Happy Father's Day

Clyde and I are so grateful for the strong, righteous examples set for us by our fathers.  Today we celebrate them and their roles in the lives of their children.

Dad Lyons (with Mom) in 1977 or 1978, before children came along.

Dad takes us out to a ballgame to cheer on his Pittsburgh Pirates (Dad, Mom, Colin, Meg, Grandma & Tara) in 1993 or so.

I took this photo as Mom, Colin and I welcomed Dad home from a trip to the Middle East in the early 2000s.

The roles reversed a few years later (early 2008), when Colin graduated from 3rd Recruit Training Battalion in Parris Island, South Carolina.  Dad had been a Series Commander in the very same battalion in the late 1970s.

Dad sees me off on my way to Fallujah in mid 2007.

Dad McBride holds a young Clyde (Tyler) way up high.

Dad, Clyde and Grandpa McBride go for a ride in October 1982.

Dad and Clyde in 1988 or 1989.

Clyde and Dad enjoy a beautiful day on the Mesa in July 2010.

Clyde took this photo of Dad during a most enjoyable ride (they took me along!) in July 2010.

Christmas in June?

We decided that, regardless of season, we would tackle a puzzle left under our tree by Santa last December 25th.  Though teamwork was crucial, Lauren and I each concede that Ciala was the dominant force bringing these 500 pieces together.

Getting started...

The framework is laid...

Tons of progress...

Completion! (Dogs adorned with wreaths and Santa hats).

Another activity reminiscent of colder weather was baking pumpkin bread.  It's one of our favorites and we had all the ingredients on hand so we decided to go for it!

Lauren gets us cracking...

While Ciala tends to sleepy Aiden...

Finished and ready to eat!

Clyde has duty on base today, so he posts at 0800 and is relieved at 0759.  We miss him, but decided to make the most of it by having a Girls' Night (+ Aiden).  My co-authors will tell you all about it, soon!  Aiden is not happy about the house's gender ratio today.  Our friend Kristi and her pup are stopping by... counting the dogs that's 6 girls and only 1 little boy!

Aiden keeps himself busy...

"Daddy, please hurry home!"

"Messing With Aiden" by Lauren

Aiden made a lot of honey mustard.  I shouldn't have patted his butt. 

I looked at Aiden weird when we touched hands.

When I jumped on the trampoline, it looked like I was a GIANT because I jumped up.

We were both looking at the fan.  Aiden didn't get why it was going in circles.