Happy Birthday Papa!

Tonight, we celebrated my Dad's 74th birthday. My Dad is the best Dad. He has always been loving, kind and gentle. When I am stressed, he can always calm me. He is willing to help with anything and never complains. He's often there to help without even having to ask. He is strong and steadfast, a hard worker, a tickle hugger, genealogy guru, Papa dancer, silly singer, "papa peeler", avid reader, warm and welcoming, bird loving, graham cracker eater, licorice hiding, faithful and genuine father. I could go on and on. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

We had a good time laughing and talking while we ate Papa's favorite dinner, ham, red potatoes, creamed peas, red jello with bananas and rolls. Good comfort food. Mmmm....just writing about it makes me want seconds. We quickly cleared out the dishes and tables and sat around to watch Dad open his presents. Mostly books sprinkled with packages of licorice and of course VaLynn's homemade carrot pudding. He will take those books and read them all at once. He never has just one book going at a time. The licorice will be hidden in his sock drawer to be his secret treat while getting ready. The carrot pudding will be eaten warm with milk poured on top. That is my Dad.


Almost the whole family was there to celebrate. We missed Aaron since he had to work, Colin because he's not big on parties and Jon and Sharmyn since they live in North Carolina. We aren't a quiet family when we are all together. Everyone laughing and having a good time. After the presents, my Dad expressed his surprise at the how big the family is getting and how grateful he is for us. He said that he usually takes each one of us aside just to whisper in our ear that he loves us but now the group is getting so big, it's hard to remember who he whispered to so he said consider this your whisper. He's the kind of Dad that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I know that he loves us.

Mom asked us to go around the room and say something that we loved about him. Everyone said something about a personal experience they had with him. We were laughing, smiling and loving being there with him. I quickly wrote down what each person said:


Kaylin - He always helped me with my art when I was younger in school.

Jason - his sincerity

Davin - Papa would always sing his songs silly. He has a very special rendition of "Home on the Range".

Jared - He radiates love.

Chantel - Papa would often give her rides to work and she enjoyed talking with him. And then she sang the "Papa peeler - such a squeeler!" song. When they lived in Wisconsin, Papa came to visit and they were driving alongside of him. When the stoplight turned green, Papa peeled out and left them in the dust. They couldn't stop laughing about it and Papa made up the song about it.

Davis - He gave him a cute little wave. Cute little guy! He's only two.

Angie - Always felt loved and welcomed into the family. Enjoyed that he made an effort to give her a hug and talk to her.

James - His sincerity and always steadfast to the gospel.

Chris - Chris enjoyed when Papa would comb his hair to help with the scalp problems he had. Chris knows it's not the most pleasant thing to say but that it just felt so good to him.

Bradey - Always open to people and accepting of who they are.

Cort - Remembers camping with him and seeing his feet sticking out the tent with the tent zipped up around them. In the morning, he asked Papa why his feet were out all night to which Papa replied that Sharmyn wouldn't let him bring them in the tent. We all laughed. Papa's feet aren't the sweetest smelling things after hiking and camping. He continued to say that his testimony always stood committed.

Teryn - I love how Papa always makes us feel loved.

Ryan - Willing to do whatever is asked of him without hesitation.

Megan - Remember sitting on the back porch with the box of baby quail. How they were soft and tiny and watching Papa prepare a home for them. How he loves them and took care of them. I will always think of him when I see quail or hear a chickadee.

Mia - enjoys when he gives her "horsey" rides.

Sam - Sam has Papa's eyes.

Jacob - Jacob said that he was glad that he was his grandpa and he is nice to people and that he loved him.

Landon - Awed by all that he does

Dan - Admired his ability to always show up at meal time.

VaLynn - Remember feeling very special when Dad took her camping. They drove up to the mountains, walked into the woods and camped without a tent or bring food. Dad fished for their dinner and how she felt vulnerable without the tent but safe because she was with Dad.

Brianne - She really does like the tickle hugs. And she remembers riding up to Idaho with him and he would sing the Idaho state song never quite remembering all the words. Then, while crossing back into Utah, singing the Channel 2 news theme song since they didn't know the Utah state song.

Jake K. - Welcomed to the family and enjoyed talking with him.

Lauren - All of his help with her homework assignments and genealogy.

Chelsea - While watering up on the farm, Papa and Chelsea were walking together and he named a small tree after her. She often went to see her tree.

Aaron - He texted about his loving kindness and strong testimony.

Andrew - Remembering when Papa let him drive through the fields while watering when he was only 13. He thought it was great even though he thought Papa might be a bit nervous.

Preston - Remembering trying to catch a chicken on the farm. Dan, Preston and Papa were chasing after it and Papa took three big leaps and dove and caught it. He remember thinking "Wow! Papa is so cool!".

Elyse - Remembering him going on a field trip with her when her parents were unable to attend.

Debbie - The guilt that he give her over her genealogy got her working on it.

Fayth - Just really likes his tickle hugs.

Mom- How he always takes care of her, anticipating her needs sometimes before her. That he never criticizes. He is loving, kind, trustworthy and loyal. She never worried about him. He is a wonderful friend, father and husband.

I realize that this is a long post but at the same time it doesn't feel that it does him justice. I know that my Dad loves me and each and everyone of us. We are so blessed to have him as our father, Papa, husband and example. We love him dearly and happy to be so close to him.

We love you Dad! Happy Birthday!!

Love,

Megan