My dad had a birthday recently and I've realized he hasn't been featured in a bunch of posts on my blog yet. So I thought it fitting to do a little tribute to him today. In the picture above, it was my fourth birthday. I always felt safe with my dad. He always watched out for me and made sure I was being careful. Sometimes he made me do crazy things like the time he made me take a picture with the duck he has just shot on a hunting trip... 
Yes I am four years old and I am holding a dead duck!
And, we always had to have shooting lessons when we went camping at Blue Lakes. I was 7 or 8 years old in this picture. (This is what happens when you are an only child and there is no other boys in the house.) He even convinced me to take a hunter's safety course as a teenager. I don't remember how he got me to do that since I was the only girl there that day. But, I did it for my dad because I knew it meant a lot to him.
Although trips to Blue Lakes with my mom and dad where truly some of my fondest memories growing up. Fishing, hiking, and campfires. I loved it all. Playing chess with my dad was a huge memory too. He smoked me for years at the game but I got better as I got older and, on occasion, did some smoking of my own. We would also go on some very bumpy off-road rides so he could try out the 4-wheeling capabilities of his trucks.My dad was always the "yes" parent. Until my mom figured out that I was going to him all the time to see if I could do things...and put the kabosh on that. (Smart move mom! But at the time...I was highly discouraged that my technique was figured out.)
When my dad went to the store, he would always come back with a hostess cherry pie for me and whatever change was in his pocket. It always made me happy.
I remember both my parents always being very supportive. Encouraging me to try the things I wanted to do. I always felt that!My dad (and my mom) have given me a love for my family history. In high school, my dad encouraged me to do a report on six generations of our family in San Joaquin County. I really enjoyed it but I think my dad enjoyed it more at the time. I learned a lot from that report. And I was inspired to learn more. I've had a love of it ever since. Last year, my dad and I went to Ireland to search out family ties there and it was a great experience! And we made some new discoveries that we were very excited about. This year I hope to submit all our documentation for the Mayflower Society since we had quite a few ancestors who came over on the Mayflower. Some of the more famous are John Howland, Francis Cooke, Dr. Samuel Fuller, and Peter Browne. John Howland's claim to fame being he was the one who was swept overboard at one point of the trip but managed to get back on. I will get it done this year dad...it's one of my resolutions!
For awhile...my dad even had me convinced that I might want to join the air force. I'm glad I talked myself out of that one. But, I always admired my dad's strength and wanted that quality for myself. So, for awhile I considered it...
He always gives me the best birthday cards. Very heartfelt with a wonderful message. It always meant a lot to me. And, I appreciate when he calls on Sundays just to check in and tell me he loves me! I love you too dad!
Now, look who wants to be like him. Bennett gave himself a little mustache yesterday with help from a black Crayola marker...
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