Family fall photos, football, friends and fishing fun! - DONE

 Cox Family Photo-Fall 2012

 We tried to fit in as much as possible over the summer and early fall before Davis' treatment and the beginning of school would change our world a bit.  We had fun taking Family Photos thanks to Aunt Makell and her patience on the Lagoon trail!  Thanks, Makell!  

The girls!

                  

                    Courtney

Emily

Davis

Ryan

Benjamin

The boys!

Cold Springs Fish Hatchery in Ogden is one of our favorite fishing sites!  We had a fun day with cousins and the fish.  We always have to place a limit for each person or we can walk away in 1 hour with a hefty fish tab!  Ryan and Ben had their eyes on the 4 or 5 biggest trout in the pond all afternoon.  Several hits and misses kept their hopes alive for hours that one could actually be caught.  Ben ended up going one fish over his limit to try just one last time for "the BIG one"...prayers of an 11 year-old answered as he pulled in a 22 inch near 6 pound rainbow trout!  Ryan had his eye on the tiger trout and caught one of the prettiest fish of the day!

so proud!

 

pucker-up!

Scouting out the "BIG ONE"

 

Once a kid always a kid!

Fishy-kiss

Fishing advice from Grandpa!

serious business!

Ryan had a following of cousins awaiting the big catch!

 

Davis planned an "outdoor" fire-pit party for the weekend before school started and while he still had a small amount of immunity.  Needless to say the weather did not cooperate for outside and we ended up with 60 kids in and out all night. They were so respectful to stay in the main area and all seemed to enjoy treats, especially the now infamous peanut butter bites.  150 helpings of PB bites were downed in about 12 minutes flat! It was both fun and tearful to watch Davis interact with friends knowing that his junior year would not begin regularly with them the following week...but no worries, for tonight he laughed and connected with friends that he hadn't seen all summer.  I held my breath in faith not fear as muddy shoes came in and out and hands in and out of food.  I realized just how much I now pay attention to the germs around.  I have found the best is to breathe and hope that the emotional health of the party will by far out weigh the amount of cleaning it will take to all the surfaces after everyone leaves to return it to a low immunity level!  It only took a few hours after everyone left for Jeff and I to scour every hard and soft surface and I was happy the entire time as I saw the smile and contentment on Davis' face from the activities of the night!

A Saturday morning visit, after a week in the hospital, from the Davis High School football team and coaches was a welcome lift to the spirits as exhibited by the hood ornament pose in the background!  He doesn't say much when visitors come and often times the visitors don't know just what to say either, however, the emotional boost of seeing friendly faces and feeling the love, is felt and talked of for days!  The gift of a spirit blanket and a signed photo of the new DHS football field under the lights was greatly appreciated.  The sight of the shear numbers of boys lined up on the front lawn and encouraging words on posters from fellow players brings tears to my eyes and  gratitude to our family!  Thanks coaches and players!

Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life.