COLD FRONT at the RANCH!

After months in triple digit heat, the ranch was comparatively chilly :)  A cold front FINALLY hit Texas (now we just need a little...a lot...of rain).  We drove up to see Grandma, accompanied by Sarah!!  Every morning we bundled up (mid-50s), sipped coffee (hot chocolate), and watched for deer from the balcony.  Every afternoon we trekked through the ranch or took a ride on the Ranger, collecting treasures (rocks, turkey feathers, gourds :) ).  Judah found a new friend (Grandma's cement turtle), and in Memphis tradition, we devoured a watermelon.

...just water...

...kisses...

...and hugs...

...hey, pass that over...

BYE, BYE!

We need to start writing down Judah's milestones.  Certain special events are written in random calendars (baby's first bath!  baby's first smile!), but there are other moments...Judah specialties...like the reaffirming pat he gives your back during a hug, or the sound he makes when blowing a kiss.  We want to remember that although Judah is a man of VERY few words, he can point to eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, feet, head, legs, belly, knees, and hands.  And while he has been pointing to the elephant, bear, cat, monkey, and other animals within his books for several weeks, two days ago he made his first animal noise :)  A monkey.  Judah even curls his fists into his sides, pumping his arms while yelling "ooooo!!  ahhhhh!!"  After Papa's visit to Irving, Judah began giving "knuckles" to everyone...EVERYONE.  In the grocery store, down the halls at church, from our neighbor's 1 month old to the sweet ladies in their 80's, Judah sticks out his fist in invitation for "knuckles."  His first word was "more" - followed by "ball" and then little else...for MONTHS.  And finally, after months of waving frantically, he said "bye!"  Over and over, with loud and excited affirmation from his parents :)

 

the RANCH

We took a trip to see Grandma Bobbie in late July.  This time, Jonathon got to come along too!  It was hot.  And dry.  So we hydrated ourselves with the water hose and watermelon :)  Fun, fun!

trying to shake the water out of Judah's boots...

  

AUNT HOLLIE!!! (in IRVING!)

A few days after the Hatches returned to Irving, Hollie flew in for a visit!  It was the quickest vacation turn-around for the Harper sisters in years.  And so good to spend a little more time together :)