4 years ago ....

4 years (and a week) ago a big thing happened in our house.  I mean really big!  I became a mom.  Chris became a dad.  Brooks David was born.  And this year the celebration of his birth happened to land on Father's Day (we knew it would happen eventually).  So we had two special guys to celebrate!  Not gonna lie though.  Although we tried to celebrate our Daddy as much as we could, Brooks received most of the attention.  Neither didn't seem to mind.

The festivities actually began on Saturday night with a little party at McKennan park.  This mama really didn't have the energy or ambition to host a pinterest-worthy party, so we settled for pizza and cake in the park with a few close friends.  Brooks thought it was awesome!

Brooks requested, of all things, a Viking cake for his birthday.  And unfortunately he didn't mean the nordic pillagers.  So this die-hard Packer fan mama swallowed my pride and made a Minnesota Vikings birthday cake for my special guy.  He loved it!

Oh, and what's a 4 year old party without a little shuffle board?  No really.  They played shuffle board.  All the equipment was set out at the park, so the dads and kids went and played a few rounds.  Brooks still talks about it!  Who knew it was so fun!?

Birthday presents!

We ended the evening with a baseball "game" with Brooks' new bat and ball from Auntie Heather.  He still loves playing with balls.

Blowing bubbles

Uncle Joel and Grandma Gale

Katie & Eric aka "Jake's mama & daddy" :)

On Sunday we started the day by going to church then had a low key lunch.  After that Brooks opened presents from Grandma Marty and Papa Dave that they had sent in the mail.

A whole drum full of instruments.  My little musician LOVED it!

Anderson Family Band.  Watch for us.  We'll be big someday!

He makes this marching band mama proud!!!

While the "musical" ruckus was going on in the living room, Chris started assembling Brooks' new scooter he received from Grandma & Papa Gale at his party. 

Then while Carter was napping, Chris and Brooks did the ONE thing Brooks had been looking forward to for weeks.  Going to the arcade.  And it was extra special because it was just him and Daddy.  He had so.much.fun! 

We ended the evening with Brooks' requested birthday meal - hot dogs and chocolate milk.  No joke.  That's what he wanted.  And the rule in our house is you can have whatever dinner you want on your birthday.  But while he and Carter ate hot dogs, Chris and I enjoyed bacon wrapped sirloin steaks with fresh sauteed mushrooms and mashed potatoes.  I was NOT going to feed him hot dogs on Father's Day :)

A Letter to my Dad

Dear Dad,
Today I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for letting me play with the bait at your tackle shop and doing my hair with rubber bands and fishing spoons.

Thanks for coming to all my band concerts and dance recitals, even though I know you didn't really want to go.  It meant a lot that you came.

When you worked out of town, thanks for calling and playing "our song" over the phone for me.

Thanks for being silly and dancing around the kitchen table with me.

Thank you for teaching me to be an attentive driver.  For teaching me how to brake "gently" and to not cut through parking lots like a "Wisconsin driver".  Thanks for teaching me how to use jumper cables, check the oil in the car and change a flat tire.

Thanks for teaching me how to build a campfire, the difference between oak and pine logs, and the proper way to belch (sorry mom).

Thanks for encouraging me to get a good education, get smart and get a good job.  That's worked out well for me.

Thanks for teaching me to stand up for myself and others, even if no one else will.

Thank you for demonstrating generosity and giving to those who need it.  You've always been willing to 'help a guy out'.

Thanks for not totally freaking out when I told you I was getting married at 20 years old.

Thank you for welcoming Chris into our family.  Thanks for taking him fishing and hunting and for stuffing the ducks and pheasant.

Thank you for being a wonderful Papa to our two boys!  They adore you just as much I do.

Thanks for loving me dad.  Forever and always.  Happy Fathers Day.

Love,
Bug

pantless

I have many more important things to write about (and someday I'll get to them), but for now ....

a pantless toddler with a frog wrapped around his neck.  'Cause ya know ... why not?

Ooooh, I love me some chubby legs!!