Happy Birthday, Jack!

It's my dad's birthday today, and true to form he is off enjoying himself in Southern Utah somewhere. It's a secret location and don't bother asking. He will gladly show you pictures of his adventures, tell you grand stories of the fun times he had, but when it comes to actual DIRECTIONS to a place, his memory can get a little fuzzy- especially if it's a "good" spot. But, I digress.

I have so many fun memories with my dad. He and "Daddy Doug" would load up their combined 7 children at a moment's notice for a camping trip to Graveyard Flats or later, their cabin. We went awesome places together: Bluff, down the Escalante, the Wind Rivers, Yosemite, the San Rafael Swell, Capital Reef, Zion's, and so many others. He told us kids we were part mountain goat, and we believed him. We hiked all over the place, and learned to appreciate the outdoors and what it had to offer us. I still marvel at our beautiful world, and it is because my dad taught me to really see it.

Jack is so devoted to his kids and grandkids.

Here we are with Elise and Kate.

This is my dad a couple of summers ago with Kate. He built her a playhouse to her exact specifications. "Grandpa Jack, it needs to have a pointed roof and a window and a place for my flowers and a blue door." In addition, he hung swings, put in a slippery slide, and made a sand box. My dad has done so much work around my house that I'm too embarrassed to even begin to itemize it, particularly because I've only paid him in banana bread and other baked goods.

Here he is with Kiki the day we blessed her. Jack is a completely reliable babysitter. My neighbors are constantly surprised to see him out with my girls, taking walks or playing. They will stop me at church for the specific reason of telling me that they can't believe my dad is so maternal. "You let your dad babysit?" they ask incredulously.

Jack loves a good joke. These are some cookies I made him. They were supposed to be just hands, but I couldn't help myself and gave him a plate full of bird flipping sugar cookies. I think it is quite possibly his favorite treat I have ever made him. He has a great sense of humor- I think that's where I got mine from.

Most of all, I appreciate that my dad has tried to always teach me about what really matters in life. Relationships matter, fiscal responsibility matters, awareness matters, and fun matters. What doesn't matter? Material posessions, what others think about you, and jobs. (He and I joked that we work 24/7: 24 hours a month, 7 months a year.) He taught me to love the printed word: books, the newspaper, and mail. I am so lucky that he has been such a good father to me. I love you, Dad, and happy birthday, wherever you are. I hope it's a good spot.