Happy Father's Day!

I usually create some crafty little card for Darren for Father's Day and other occasions, but all of my scrapbooking stuff is still packed away somewhere, so I guess a little blog tribute will have to do this year! I am so lucky - Darren is such a great husband and a wonderful dad to Logan and Rylee and they love him so much! We have all been so spoiled for the past 2 months with Darren having so much time off - It has been like a big vacation! The kids have truly loved spending so much time with their dad and doing so many fun things together! Every time Darren goes into the office now, Logan gets so upset that he has to go to work. He loves playing and hanging out with his dad! Logan and Rylee both get so excited when they hear Darren come home and run to the door - Rylee is so cute and says "daddy" and runs straight to the door as soon as she hears him coming. Darren is so good to help me with the kids and I feel that he is truly my partner in raising them. He helps with baths, diapers, bedtime and everything else and really makes an effort to spend time with both Logan and Rylee and I love that about him. It will be hard when he does start working because I have been used to so much help for the last little while! He is truly a hands-on dad and makes things so special for them. He can always make them laugh so hard and they adore him and look up to him so much. I couldn't ask for a better father, husband or example.
Part of the reason I fell in love with Darren was that I could see what a good dad he would someday be. The summer we got engaged, I was working for EFY and the weeks I was working was not able to see Darren at all, so we always tried to do something fun on the weekends. One weekend, we promised my little brothers that we would take them to the Hogle Zoo (they were 2, 6 and 8 at the time...) Not many boyfriends would be too excited about spending the only time together with 3 little brothers at the zoo, but Darren was so great with them. I remember writing in my journal about how great a father I knew he would be after seeing his patience and love with my brothers. He was so wonderful all day and I knew he would be a great dad someday, which was so important to me.
Thank you, D, for all that you do to make my job easier and for being such a great dad who truly gives his time and love to his kids. You are always trying to do fun things with the kids and make so many great memories and experiences for them to remember and to spend time with you. Logan and Rylee are so blessed to have such a great dad who does so much for them and loves them so much! We all love you and are so thankful for you and all you do!!!
I also want to take a chance to thank my own dad - He is such a great example to me and always has been. He recently celebrated his 50th birthday, and for a surprise we put together a little book of 50 things that we loved about him. It was so easy for me to come up with a list - He has always been there for me and taught me so many things. He has given me a great love of the scriptures and the gospel and taught me the importance of family and obedience. He has always been so supportive and one of my biggest fans and gives great advice. I always know I can go to him. Ever since I was young, he has also planned great vacations for us as a family and given us so many great experiences. This summer he is taking us all to Disneyworld and we are SO excited to spend together!!! He is also one of the best grandpas you could ever ask for - He gets the biggest, cheesiest smile on his face whenever he sees Logan and Rylee and they love being around him! He plays with them so cute and they love it! Thanks Dad (and Grandpa)! We LOVE you!
I would also like to thank Bill, Darren's Dad. He did a great job raising Darren to be such a caring and giving person. He has helped us out so much whenever we have needed anything and spoiled us so many times. He is also a great grandpa and takes such pride in his family and their accomplishments. I feel so blessed to be a part of the Webber family! Logan and Rylee love spending time with them, too and have so much fun being around him. Thank you for all you do for us - We LOVE you, too!
This is my first Father's Day without a Grandpa, which is a little wierd. (My other grandpa passed away before I was born...) I am also grateful for all the things that I have learned from wonderful grandfather and the memories that I have of him. We miss you!
Fathers have a great ability to love and influence and I have been truly blessed by some wonderful Father's in my life. To every Father, Happy Father's Day!