My Hero(es)

Ever since I was a little girl, my dad has been my hero. He was/is the best... painted our nails, fixed our bikes, built us the coolest pioneer house and swing set, took piano lessons so he could help us girls play piano, took us for car rides, cut down a HUGE Christmas Tree every year and decorated it with all of our ornaments ... He taught us things... like how to check our oil, vacuum our bedroom (taking a wood brush to the edges to get all of the dirt/dust), how to paint with his cool car paint tools at work, even how to drive a car at age 12- even if it was in the middle of a field. The list could go on and on...

This weekend Dan and I took a road trip with some friends to Nauvoo Illinois. We were on our way there and I really wanted some cheese and crackers, which was not cut yet. I told Dan how my dad ALWAYS had his big pocket knife with him, and we would cut cheese, tomatoes, fruit, everything in the car as we traveled. Anything we needed. At that moment, Dan dug in his pocket and found his knife just like it (that my dad gave him for Christmas). IT WAS SO GREAT!!! I knew I had married THE MAN!!! (Of course I knew this long ago... but at this moment I just knew he is the ONLY ONE FOR ME!!!)

Now, no one will ever replace my dad. But, Dan sure does a good job of filling in the holes when my dad is not around. He fixes things, carries the heavy things wherever I need them, helps with the dishes and the laundry, puts up with my insanities, the noise in the morning, everything. He is the best. :)

Note Dan's cool Hawiian Shirt from Michelle & Scott, he just happened to wear it this day... It made me smile. :)

Bowling

We went bowling last week with 4 and 5 year olds. Kids are hilarious!!! Of course I don't catch these on video, but these are my favorites...

The little boy that forgets what lane we bowl on... we are on 19, he wanders down to 22!!! I run after him. This is the same boy who bowls my first ball in the 10th frame, thank goodness for bumpers!

The little girl who walked up to the lane, holding the ball in a bear hug at her chest. She drops the ball and it slowly, slowly, slowly makes it down to the pins.

And then we have the shot-putter... One of the stronger boys takes the ball and literally throws the ball OVERHAND down the lane. Quite a THUD.

The best part... no smashed toes, no broken fingers, and the kids really loved it. If you have a 4 year old (or even a 3 year old) I highly recommend planning a bowling night- it is a blast.

I am a teacher and any pictures I take can be used only for school use, but this video is pretty cute. (Shhhhhh, don't tell)


Yes, it would have been much better if he had gotten a spare... but still pretty entertaining.

I had to write subtitles because I don't know how to edit the sound- I say the child's name a couple too many times. I will know for next time.

Happy 4th of July (a little late...)

Our day off together... What to do, what to do...Dan started his day nice and early (he left our house by 5:30 AM) to meet up with my dad and his friend Dan to go fishing. Me... I slept in until 9 AM, which is VERY good for me. I woke up, caught up on a little TV, ate a little breakfast, and went to lie down back in bed, until I got a great idea!
Dan was going to be fishing alone at about 10 AM when the other guys went home to be with their family, so I called Dan and asked him if he wanted me for a fishing buddy. Expecting an "I'm ok, I'll just be out a little longer," he said "That would be great, when can you be here?" I was SO excited! I made it out to the little lake house and climbed on the boat and enjoyed 2 hours of relaxing in the sun, fishing my little heart out-all without touching a worm or a fish. I caught at least 7-8 fish, all of them were too little to keep though. As you can see, Dan caught the big fish of the day- 26 inch Northern (the other Dan caught a 25 inch, but apparently they have to be 26 inches to keep.) They also caught some little perch and blue gill. We enjoyed our fish for a memorable 4th of July feast!
I guess we were anti festive and did not attend a parade, but we did watch the fireworks at a friends house. It was a wonderful, relaxing day. I love holidays.