Daddy Day

We had a nice Father's Day yesterday. Allen got to sleep in and then got breakfast in bed:

He received a big pile of homemade cards and gifts from the kids. I got him a reversible basketball jersey for when he plays ball at the church. Sounds random but he has been looking for one for the longest time. He also got 2 new pair of shoes for an upcoming backpacking trip he is taking and other misc. camping/backpacking gear.

He took the big kids to Stake Conference and I took a few pictures when he got home.

For dinner we made Chicken cordon bleu (of course) and I made this delicious and amazing peanut butter cup cake:

(cake recipe: here - this cake has been on my "to try" list for almost a year and it is a DEFINITE make again)

I am so grateful that the wonderful man I married turned out to be an amazing father as well! We are so lucky to have him as the head of our family. He is an upstanding holder of the priesthood, a hard worker, an amazing provider and SO MUCH fun to be with. It makes me so happy that when the front door opens every evening the kids still scream in excitement that their dad is home.

Of course I am also so grateful for my own dad. I watched how my dad treated my mom and was by her side supporting her with everything my entire life. My mom told me to find a man to marry like my dad and in the most important ways, I did. My dad is patient, optimistic, hard working, faithful, supportive and the general go-to guy in our family. You'll never find a man willing to do and give so much to those he loves.

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day 2008

We had a great Father's Day yesterday. We got up and had a yummy breakfast before church. I made a new recipe for Cherry Breakfast Cake and it was amazing (so much so that I sent the remaining 3/4 pan to church for the young men - way too tempting). Then Allen opened his gifts. He has been wanting a Panini grill for the longest time so I totally surprised him and got him one this year:The kids decorated this tie for him (not a great picture but there is a picture of the kids on it and it says: We love our Daddy). I stole/adapted the idea from the amazing Pink Kristi. We also made a tie for my dad that he wore to church yesterday.

Before church:

After church Al took a LONG nap while I experimented with the panini grill. I grilled up some veggies (eggplant, peppers and zucchini). They turned out SO good and my kids even ate the eggplant!!We had yummy panini sandwiches and copied our favorite salad from Paradise Bakery We can't wait to experiment more with it!While Allen was sleeping I interviewed the kids about their dad:

What do you like about Daddy?

Makenna
Plays with me – princesses and babies
He likes watching movies with me
He likes wrestling me
He helps me work
He does workbook for us

Carter
He helps me build legos
He tells me what to do
He lets me help him mow the yard
He reads and swims with me
He plays with me

What did Daddy do before he had kids?
Carter - Got married and got to go to the temple

(The kids had the hardest time with this questions - I think they have a hard time imagining our lives before they were part of it)

What does Daddy do at work all day?
Makenna
He makes money for us
He comes home

Carter
Makes us money
Helps other people
Tells other people what to do
He makes windows for airplanes

(Lest you think my kids are obsessed with Allen making us money, I must explain that I often tell them how lucky we are that Daddy works so hard so Mommy doesn't have to work. We also tell them that Daddy works hard to make money to buy the things we need and that we need to take care of our belongings)

What is Daddy’s favorite food?
Makenna
Burritos

Carter
Ice cream & Pizza

What does Daddy like to do?
Makenna –
He likes to clean up for us
Read books

Carter
Play with me
Read books
Work for other people

What is your favorite thing about Daddy?
Makenna – He is handsome
Carter – I like everything about Dad

I am so grateful for the dad that Allen is to our kids. He is kind and patient and loving. He has an excellent balance for teaching them to work hard and play hard. He often says that his family is his hobby and it is true. I know he'd rather be with our family than any place else. I am also so grateful for my own wonderful father. He taught me what kind of man I wanted to marry and was an amazing example to me my entire life. I am also thankful for Allen's dad, who I have never met but have heard so much about. I know he raised my husband to be the amazing man he is!