A (Belated) Public Tribute to Dad and Dad-in-Law

For every mom there is a dad and between Joey and I, we've got two. Dads that is. Well, a dad and a dad-in-law. And like our moms, they're pretty awesome. The problem with pictures of dads, though, is that usually dads are the ones behind the camera. So after a great deal of snooping I have unearthed these photographic treasures.

Dad

You've seen the sentimental Father's Day cards and YouTube videos where the narrator tearfully professes that as a young girl her dad was her hero. Well I don't remember ever thinking that about my dad, but I do remember telling my mom I liked Dad best just to try to make her jealous. Sorry Mom. Though I doubt it even worked.

Leonard Allen was born six weeks early so that he could arrive on his dad's birthday. I always thought that was pretty neat. I also thought that explained why he was only 4' 10" and 98 pounds when he got his driver's license.

Dad grew up on a farm and I remember always having some sort of garden in the backyard. I liked to follow him around whenever he was out working in the yard, and everything I know about gardening I learned from him. I should say, everything I know about gardening in Southern California I learned from him. (This Heber gardening is a whole different story.)

Didn't I say this jacket was going to make a reappearance? I think that after three daughters, this poor man was ready for some boys.

And boys he got! Boys to take hiking and camping and fishing and all sorts of other boy activities. I don't think a month went by when he didn't volunteer to go on a scout trip with those boys.

Which is certainly not to say that he didn't do those fun activities with his darling daughters. Minus the scout trips.

 Like Mom, he also rode his bike across California. At least 4 or 5 times, but I can't keep track. And he's scheduled for another one this Winter. Going strong!

I sure love my dad; the hiking, fishing, camping, road biking, chess-playing, debate teaming, weed-pulling, tomato-hating, software engineering, family-loving man that he his.

Dad-in-Law

If I could have custom made my own father-in-law, Rob would have been it. And that's the honest truth. He is a delightful person to be around and I consider myself lucky that when Joey and I come over for family dinners, I get to sit right next to him (quite possibly because all of the grandkids want to sit on the other side of the table next to Grandma).

I really only need to include one picture of Rob because, by golly, almost 40 years later he still looks exactly the same. You can only judge his age by how much his kids grow, and this is the first of those four kids.

And this is the last of those four kids- my Joey. I'm so grateful for everything he taught my Joey and I hope Joey grows up to be just like him. (Except that I want Joey to age more so that I never look older than him. Sorry Joey.)

I know it's risky to post old family photos, especially without permission from the sibling-in-laws, but just look at that proud dad! He loves those kids and would do anything for them.

Joey always tells me about their fun family trips to Disney World. Rob is the gentleman in the white shirt with the blue stripe. (Joey is the cute dimple-face behind his mom). They also got to go on fun trips to Hawaii and to Minnesota, Rob and Jessica's home state.

He's also the proud grandfather of 3 boys, 1 girl, and 2 dogs.

I don't like to play games, mostly because I'm so competitive and I don't win very often, but I do enjoy a game of Quiddler with Rob and family. I can't prove it, but I think sometimes he lets me win on purpose.

I sure love my dad-in-law; the racquetball-playing, real estate-selling, swimming pool-opening, grandkid-spoiling, chocolate malt-making, Minnesota Viking-cheering, cheesy joke-telling, hiking, fishing, camping, fellow that he is.