My Dad's Birthday!

I love having family traditions and finding ways to celebrate even the hard times.  It's always touchy and can be emotional but I want my kids to remember my Dad, their Grandpa.  I want us to celebrate Him, his life.  He still is their Grandpa so I think we should.  This year we decided that on Grandpa's Birthday, August 22, we would have his favorite cake; carrot cake.  The girls helped me make it and we invited the Bruner's (close family friends) over to eat it with us.  During the week we wrote down things we love or remember about Grandpa Dan and read them all out loud on his birthday.

This is what was written.

-Grandpa thought family time was important and made sure we had time for that.
-Grandpa Dan has an amazing testimony and loves the gospel and was always willing to serve in any way Heavenly Father wanted him to.
-Mia drew a picture of a bunch of hearts and said, "Grandpa loves me."  She also drew a picture of Grandpa with a heart face and Grandpa inside of a heart.
-Hailey said, "He loved going to the beach, He told us stories, He took us to the water park and loved me, He helped me save a bird, He hung my picture on the wall and it will stay there."
-Grandpa liked spending time with his kids.  We would exercise together, go boating, play music together, lay in the backyard, hike, ski, play games, watch movies, or just talk.
-Grandpa Dan liked to tell jokes and make people laugh.  He had a good sense of humor.

I sure love my Dad and miss him everyday but I know we will be together again.  I am so thankful for all of the great memories that we have together and I know that he watches over us.

Mia's cute picture of Grandpa Dan.  I wanted to remember this forever.  It's so sweet!