Happy Dad's Day!

Today's the day we celebrate those wonderful men we call Dad! I'd like to take a few minutes to make a shout out for a couple of my favorite 'Dad's'. Of course I have to start with my own cause he is #1 on my list. My Dad (who strangely enough is not the same person I refer to when I mention 'father') is one of a kind! The first date my mother had with my dad, I was invited, how many people can say that? The four of us (mom, dad, older brother John, and myself) went to the Circus, for an awesome time, and before I knew it we were officially a family, making memories as only a family can. My best memories of my Dad usually include some kind of gourmet dish that I didn't fully appreciate till I left for college and had to cook my own food. During family get togethers, my Dad spends most of the time in the kitchen whipping up something fantastic (that he is bound to say isn't), and the rest of just marvel at his skills and swoon over the dishes. He is an amazing cook! I even have some memories of him scuba diving for abalone, bringing it back to the surface, and cooking it up for dinner. Course we were camping then (most of our vacations we were camping), and I'm sure I whined too much about the dirt and bugs, but I remember those fun times fondly now, as my mother always said I would! Anyway, my Dad is kind of a quiet type, but he is always busy making sure others can relax while he works the hardest. In my young Val Verde swimming days, he was always the one coming to my meets and encouraging me to swim butterfly, he was also there at my band performances, and bought me fun music to play on the flute, and took us out for ice cream just about any chance he got. I don't think I could express my appreciation adequately enough for my dad, it was a role he took on when he didn't have to, and he has always been there when we needed him the most. Thank you for everything and I love you! (I don't know if my Dad reads my blog, but hey mom, maybe you should get him to read this one).
This blog is already getting long, but there are two other's I'd like to acknowledge before I sign off. My Grandpa Webb is another one of my favorite Dad's out there. All of my childhood memories have him around, either living in the camper next to Aunt Deanne, or driving by in his truck. I don't know how he does it, but that guy knows everyone. He always knew everyone in the neighborhood when we were young, and when we visit him now he knows everyone up and down every street in all North Las Vegas. (Don't know about you, but I don't know how friendly I'd be getting with my neighbors in that side of town...just kidding) But that is just one of those things that makes my Grandpa great, he loves everyone, I always think of him when I hear the term 'no respecter of persons'. He enjoys life to the fullest and loves history with a passion. Half the time I see him, he is reading a book or watching the history channel, he lives to hear or learn something new. And he loves to travel, any time, and place, any where. My Grandpa is one of my hero's, and I'm so thankful for him!
The last Dad on my mind today is my father-in-law. We were lucky to spend some time with that family last week in Nauvoo, and it's really great to see him interact with his family, and especially our daughter, Alexis. I'm thankful for the loyal, hard-working, loving man that he is, and that he has taught my husband these wonderful characteristics too. One memory distinctly sticks out in my mind when I think of Bruce and that was the first Christmas I spent with the Hall family, this always being the first Christmas I was ever away from my own home. You have the understand, my mom goes a little overboard with Christmas, and it's one of my favorite times of the year, and I was a little homesick being at a new place with a new family that time of the year. Christmas morning, I remember Bruce caught me while I was on my own and told me he was really glad that I would spend Christmas with their family, and he knew it must be hard. I'll always remember that he noticed, and from that point forward I've always been grateful to be part of the Hall family, if just as an 'in-law'.
And I'd be a very bad person indeed if I didn't mention my own husband, the Dad to our daughter. I could not ask for a better person to raise my children with. He adores our little girl, and would do anything for her. There is always a lot of mentioning how grateful woman are for a husband that would work two jobs, etc so the wife can stay home, but personally I think it is amazing that my husband stays with our daughter while I work part time. Not too many men would willingly take her three times a week after they have already worked a full day, and then again during my RS meetings, and yet again once a month during girls night out. He doesn't ever complain, and makes arrangements with his work when I need him. He takes her swimming, to the park, aquarium, zoo...all over the place. She will love him best for his wonderful humor and playfulness. So Happy Dad's Day, thank you for all you do and I love you all!