Fixing the Fence

This kid loves his Dad, and his Hammer, so this was the best day ever. As a precursor John broke the fence a while back when he tried to jump over the fence to retrieve an object. 8 months later it's time to fix it, and when Tate saw his Dad outside with tools he couldn't get his coat and boots on fast enough.

Despite not having a picture of the final project, they did a great job, good teamwork guys!

Birthday Ode to John

Compliments of Genny Phillips and Jorelle McClellan

Happy Birthday John!

37 years Old-does that sound old? I don't think so! We believe our Dad is in his prime! He's a lean, mean, Physical Therapist machine who still loves to tinker in the workshop, beautifying our home with his woodwork. As far as we are concerned he's the best swing pusher, chicken farmer, "Special Date"r, silly song singer, funny "goodnighter" and berry picker, hiker, camper and lately BYU Cougar football fan around!

We Love You Daddy John! Happy 37th Birthday!

Thanks for being a good sport to a wife who has now been sick for most of your birthdays.

I think I'm pry 5 out of last 9 of them?

Rise & Shout the Cougars are out....Goooo BYU!

The first couple of BYU Football games didn't go exactly as planned or hoped for but game #3 had the family yelling, screaming and singing! Dad has his cheerleaders at hand excited and cheering with him for the BYU Cougars!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to Our Great Grandpa Harris, Grandpa Payne & Grandpa Harris who always know how to bring smiles to our faces and laughter in the air. We Love you!

Our Dad was able to celebrate Father's Day by Speaking in church, and then teaching the Sunbeams. When we showered him with hugs, kisses, cards and gifts.

McKenna made a special portrait of her Dad in school

Tate got a little bored of the present opening

We found some Wii accessories for 25 cents at the dollar store.

Best buy, best price, best gift for our Dad!

It's always more fun with more people, so Wendy and her family came over to celebrate Father's Day.

Meat & Potatoes for our Dads

2 Cakes for 2 dads- German Chocolate-one with coconut and one without

Ice cream with magic shell-completes it!

YUMMY!

A Day at the Tracks with Dad.

Saturday John set up a special little Daddy Date with the kids to the race tracks. Jenny is a jockey at Emerald Downs.

The girls were thrilled to be up close & personal with the horses. They LOVED being able to feed them. Tate loved them, just not so closely. Although every morning he wakes up asking for Daddy and the "Horsy".

There was even a little dancing-a little something the horses taught Tyler when he was asking for more food.

Daddy Daughter Date-Tacoma Raineers

Maple Lawn Elementary had a night out at the ballgame with the Tacoma Raineers Friday night. When McKenna learned about it a month ago she was soooo excited and begged her dad to go. After talking it was agreed that if she worked for the money they would go and for the past month McKenna diligently cleaned out the Chicken Coop for $2 a week to earn enough money to go the ballgame with her dad. (What kind of date makes you pay for your own ticket? :))

She's did a great job and was rewarded and thrilled when the big day finally arrived last night (3rd). With her Football jersey on, her tennis shoes on and her baseball glove in hand she was ready to go when her Dad walked in the door.

I think they had a good time, despite the horrible traffic and lack of parking which meant a lot of time in the car.

*As a side note, Johns said that after the lil dinner of hot dogs, chips and soda that came with the tickets-McKenna was still hungry. She wanted Popcorn, but changed her mind when her dad told her she would have to clean the chicken coop another 2 weeks. I think she's starting to understand the value of a dollar. :)

While John and McKenna were out-I was working on another masterpiece for a friend. Strawberry cake with Strawberry Mousse filling and Whipped White Chocolate Ganache frosting. Same cake as Memorial Day-except this one was frosted, and let me tell you-the frosting was Fantastic! Even John raved about it when he tasted it-and I hardly ever see him get excited about food, let alone frosting. If I could be a lil more consistent and prepared I think I could really get into this baking thing. SO fun!

John

Another surgery...or two has come and gone for John in a fashion that is soooo John. Meaning when John realized he had a meniscus tear in his right knee that needed to be "cleaned up" before he could run anymore he decided to take full advantage of the situation. He also needed his finger-ring finger on his left hand fixed up a little so that he could have a little more flexibility in it. Well with the cost of healthcare why not have it all done at one. Two Surgeries- and although you have to pay for 2 doctors, he only had to pay for one hospital room, nursing staff, and anesthesiologist. That's right-he's a thinker this one!

Dr. Huang did a great Job on his knee and reported, "a degenerative tear across the back part of the inside knee," and he had to remove 30% of the meniscus and then gave us a few pictures.

Dr. Barthel also did a great job-she was able to release the lateral ligaments and the volar plate to regain about 30 degrees of extension-meaning he'll be able to straighten his finger more. I took my own picture of his finger when he took the dressing off for therapy. I was ok until he was having a hard time with the therapy and his face started to lose color and then my stomach began to churn.

Once again this is not for the weak stomach.

John couldn't have picked a better week to be off work, sun is forcasted to shine all week. Luckily he has Tyler who has spent a lot of quality time with him. She been keeping him company, bringing him ice, and making him beautiful pictures. She loves taking care of him, but made it clear when I mentioned that we needed to be his nurses that she didn't want to play "Nursie".

Sick Day

I was sick all last week, although it felt like a year-John began to come down with it and in an attempt to prevent the spreading of germs and him getting it any worse his Mom talked him into staying home and sleeping today, Friday.

It actually ended up being a really nice day-I'm sure he'll get a little slack at work.

It was nice enough to have a picnic outside.

While we listened to the Oldies Tyler busted a move and broke out into dance.

She's the dancing queen for sure!

Shortly after these pictures were taken the rain actually began to fall...again.

Happy Spring!

Happy Birthday John

John turned 36 today.

It was one of the most beautiful days we've had in a few weeks, chances being the last good day of the season.

The day began with Decorations, presents and Waffles for Breakfast...with the missionaries.

John opened his gifts...not the piece of wood McKenna had suggested or the Daddy Book Tyler was hoping to get him, but the nice White Dress shirt with Stain Guard and Wrinkle Free he needed and appreciated with the Tatester around. :)

He also got some therapy Artwork from his Father, a nice shirt and a nice calf tie-pin that was passed down from his Grandfather and a bit of $$.

We then headed up Mt Rainier where we hiked Naches Loop-a beautiful 3 mile loop past a few lakes and then a beautiful View of Mt Rainier as you hike back down. The Fall colors were out and it was gorgeous. The girls and I couldn't put the camera down. The girls did great-McKenna hiked the whole thing, Tyler struggled a bit on the downhill and Tate was a trooper in the Kelty Kid.

these 2 pictures were taken by our Good photographer Tyler

John spent a couple of hours doing yard work and getting our Lettuce box ready for Fall & Winter.

We had tacos for dinner and then his latest fav-Texas Sheet cake.

Unfortunately for him but happy for me-I was able to go to the Relief Society Broadcast.

It was a great day and we love our Daddy!!! The kids love going on their Daddy Dates each Thursday-they're thrilled to have him come home each evening and having him chase them around the house or yard in a thrilling game of 'Can't Catch Me'. I Love him for various reasons...which will be covered in an upcoming post....of a Happy Anniversary!