Father's Day

This year I was extra excited about Father's Day. Why? I wanted to spoil Andrew rotten since it was his first time actually being a dad on this holiday. I found it a little odd that Father's Day wasn't mentioned during sacrament meeting at all. The talks were on faith. The primary kids did sing about fathers and I accompanied them, but that was all. I was disappointed after the meeting when the dads got nothing. No chocolate or anything. I wish I had been put in charge of making sure this would happen. (Maybe next year?)

When I married Andrew I was young and thought I was hitting the jackpot which was true. It wasn't until later that I realized he was even better than I imagined. Something extremely important to me was how Andrew would take on his role as a dad. I knew Andrew had lots of experience with kids (being the youngest of 7 in his family) thanks to his many nieces and nephews.

I could not have married a better person to help me raise our kids. I get emotional thinking about Andrew and what an amazing father he is. I grew up with a very hands-on father (see pic below) and Andrew has already proven to be everything and more that I wanted in my children's dad.

We celebrated my dad the day before Father's Day this year. At dinner, we each shared something we love about him. I love that my Dad is a reader. It has been fun for me to discuss books with him that we have both read. This picture was recently taken in Hawaii after he completed a Half Ironman. My dad has taught me so much and I'm grateful that he set the bar high, so I knew what to look for in my spouse who would someday help raise my kids.

Late into my pregnancy, it was fast Sunday and I asked Andrew over dinner what he had been fasting for. He told me that he fasted to be a good father. This was one of the sweetest things I had ever heard.

Andrew has told me before that his title should never be "babysitter." He is a dad and watching our kids while I go somewhere should be a normal thing and it has been. Andrew has noticed when I need a night out and makes sure it happens. Andrew has a natural fatherly instinct that just kicks in. He changes James' diaper all the time without being asked. Andrew bathes James every night. The voices Andrew uses while reading stories to James are hilarious and make me want to step up my story-reading skills. Andrew can get James to laugh the loudest and smile the biggest. In the past, Andrew told me that he couldn't wait to have a little one who was SO thrilled when daddy came home from work and now that dream has come true.

Here are some pictures of Andrew in his element:

James' fav sleeping position

Andrew is extremely busy and I am so proud of all that he does for our little family. He is currently working full time as well as taking an online class. On top of that, he has set some fitness goals and wakes up before work to head to the gym several times a week. He still is able to find time for what is most important to him-- his family.

At the gym. James slept soundly next to daddy while I was behind sweating up a storm and thinking I was in better shape than I actually am.

Due to our callings, I have James during Sunday School while Andrew teaches. Andrew takes James during the 3rd hour, so I can play the piano in primary. I have never been worried about leaving James with Andrew. I'm grateful to have a husband who doesn't think twice about taking on the responsibilities that come with fatherhood. (Like standing during the entire Elder's Quorum lesson to keep a fussy baby quiet.)  Andrew is so loving and patient. I have learned so much from watching him interact with James.

I decided to surprise Andrew on Father's Day and make him homemade cinnamon rolls. I don't do this often because it's an exhausting process and I wouldn't let him help with the dishes or cleanup. Andrew got some new shoes to celebrate the occasion which look pretty sharp. For dinner we had Grandma's Potatoes and Steak. I was hesitant about the steak because it meant Andrew would have to grill, but he was all for it and the taste was definitely worth it. I didn't let him touch the dishes after dinner though.

Recently I was in the grocery store and someone in our ward stopped me. She told me that she has never seen a more proud father than Andrew. (You should have seen the smile on Andrew's face as he held up James to show the congregation after James' baby blessing.) James (and our future kids) will never know how lucky they are to have such an incredible man raising them. Here's to hoping that next Father's Day Andrew (and other fathers) will be recognized in church for their influential role.

Getting Involved Where We Live

We have now lived in Pleasant Grove for just over a year now. Crazy! There is the letter "G" on the mountains behind us and I can see it out our windows daily. We have been wanting to hike up to the letter "G" and we decided to over Memorial Day Weekend. I read some blog posts about the hike and based on what I read, I thought we would be just fine. (Even with James on Andrew's chest in a carrier.)

Wow! The hike was very intense and hard. It was extremely steep! I am very clumsy and struggled at times to keep my balance. It wasn't a super long hike, but the way up took WAY longer than the way down and I can see why. Poor Andrew had a cold and a 13 (plus) pound child strapped onto him the whole way. I offered to carry James on the way back down, but Andrew wisely said no. (He was afraid I would fall and I can't blame him.)

There were some really pretty views along the way and we went pretty early, so it wasn't too warm. In fact, it was a bit chilly for poor little James. (We should have put socks on his little toes.) Luckily his jacket had a hood. When we got back to the car and unstrapped James, you could see an "imprint" of his body on Andrew's shirt. We were sweaty after that climb! Andrew had a sore back for a few days after this excursion and I was sore all over. We both decided that we wouldn't do this hike again until James can walk himself or we have a babysitter.The trail head that leads to the G also has another hike leading to some waterfalls that is much easier. We will do that next time!

James was a champ and slept the entire time.

Can you see James' little head?

It was hard to get a good picture, but the view was gorgeous.  

Strawberry days is a big thing in Pleasant Grove and happens annually. Growing up, my family went to Strawberry Days a few times and ran the 5k or the kid fun run (half mile). I wish Andrew and I had signed up to do this last year, but we didn't. This year, I made sure to sign us up for the race. My training was going fairly smoothly until I got a nasty cold that made it hard to train for nearly 2 weeks. I didn't bother setting a goal for myself time-wise for this race because I did just have a baby.  

It was supposed to be a fun, relaxing run. I was excited because my parents offered to come watch James and support us, so I didn't have to push the stroller. I honestly don't think that I would have made it if I had been pushing James. Apparently the course has changed since the last time I did it, and it was very uphill for a good mile at the beginning. I was happy when I finished and proud of myself for not walking (even though I REALLY wanted to).  I'm just getting over my soreness and had trouble walking for a couple days after.

I was so pleased with James. The race started at 7:00am and I was worried about how his sleeping/eating schedule would workout. James slept all the way through the night and didn't wake up until 5:45 which was perfect because I fed him right then and we still got to the race plenty early. (This was not his first time sleeping all the way through the night.)

We both wore compression socks. They seem to help with my shin problems.

Why do a 5k if there isn't a t-shirt?

Although the race was more challenging than we both expected, I'm glad we did it. I'm bummed that my time hadn't been just 1 second faster! 

Until next year Strawberry Days! Maybe you won't catch me off guard quite as much now that I know how hilly you are.