Happy Birthday Daddy!

 Happy Birthday Daddy!
Hope this year is full of happiness!

What a wonderful day for a birthday.
We spent the afternoon together as a family at Lake MacBride.  We had a picnic, walked trails and visited the raptor center. 
The day was BEA-U-TIFUL.
The beauties enjoyed the fresh air, as did mommy and daddy.  There were no bugs, no other people and lot of sunshine and memories to be made.

The beauties liked this tree.  It was old and rotting, however they found it so interesting.  Farrah even found a corncob tucking inside the hollow part.  She was amazed to learn that the squirrels probably ate the kernels.

 Jocelyn smiling pretty at the raptor center.

We learned about injured birds of prey...like they eat mice...and yes, they are dead ones.

They lady working there told the beauties about the owls.  She explained she had to track how much they are fed and how much they eat.  Silvie and Chloe both wanted to pet the mice, which were dead.  The woman kindly responded with, "ask your parents."  Ummmm, no.  That answer came quickly.

 Chloe is awe.

She loves birds of prey. 

Eagles, hawks and owls are her most favorite...in THAT order.

 Silvie and Chloe enjoyed the nature walk the most.

They were not ready to go and would have hiked all day.

Silvie is ready to camp.

 Jocelyn also liked the nature walk.  She wanted to see penquins though, which obviously, we saw none.  She was a bit disappointed in that.

 Little Farrah...not at all the nature type.

She was done with the hike before it began, "carry me mommy." 
"I'm tired mommy."  "Can I take my hat off mommy?"  "I'm hot mommy." 

 Daddy enjoyed his birthday very much.

Being outside with his favorite ladies in the world.

 Not much could be better than that.

Happy Fathers Day...a little early

To my husband.  The father of my beautiful little girls.  My hero.  My everything.

To the man I married.  To the man you have become.  To the man you evolve into with each passing day.

We love you.

Happy Father's Day.

The lyrics to this song touch my heart so close.  

My heart melts every time I hear it because it perfectly describes Matty with his four little girls.

Their new found thing to do together is fish...I can see the meaning of this song in his eyes. With every worm he puts on their hooks.  With every squeal of excitement they let out when they know it's time to go in Daddy's boat.  He loves them more than words can express.  And he is their hero...every single day.

Daddy's little girls, wrapped tightly around his finger heart.

I’m lost in her there holdin’ that pink rod and reel
She’s doin’ almost everything but sittin’ still
Talkin’ ‘bout her ballet shoes and training wheels
And her kittens
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

I say, “Daddy loves you, baby” one more time
She says, “I know. I think I got a bite.”
And all this laughin’, cryin, smilin’ dyin’ here inside’s
What I call, livin’

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we could fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious
She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She’s already pretty, like her mama is
Gonna drive the boys all crazy
Give her daddy fits
And I better do this every chance I get
‘Cause time is tickin’
(Yeah it is)

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we could fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious
She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’
Yeah, aww, she thinks we’re just fishin’
We ain’t only fishin’
(This ain’t about fishin’)

Daddy's gonna jump in the water

We went to the Lake on Saturday afternoon to watch the "Polar Plunge."  The Plunge is an annual event that raises money for the Special Olympics.  This year was Daddy's first year to participate in the plunge.  Burr.  the Beauties were very very excited and intrigued waiting for the jumping to begin.  We had front row view.  The Beauties had a great time throwing rocks and sticks in the water as we waited for the fun to begin.  Daddy jumped in with a group of officers and he even went under water.  Did I say burr?  The water in March, in Iowa?  Burr.  He was all smiles the entire time and the Beauties wanted him to jump in again.  He passed, and said next year he would.  The Beauties also were able to meet and get their photo taken with Herkey.  They were all very excited, well except Jocelyn, she only liked him from a distance.

The Beauties favorite part of the afternoon...throwing rocks and sticks into the Lake.

Day 5

It's day number five of Daddy's vacation.
He is in snowy Colorado. In the mountains. Hunting Elk. Sleeping in a tent. No running water. No electricity. Sleeping bag. Campfire cooked meals. Pooping outside in a hole and covering it up. Gross. I DO NOT call that a vacation.
The Beauties and I are doing okay. We miss you lots Daddy! Hope you are having a great time.

Happy Father's Day Daddy

Daddy's Day was a hot one here! Really hot. Since Daddy has had his boat several months now...we decided what better day to load up the Beauties and take the boat to the lake. Chloe and Jocelyn jumped right in, no fear of course. Farrah and Silvie were a bit more reluctant. They had to be handed off to Daddy already in the boat, and were none too happy about it in the first few minutes. They warmed up rather quickly...as soon as we started moving. They all four took turns "helping" Daddy steer. They loved watching for ducks, geese and jumping fish. They even did a little sunbathing, in their life vests of course. I think for future trips, we need to figure out how we can safely get in and out of the water from the boat so we can take a swim in the water. Besides being so hot, they wanted to jump in and swim. They all four wanted in! They were leaning over the sides...making Mommy and Daddy a bit nervous. Just not sure how to get back in a fishing boat from the water? Any suggestions?
It was a great day! After a couple hours, we headed to my brother's home for a BBQ with them and my parents. It was a great Father's Day.
Daddy said it was his favorite way to spend any day...with his Beauties!

constructing our new swingset

We made the 2 swing set into a 4 swing set. Which will make the 4 little beauties that live in this house VERY HAPPY! All summer they have been sharing time on the swings...who wants to do that? Not the little beauties that is for sure. Papa Steve and Daddy "built an addition" this afternoon. They rearranged the slide and climbing wall and added 2 new swings. Yeah! The girls had a great time playing outside. We all enjoyed the sunshine. Jocelyn loved "helping" Papa. They also have a great time playing in the rock bed.

Daddy is Fun

Daddy gives the best rides. Our new favorite thing is being "thrown" in the air. Daddy makes sure we all get a turn. We spent the good part of an hour doing this tonight. Good arm work out huh Daddy?

We miss Daddy

Today is Tuesday. A really good Tuesday. Yes, I am still lucky enough to be hanging on to that yucky cold, but taking otc remedies as well as an antibiotic for the sinus infection part. Matty had a day off today. The first one in...honestly I cannot remember when the last one was. Between the normal 12 hour shifts, the overtime on patrol, the overtime he is helping with in dispatch, overtime for Ragbrai, and the other part time rental company thingy, it has been a LONG couple months missing Daddy. The girls were in their glory today. Even with their running noses. Daddy fed them breakfast and played all morning. Put them down for naps. He helped with lunch...and for the BIG outing tonight...IHOP! Yes, we took the girls out to dinner. Now for all of you that maybe thinking, "Okay, what's the big deal about IHOP?" Have you ever taken 17 month old triplets and a 4 year old out to dinner? I didn't think so. I thought it was fairly successful. I mean, I did spill and entire soda all over the table and floor. Yes me, not the triplets, not Chloe, but Mommy. As Chloe said, "Aces Mommy". The floor was a bit messy when we were finished eating, however, I have seen and cleaned up much worse. I did pick up most of the large droppings and apologised for the mess several times. Besides we left a good tip. Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie had "pannicakes" fruit and some eggs. Chloe loves the breakfast for dinner as much as Mommy and Daddy do. She had a "pannicake" with a whip cream smiley face. Silvie and Farrah also enjoyed the "crayon appetizer". Why do kids eats crayons? They do not taste good. But every time you give our trio crayons, straight into the mouth. They actually chew them...gross. Matt and I ate so quickly, I forgot what we had. But at least we were all together. Being together is all that really matters. We love it when Daddy's home.