My Favorite Fathers

While sitting at church listening to the YM/YW give talks about fathers, I drifted into thinking about the fathers in my life. I began thinking about what makes a good father and realized how lucky the my daughter, nieces, and nephews are. I thought I would let you know what came to mind as I thought about those fathers.

• Justin- Does Gracie's hair and it actually looks good-doesn't treat Grace like a child but takes the time to answer her questions and make sure she understands-is a great example to Grace in the way that he treats her and Kitti with love and respect-let's Grace put barrettes in his hair and take pictures to document it.
• Bim- Is so excited to see Little when he gets home-wakes up with Little and takes care of everything in the mornings so Krista can sleep in a bit-does whatever is needed to make Little smile and giggle and be happy.
• Eric- Will go out and play catch with PJ whenever he asks-cooks amazing food and let's PJ rate it-takes PJ to pro games-stays up late into the night to get stuff done which makes it so he can spend more time with PJ and Lo during the day-treats PJ like an equal and not like a little kid.
• Tom- Will do anything for his children-involved in his children's lives and is concerned for their happiness and well-being-is a fun-loving Grandpa who loves to be woken up by his little girls and will even sit through Disney movies to be with them-reads books to his granddaughters and plays fun music for them to dance to-talks "ball" with PJ-though I never really saw them together, I have developed the opinion that he was a great example to his sons in how they should treat their wives by how he treated Ceri, as Kitti and I are spoiled rotten by his boys.
• Josh-will do anything for Heather-does story time and baths before bed for the boys-takes his sons fishing and does other fun outdoor things for them-reads scriptures and says prayers with the boys.
• My Father-loves to talk to each of us and listen to even the most boring details of our lives- loves his grandchildren- plays with Lyza even when she is being a grump-wrestles with Logan and Colton-is ready with an answer whenever we had questions-extremely patient-let's his girls drink from his cup, even if we empty it-shares all that he has with us-tells great stories-can alleviate any sadness with just a hug-let's his children get a dog even though he really doesn't want one, but he knows it would make them happy.
  
• Brian-loves Elyza more than any Dad could ever love a daughter-dresses her and even makes sure that she matches-teaches Elyza new words and letters and sounds-is so patient with Elyza and is so good at talking to her to help her understand what she needs to be doing-watches Toy Story for the 100th time just to make Lyza happy-you can see his eyes light up whenever she does something cute, or even something naughty-puts her to sleep at night faster than I ever have-plays and runs and wrestles with her-reads her stories and sings her songs-is already thinking about her future and ways we can help her to be a good student and love to learn-is sweet and loving and loves to give hugs and kisses-is a great example to her in the way he loves and treats her Mom-you know he is a good father by the way Elyza lights up when he comes home and by the luvs she gives him when she is in a cuddly mood.
  

These are just to mention a few, though I could write much about many more. I hope all you Fathers had a fantastic and relaxing Father's Day.

Who is this cute girl?

Elyza Jo Halverson

Favorite Foods: Cheese, toast, bananas, pasta, mashed potatoes, apples

Favorite Treat: Gummy Lifesavers

Favorite Music: "No" They Might Be Giants

Favorite Movie: Toy Story 1 or 2

Favorite Activity: Playing with stickers

Favorite New Words: Stop it, rainy, scratchy, wait, hippo, stars

Likes: Buttons, little kids, toys, walking, rain, playing in the water, feeding her baby, faking snoring, playing chase, spinning, going up and down stairs, brushing her teeth, milk, papa, flying kites, jumping on the trampoline, nursery, singing.

Dislikes: Going to bed, holding hands, being in a stroller or car seat for more than 15 minutes, being teased, bibs, when mommy isn't paying sole attention to her.

Elyza has never been a good sleeper. She has reached that fun stage where she will do anything to get out of going to bed. After reading many books and singing a few songs, we turn out the light, look at the stars, and then get into a comfy sleep position. About 30 seconds later she is up on her elbows saying, "milk, milk, milk mommy, milk," so I oblige and get her some milk. After the milk is done and we are back into comfy position, she sits up again and says, "daddy, daddy." So we bring Daddy in to lay down as well. We all get comfy again and she sits up and says, "toast, toast." And that is where I draw the line. It is too funny not to giggle at. She does this at every nap and bed time now, and the requests are becoming more and more outrageous, which makes it all the more fun, and frustrating:).

Fun with Aiden

Aiden, Andrea's little boy, came to play a couple of times this week and Elyza was beside herself with joy at having a friend to play with.

They were totally cute together; only fought once over who got to the hold the Bouncing Tigger.
I love play dates. It is so fun to see little ones interact with one another and see their different personalities. I have been in the nursery while here in Oregon and find that, so far, this is my favorite age. Elyza learns new words every hour it seems and has so much fun trying them out. I love to see her learning, figuring out that three comes after two, that it has to be dark in her room to see the stars on the ceiling, that stickers can stick on anything but letter magnets can only go on the fridge...

The Hike

We went hiking up Lauterell Falls last night. It was beautiful and Lyza got her first ride in her new hiking backpack, which I don't think she loved, but she was a pretty good sport most of the way.

This was another falls that was about half a mile hike from the first one.

Just one of many beautiful scenes along the way.

When we got back to the bottom, Angie and Aaron Holwege and their girls, Sydney and Ella, were waiting for us since they saw our car and invited us over for some Dutch Oven peach cobbler. Mmmmmmm.

We had to stop at Crown Point on the way back to change someone's diaper, I'll let you guess who, and caught this last pic as the sun went down.