My wonderful Dad had a birthday on Friday…we didn’t get to be with him, but had a couple of great chats on the phone. I just thought today I’d give him a little gift this way—remembering lots of fun and all he’s taught us through the years--
Dad--you were a pretty cute kid…
Love these photos of you and big brother Grant clowning around…
Such a wonderful family that loved you and taught you all the things you would one day teach to us…
You learned as a young man to serve the Lord, serve others, and to be a good leader…
You were wise enough to marry the most beautiful and wonderful woman on the planet…
(Dad and Mom’s wedding day…1960)
You are the most amazing father…this may be the first photo of you doing this airplane move with a baby. I’ve seen you do it with every one of my siblings and all of the grandbabies…one of my very favorite sights…
(Dad and me…1962)
You started a pretty great family…
(Dad, Mom, me and Steve…1965)
…told us countless wonderful stories, both from books and from your own imagination (our favorites!)
Taught us to love each other, no matter what…
(The family in the ‘70’s…not the most beautiful decade for fashion, was it?! Okay, ladies…remember “Gunne Sax” dresses? I LOVED them!)
…even the goofy kids…
(Greg and Becky in the late ‘70’s…we’re still not quite sure what they were thinking here…a family favorite!)
You taught us the benefits and joys of hard work…(Dad STILL commutes each week between Utah and Los Angeles for work…)
Given us all such a loving, amazing family that loves each other unconditionally…
(The family in 1988, right after Roger and I were married.)
And, look--we’re still here together! Thanks, Dad. For being such a wonderful father…
(The original bunch this last June, while celebrating Dad and Mom’s 50th anniversary.)
…and a wonderful husband to our sweet mother…(for 50 years and counting!)
…the best grandfather in the world…
Here’s a bunch of people that love you more than you’ll ever know, Dad…
Can’t imagine having a better life than you’ve given me, Dad…a wonderful childhood, teaching me to love those who came before me (which has always been a very important part of me!),
…thoughtful counsel and guidance as I grew into a woman, a great example of how to be a loving parent, and, well…just everything!
Happy belated birthday! You are my father, my friend and my hero. I love you, Dad!
Julie
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteThis was such a wonderfully sweet post. Your father certainly is a Godly example of how father's should be. Thank you for sharing these special memories and pictures.
Welcome back home, by the way!! So glad to see you online again :)
Oh my goodness. This is so beautiful!! How wonderful of you to honor your father... actually your parents at such a special time. I love this sort of posting that pay tribute to what truly makes us.. our parents. Hopefully you'll have a chance to visit my blog as I do this regularly. Love those parents. Mine are now gone, but more than ever I appreciate what they gave us kids and all the love that was in our family.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Sunday!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
Happy Birthday to your Dad! That's quite a commute! Lovely pictures and a beautiful tribute. Mimi
ReplyDeleteWonderful wonderful family post, Julie. A beautiful dedication to both your parents while wishing your father a happy birthday. The photos are just great! Loved every detail of this post and each photo. Your parents taught you the true nature and meaning of LOVE!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Coralie
What a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteI love the one of him holding you when you were a baby. Happy Birthday to your Dad!
ReplyDeleteDear Julie,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your father!! Beautiful pictures!!
Love,
Betty
what a beautiful and moving tribute to your wonderful dad. it's so interesting to see his face change but stay the same through the years. you're so lucky to have your parents well, healthy and happy.
ReplyDeletexo
elyse
Hi Julie... what a beautiful post, and happy birthday to your sweet daddy! I love everything you posted about him and especially about his stories from his own imagination... what a beautiful family you have... like you, nothing is more important to me than my family... xoxo Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Julie!
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy Belated Birthday to your sweet and handsome dad! :-)
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Anne
Oh Julie, What a sweet post and what a great dad you have! Happy Birthday to him!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week!
Hugs,
Julia
What a beautiful post and tribute to your father Julie! Happy Birthday to him! What a lovely family you have and thanks so much for the way you always so generously share them with us. I just love reading about them and seeing all your family pictures! I hope you are able to sleep tonight after that long nap you had today! Sending lots of love and hugs your way! xxoo
ReplyDeleteJulie, this is a very beautifull post,
ReplyDeleteloved seing all the photoes, of your wonderfull family.Happy belated birthday to your dad.
Hugs, Dorthe
Beautiful post to honor you Dad and your family. Such a lovely family you have. Looks like you were born right around the same time as my son !
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely tribute to your Dad, I'm sure he's thrilled. Family is wonderful, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteoops, the above comment was NOT from Tim. I didn't realize that I was signed into my husband's account.
ReplyDeleteLorrie
Julie, I am so happy I popped in today to see this lovely tribute to your Dad. I can tell from your own words how special your parents are. Their values ring very clear in you. Don't mock the Gunny Sax! We have purchased three vintage ones for my daughter at over $100 apiece! On here they look so cute, not so much in our day Julie! Have a fun week ahead! Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteOh, Julie, what a lovely tribute to your father! Happy Birthday to him! You always share the most wonderful family photos . . . how blessed you are to have such a warm, loving, LARGE family!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh Julie - this is so nice. You are so lucky to have had the experience of having a Dad. All the little things! What could top those?
ReplyDeleteI lost mine when I was 8 and have always felt a hole - and a little cheated. But my FIL sure helps! He is the best!
Great post!
Hugs! Karen
Your lucky, and so is your Dad
ReplyDeleteJulie, What a sweet post about your Dad! You are so lucky to still have him with you. Mine is now my Guardian Angel along with my Grandmother. I MISS HIM SO!!!! Go hug yours a great big bear hug while you can. Have a great week. Charlene
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! This is such a beautiful post! It actually made me a bit misty eyed! I lost my dad a couple of years ago, and everything you said about your precious dad could have also applied to mine. We were both blessed with wonderful fathers. What a beautiful family you are!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Dad, give him an extra hug for me. xo Paulette
Gosh, I'm just loving
ReplyDeleteyour sweet daddy today!
Since mine were married
in '60, I'm a '62 and my
little brother a '64, I
can soooo relate to your
growing up.....except our
family didn't keep growing
like yours ~ although I
dearly hoped it would! My
best friend when in 2nd grade
was one of four and I loved
that! And yes, you know
that Gunne Sax was one of
my faves....and Laura Ashley,
too : ) Hope your dad's
b-day was wonderful, Julie!
xx Suzanne
Ahhh happy birthday to your sweet dad! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteJulie, I always love reading about your family. Your pictures are great. He was a cute kid and I love the one of him holding you up with one hand! These years and memories are so special. Have a nice week! Twyla
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, this is my first time here to visit, I was so touched by your beautiful tribute to your Dad it brought tears to my eyes. I lost my Dad when I was 15 that was 30 years ago and my heart still aches for him, I miss him sooooo much. Always cherish your time together. Blessings~~~ Daphne
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, what a beautiful post for your father. Happy belated to him! You are so fortunate to have such a wonderful relationship with your parents. Best wishes for a beautiful day. Tammy
ReplyDeleteJust Beautiful....
ReplyDeleteOh.. Julie..you have the best vintage photos! Happy Birthday to your dad!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute and I bet he is just as proud of you too! :)
ReplyDeletei love this post. your mom and dad look wonderful in their wedding photo. what a beautiful dress. your family is lovely.
ReplyDeleteblessings,
aimee
these are my favorite kinds of posts, from the heart!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done!
As a fellow leo, I wish him a happy birthday too!