Today is Father's day..

Thoughts about my pop always seem to come to me more often in June. Maybe it's because June is his birthday month, maybe it's because Father's day is in June. It's time I write down some thoughts about him.
My Dad.... Funny, light hearted, a hard worker, and  extremely aware of life around him. I've enjoyed many moments simply sitting at the kitchen table and talking about life, what to do, how to be a good person, how to handle challenges, should I care, should I not. After my teenage years were over I cherished these conversations... during my teenage years I translated them into lectures... before my teenage years I wasn't ready for deep conversations like these. Now that I'm turning 33 I wish I could walk into the kitchen pull up a chair and talk about life.  So much has gone on since he passed away. I'm talking major shifts in my marital status, major shifts in my career, major shifts in me being a mother. Funny thing,  I don't really feel like he's missed out on these things in my life, because I know he checks in on me. 
There are so many aspects about my Dad to be proud of that to list them all I fear I would miss something. I will simply say he was a kind man, who taught me to drive a truck with the windows rolled down and rock & roll blasting through the speakers. Enjoy every moment you have in life, enjoy every person you meet in life. He taught me how important it was to make a person smile. He taught me to make sure I contribute to society and help those who need it. He taught me to not take life for granted because he knew he wouldn't be around long enough. Diabetes was a battle that he fought his entire life. Every time he was approached with a health challenge he took it straight on. He was strong and kept a smile on his face all the way through. My mom was strong- and did it together.
At age 55 my Dad had lived out his life the best way he knew how. He was surrounded by people who loved and appreciated him. He was ready for the next big adventure.  I miss him terribly. I want to hear him laugh and see him mess up my sons hair with a smirk on his face.
Love Always Pops! Your little strawberry lips  :)

zion national park..... not much more to say :) It was great!

Girls Holiday Traditions....

As a child I always looked forward to the holidays- Why? Not only for Santa to come but for mom to take me to the Nut Cracker Ballet. LOVED IT! It was made to be a very special occasion. Tanya and I always looked forward to getting a new dress to wear. Our most memorable ballet wardrobe addition was the time mom bought her and I matching fur lined pea coats! Oh man were we the coolest chics in SLC that night!! ( for 10 and 12 year olds). This year we have carried on the tradition! Mom, sister, me and our girls (Avery and Sydney) Joined us for our first Ballet in a long time. It was nostalgic to say the least. It felt good to share the moment with the next generation.....

 

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So I've been a blog slacker- Just getting to November.

Thanksgiving was wonderful... and I'm finally finding some free time to load some photo's and thank my sister for being such a wonderful host. We had a fantastic time - I think this is why Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday... it's centered around family, spending time with each other and simply enjoying these moments (not often enough during this crazy thing called life). There's no stress about gifts or if they will like this or that. I don't have to worry about what kind of wrapping paper to get or should I use a gift bag instead. It's simply pass the mash potatoes and lets get this party started!
 So here's some pictures that might give you the idea of how the day/evening went down.....

Table is SET! As in Ready Set GO!!

Sisters Cooking is looking delicious - I'm getting hungry

Mom - Pretends that the sparkling apple cider has done her in for the night.

My husband in his Prolly Awesomest Shirt ever..

Jenny- The always so helpful and pleasant cousin. Everyone needs a cousin like her!! EVERYONE!

My sweet niece giving me some lessons on Tic Tac Toe

Sister- rounding up the troops for some serious board game competition!

My son.... posing with his pretty face for the camera after three rounds of food- He finally looks full.

And the next day is ended with a song played by the boys- SO LONG FAREWELL TO YOU AND YOU AND YOU...

Yes he's wild and crazy!