Our Journey to Forever - Private: Father/Son

Showing posts with label Father/Son. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

From Father to Son

For some reason, watching Andrew teach our son to mow the lawn really touched me.

It was a beautiful afternoon.

The weather was perfect.

Ammon was blissfully happy learning to operate the lawn mower.

And I felt extremely blessed to have such a wonderful family.

My little boy is growing up.

But that's OK because he has a wonderful Dad to help him learn how to become a man.

And at eight years old one of the best lessons in manhood is learning how to mow the lawn.

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Biking, Scouts and Silly Putty

Pictures taken February 21, 2012

Towards the end of last fall, Peter's bike went missing.

This was a major problem because he LOVES bike riding.

Still, winter was coming and we hoped it would show back up.

It never did, and with the mild winter, we finally broke down and got him a new one.

He was THRILLED beyond belief.

He is big enough to get the bike in and out of our home on his own.

He is very careful to keep his bike in his bedroom whenever he isn't riding it.

He is a cute, responsible little guy.
(Who, like his brother, is growing up WAY too fast!)

Pictures taken February 22, 2012

One of the older guys in Ammon's scout group earned his Arrow of Light.

The set up an award ceremony and all the boys received the belt loops and pins they had earned.

Ammon was advanced to a Bobcat.
For his first ceremony, he got to participate in the color guard by carrying a flag down the isle.
Peter and I almost missed the ceremony because Peter uncharacteristically fell asleep.
We finally decided to take him but he really didn't wake up.
(Until the end when they served cookies.)

Ammon LOVES scouts and Andrew has worked hard with him to do all sorts of extra things.

I know nothing about scouts and so was surprised when I got an award.

I was called up to the front with Ammon and he pinned ME with the "mother's pin".

Andrew was slightly bitter since he is the one who really earned it.

But considering the name, he decided he didn't want the pin anyway...

Pictures taken March 1, 2012

The other day Ammon was playing with some silly putty he got at his birthday.
Peter was feeling left out.

We could have gone to the store to buy him some.

We could have told him to tough it out.

Instead, we went to the store and bought the stuff to MAKE some.

It didn't turn out quite the same.

And it dried out the next day.

But it was fun and made him happy.

He is lucky to have a dad who does such fun things with him.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Father's Day

Pictures taken June 19, 2011

We had a fun Father's Day weekend.

We spent Saturday evening with some of my family and had a delicious Spaghetti dinner.

On Sunday we had dinner with some of Andrew's family.

On Saturday morning Andrew helped Derrick buy his new grill.

Then on Sunday we broke it in with some delicious orange chicken.

Ammon and Michael had a good time together.

Peter and Sophia enjoyed playing with the ring toss game.

Quincy mostly took a nap.

The rest of us visited and enjoyed the awesome food.

Andrew is an amazing father.

Before Ammon was two weeks old, he was running errands with his Dad.

Daddy is better at bed time than Mommy.

He knows Peter's favorite night time songs in just the right order.

Daddy gets the boys ready for church every Sunday.

(I don't know how I got so spoiled!)

The boys always have a nice white shirt because DADDY makes sure it's ready.

Daddy plays games, reads stories and has lots of fun with the boys.

They are lucky to have such a wonderful dad.

Thanks Andy!

You are wonderful and we all love you so much!

Happy Father's Day!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Training Wheels

Pictures taken April 25, 2011

Andy decided that Peter didn't need his training wheels anymore.

Because Peter likes tools, he agreed to have them come off.

That lasted for about five minutes.

Or less.

They're back on now.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Project Day

Pictures taken November 06, 2010

As has been so common this semester,

The boys spent a morning with Daddy while Mommy stayed home to study.

They've been to many different Home Depot's over the months.

Some have nicer employees and policies than others.
This particular day they were at yet another location.

Andy loved the man in the picture who helped out with the boys.
Without this man, Andy explained, there would be no pictures.

So I am pretty sure I love him too.

And just as good - if not better,

Not only did the boys each do a project of their own,

But they made one for me to:

A spice rack!

I have been wanting one for ages and Andy has been planning to make me one.

The one they made at Home Depot was small.

Andy will still make me another one.

But I was absolutely delighted and completely surprised.

(Which is saying something because I tend to be hard to surprise.)

I think these boys are pretty lucky.

They have such a great dad who is willing to take them out for so many adventures.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty lucky too.

It's the month of Thanksgiving, and I am thankful for my family!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Summertime Joy

Pictures taken May 29, 2010

Peter is an outside boy.

He loves hunting for ants.

He loves jumping on the trampoline
and playing soccer.

He loves blowing bubbles
and writing with sidewalk chalk.

And today, Daddy taught him a new passion: tennis.

(Or as Peter names it - "the green ball game".)

And with all of the love and passion this little boy has,

I hope Peter always remembers that he is the love and passion of his daddy.

(And of his mommy; both of our boys are.)

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Utah State Fair

Pictures taken September 10, 2009

The year I was on my mission, my family somehow gained a connection to the Giant Yellow Slide at the Utah State Fair. At least a couple of people from my family have worked there every year since. The connections we have to employees of the Giant Yellow Slide means unlimted free rides!!! We love it. This year I wasn't able to go (it was my first night back to school) but Andrew took the boys and met my sister there with her family. They had a great time on the slide.

The boys also loved the Little Hands on the Farm. There is so much for them to do there! I am so glad that Andrew dilligently took my camera and got TONS of pictures for me. It looks like I really missed out, but at least I get to see what I missed out on!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Missing Daddy

I don't know that any day is really 'easy' but today was an especially hard day for us as we missed having Daddy around. I have been fretting like nothing else about the fact that we had no present for Andy to open so we finally came up with something and (spending a small fortune) had it shipped out today. Ammon helped with the wrapping and he was excited to send the packages to Daddy. But, I realized as we were driving to the UPS Store, Ammon thought we were going to deliver the gifts in person. He was really excited.

"Where is Daddy? Is he at the airport or something?" (Made sense since that is the last place we saw him.)

"No Ammon, Daddy is far away in New Mexico."

"New Mexico? Do we get to fly on a plane?"

"No Ammon, not for a long time still. We are taking the present to the mailman and the mailman will take it to Daddy for us."

"The mailman? (pause) Oh." (silence)

Anyway, I didn't expect it, but sending Andy's gifts to him, which I thought was something to help connect us for the holiday just ended up emphasising the distance between us. After we shipped the package Ammon put on his hat and thought of Daddy while we drove. I know he misses Andy so much, but he is a cute trooper of a little boy and is handling it so well.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

It must be Christmas Time!

Last Tuesday we got a lovely little bit of snow. I was so excited to have it snow before Andy left. I thought to myself, "Now it feels like he gets to spend a little bit of Christmas with us before he leaves."

"Uh-oh!" I quickly realized, "I think that it take snow to make it feel like Christmas. What am I going to do next year in YUMA????"

But let's not worry about next year yet. On Saturday we had a beautiful snow storm that lasted all day. Ammon had a great time and the men all worked hard to clear the snow from the sidewalks and driveways. I am glad that Ammon was able to work alongside Daddy and Grandpa in the snow. There is just something fun about it.

Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.