World's Greatest Dad

This is where I inherit my photo-taking abilities

Not only do I have the greatest mom...
I also have the single greatest dad!
Aren't I just so darn lucky??
So let me give you some reasons as to why my dad is the greatest...

Cuddle time with Ethan

First of all...goodness does that man have a sense of humor.

One time at dinner, we were eating spaghetti.

And he's a bit of a noisy eater.

So after a particular loud sluurrrp, he looked up and said...

"Man, I suck!"

The best part is how much he cracks himself up.

There's also his classics, like when we drive past a cemetary...

"People are just dying to get in there!"

Or how all of his fortune cookies say the same thing...

"You will suffer a long and painful death."

He's all about clever and cheesy jokes.

Which I have definitely inherited from him.

I'm already getting people booing at my awful jokes and puns.

It couldn't make me happier to think that I might be like my dad :)

Clammin'

Second of all....can we just talk about the musical genius that he is?
He writes music.
He sings.
He plays just about every instrument known to man.
He even builds instruments (guitars, marimbas....).
All of his students just love "Mr. T".
Who wouldn't?
Confession time.
My dad used to ask me to come sing with him when I lived at home.
And I always said no...
I feel bad for that.
I was just so nervous that I would sound bad!
I didn't want to disappoint him...
But now I just want to sing all the time.
Your efforts were not in vain, Dad.
I'll sing with you anytime :)

My favorite thing...playing guitar around the campfire :)

Third of all...he has incredible work ethic.

He is probably the hardest worker I know!

Once he decides to do something, it's going to get done.

You can count on that.

He will work all day to get something finished.

He's the kind of dad who takes advantage of you saying "I'm bored."

I learned pretty quick to avoid that phrase.

I used to absolutely hate it whenever he would give me a chore.

I felt like he was demanding so much from me.

But then I came to realize that he appreciated when I did as he asked.

And that is a good feeling.

He is just the best example of a hard worker.

Seriously.

What a good-lookin' dad I have!

Fourth of all...he is an excellent cook.
Especially Chinese cuisine.
Stir fry.
Fried rice.
Potstickers.
Sushi.
Among many others.
I don't think I would appreciate any of that near as much...
If it weren't for the top-notch skills my dad has.
And he is so good at growing his garden.
I hear he grows a mean tomato.
I think that's a big reason why I'm teaching myself to like tomatoes.
He makes them look soooo yummy.....
And that's probably why his BLTs are so bomb.
And I also gained my love for spicy food from him.
And kimchi.
Thanks Dad :)

Fifth of all...what a testimony.

The only way I can describe it is that it's solid as a rock.

So sleepy....

He has built such a strong foundation of true gospel living.

I wish I appreciated our early morning family scripture study when I was younger.

I was mostly upset about having to get up early.

In fact...I had a system worked out.

I would lay there (facing away from my dad) with my scriptures open.

I would look ahead to see which verses I would be reading.

Then I looked at the last sentence from the last verse ahead of me.

That way, I'd wake up enough to read my portion without skipping a beat.

I thought I was so clever.

But even if I wasn't so good at paying attention, it still made a difference.

I think back on those mornings fondly.

Just how awake and ready for scripture study my dad was...

It's hard to describe....but it just makes me feel warm.

I guess you'd probably call that the Spirit, eh?

Thank you for setting such a good example for me, Dad.

And for being a worthy priesthood holder.

That has been such a blessing in our lives.

Sixth of all....somehow, my dad is a morning person...

What an example of true love :)

I always thought he was nuts.
In the summer and on weekends, he hated us sleeping in.
If it were his choice, we'd all be up and working at 7:00 am.
"That is sleeping in!"
I dreaded the sound of his electric razor...
Usually that meant he was walking down the hall to wake me up.
But as I've gotten older, I've come to understand a little more.
Mornings are just so calm and peaceful....
I'm not there yet (and I've never admitted this out loud...), but I think I could become a morning person.
Whoa.
I hope so though...my dad is always so cheery in the mornings, and I love it :)

Seventh of all....he is such a loving father.

I know he is always teasing us.....

Bulls eye!

But then when you give him a hug goodbye, you can just feel his love for you.

Or when you acheive something you've worked so hard at...

He just looks so proud and, again, you can just feel his love.

One of my favorite things was when he came to my Extravadance shows.

After every performance he would tell me "Good job, Meggie."

With a big ol' smile on his face.

And every once in awhile he would mention something like:

"Isn't it so cool to just go after what you're passionate about?"

I just feel like that gives me a special connection with my dad.

I love it so much.

I am just so humbled that I got to be raised by you. 

I have learned so much through the things you have taught me, both by words and example.

I look up to you so much.

