Father's Day 2013 (a day early)

As usual, we celebrated the Sunday holiday on Saturday.  It was a great family day (and a beautiful weather day which we of course took full advantage of).  This morning Koen and I did some work on the gift we were preparing for Doug from the boys.  While we did that Penn played Legos with Tav (under supervision by Doug of course).

Koen, Tav and Penn all had to put their handprints on our gift for Doug.  Koen wasn't too sure about getting dirty and Tav and Penn definitely didn't enjoy that part, but the result turned out well (here's where I got the idea).

While down in the basement helping with the project, Tavin got attracted to the tool playset. I had practically forgotten about it and he is the perfect age for it.  You can see he was quite into playing, "Bob the Builder."  Nothing like sandals, PJ's, a Home Depot apron and protective eyewear as an ensemble!

Penn was super cranky right before his nap, so he had a good long morning rest before I woke him up for a midday family adventure.  When I woke him up I felt like he felt feverish, but figured maybe he was just warm from being all snuggled up in bed.  Well, my initial thoughts were correct.  Poor Penn was a disaster on our outing.  I felt so guilty for bringing him.  Our original plan was to park on the Heritage Trail and bike down to Point State Park and take in some of the Arts Fest activities with the boys and have a picnic and then bike back and get home for naptime.  Well, with Penn's sad state we ended up just biking up to the step fountain at PNC Park.  Koen and Tavin were so flexible and enjoyed every minute of the modified plan.  I didn't get many pictures because my hands were full of Penn.  He barely ate and just cried for a half hour straight and then I started just singing to him and he fell asleep in my arms.  So sad!  Here are his happy-go-lucky brothers taking a break from cooling off in the fountain with some lunch.

We did make it home in plenty of time for naptime.  Penn went right down and slept all afternoon.  Unfortunately it didn't seem to improve anything about his state.  He was feverish and lethargic all evening (and he didn't even make it all the way to his usual bedtime).  Here he is cuddled up to Doug.

After I put Penn down early, the big boys, Doug and I enjoyed a grill-out Father's Day dinner.  

After dinner the boys and I presented Doug with his gifts and sang, "Happy Father's Day."  Koen was so excited to show Doug our "big" project.

Koen also made a Father's Day card picture of he and Doug and Tav playing soccer.  That's their favorite evening activity.

It was a simple day and a wonderful day together (well except for sad Penn).  Douglas, you really are the boys hero.   They adore you, they emulate you, they want to be with you.  It's such a blessing to marry a man that grows into such an amazing father.  I can't wait to see where else the Lord leads you on this journey of fatherhood, but it's been amazing to watch all that he created you to be in this role so far.  Keep up the good work, babe.  Or as Koen said, "ok, Daddy, one more game of soccer...you know, for the next Father's Day?"