Daddy Day

In the three plus years we've had this family blog, I can't believe I've never written a Fathers Day post for dear old Steps. He is more than deserving. Here are a few reasons why:

He puts up with these three crazy, demanding, way-too-early-rising hooligans.
And even manages to do it with a smile.
Need I say more?

He puts up with my crazy, demanding, way-too-female tendencies.
And still allows me to be me.
Never criticizing or trying to change me.

He is a dad who thankfully loves to be home.
With us.
Helping with the kids and the house.
Listening to me blab all the while.
Sans complaints.

He lives worthy of the priesthood power he holds.
Diligently does his duty.
And genuinely cares for others.
Enough to let his five year old attempt a photo.
However badly it might turn out.

Fatherhood definitely agrees with him.
Because he only improves with age.

Ten thumbs up

All five of us went and saw Toy Story 3 Friday morning--shocking, I know, for a family who rarely sees movies in the theater together-- and all five of us gave it a solid two thumbs up. I'm always nervous with sequels and three-quels living up to the first and/or second, but I can honestly say that this one does. We loved it, we will own it, we highly recommend it.

Wait until you see what surprises Buzz Lightyear has up his sleeve. HI-larious!

SWAGGER WAGON

This is too funny not to share.

Hopelessly Devoted

Is it ridiculous that Stephen and I love this place almost as much as our kids do? We were all pretty giddy to see the castle and the fireworks and ride all our favorite rides again. A few new family favorites were discovered along the way, too. Toy Story Midway Mania stole our Buzz Lightyear hearts and bumped Astro Blasters from its #1 spot as Overall Family Fave, a.k.a. The ride you willingly agree to re-ride the most times.

D-land definitely delivers, and this spring break was no exception. We were having a little too much fun to stop and take many photos this trip. . . but at least the character sightings forced us to stand still long enough to remember, "Oh yeah, the camera!" Here's a smattering. For in-depth character coverage, you'll have to ask the boys to see their autograph books and accompanying photos.

"Silly Stitch" as Eli kept calling him

Hangin' in Toontown

More than happy to flex his muscles with Mulan

Good ole Woody

The only proof we have that Stephen, Millie and I were on this trip

Buddies

Millie has a buddy. Her name is Liz. Millie lights up every time her buddy shows up at our house. They are quite a pair, those two.

Liz got a new camera this week and practiced a few shots out back. I love this one. I also love that two of my favorite people in the world adore each other so much.

Soccer Saturdays

of long ago

and today

Can you tell he's having fun scoring goals?

Getting control of the ball


Dad, aka The Ref, taking a break with his biggest fan


Celebration


And away he goes

A big thank you to Grandpa Geddes for all the great action shots

Stye Eye

What do you do if your kid wakes up looking like this?

1. Panic.

2. Worry that it's some freaky kind of pink eye and keep him home from church.

3. Give him his baby sister's pink eye medicine from a few months ago.

4. Realize it looks nothing like pink eye.

5. Regret putting the wrong medicine in his incredibly swollen eye.

6. Guess that it's a stye, even though you have know idea what a stye really is.

7. Call the advice nurse and have her explain that a stye is "an inflamed oil gland on the edge of your eyelid, where the lash meets the lid. It appears as a red, swollen bump that looks like a pimple. It is tender, especially to the touch." (Google Health)

8. Learn that you need to put warm compresses on it four times a day, ten minutes each time, until it drains on its own. This could take up to three months!!!

9. Feel sad for your kid, who has to look out of a small slit for what could be up to ninety days.

10. Get creative in motivating the most active boy in the world to sit still for ten minutes with a warm washcloth on his eye four times a day.