July 2009

It's mid-August and I'm just now getting our July post done...AAAGGGHH! It's been an amazing summer, I don't even have the excuse that we've been overly busy but time has just flown by this last month.

We spent the first weekend (the 4th) at home with our friend Becki from Florida. Malachi was up late enough to enjoy his first fireworks that we did in our driveway. He enjoyed the bright colors but was not overly impressed with the noises they made! It was a wonderful relaxing weekend.

The following weekend we went back to Bend to spend a weekend with the Dostert's and go to Justin & Shelby's wedding. The Francis Ranch is amazing and we were blessed to get to celebrate another wedding with them this summer. As always Bend was more than we could have asked for in a weekend away. Unfortunately Malachi decided to spend that weekend breaking in his first tooth on the bottom...he was not a happy boy which is unusual for him...needless to say we got less sleep that weekend then we have since he was born :(

Speaking of teeth, as I said he broke his first one on the bottom followed a week later by number two right next to it. He is now breaking two more side by side on the top, he'll look like a jack-o-lantern soon!

After Bend it was a weekend of much needed rest for us, although Matt ended up working 6 days as he has been much of this summer. Despite the failing economy it still seems there is a market for lavish pools. We feel very fortunate to have not yet been affected by the downturn and pray for all of you who have been.

The last weekend of July we spent out at the Auer Farm. We have yet to spend a night out there and it was a great chance for them to get to spend time with Malachi without us having to rush out the door. We went for a family arrowhead hunt on the "big farm" and got some amazing pictures (thank you G.G.!). They're in the "July" slideshow above, absolutely wonderful!

Malachi & I have a new tradition of spending Friday afternoons at Grandma & Grandpa Dawson's house...Grandpa D showed Malachi his rock collection for the first time in July, Malachi thought they all tasted wonderful :) Omi picked blueberries and gave Malachi his first taste of fresh blueberries from the Dawson bushes. Matt & I took an impromptu dinner over and cooked it during the July heat with them one weekend after some plans to entertain had fallen through. There is just nothing else like sitting in their backyard having dinner together....please don't end summer!

Stan & Patty have also been watching Malachi from time to time on Friday mornings so I can work or run errands. It's wonderful to have family so close and that he is getting a chance to get to know all of his amazing grandparents. We enjoyed an early dinner with the Cokers in mid-July, Sara Coker had given them a bunch of our nieces Madeline and Emily's toys which she put in "Malachi's" room in their house. He was very excited to play with all of them! Patty has done a really great job of fixing up Lauren's old room into a playroom for Malachi.

So....as you can tell we are surrounded by amazing family and friends. Malachi is growing and learning in the best environment we could ever ask for. We are blessed and thankful to have so many around that put such effort into including us and having us as a part of their lives.

We love you all, enjoy the rest of summer!

xoxo,
The Cokers