Father's Day 2013

 

Dan is a great Dad to our kids.  He invests a lot of himself into his children and prioritizes time with his family and I'm very grateful for that.  It's nice to have a day where we can show our appreciation to him for all that he does for our family on a day to day basis.  Being a good Dad isn't easy, and our family is really fortunate to have a wonderful father in Dan.

Dan's day started off with a very simple breakfast in bed.  He always has a banana with 1 Tablespoon of peanut butter on it for breakfast as he runs out the door each morning.  We added a piece of toast with Mom's homemade apple butter and greeted him in bed.



The kids love to do this and it feels like a special, sweet part of the day.  Dan enjoyed his breakfast and then we headed out for church.  After church we changed and went to Camas Meadows for lunch and a bit of putting.



It's such a beautiful golf course, I love to come here.  It's so peaceful, it feels like a mini vacation.  I love that it's so close to where we live.



We headed out to the putting practice green for a little family competition.



The next two photos are such examples of our life.  They make me laugh and feel tired all at the same time.  Pretty much how I feel a lot around here. :)

Dan gave the children a talk about golf etiquette and how to behave on a golf course. So as Dan is trying to help Kitti learn how to put, look who is in the back left acting like an animal.



And as I'm taking the next photo, I'm saying, "Andrew!  Stop it!" 

Oh my word. 

We are such a circus.

 

He did not take a divet out of the green and was actually being funny.  Except that it wasn't funny at the time.   However, I have learned to laugh at my life (at least in retrospect) or I would go crazy.

 

Andrew did settle in and tried to putt.  He is not a big fan of golf.  On a side note, I think he accidentally put on Matthew's pants that day because they are looking awfully long.  Wouldn't be the first time. :)

 

I was teaching the kids how to squat down and "read the green."   Andrew took it to a whole new level and did this

every.

time.

 

The "Daddy's Girl" in me loves this photo.

 

Being on the golf course reminds me of my Dad so it was nice to be there on Father's Day and in a small way feel closer to him.  So it just feels like such a happy place for me.  Being there with my own kids and teaching them how to golf was really special and fun.  I hope for this to be a game that we can enjoy as a family.  I wish so much my Dad could have been here with us.  He would have delighted in this day.  And he would have LOVED that I beat Dan in our putting competition.  :) 

One of the things that still puts a lump in my throat is the "Dad" section of Father's Day cards when I go to buy Dan's card each year.  For some reason that doesn't get easier.  But I still reflect on my own Dad on this day and give thanks for him.  His lessons and love live on and I can still feel grateful for that on this day and every day of the year.  And most of the time, I can do that with a smile now.  

 

My little Bugaboo.

After we golfed we headed home and got into play clothes to go explore a park that Dan wanted to check out.



The lake was not the cleanest...lots of algae.

 

I wasn't sure that I'd want to come back and let the kids swim in it, but a little wading never hurts (bath to follow!)

 

Dan's Father's Day request was a steak.  So a grilled steak, twice baked potatoes, a margarita and a simple salad made for a quick but nice dinner.

The kids washed the lake off, and then it was time for gifts!

 

Matthew made this great art piece at school for Dan.  I just have to pause here and share a word about Matthew's PJs.  He loves footie jammies.  Matthew has never liked change.  Transitions were always miserable with him as an infant and a toddler.  Altering his daily routine left us all regretting it for the rest of the day.  And so it comes as no surprise that he prefers footie PJs...just like he wore all the time as a baby, toddler, small child.  Except it gets harder to find them the bigger he gets!  I found these on the Land's end website after winter for a steal, and it was the only pattern left.  And I think they are SO ugly.  And I think nearly every picture we have of Matthew in this PJs he is wearing them! They are the first to go on as soon as they are clean and even in the middle of summer, the fleece PJs are on! 

 

Kaitlin's silky pony PJs that she's wearing were hand me downs from Claire, and she LOVES them. 

I think gifts might be one of Kaitlin's love languages.  She is forever wrapping things that she makes, finds, or picks from outside and gives them to people.  She was very proud of her card for Daddy.

 

Andrew and his sweet card too.

 

Dan received some simple gifts...I gave him some CS Lewis books to fill in more of his collection and a new dress shirt....

 

He has lost so much weight his clothes just hang on him, so I've been slowly buying new shirts for him.  He has a lot of very nice dress pants that just were ridiculous on him and we recently took them into Nordstrom where they were purchased to check about alterations and they altered all 8 pairs of them for free!!  It would have been very expensive to replace them all, and so we were thrilled.  I'm so happy that he has been committed to becoming healthier.  He looks great and is working hard to make good choices and I'm very proud of him.

