Father's Day Fun

Today is Matthew's 4th Father's Day and this year more than ever he deserves to be celebrated, appreciated and recognized for all that he is and all that he does. He's really had to step up and take on extra burdens the past few months and he hasn't once complained or made me feel guilty for my lack of energy and inability to carry out some of my duties as a stay-home-mom and wife.  Please excuse me while I do a little bragging.  He's made countless trips to the grocery store, done dozens of loads of laundry, washed sinks full of dishes, cooked meals, paid bills and has even become pretty good at wiping the hiney and brushing the tangled hair of a certain little girl!  I could go on and on but you get the picture.  He's always been a great Dad and husband, but he's worked extra hard at it since December and I could not have made it through these past six months without him!

So, this weekend was all about DADDY!  Normally he spends EVERY SINGLE SATURDAY mowing our enormous yard, which takes him literally all day long.  With these frequent summer showers, he has to really stay on top of our yard and he selflessly devotes every Saturday to doing just that.  It's a LOT of work but he takes pride in it and never complains.  Yesterday I pretty much demanded that he forget about the yard work and do something for himself.  To my surprise, he did just that.  He got up early and played golf with two of his friends and then came home shortly after lunch.  He asked if Kyndall and I would be interested in going to the Jackson Generals baseball game and of course we said yes.  I know it's one of his favorite things to do and he's been talking about taking Kyndall ever since we moved here.  To make it an even sweeter deal, last night was DISNEY night, complete with a Disney themed fireworks show after the game.  Off we went!

Kyndall was soooo excited about going!  The last game she attended was in 2011 when we lived in Charleston, SC and she looked like this....

She insisted on having at least one picture that included her dolphin which she recently named "Vanilla Ice Cream" (???)

Before we even got to the baseball field, I looked back to see this, which NEVER happens!

Thankfully she was so excited about the baseball game that she woke up happy instead of grumpy after her power nap

We dined on ridiculously over-priced junk food and Kyndall chose a healthy dinner of nachos with cheese sauce and vanilla ice cream

Beautiful evening for a game!

She met a friend and they discussed their love for all things Frozen during the last few innings.  When the cute little boy asked Kyndall what her name was, she confidently replied "Elsa, what's yours?"  Oh my....we seriously need an intervention!

Check out that body language!  She has her legs crossed like a little lady as she converses with her new pal!

Before long, that sweet innocent conversation turned to this.....

The fireworks were GREAT as usual and especially so because they were set to the theme songs from some of our favorite Disney movies.  The grand finale was done to the Frozen theme song and I'm not lying when I say there must have been thousands of little itty bitty girly voices singing as loudly as possible all across the stadium in perfect unison.  It was so cute!  

The line for Dippin' Dots was cray cray by the end of the night so we stopped for Icees at the gas station on the way home instead.  Kyndall chose a Mt. Dew Icee.....at 10:15 at night!  I was prepared for quite the bedtime battle but to my surprise she went down without a peep and was asleep in less than 10 minutes.  That's a sure sign of a tired little girl when not even 16 ounces of pure caffeine can keep her awake!

Before church this morning......

Bright sun = squinty eyes

Still the sweetest picture ever, though!

This is what my heart looks like outside of my body.  

After church we tried a new-ish (and new to us) restaurant called Sparky's.  I'm pretty sure it's topped our beloved Snappy Tomatoes!  So yummy!  Then it was home to Skype with our parents and wish our Dads a Happy Father's Day.  We were able to watch both of our Dads open their gifts and cards via Skype.  I love technology!!

I was super excited to give Matthew his present this year because I knew he was in no way expecting it!  It was my Dad's idea and he really helped me pull it off since the gift was something I am CLUELESS about!  You'll see what I mean......

Skyping with the family

Matthew's gift from everyone!  He was VERY surprised and so excited!

Now you know why my Dad had to walk me through the process of buying this gift!  I've never in my life purchased a gun and had no idea how to even begin.  The gun is on back order but hopefully it will be here soon!

We spent the rest of the afternoon/evening hanging out together and enjoying the beautiful afternoon.  As I'm writing this it's 8:15 pm ad we're all out in the yard together---Matthew working on the flower beds (he couldn't stand it I guess!) and Kyndall riding her bike up and down the driveway.  I'm sitting on the tailgate of Matthew's truck just taking it all in and counting my many blessings!

And because I love reminiscing, here's a look back at Father's Days past......

Matthew's first Father's Day----2011

Charleston, SC

Father's Day #2---2012

Charleston, SC

(Kyndall had JUST learned to walk, about two weeks prior!)

Father's Day #3---2013

Jackson, TN

This has always been one of my favorite pictures of Miss Priss!

I am beyond blessed to have many wonderful fathers in my life.  My Dad who has always made life fun, to my father-in-law who has always treated me like the daughter he never had, and of course Matthew who I am so thankful to be sharing this life with.  This is the first Father's Day without my precious Granddaddy, but he too was and always will be a great influence in my life.  And who can forget my Heavenly Father who is the very reason that I am able to wake up each and every morning and enjoy these blessings.

It's been a great day and it just got even better----Kyndall just spotted her very first lightening bug and she is completely in awe!!  I'm off to chase some bugs with my girl!  Happy Father's Day!!