A week with my dad

This past week has been simply wonderful, which is not surprising seeing as my dad has been here with us.  It is one of my two very favorite weeks of the year, another being his August visit. You see, he lives in Minnesota, and with us being in Seattle, there are no "going to dad's for dinner" or "dad is coming over to help work on this project or that".   There are just two weeks. Two very precious weeks where he is here, spending time with us, inspiring us to accomplish all of the things that have been on our "to do" list for far too long.  

Waiting at the airport for dad to arrive~

This week was great because unlike other years where we get one really big project done, this year we finished quite a number of projects that had been waiting for some time to be completed...

There was a retaining wall next to the pergola they built me last year on Chez Poulet that needed to be built~

There were the pavers in the entry that needed to be put back after the crazy bamboo removal of '09~

And there was the front of a playhouse to finish, as well as a side window to add~

(yes, it still needs paint...)

But this week certainly was not all work and no play.  There was our traditional dinner compliments of daddy at Buca which we always enjoy, even if we do leave feeling like we ate too much, again...

There is a lot of time spent on the property together~

Remote control cars to drive~

Teeth to lose~

Dog fights...  (totally kidding - they are truly not fighting, although they certainly look like they are, don't they?)

Family visits~

(this is my sweet father-in-law and his fabulous fiance)

And even a birthday party!

My Aunties Pam and Shelley made us homemade vanilla and strawberry ice cream for our cake!

(that is one tuckered out kitten)

And of course, lots of bon fires, complete with marshmallows for s'mores~

Whenever daddy leaves, my heart feels heavy.  I was up before 5 am this morning as I know he is going and it weighs heavy on me.  Thankfully, this is the May trip, which means when I say goodbye to him today, I know he is coming back in three months.  The August trip to the airport is something you really don't want to be there for...  You will not see photos of the second trip to the airport.  Most likely I won't be able to see through the tears to take any pictures~