It was a really fun day celebrating and showing gratitude for Dan and all he contributes to our family.  I love holidays and having an opportunity to pause from our day to day life and make fun memories as a family.

Father's Day ~ Part 3

After the recital we came home for a quick dinner, gifts and then off to see Madagascar 3.  I took a lot of photos during the gifts because the kids were so cute with their excitement over their home made cards.  There is also a lot here that is really "classic" Dan that I think will be fun to capture for the kids...I think they'll look back at this post some day and really remember Dan and his humor and sense of fun, so I'm including a lot of photos and details in this post for that reason.   





Kaitlin was up first with her card & picture that she made.



She then had to sit and read what the card said.  It went on and on and on and on.  There was a lot of "love."

 

Matthew was up next and made this little card for Dan that folded out.  He made the little box on Dan's lap that held his gift that he made at school.  He decorated the box with things that he thought Dan would like.  One side was "Seattle Seahawks" one side was "Idaho Vandals" and the side that is toward the camara is a spreadsheet.  :)  He sees Dan working on spreadsheets all the time.  I thought that was funny.



Love Dan's sweet expressions with the kids.



And then because I was snapping photos he started doing cheesy poses.



Matthew gave Dan a little clay bowl. :)  I'll be sad when these home made gifts stop coming home.  They are the best.



Proud little boy.



Kaitlin then had another picture to share.



She then had to sit (again) and tell the looooooooooooong story that it represented (about lots of love and rainbows and butterflies, oh and more love).

  Andrew was blurry in all of my pictures of him, but I still love this. That is how he stands whenever he's feeling sort of shy and embarrassed but proud all at the same time. It was really cute. Again, with the ridiculous posing.

So Dan.

But I was SO pleased and laughed so hard when I caught this one!

Dan was really tired. (He gets up at 4:30 to go to work each day and if he goes to bed late it's a killer).  And lets face it, we had a LONG day.  While he put on a good front, THIS is how he really felt.  Isn't this classic parenthood?!  :)  I just had to post it.  Sorry, honey.  Can't resist. 

 

Kaitlin had yet another card to share.  (Though I'm not sure I got the exact card sequence of photos right, there were 3).  And to keep it real, when she sat to once again, read her card, Matthew hit the end of his patience and said in typical big brother fashion, "That's it.  I'm outta here.  I'm not listening to another one of these."  (To which he received the "Yes, you will, and you will be supportive and kind to your sister" lecture) while Mom and I were laughing so hard because these card readings just kept going on and on and on (and let's face it, we could all understand where Matthew was coming from).  Kaitlin is just full of "love" and "Best in the whole wide world" and more love...it was just so funny.   And Matthew DID stay and listen to it.  :)



And Dan showed appropriate appreciation. :)



This framed photo was one of Dan's gifts....

He really liked it. I was quite pleased with another surprise which was a grilling class that I bought on Groupon.  He was excited about that.  (It's really a gift to me too if he's cooking dinner!) After this we headed off to see Madagascar 3, which was really cute. And truth be told, I was so tired I caught a quick nap.

Then we came home for cake and ice cream.

And a little background on the next photo.  Occasionally during church near the end of a song or hymn Dan will turn to me with a smile and a twinkle in his eye and will say, "I'm going to bring it home." Upon which time I beg him not to...as he will belt out the last note of the song in very loud and dramatic fashion. Our poor kids will be horrified by him in their teenage years.

So here is Dan "bringing it home" during Mom's "Happy Birthday" song....


The kids all helped Nana with her candles.



 The cake was called "The Ultimate S'Mores Cake." It had 2 brownie layers, 2 chocolate chip cookie layers, 2 cheesecake layers and a graham cracker layer. I was up until 1am the night before making it. It was ridiculous!  That is my level of dedication to my sweet tooth.  It sounded so good, I just had to make it!

Truth be told, it was a little dry to me.

 It was a long, happy day of celebrating!

Father's Day ~ Part 1

 Father's Day was a bit of a crazy day ~ full of fun, but definitely busy! We celebrated Dan, attended Kaitlin's ballet recital, and Mom's birthday was that day as well. It was a LOT. But a lot of fun.

We started the morning with breakfast in bed. I did not get up early enough (I was up until 1am the night before making the cake) and I really wanted to make praline bacon for Dan because he loves it. But it took a lot longer than I thought and he got up and I had to tell him to go back to bed that it was almost done! I made him really late for getting ready for golf, but it worked out. Breakfast in bed is a tradition that can't be broken! :)

So here are the kids bringing breakfast in bed...


(Kaitlin had raided the 4th of July bin, hence the headband.)



