My Angel

Around Father's Day, Kaitlynn and I were looking at pictures of PawPaw Dado. She can still pick him out in pictures! She said that he is her angel and that he fed and took care of her when she was a baby. What a sweet "memory" she has of PawPaw Dado. For her to say he is her angel makes me wonder if they don't still have a "relationship." Maybe he is looking out for her and checking in on her from time to time.

Father's Day - Dave

Kaitlynn is so lucky to have such an involved daddy! Thank you for all you do for the both of us.

Remembering My Dad on Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Dad! I miss you so much! I can't believe you have been gone for over 2 years now. I am so glad that you were here for all the special events that you were, but I sure miss you and wish you could be here for the special events that have happened in the last 2 years and for the ones in the future. I thank God for giving me such a special dad. I wish I would have realized how blessed I was to have such an amazing dad who sacrificed everything for us. Kaitlynn is getting so big and she is so smart and beautiful. I can't believe the last time you saw her was in April / May 2008. She still remembers you and I hope will never forget you. You were such a dedicated grandpa. I miss you everyday, but I know more and more that you are in a better place. You are in a place where there is no disappointment, no pain and no tears; only peace, joy and love. Until we meet again.

Grant's Farm and Outback Steakhouse

Saturday late morning, Kaitlynn and I had a dance party for Dave. That afternoon we gave Dave his Father's Day gifts. We gave him his gifts early because they gave me my Mother's Day gift early. I don't think I ever mentioned what they gave me. They bought me a beautiful NLT Bible. It's what I asked for and I love it! We gave Dave a t-shirt and a book. A guy I met in my Bible study suggested this book for him.

We decided to brave the heat and go to Grant's Farm. On the way there, Kaitlynn was being silly in the car. She asked me to flap my ears with her! Then we had to stop to get cash and when Dave came back to the car she asked, "Daddy did you get money for the goats?"

We were able to get right on the tram when we got there - no line at all. There was a really nice breeze while on the tram. A lot of the animals were out and right up near the tram. Kaitlynn thought it was the coolest! She sat in her stroller to feed the goats. They were really hungry.
Then she rode on the carousel - 2 rides for the price of 1! Kaitlynn had fun running through the mister. She even had Dave and me running through it with her. It sure felt good on such a hot day! Kaitlynn enjoyed a Tiger's Blood snow cone while Dave and I enjoyed a few Bud Light Limes! Also good on a hot day! Kaitlynn threw a few pennies in the wishing well and then decided to save the rest. We went into the stables. Kaitlynn wanted to pet Miss Budweiser, so I told her to call for her. She started yelling, "Budweiser!" Everyone that passed us got a real kick out of that. Kaitlynn and Dave fed the camels and then we headed out.

We went to MawMaw's and took Dave to Outback Steakhouse for Father's Day dinner. They had this promotion where you get a scratch off if you are a dad. You can win any thing from $5 off to $599.99 off (a year of Outback free). Dave won a $25 gift card good towards our next visit! Not too shabby!

Nicknames

One morning last week, Kaitlynn wanted Cheerios for breakfast and was calling them Tummy Yummies all morning. Then she found a bag of candy (in my bedroom) and was walking around with it saying "Trick or treat?" She talks about Halloween frequently and talks about having "MawMaw, Neece and Brandon over. And Hanna and Adam." She also talks about Christmas and says she wants the Christmas tree up and reminds me that Santa brings her presents. Instead of Christmas, she says "Chrisum" or something similar to that. It's cute!

Later, she decided it was a good idea to get on my shoulders (while I was sitting down) and say, "Giddy up horsey!" She thought that was great.

We ended up going outside. It was so disgustingly hot out there. It was so hard getting her to come back inside. I finally convinced her to come in for lunch. Right after lunch, she was ready to head back outside with the dogs. Dave came home and started mowing the lawn. Kaitlynn stayed outside with him. She came back in sweaty and with red cheeks and said, "It's hot, hot, hot out there!" She was darn right! It was hot, hot, hot out there! Blazing hot!

Before bed, Kaitlynn asked if I would read her a book. I told her yes and then she started calling me "pal." She likes coming up with nicknames for people. She calls Dave "Big Guy" which I think she got from Clifford (also where she got Tummy Yummies from). It is so darn cute to hear her call him that. He has in turn started calling her "Special K" when she calls him "Big Guy." She calls Uncle Jeff "Monkey." I'm not sure why except that he plays ball and runs around with her. She calls Adam her boyfriend. OK, so maybe that's not exactly a nickname.

Dating Anniversary

Last Wednesday was Dave and my 8 year dating anniversary. 8 years ago, we went on our first date on Father's Day (so obviously it was a Sunday). We went to the Shakespeare Festival. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was the play showing that year. We have gone to every production since with the exception of 1 (because we were in Florida). We both remember that night so well. We were so unprepared -no blanket, chairs or food and beverages. The people behind us had tiki torches and a bucket of KFC. At one point we were afraid one of their tiki torches was going to set Dave on fire. We almost left during intermission because we thought the play was over. We even remember the conversation we were having as we were walking from the car to the play - it was about chunky chicken (don't ask!).
As the years have gone by, we've gotten pretty good at being prepared for the Shakespeare production. This year's production was Hamlet. It was awesome! Our dinner consisted of Subway sandwiches and Riesling. What a combo, huh? It was such a beautiful evening. We couldn't have picked a better night to go. Quotes from the production: "To thine own self to be," "Brevity is the soul of wit," "To be or not to be. That is the question, " and "Get thee to a nunnery." What great quotes.

Kaitlynn stayed at MawMaw's. We also took Pumpkin and Jasmine (the cats) to MawMaw's because they are going to live at her house. So, we are cat-free now! Kaitlynn and MawMaw had a treasure hunt around the house, played outside, played with dolls and gave her doll a bath after making dinner. Kaitlynn was bathed and sleeping when we came to pick her up. We probably should have just left her there, but she did well transitioning to the car and then to her bed. She stayed asleep the entire time.

Making Friends

Last Tuesday morning and afternoon it was storming. Kaitlynn said she wanted us to take umbrellas to the Zoo & run through the rain. Yeah, that didn't happen. Instead we went to get blood work done. She held my hand and was excited when the phlebotomist showed her the tube of my blood.

We visited MawMaw. Kaitlynn said she wanted Applebee's for dinner and then only ate a few bites. I guess I should be happy that she at least ate something! Kaitlynn had fun running around the mall, playing on the rides and at the play area. While at the play area, she was quite the chatterbox & socialite! She "made" friends with all the kids at the play area and even talked to a few parents. She was really talking to this boy and girl's dad, which was surprising because she normally does not talk to men. Then she really took to this lady that had a baby a little younger than a year. Kaitlynn followed her and the baby around the play area and just talked about different things. Before the lady left, she hugged Kaitlynn and told her how sweet she was. It was really cute!

Kaitlynn ended the evening playing with this little guy named Allam. He turned 3 in the fall. They were running all over the mall together, just having a great time. I love how she makes friends so easily.