Happy Father's Day

Father's Day began with Easton and me sneaking out of bed to get Lane's favorite coffee cake in the oven and start a batch of ice cream for dessert that evening. 

The kids wished their daddy a happy Father's Day, gave him some pictures and cards they had prepared for him on Friday, and we devoured that coffee cake together. 

After some lunch and a rest, we loaded up the car for an afternoon at the park. We painted, the kids rode bikes and scooters, we walked on some trails and flew kites.  Lane even gave Gabriela some lessons on flying his stunt kite and let her try all on her own. 

That helmet is from bike riding. Kite flying isn't so dangerous that we need helmets. 

Same goes for painting and helmets. Easton asked me to paint a dinosaur in the bathroom brushing his teeth. I worked so hard to paint his request. He then proceeded to paint black over the entire page, explaining they were curtains because the dinosaur didn't want anyone seeing him in his bathroom. 

The kids made kites last summer with some friends, and they still work wonderfully. 

Easton was so proud of his kite. 

After riding bikes down some very steep hills, and exploring creeks and trails, we decided to head back home. After all, I had to prepare the Father's Day BBQ. Lane requested bbq country style ribs, which had been resting in their spiced dry rub since the previous morning. We also grilled squash and corn on the cob, and I roasted these lemony garlicky oregano potatoes. Yum. We feasted outdoors and then enjoyed some homemade vanilla ice cream with delicious ripe peaches, one of Lane's favorite desserts. 

We had a lovely day together as a family. I am so lucky that our children have Lane as their dad. He works so hard to make sure we are taken care of. He knows how to love them and care for them, he makes them laugh like they never laugh with me, and shares his sense of adventure with them. My love for him grows as I watch him care for our babies, as we continue to grieve the loss of our dear simone, and as we ever so anxiously await the arrival of our fourth beloved child.