A Day for Dads

Highlights of how we honoured those amazing

men in our life this year.

Tattoo Trip 6.16.12

So Taylor was itching to get her first tattoo and asked if I would take her.

Well, of course I was needing to get Ryder's name since it was a year overdue.

So I jokingly mentioned to her mother that I was going to take her darling

first born for a tattoo and was fully expecting a "the hell if you are".

To my surprise not only did Mindy not mind but she said "Only if I can

go and get one too" or something to that effect I don't remember as I was shocked. 

It turned into a whole family affair.

Taylor even got a hand hold from Dad and a thumbs up from Mom.

I actually thought it was a very lovely choice for her first tattoo.

Yay for no tramp stamps! Hehe.

We were there a long time, but we all waited patiently.

I think Brian and Jason's patience had something to do

with the very handy location of the liquor store next door

and a big comfy SUV to sit in.

Courtney got BELIEVE in Disney font with "pixie dust" around it.

Mindy honored both her Great Grandma Grove and her

Father-in-law Mike for her first tattoo. 

She chose the Calendula Marigold which is the flower for

October in which they were both born. How sweet and beautiful.

Sara chose to get the names of her boys on her wrists

and had them shaded in their eye colors. Really very cool!

And I FINALLY got around to getting Ryder's name.

I knew I wanted it to be small and in handwriting, so I took samples

from several family members and Ashley was the winner.

I ♥ it very much.

Strangely, the guy working at the front desk at the parlor was also

named Ryder, and the guy who was in line in front of us had his son Ryder's

name tattooed on his back.

After getting our ink we headed to Hooters for wings at

the request of Jason. I think this might have been the only reason he tagged along ;)

Then I was very tired so I asked Allie to drive us home. Allie and Taylor sat up front

and Courtney and I rode in the back while Taylor schooled us the whole way

home on current music and dance moves. I guess we are officially old now because I

couldn't stand most of it, but I haven't laughed that much in a very long time.

One great night.

Cool or just plum crazy?

So yes as you can see from the above pictures, my five year old

has had her first experience with hair color. I went back and forth between

cool and just plain dumb and I decided it would look too cool not to. Right!?

After all she does have an all too willing beautician for an aunt. It was a very

spur of the moment decision. Actually, I had the idea about 10 minutes before our

appointment for a trim. Love my spunky little girl, but now I'm not sure what I

started as she is already requesting different colors for NEXT time. Oh and in case you can't tell by the bad picture, we went with on purple and one turquoise streak. LOVE you Aunt Brittany.

P.S. Dad wasn't even mad, Yay

Oh GIF Files are FUN

Lincoln Log Love

This Christmas my Dad picked up these Lincoln Logs

for Ella. I know that sounds pretty normal, but it's not.

I can't remember a time that my Dad ever handpicked

a gift for my Mom or I.  He always gave me more than I deserved 

growing up, but this is a different kind of man I see more

and more of lately that shows me the effect

grandchildren must have on a man and his heart.

 I can't help but guess that he was having fond memories of my Grandpa

Nick when he bought these. This was one of the toys that I remember

playing with in Grandpa's floor on a Saturday, and when Dad would come

to pick me up he would get down and help me finish whatever it was

I was trying to build as Grandpa looked on from the kitchen.

So, Ella and I finally broke these out for the first time tonight.

What do you think of our sweet frontier cabin?

I forgot how much I loved Lincoln Logs.

Wow, I started this post just to show a quick picture of

what I built with Ella. I didn't intend to get all emotional

over Lincoln Logs. It's funny what triggers a memory.

Thanks, Grandpa Jay.

Berry Yummy

Ryder tried strawberries this weekend and loved them.

This is new to us, having a child that likes fruits and

vegetables without being forced.

He liked them so much that after I stripped him down

and was starting his bath water, he took off down the hall.

I found a sweet bare naked baby with a red face full of strawberries.

Happy Easter to Me

Ella picked out a little Easter present for me one

day when she was with her Grandma Cindy.

I love it, and she was so proud to help me plant it tonight.

We picked a prime spot right in the front of the house.