And Yet More Celebrations

We were closing in on yet another double celebration day, working into the latter part of June. After church it was double Father’s Day with Dad and Oxbear coupled with Rose’s 25th birthday. For her actual birthday she would be hanging out in the northwest with Annamaria, Thunderbird, and the rest of the English family in preparation for Tor’s wedding, touring the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone on her return. She would also depart Tuesday.

So after gyros stuffed with lamb, tzatziki sauce, and avocado, sides of homemade macaroni and cheese with bacon, and a fruit salad garnished in sugar and mint, we broke out that old classic tune from our childhood creatively entitled, “Happy Father’s Day”:

“Happy happy Father’s Day! Happy happy Father’s Day! Happy happy Father’s Day! Happy happy Father’s Day! – Two thousand fifteen! – Happy Father’s Daa-aaay!”

Mom and Dad felt a light nap coming on after the meal as everyone sat around with their various technical devices for about an hour.

Outdoors: muggy, cloud-covered, and very green and soggy.

Gifts were opened later. Everything from a personalized Disney family vacation photo book for Dad, to spicy St. Louis potato chips for Oxbear, to a large green moss-covered shoe stuffed with blow-pops for Rose, from Grandma.

“What is that?” Rose laughed.

Then candles in a thick Reeses-Butterfinger cake. And another viewing of the old Wyoming family vacation video – August 2001, always a great laugh.

“I’m looking forward to seeing those again,” Rose pointed to the bubbling mud pots.

We called it an evening halfway through the 50th anniversary rendition of “Les Mis”, getting the usual send-off from the front porch.

Puck was starting to understand the significance of our departure. Got a little teary-eyed before bed, trying to be brave. Sometimes I manage to forget how much you’re actually aware of at eight.

“I want to come with you.”

I let him take Crackers to bed for an added level of comfort and security.

“Mom! Come look at Crackers! She’s so funny! She has her paws out on my stomach likes a salesperson at a desk!”

After the Big Guy was sleeping soundly, we wrapped up the first level of packing. Somehow turned out to be much faster and easier than I had originally pictured.