Father's Day et al.....

First of all - I want to thank all of you who commented on my last post.  I am glad to know that I am not alone in struggling with the "day-to-day" life of being a mom.  But I am even more thankful that something so awful (meaning Gabby's battle with cancer) can bring about a little bit of good in all of us (meaning giving us more grateful and loving hearts).

I had a really fun weekend.  On Saturday Chad and I took the kids over to the Y pool and just enjoyed splashing around with the kids.  Later on Audrey and I went on a little date with her friend Kaitlyn and her mom Kelly.  Kelly & I each got a deal through Living Social to take the girls to Sweet & Sassy (basically, a little girl salon).  So the girls got their hair done in updo's, their nails painted with sparkly nail polish, and their faces done up with "makeup"

 ... of course you can't be all dressed up with no place to go, right?  So we took them out to dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise.  Our server even brought the girls drinks with little umbrellas and a parrot made out of fruit.  They kept saying they were in a "hawaiian" restaurant ... guess they are too young to know that Jimmy Buffett is actually more of a Floridian .... anyway they had a great time together.

So yesterday was Father's Day.  I admit ... there was no breakfast in bed.  BUT, that was mainly because today Chad spoke in church so he was doing a final review and went to church early.  He spoke about Science & the Bible, and he did a great job, if I may say so as the proud wife!  If you ever want to take a listen, it should be on the church website in the next few days: click  Grace Valley Fellowship and then click on "listen to messages online" and it should give you a list.  (In case you are wondering why Chad would be speaking on this subject - ie, you don't know him - he is a geologist and science is one of his true loves, right behind Jesus and his family!)

Anyhow, we did give Chad a gift:  a new wallet.  He had been carrying his money/cards in a money clip and it broke a few weeks ago.  So guess what he has been carrying his stuff in?  A plastic baggie.  Classy, huh?  :)  We certainly had to remedy that situation!!

That afternoon my parents and brother came over and we grilled out and sat around on the deck till it was dark out.  I like to try to get a picture each Father's Day of the kids with their Daddy.  As usual this was not an easy process.  What is it with my kids and cooperating with pictures??  It seems like every family I know says "Let's get a picture" and the kids all line up and smile sweetly and it is over in a minute.   I guess I was "blessed" with the camera shy/strong-willed types, because family pictures for us usually involve me getting stressed and sweating and starting to make all kinds of threats and then someone always ends up crying or yelling or something.  Lovely, huh?  :)

I will say - this does make for some hilarious outtakes (and I will also say, thank God we no longer are using film cameras or I would have rolls of this kind of stuff....)

 Carter & Chloe refused to take part initially ... so I told them they were not allowed in the picture and started snapping away.

 HA!  Reverse psychology worked!  But Carter would only stand a distance away.
(at least he smiled I suppose)

 Come on Carter!  Come over here!

 Chloe can charm the pants off anyone... including her big brother. :)

 Okay, it has now devolved into a crazy group hug ...

This was the best we could do.  

Not too shabby.  

At least everyone looks like they are enjoying themselves! 

A super special Happy Father's Day to Chad, my Dad, and my Dad-in-law!!