Father's Day Weekend 2012: Picture Mania

LONG POST BELOW! :) What can I say? It's been a busy, fulfilling, awesome weekend!

Our Father's Day weekend started with some exciting news. Sam put in his two weeks notice at his law firm because. . . he is starting his own practice with two other partners! I am so happy for him that he's finally doing something he's wanted to do for a long time! This is a very big endeavor that I know will pay off (hopefully soon because we have NO INCOME if it doesn't work out! Dear God, please be good to us!). We joined my sister-in-law in celebrating her fiance's birthday at Chili's that evening, and then Sam and I hung out the rest of the night talking more about his new law practice. (More on this to come!)

Father's Day officially started yesterday (Saturday) when Sam and I made a water park out of our back yard for Banner. We had a really nice time goofing off with him in the sprinklers and baby canopy pool (which I didn't get pictures of because I was actually IN the pool after we got it set up). Then, later in the evening, Mom & Bob snuck into our backyard with a new gas grill for Sam from them, my siblings and their families, and me. I am super excited to have this, as is Sam, because even though we love the charcoal grill - the gas grill is way faster! We even used it last night for Banner's first cook-out here at home. 

Love!

Then, this morning, Sam slept in while I got up with Banner around 7:15. (He's been sleeping in a little in the mornings these days, and I am SO.THANKFUL!) Baby Boy was quite a helper by playing quietly near  me in the kitchen while I prepared a fun breakfast for Sam. We made him homemade donuts, scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, and coffee that we delivered to him in bed shortly before Banner's nap. The donuts were super-easy to make. They were tasty, but I still prefer glazed donuts over these cinnamon sugar ones. Maybe I'll try that next time! :) I got the recipe from Pinterest, but here are some pictures I took as I cooked.

Making homemade donuts

Making a "breakfast for the champion" - not the breakfast OF champions!

Being a big helper while eating Cheerios

We made donuts!

Here is the display we made before entering the bedroom.

Donut, turkey bacon, and egg "Dad!"

Luckily, Sam had just woken up as we came in the room. Perfect timing! Here are some photos from Breakfast in Bed with Banner:

Then, it was time for cards and another gift:

Can you see how much Banner wrote to Daddy? He must take after his Mommy!

Opening his gift from Banner

The note inside

Portfolio for Banner's artwork to Daddy

And, inside, Daddy found Banner's first art project

Here's a close up - thanks to Aunt Kiki for helping

Playing with the bag on Daddy's head

Now Banner's turn

When Banner got up from his nap, we met my dad and his family for a Father's Day lunch with Brock and his family and Kira & Erick. It was a great pizza meal, and Banner even ate a few bites of pizza after he threw a piece or two on the floor. (He's becoming much pickier these days, so I welcomed the pizza exploration!)

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Aunt Kira & Brycen

Love this pic of my dad and me, but need to photoshop that spot in the middle of us!

Uncle Brock and Banner

Ansyn with her niece Mara!

Aunt Kira and Banner Boone

Mara wanted a kiss from "The Ban-Man" too!

Aunt Kiki with Banner

Banner and cousin Mara

Big Boss & Lisa with Banner

Caden with his Uncle Tyce

Big Boss and his grandkids

Our gift to Dad

Brock opening his gift from Mischelle and kids

Photos from Hawaii

Then, we headed home in the sudden rain for a second nap before going to my Mom's house for yet another Father's Day celebration. (We have three dads between Sam and me, so we are busy on days like today!)

A tad blurry but had to get a pic with Papa!

Playing at Grandma & Papa's house

Grandma & Banner

Banner was intrigued by Aunt Mischelle soundly sleeping

So he had to wake her up!

After only 45 minutes visiting Papa on Father's Day, it was time to head over to Zaide's house! When we got there, Banner wore his gift to Zaide - a pirate hat for his new fishing boat! :) Banner handed it over to Zaide as soon as he saw him...

Here Banner is handing Zaide the pirate hat

And Zaide gladly put it on! Looks great!

Playing with cousin Miles

Uncle Sammy & Miles working a puzzle

Zaide & Banner

Zaide showed Banner a picture of himself when he was a boy - with Mamaw and Papaw

NaNa pushing Banner on the toy plane

Colby loves his daddy

Aunt Gayle playing with Banner

Colby wanted to ride like Banner did

Reading a Clifford book with Daddy

Happy Father's Day, Jason!

Colby being silly in Uncle Paul's hat

Whew, what a fast, busy day it's been! Sam and I feel like ping-pong balls going all over the place, but we wouldn't want to miss out on all the fun with the great dads in our lives. I know I wouldn't want it any other way, and to be spending all this time with the greatest daddy was awesome! I love celebrating my husband and all that he gives and does for Banner (and me!). I hope Sam knows how much Banner loves him and appreciates him even if he can't verbalize it yet. As "Banner wrote" in the card he gave to Sam, I hope he knows "by the light in my eyes, the smile on my face, the reach of my arms, the squeeze of my hands, or the resting of my head on your shoulder." Happy Father's Day, Sam, and to all you great dads out there!