Father's Day

Once again, it is Father's day, and once again, I struggle with finding the perfect gift. I mean, seriously, what is IT that could possibly express the gratitude that a girl feels for her daddy?

When I was a kid, my dad was a school teacher during the winter months, and a Park Ranger during the summer months. I am POSITIVE our early outings are what laid the foundation for my love of red rocks, hot temperatures and good old fashioned dirt. Last summer when I finally took JB to Delicate Arch, she asked me how old I was when I went there for the first time. I told her I didn't remember, because I was sure it was waaaaay before I even learned to walk.

My dad taught me to build fires, how to pitch a tent, how to read trail markers, and the joy of camping.

He taught me that it's ok to be silly, not to take myself so seriously, and that even grownups can have fun. In fact, some of our funniest family stories revolve around practical jokes that my Dad orchestrated... and my sisters and I would fall for them EVERY.SINGLE. TIME. 

I bet if he called me right now saying he had heard there was a  parade just down the street, I would look out the window just to make sure..... (insert eye roll here).

My Dad has always been a snazzy dresser.... Seriously! He most always wears really nice suits to church, and  shirts and ties to work, and he really does look great. I have NO IDEA the story behind this particular suit, but feel it's got to be a good one! Lookin' Snazzy, Dad!

This look, the one he does with the big eyes, and the little twist of the lips is BY FAR one of my favorite facial expressions that my Dad makes. This is his "You have got to be kidding me" face... and it's usually followed by a stare in someone else's direction as if to say " Did you hear that, too?" and ends with a big hearty laugh. My Dad has the best laugh. EVER.

I am so thankful that he is my Dad, and a fantastic Grandpa to JB.

See how hard it is to find the "perfect" gift?  I know I can't. It is impossible to find.  I'll settle for something lame that catches my eye and reminds me of him in some weird way. But I will always be on the look out for that something a little extra special. Until I find it though, I hope that Dad knows that he makes our day, and that he is greatly, greatly loved.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.