Father's Day Gift to Doug: Pictures from Ava and Liam

These are the low-res scans of our gift to Doug for Father's Day.  We took the first picture and put it into a "Happy Father's Day" montage.  We chose a nice frame at Target and gave that particular picture to him on Father's Day, so he could put it on his desk at work.

This boy could get away with just about anything he tries, with this smile...

Sweet Ava.

They did SO WELL during this photo session!  I guess I did get a little reward for not taking them for over two years (other than their Christmas pictures at day care).

Beach babies.

She looks so grown up to me!

This is my favorite picture of Ava's.  The photographer suggested all of these poses. 

I thought this one turned out great!

We took the train that Grandpa Dean made for Liam to this photographer, to use as a prop. 

I love little "railroad" engineer overalls.  I thought they would go well with Grandpa Dean's train! 

Liam loves to ride this train.  



Peace, love and photo sessions,

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Father's Day 2011

The kids made Doug a huge cookie in a pan and decorated it for Father’s Day.  Somehow, before I walked into the kitchen, Liam made his way to the cookie before it was decorated.  So, you'll see it isn't a circle, quite... :-)


The Friday before Father’s Day, I picked them up early from school without Doug knowing.  I took them to have their pictures taken at Portrait Innovations.  They took the best pictures!  We were long overdue for pictures anyway, so we basically did a 5^th birthday picture for Ava, 3^rd birthday pictures for Liam and a nice pose for Father’s Day.  There were soo many good pictures… The photographer even said “You do realize how happy you should be with these pictures, considering their age, don’t you?  You should be SOOO happy!”  (She didn’t say it in a demeaning way, but honestly they turned out terrific).  I will be sure to create a separate post for those pictures, specifically.

While we were waiting for the pictures to print, we went over to Target to pick up a nice frame for Doug’s Father’s Day picture.  I was so afraid that Liam would let the cat out of the bag and not be able to keep the secret until Sunday.  Amazingly, he didn’t tell Doug a thing!  The kids were so excited to be able to give Doug something like that.  J Ava also gave him a very cool tie that she had colored, complete with yarn to attach around Doug's neck.  :-)


We love you Daddy (aka Doug)!


Peace, love and the best Daddy EVER,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Father's Day 2010

I asked Doug what he wanted to do this year for Father's Day. Normally I will make his favorite meal (chicken enchilada casserole), etc. When I asked him what I could make for him, he told me I already made his favorite meal that week. Oops!

We decided to go out on Saturday for an earlier dinner, so we wouldn't have to brave the crowds on Sunday. We went to O'Charley's and had a nice dinner with the kids, went to Target to look for some sheets on clearance (for Liam's big boy bed!) and to Home Depot briefly for more tomato cages.

I stole Ava for a good hour on Saturday, so she could do some Father's Day crafts with me, out of Doug's sight. She colored an insert for a plastic coffee mug and drew a picture of herself on a plate for Doug. We gave him a nice pen vice (his request). I also got him a corn cob pen blank, coffee pen blank and another pen blank, so he can try to make different pens with them. He also got some chocolate with toffee in it.

Ava and Liam also brought some crafts home from school, ready to give to Doug for Father's Day. Ava decorated a box for Doug. The kids also made cookies and popcorn in the school kitchen, so he had some coookies and popcorn included in his box. He shared. :-)

On Sunday morning, Ava immediately came downstairs and told Doug "Happy Father's Day, Daddy!" She did this without prompting, so I was pretty impressed. We then heard her from the living room (where we placed Doug's giftbag), saying "I need you to come in here... I can't carry this bag!" He opened his gifts and seemed very happy with them. We went to church, helped out with "Little League" (the four year-olds) and then grabbed a quick lunch on the way home. We relaxed the rest of the day and hung out with some of the neighbors / kids in our little backyard pool. It was a nice, relaxing day!

Happy Father's Day, Doug! You are the best Dad. Ava and Liam are so lucky to have you to guide them and help them as they grow. We love you so much!

Peace, love and the #1 Dad,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam