Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

 We had Tom home from church meetings all morning so we could make him a nice breakfast.  It was heavenly having him around!  

 Then, after church and a delicious steak dinner, we did Hailey's favorite thing . . . open presents!

 Hailey and Spencer wrote their dad poems, colored pictures, and Spencer even wrote a story all on his own.  It was about his dad having armor on and being a knight, fighting a dangerous dragon to save his family.

 On the back cover of the story, he wrote, "Gospel Related"--then he wrote that the dragon is like Satan and his Dad is fighting him off to protect his family.  I thought that was very perceptive for a little 10 year old boy.  Tom LOVED the book!

When I asked Tom what he wanted for Father's Day, he said that he would really like another remote control helicopter.  Spencer got one just like this one for his birthday a few months ago but Kohler accidentally broke it.  Tom has felt bad about it ever since and asked if we could get another one for he and Spence to play with while Kohler and Kelsey are at EFY.  Fun, huh!

 Here's my own sweet daddy, with his granddaughter, Kelsey. I am so blessed to have a father like him.  I love him with all my heart!

 He just turned 70 years old and this is the cake Suzanne had made for him for his surprise party down in California last weekend.

 Notice the flags say, "70."  We know he can hit farther than that with his big bertha clubs (ha ha!) but that just is how old he is!

 I put together a photo book for his birthday with photos from all his children and grandchildren.  Each of his children also wrote a letter to him telling him how much he is loved and what role he plays in their lives.  It was very special and my dad got emotional reading each one.  I hope he will cherish that book for a long time.


Fathers, truly are SO special . . .

Happy 70th Birthday Dad!

 HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET DAD!

Last Saturday, June 2, my sweet daddy turned 70 years old.  I can hardly believe it!  We are having a big family celebration this Friday night in California in conjunction with Luke's baptism and Noel's baby blessing (Suzanne and Tony's kids)  The photo here was taken 4 years ago and it feels like yesterday.  Time is WHIZZING by and I want to put on the brakes so badly . . .

I am so thankful that my parents are still so in love with each other after 46 years of marriage!

 I have been working on a photo album as a gift for him.  It has been so much fun going through photos and even the ones my siblings email to me for the book.  All of my sisters and brother even wrote a nice birthday message to him and I put that in the book as well.  I really hope he likes it!   As I looked at the photos, I noticed that he has been present for all of the major events in my children's lives.  I mentioned that to him the other day when we were talking and he told me that he has a good LDS friend who would never drive far or take a plane just to see a baptism or blessing of one of his grandkids.  He told my dad, "Aw, I just tell my kids, ' just send me a photo'."  Can you believe it?  I thought all dads were like mine---but I guess I am sadly mistaken.  My heart goes out to anyone who doesn't have the support and love from a father like mine.   

Here's my daddy and me wolfing down a Hula Pie at Sunnyside, Lake Tahoe.

Dad with newborn Hailey.

Spencer as the captain of Grandpa's Boat on Lake Tahoe!!

Showing off their bounty from fishing on Lake Tahoe.

Kohler and his grandpa playing a serious game of tether-ball!

 My dad has been such an influence on our children.  He is their only living grandpa on this earth and because of that, he really tries to go above and beyond in his role as "grandfather."  I love him for that!

 My dad is all about making memories.  That was a top priority for him as a father.  He held many busy callings, Stake YM President, Bishop, Counselor in Stake Presidency----but still made our family his main calling in life!

 I am eternally grateful to have a dad who loves me so much and would do anything for me.  I still need him around . . . and I hope and pray he will be here for many more "memory making" moments to come!  Happy Birthday Dad!!

Great Moments!

This was one of my most favorite moments of our trip - seeing my father play pool with Spencer.  He also played a few games with Kohler and I think he beat both of the boys!  (they learned their Grandpa has some skills at pool!)  

Looking at this picture now, I wish I had stopped doing the dishes or whatever it was I was doing and just sat and watched them play together.  Sometimes I really miss out on what's important . . . 


On New Year's Eve, a few of us went to a BYU Basketball game.  I sat by my dad and loved every minute of it.  I haven't been back to a BYU Basketball game since I was a student there.  It was awesome!

 Going bowling at the BYU lanes - good times . . .

I just love this statement-----go out and serve!!

 On the drive home, I turned around to see ALL of our kids happy and getting along.  It was definitely one of those "happy mom moments!"

Look what two boys did to our yard when we got home!  We found out later who did it (they actually wrote their names in chalk on our porch - how silly is that?)  They are boys who like Kelsey and wanted to prank her.  Wow . . .

The last fun moment of our trip was watching the kids go nuts over their Christmas presents all over again when we got home!!