The dad's I know and love

Well, today is Father's Day and what better tribute than to show pictures of some of the men in my life who are great dads. I'll start with my own dad. This is me on my first birthday. Dad was helping me open presents.I don't have a lot of pictures of me and my dad, but this one was pretty cute. My dad is great. He has changed a lot since I was growing up and I don't even recognize the man he has become. But it is a beautiful thing to see the way he has changed and shaped and grown. He wasn't home a lot when I was growing up, but seeing the man that he is now I would rather he be the awesome grandpa that he is then change anything about how I was growing up. He is so good with the kids. He calls Ky "girlfriend" and he taught all the kids to pound his knuckles. He takes Aaron fishing and even rode the roller coaster with Aaron, Megan (my niece) and my brother. I love you Dad, now more than ever!

This is my Grandpa Richins. My grandma passed away in August and I was really worried about him for quite a while. He just didn't seem the same. Almost as if he'd lost a limb, probably worse than loosing a limb. At the funeral he let me know how much he loved my grandma and how he knew she loved him by all the things she did for him. My grandpa is a special man. He holds a very special place in my heart. I can remember growing up we used to go to their house all the time and he'd always stand with his hands on his hips. Then he'd raise his hands under his armpits (think like bird wings) and he's just stare us down. He also used to read to me all the time. I had a favorite book "Rotten Ralph" and every time we went to Grandma's he's read it to me. He got so sick of reading it to me that he finally just gave me the book. lol. I swiped it from my mom when I left for college and I read it to my kids now. My grandpa also is a great gardener. He grows huge pumpkins and the best tomatoes ever!! I love you grandpa!! and I miss you!!! Happy Father's Day.

Here's a pic of my dad and my grandpa. And before I get any further I should mention where the pics came from. All of the pictures except of Mike, me and dad, shae, and my uncle steve all came from my brother. The pic of Uncle Steve I swiped off of my cousins's blog. Thanks Holly!!

Ok, so Dad and Grandpa. This next one is of my Grandpa, my Uncle Ryan (my dad's youngest brother) and Dad. Uncle Ryan is a great dad. He has a daughter Kendall and his son Kallen passed away last fall. While we were at my grandma's funeral I really got to watch him as an adult and he is such a good dad and husband. Kendall is handicapped and Ryan is so patient and loving with her. It was just the sweetest thing to see.

This is my brother, Christopher, or Pard as we like to call him. (Long story). Anyway, Pard is a GrEaT dad!! He takes time to be with his kids and to include them. He always asks their opinion on things which I think some times as adults we forget that kids have their own opinions too. He works hard for his family, but always takes the time to be with them whenever he can. He takes his kids fishing and to sporting events and he even helped coach his daughters baseball team!! His wife, Lauren, is pregnant and due with their 3rd child in February!! I am impressed with the kind of dad Christopher turned out to be. He's one of the best.

This picture is of my other brother , Shae. It's not the best pic of the world, but it's the only one I have right now. Shae is hilarious. He is a good dad and he's a great uncle. He's always telling jokes and making the kids laugh. Ky thinks Uncle Shae is as crazy as a goat! (I have no idea where she got that from, but we have a good laugh over it)
Here are a bunch of great dads. Grandpa, Uncle Ryan, my cousin Jansen, Pard and Dad.
Now this is a picture of my Uncle Steve. (I love this picture btw). My uncle died of cancer several years ago. He was a great man. He always made me feel welcome. I didn't really get to know him that much until I was in college. They always seemed to live far away from where we lived. lol. But they lived in UT most of the time. So while I was in college I came to know my Uncle Steve. His home was a refuge away from roommates and work and problems. He always made me laugh until I cried. He was the most amazing musician I have ever known. Music just flowed through him like nothing I've ever seen. He played several instruments with ease and with style. He was the first one to take me to Temple Square. And then we went to a Greek restaurant after wards. He was funny and sweet and like my cousin said "could wear a pair of overalls like no other!" I've never know any other grown man who wore overalls, but they were like second skin to him. In my parents home there is a picture that I love of my dad and all of his brothers and grandpa and my cousin Jansen. It's a black and white photo and I think it was taken at a temple. They are all in suits. It is a beautiful picture and I wish I had a copy of it. I miss my Uncle Steve and I look forward to the day that I can get to know him better.

Last but not least is Mike. I wrote a tribute to Mike on the other blog, but I want everyone to know how much I love him. He is a great dad and a good husband. (I hate this pic of me btw) It's been an adventure to love him and to realize that I love him more today then I did almost 9 years ago when we were married. There are several more men that I love who are great dads who I don't have pictures of, like my brother in law Devon - who just became a dad again yesterday. And my Uncle Dan, who is my mom's brother. My other Grandpas - Martinez and Anderson. My list could go on and on. So I hope you all had a great Fathers day remembering those you love the most!!