politically incorrect to call it a graduation.  Too bad.  Well, Cliffton had a good day and sang with the kids.  It was cute!  Then the kids each received a poem from the teacher and t.a and some other things.  At the end, they sang a song, "it is time to say goodbye to all my friends."  Cliffton has since taught this to Violet and I've seen them singing it together while playing at the beach.

 This is Cliffton with the assistant, Ms. Schoen.

Here is Eden (she was in his class at Columbus and she is in his primary class), their teacher, Mrs. McGaughey, Cliffie and Vi.

I am happy with how much Cliffton has learned at school.  He had a great teacher and t.a.  Mainly from his teachers observations, I decided to have Cliffton evaluated for any special services.  I think his teacher genuinly cared about him and Cliffton has had a good time at school.  I'm glad that Richard and I decided to put him into the universal Pre-K program.

Beach Bums pt.2

I'm glad we bought an Empire Passport.  It was an early Fathers' Day gift to Richard - and honestly, its more of a present to me and the kiddos than Daddy but since Daddy wants a happy healthy family, heres one solution.  Get out to the beach!  The passport lets us in to most state parks and historical sites.  With the $10 vehicle use fee at Jones Beach, its worth it.
Here we are at Jones Beach
~ June 9

Violet immediately went to hang out with the 8 year old boys who were tossing a dead frog into the woods.  :/

This playground is wheelchair accessible and thus has a ramp all throughout.  We discovered its great for trikes too.

And Azures too!

June 20:

Beach bums pt. 1

We had a lof of fun @ Nickerson Beach on June 4.  Just me, Cliff and Vi.  The playground had these cool enclosed ramps going up to the slides on the 'biggest' kid playground section (marked for ages 8-11).  It was a chilly day and I'm glad I had my hoodie.  The sky was rather dark and it was a blustery day.  I loved it!!!  I crave days like that.  They're awesome.  The contrast of the sky, which was mostly dark and cloudy but there were some sunny patches , the shore and the water was really stunning.  We had a great day. 

Mommy has fun too!

 Off to the beach!!

                        

 Usually, this has been about as close to the water as Cliffton will get.

Isn't the sky great?

                

 I thought these last two look great side by side

Palmyra Temple, June 23

Susie and I drove to Palmyra after leaving Niagara Falls.  We only stayed at Niagara for about 5 hours.  We got to the Palmyra Inn just fine and checked in and then I went to get a few groceries.  In the morning we took some pics in front of the sign.

The little girls had fun playing with food and each other in the hotel room.  I used an elliptical for some exercise that morning.  We walked over to the Temple first. 

A stake center is basically right across the street from the temple.

We couldn't find the camera after this so the rest of the pictures are on our camcorder and on Susie's camera.