Dan's tray had 3 interviews with the kids with questions that they filled out (or I filled out for them.) some of my favorite answers:
 From Kaitlin: My Daddy's name is...."Ryan." (Shannon's husband!) :)
 My Dad is...."9 years old."
His eyes are...."Camouflage." (For the color)
He's smart because...."He loves me."
Daddy always tells me "I won't forget you."
I'm happy when Daddy "Hugs &  Kisses me."
I love my daddy because "he's my special daddy in the whole wide world."

 Andrew: My Daddy's name is ...."Daddy"
My dad's favorite food is "basghetti"
He's smart because he knows "how big God is."
My Dad's job is "going to a sawmill."
Daddy always tells me "Stories." I'm happy when Daddy "gives me hugs and kisses."
I love my daddy because" He's my daddy."

 Matthew: His hair is..."Bald." :)
My dad's favorite food is..."Everything." (True!)
He's smart because he knows "almost everything."
Daddy always tells me, "I'm Captain Awesome."
I'm happy when Daddy "plays with me." I love my Daddy because "he's my daddy."

 I love their thoughts!
 Dan and the boys were out the door by 8:30 and off to the golf course for a 9am tee time. He took some photos there....

 

oh, what cute little golfers!!



 The boys LOVED the golf cart! Dan let them steer a bit too.

It was their first time on the course playing and not just hitting balls. Dan said it was one of his favorite moments yet as a Dad. I loved hearing that it was such a special morning for him.

 

 I haven't golfed for years, but my Dad taught me to golf when I was home during college. We would hit balls together frequently and I recently found a letter I had written to Dan during that time saying how much I enjoyed my time golfing with Dad and how by learning the game from him it felt like a part of him that I could take through my life. I still feel that way, and being on a golf course definitely brings back memories of my Dad. I hope it's a game we can enjoy as a family some day.




I thought about my Dad this day, and missed him. But I'm grateful to feel free from the heavy grief I once felt on this day and to be able to really celebrate and find joy in his memory. I really just feel so grateful to have had him.   In cleaning out a card box recently I came across a few cards from him.  He wasn't one to write much, but to hear his voice through his writing...what a sweet treasure to bring back a piece of him.

While helping Mom move rock a few weeks ago she gave Dan a pair of gardening gloves to wear.  He put his hands in and pulled them back out holding a band aid.  He said, "The last person to wear these gloves was wearing a band aid."  Mom and I both look up and we all just paused for a moment.  My Mom said, "ahh...it must have been Walt."   To stumble on something that marked the presence of my Dad after these years have passed I think sort of almost took our breath away.  It's silly to have to refrain from saving a band aid...but I did have to stop myself from wanting to keep it.  Amazing how a band aid can feel like a lost treasure.

Back to happier thoughts of the day....



They boys finished their outing with lunch at the golf course.  Daddy indulged them with root beer.



Meanwhile, Mom and I headed to Mike and Michelle's house to celebrate Mom's birthday with them.  Michelle had these gorgeous flowers that looked like summer bloomed right there on her table.



Mom had a milestone birthday this year.  65!!  I don't often write about this on the blog, but I am so proud of my Mom and how well she has done since my dad passed away.  While I was visiting one weekend I spoke with her neighbor (who knew Dad as well and loved him) and she was telling me how much she admires mom Mom and how she handles everything so well.  It's really true! 

And here's a funny story that is SO my mom.  My mom is a Democrat and not shy about it.  So during the last election she took her "Obama" sign and put it right next to the property line that separates her yard from her right wing Republican neighbor! (Who is the one that loves my mom).  So her neighbor got her "McCain" sign and put it right next to mom's.  That's my mom!

My Mom is so resourceful and has done so many home improvement projects since Dad's passing.  Both hiring work done, but also installing closet organizers and garage organizers herself.   She keeps up with the house so well while working full time (she's retiring next year) and I'm really, really proud of her.  She doesn't sit home and feel sorry for herself, she has a very busy social calendar ~ with set dinners out with friends every week, shopping trips, and traveling all over the country (Hawaii, North Carolina, Georgia, Las Vegas, to name a few) with friends.  While I know she'd prefer to do these things with my Dad, she still goes and does them and has a great time.  And I am SO glad.  I am SO proud of you, Mom!  I am so glad you are embracing and enjoying life!



She gave my brother the medals that Dad earned while serving in the Navy during the Korean war.  He served two tours on a destroyer.  My Dad's family was extremely poor and he went to college on the GI bill at the University of Wyoming after his service.  He was the first person in his family to graduate from college and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.  I think about how his decision to serve his country provided this opportunity for education that he otherwise would not have had and it certainly changed the course of his life and ours as well.  God Bless America!  :)

After a delicious breakfast and gifts, I got Katie ready for her recital and Mom and I headed out to meet the boys at the Auditorium to watch her performance.  That will be Father's Day Part 2!