Fatherhood Day 187

I am truly dreading the day when a smile from me won't automatically be responded to in kind. I know it's coming - just hoping to hold on a little longer...

That's my boy!

KHANNNN!!!!!

Thanksgiving at the Bonners' house

Since we weren't going anywhere or having any family in town for Thanksgiving, we decided to have some friends from work over to celebrate the holiday (and pool resources on trimmings). It's always nice to see family of course, but some of the best holiday's I've had have been spent with friends, and this Thanksgiving was no different...thanks to Jay Karr for showing how an actual professional photographer does it by the way...


Next Thanksgiving Macias can eat dinner with us!


We aren't supposed to be watching TV but...the game is on!


Look kids - it's Brian Dearth!


Allison slaved away in the kitchen all day...


Jake Vrabel showing Macias his book of trains


I made the gravy. Well, I stirred the gravy anyway...


Thankfully an expert Turkey carver came over...


The menu


Umm...who let this guy in here?


My favorite: gotta go with the Sweet Potato Casserole.


Taking a break before dessert...


Macias had never seen someone from California before...


It's not turkey and stuffing but...


Jake likes the Bonner's house - we have lots of cool toys...


Like Lightsabers


Darth Dearth


Leeann prepares for battle...


Jake turns to the Dark Side and must be stopped...


Then he turns back to the good side a few minutes later


Battle of the nerds...

Fatherhood - Day 166

Today as Mommy was walking out the door on her way to work she told Daddy to clean Macias' left eye, which was pretty goopy. Well Daddy and Macias got to playing and were having such a good time that Daddy forgot what Mommy told him. So Macias went down for his nap, and Daddy drove him to day care. When he got there and Macias woke up, he could only open one eye as the other one had completely crusted over. Well, Daddy felt really terrible that he forgot to clean Macias' left eye because Macias looked so sad only being able to open his right eye. After getting him out of his car seat he asked Macias' teacher for a warm cloth. Even though his teacher said she would do it, Daddy still felt like crap so he insisted on cleaning Macias' left eye himself. So Daddy put Macias in his crib and cleaned out his left eye...when Macias finally opened his left eye for the first time in more than an hour, the first thing his left eye saw was Daddy - and he gave Daddy the biggest smile he had ever given him. Daddy was so happy that he picked up Macias and they played together right in the middle of his classroom and Daddy was 15 minutes late to work.

And Daddy didn't care one bit.

A night at the symphony

Allison and I left Macias with Grandma Patty and went to see Star Wars in Concert in Greenville on Thursday night. The show was excellent, there were several of the original props and costumes on display and lots of little Ewoks and Stromtroopers running around. I thought I'd share some video for the two people who might care...

Happy Birthday Mom

Sixty-One years ago today my Mother was born and the world became a much better place. I am continuously amazed by her strength and toughness, her ability to handle every punch life has thrown at her (and life has landed some real haymakers) and always get back up off the mat every time. In addition, she taught me left from right, right from wrong, how to drive, how to treat a lady, a respect for life in all its forms and a million other big and small things that made me into the person I am today. It also puts my mind at ease to know that she will be there to help me with the most difficult challenge I'll ever have - doing as good a job raising my son as she did raising hers.

My other baby

Seven years, one month and fourteen days after I came home from the Beaufort Toyota dealership with her, she's finally mine - the title arrived in the mail today. There was no great rejoicing at paying off the loan, mostly because I won't be saving any money as I have substituted one stupid-big monthly payment with another in the form of Macias' day care. Still, even though in reality she's been mine from the beginning, it does feel good to officially call her my own. She has gotten me out of more scrapes than I can even remember (though the time she went 90-degrees sideways in less than a second to avoid a head-on from a Ryder moving truck that had crossed into my lane stands out) and is now charged with keeping my son safe every morning as well. Despite it being difficult (to say the least) getting the car seat in and out, there is still no ride I'd rather have.

I mean, I might trade her in for the Batmobile, but that's about it.