I HOPE HE DOESN'T MIND ME TELLING SOME OF HIS STORIES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

(Is it just me, or does Joseph look a lot like my dad?)

He is the oldest child. Here he is with my Grandparents. My Grandpa Hathaway died when I was 14. I remember when Rachel turned 14 and I realized that I was about the same age that my dad was when his dad died. It was inconceivable to me. I still call my dad frequently. I value his advice and love his humor. I can't imagine not being able to pick up the phone and see what he thinks. I still get a pit in my stomach thinking about it so let's move on.

I love old pictures. My Grandma told me once that my dad was sick in this picture.

Judging from the rhododendron type bush in the background this picture must have been taken in California, where my dad was born and lived when he was little. No way something like that could survive Driggs, Idaho.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad and his dad after fishing. Time has definitely done it's damage, but in a way, I like it more because of that.

These must be the cousins. My dad is on the end in the striped tshirt.

My dad, my aunt Ranae (I think?) and my Great-Grandpa Hayden Hathaway. I just realized that he was not as tall as I remember him being. My dad went to Washington DC on his mission. That is where he met my mom. They hated each other. After his mission he went back to Washington DC to work and things fared a little better that time around.

This is another picture that I heart. Dad, is mom riding Penny? Penny was our favorite pony on my Grandma and Grandpa's farm. I distinctly remember sitting on her back with Jon and Teilani while my dad took a picture and all of us slowwwlllly sliding sideways off of her. I landed on my elbow. My dad loves to take pictures and as a result we have several thousands of slides of our childhood.

Ahhhh... wedding day. Very few pictures survived this day. I treasure the ... two that there are.

My dad and I in Hawaii. He taught at BYU Hawaii back when it was Church College of Hawaii. This must have been taken in between broken ribs - or maybe during, which would explain why he was in surf instead of on top of it.

My mom and dad both love the outdoors and the water, especially. All of my siblings do too. I don't think any of us would give up a chance to be in the water, especially warm water but any water will do.

Growl..... I remember when I broke my big toe in 7th grade I told the school nurse that she would recognize my dad because he was "tall, dark and handsome, with really blue eyes". She came back all smiles with him, so I knew I was right. (Note the pocket protector - even with the Hawaiian shirt.)

This may be the only family picture we have with my littlest sister in it. I think this is the chapel in Driggs, Idaho.

My dad loves to carve wood, take pictures, boat, and is a semi-techno-geek. He is very personable and friendly. He knows how people work and what makes them tick. He is funny and sarcastic. He knows a ton about the gospel. Often when I am talking to him he says, "oh, I have an article on that for you" and he will email it or send it. He is very good at remembering what is important to people. He learned to text on his phone primarily to "talk" to his grandchildren.

I inherited my dad's bad knees, tendency to migraines, and perpetual stomach ulcers. I also inherited his insomnia. (Which I am loving this week.) When I was in high school and couldn't sleep I would go in and wake up my dad and he would go on LONG walks with me. In the middle of the night. That's parental devotion people. Right up there with breastfeeding, in my book! I also inherited his ... curse of bad luck breaking the Sabbath. He stayed home from church "sick" one day and went skiing. He broke his leg. If I did that, I would break my leg too. When I was at Ricks, I was REALLY homesick. My dad drove up frequently and took me out to dinner.

Thanks Dad! Happy Birthday! I love you!

(I sat on this post all day because it is just ... inadequate ... then I remembered that sometimes something is better than nothing.)

And if you made it this far, go check out the contest.