Happy Father's Day!
I love you, Dad!

Staring into the distance....

Check out that 'stache!

I don't know how they deal with all of us....

What a good grandpa :)

Comforting Melissa and her sliced hand

Playing with his new smart phone (probably the farting app...)

Chilling down at the river

World's Greatest Mom

Little LeeAnn :)

My mom is the greatest!
Seriously...there is no question.
And I will tell you why.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

First of all...my mom is funny!
She can be one sassy lady.
Sometimes she calls me out on certain things on Facebook.
And also, sometimes she says things like "Naveh means beautiful in...Jesus words..."
And she's such a good sport when we tease her for such things :)

My parents are adorable :)

Second of all...heavens, can that woman cook!
If you know my mom at all, you know how famous her bread is.
Everyone dies for her bread.
It's like candy.
I don't think she's ever made a meal I didn't like.
Except tomato cheese bread.
But I blame those pesky tomatoes.
Her ham lasagna is my favorite.

Running the beach in Oregon

Third of all...she owns up to her mistakes.
Like that one time she tried to put layers in my hair.
And my hair ended up above my ears....
I don't think she's cut my hair since.

                           

Always such a good cook...

She gets it.          



Fourth of all...she's a really good flirt.
Sometimes she gets worried that I don't know how to flirt.
(I think she's concerned that I repel men...)
One time we were at Olive Garden.
Our waiter was very attractive.
She kept chatting it up with him whenever he came by.
Then she asked why I wasn't flirting with him.......
And left my number for him with the tip.
Yea, I never heard from him.
My mom is better at flirting than I am.

Superwoman :)

Fifth of all...she is so supportive.
She put me in dance when I was 3 years old.
I don't think she realized how big of a deal that would end up being.
She has been there for every performance.
Celebrated every milestone with me.
Endured my whining about aches and pains.
She has always supported my decisions.
I couldn't have accomplished what I have without her support.

Sisters!

Sixth of all...she is so giving.
She is always so incredibly busy helping other people.
She is the best example of selflessness.
Always thinking of ways to make life easier for other people.
Not thinking of herself.

Digging for clams

She goes out of her way to help others.
If I can be just a fraction like her....



Seventh of all...she is a spiritual giant.
She may be short...but her testimony is huge.
I always complain about my problems to her.
And her advice is always sound.
I have leaned on her testimony many times.
She has helped me strengthen my own.
And I know that she has helped many many others do the same.

Grandma time!

I love you so much, Mom! I am so grateful to have been blessed to have you as my mother. You have been the best example to me in so many ways! Thanks for putting up with me :)

Happy "25th" Birthday :)

Sharing her cooking skills with the grandkids

Girl's weekend! (I know you're going to hate me for posting this...)

This makes me happy :)

Mmm....

The best mom becoming the best grandma :)

Hot

I am one of those people who would much rather be hot than cold.
There's no use arguing with me on the whole "but you can always put on more clothes" debate.
That doesn't make a difference to me.

This is me in the winter...minus the
 crying face, and with lots of blankets.



It doesn't matter how many clothes I layer on...once I'm cold, I'm cold.

It's gonna take more than a few layers of clothes to get me warmed up.

The only time I have an exception to this preference is at night.

At night I can pile on blankets like there's no tomorrow.

And cuddle up into a ball so tight you could slam dunk me.
Okay...dumb comparison. But you get the idea.
I absolutely cannot sleep when I'm hot.
It just doesn't happen.
And it generally

 hasn't been a huge issue in my life.

Summers in Idaho are perfect...nice and hot during the day, and cool and breezy at night.

So usually as long as I sleep with my window open, it's just...perfect.

Well....that is not the case here in Salt Lake.

I have had several restless nights due to the heat.



This is me now. Dying.



Already.

And it's only the beginning of June.

I'm very concerned.

I sleep with the window wide open.

And my fan on high.

No blankets.

Only in my skivves (TMI? Sorry).

And I'm still sweating.

Last night was the last straw.

I'm exhausted.



And this is how ecstatic I will be once I get
air conditioning.



I'm now shopping on KSL and Craigslist for window air conditioners.

However, if anyone knows anyone getting rid of one, let me know!
I'm hoping to get one today.

I get off work at 7:00.

I will get a good night's sleep tonight.





UPDATE: I did get an awesome air conditioner that night! And when I had asked the lady selling it, she said it was super easy to install.....ha. I ended up just setting it on my sewing table next to the open window. It does work great...I just need to find someone to install it for me. The position for that "someone" is up for grabs.

UPDATED UPDATE (06/20/13): Last night I officially had my lovely AC installed. It was a lot more involved than I thought it would be...but it's working perfectly! I slept so good last night....life is looking mucho better :)