First, a little tribute to Mike… Mike, thanks for all you do for our family.  You are a terrific father.  Thank you for working so hard to provide for us.  Thank you for your never-ending support, your constant encouragement, and your unlimited patience.  I love your spontaneity, your playfulness (some would even call it SILLY, but I would never use that word to describe you), and your love for life.  I love you! And know that the kids do too!

We are enjoying a long father’s day weekend up in beautiful Lakeside, Arizona (Pine Top/Greer Area).  We came up here with my parents, sister, and brother’s family.  We have a beautiful “cabin” and the kids are loving the “winter” weather and “mountain climbing” in the backyard.  There is a beautiful lake right in the front that the boys loved walking down to and feeding the ducks.

Mike leading the way with Parker and Ryan and cousin, Riley, (and Reeces - hiding in the grass!) close behind.

Here’s Mike enjoying his much deserved Father’s Day break!  I think he had a good day… the girls made breakfast burritos, then Ryan and Mike took almost a 3 hour nap!  After the nap, we had lunch and then took the kids out on a walk.  Mike got to play a little b-ball with the boys and then Scott and Mike finished the afternoon up by playing darts and relaxing on the hammock.  I even think he got some time to read his new book he got for Father’s Day.

And definitely a tribute to my dad… Happy Father’s Day, Hepa!  Hepa kept the kids entertained today by making balloon animals, playing horseshoes with us, playing basketball, and drawing great pics on the sidewalk.  I think he was even able to sneak in a nap (on the couch in the middle of all the chaos - go figure how that works, but somehow it always does for Hepa!).  We love you Hepa!  Thanks for having us all up here together this week.

And Happy Father’s Day to my brother Scott!  My boys sure love paying with their cousins, Riley and Garrett!  I know Mike is glad you are here… he enjoyed the victory in the game of darts and desperately needed you to carry the “male” team in the BATTLE OF THE SEXES game.  We are so proud of you for knowing so much about the better sex!  We are excited that you are now out of the NAVY, so hopefully we get to see you a little more often!

It is so fun to be around these great fathers this week.  The kids love them, and they are such a great example and strength in our family.  We sure do miss my other brother, Steven, and his wife and son.  They are in Houston and could not get away.  Hopefully we will be able to talk them into a family vacation soon… it’s been awhile since we have all been together!

June 16th, 2008 by Marnee

Categories: Personal Chaos