A Good Day for a Great Dad!

We think Paul had a good day...
First,we woke him up to serve him one of his favorite breakfasts, his mom's famous cinnamon rolls! (I should remind people that we have early church and I had to get up extra early so they would be warm and tasty right from the oven--aren't I a good wife?) Paul looks tired, doesn't he--he spent all day Friday and Saturday doing Youth Conference and then a service project!

Second, we let him watch the U.S. Open--with the kids, of course.

Third, he got to pick dinner and dessert. And, he has these cute kiddies to play with all day long!

Paul is a great dad and we are so grateful for all he does for our family! Happy Father's Day!

Happy Fathers' Day!

I just read two articles in the Wall Street Journal that lent themselves to the argument of having a good father---one who disciplines, loves, is involved, and also teaches the lessons of life. Paul and I have both been blessed to have fathers who do all of this. Because of them, we have been successful and are able to pass what we have learned to our children. Our fathers were blessed to have fathers who did the same. How grateful we are for the influence of good men in our lives and for the benefit it will be to our children. Happy Fathers' Day to the great men in our life!

(my dad)

(Paul's dad)

(Grandpa Bunting)

(Grandpa Johannesen)

We also have men who stepped into our lives at a later time who encourage and support our family and for that we are also very thankful! Happy Fathers' Day Pat & Van!

(Paul's stepdad Pat)

(Granny's husband Van)

Happy Early Birthday!

We wish Spencer a happy birthday tomorrow! Things may get a big crazy around here with some Fathers' Day celebrating, but we want Spencer to know we'll think of him today AND tomorrow! And what better present could he have than seeing us in 5 days! Have a great one Spence--thanks for being a great brother, uncle, comedian, fix-it-man and all-around good guy! We hope your year is fantastic!

Spring?

The weather has been so wacky here this spring. We have had a couple nice days where I thought spring was finally here, and then the next day was back to winter. I think we'll be skipping right over spring and into summer, which is sad because I love spring! Here are some shots of the kids on one of our beautiful afternoons, which right now are few and far between!

Matthew's Class Presentation

Over the past few weeks Matthew's class has been studying the ocean. With this new learning unit, Matthew has learned so many new facts about the ocean and constantly quizzes us about what he has discovered:

Matt: Mom, what's the friendliest fish in the ocean?
Me: A dolphin?
Matt: No. Dolphins aren't fish. The friendliest fish is a whale shark. They pose no danger to humans.
Matt: What's the largest animal in the ocean?
Me: A whale?
Matt: What kind of whale?
Me: I don't know, just tell me.
(This goes on for a long time)
This week the parents were invited to the classroom for an ocean presentation to see what the kids had learned--lots of songs, poems, readers' theatres, artwork and snacks! It was so fun to see Matt with his friends and (sort of) singing. The singing isn't his thing!
(This is a shark song, so he has a shark puppet on his hand)
Matthew is in a multi-age program so his class has 1st and 2nd graders. Part of the presentation involved the 2nd graders passing the "torch of leadership" to the first graders who will be leaders next year to the incoming 1st graders. Matthew was also chosen by his class to read his "paper" explaining what it meant to be a "new friend." (Old friends=2nd graders, New friends=1st graders) As an English/Literature major, it made my reading and writing-loving self proud!

It pays to have a talented Nana!

The other day a surprise package came in the mail for Afton and Halle. Nana had made them matching dresses and one for Afton's new American Girl doll, Jane. Afton was so excited that she wore the dress for three days. Halle just wants to do what Afton does. Matt was jealous about the package, until he saw that it was clothes! The dresses and the girls wearing them are adorable! Thanks Nana!