Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!!!

This week my dad came down to visit for a few days and it was a really great time. We went on little excursions, hung out and relaxed during the boys' nap times, chatted and caught up, and just enjoyed being together.

My dad's always been a determined, strong-willed, funny, talented, and physically strong man. I've admired his musical prowess since I was very young. I love this picture of him; this is him in his element. His eyes become lost in another world, the world of music. His fingers, though we tease him about them being short and stubby, dance across the keys with ease. If you were to study his handball-callused, rough from hard work, hands, you'd never believe the grace they have at the piano.

He's a man of many talents and interests. He plays handballs with his "handball buddies" twice a week. He's a music teacher, composer, and now a church children's music director. Jim raves about his grilling... he's the best griller we know. We don't think we've ever had a better pork tenderloin, ribeye steak, or chicken than when it's been grilled by my dad. Recently, he built and earth oven at their cabin in Pennsylvania and he's gotten into making breads and pizzas. These, too, are delicious and enjoyed by many.

The thing I've most enjoyed is seeing him become a grandpa. Boy, does he love our boys...

....and the feeling is mutual. Both Ian and Owen enjoyed having Grumps around for a few days. We went on walks exploring Pandapas Pond and the Huckleberry, we went to the farmer's market and dancing in Floyd. Ian loved telling Grumps all about everything under the sun, and Owen shared his smiles and giggles non-stop.

Though we aren't together today, my heart is full from your recent visit, Dad!!! 

We love you.

To the father of our boys, I also wish a happy, happy day! Unfortunately, he's pulling a long shift at the hospital today and so our celebrations will be limited on this day. Just looking at these pictures, I see the exhaustion in his face, but the love and dedication he has for our family and our life together is always first in his mind and on his heart. 

This road hasn't always been easy, we've had to spend a lot of time apart. Lots of late nights and early mornings, lots of missed events and moments. When he's here, he makes such an effort to be present for our boys. That often means waiting to get all of his notes done until after the boys go to bed, or even after I've gone to bed. 

Our boys are blessed to have a father who works so hard to build a life for all of us. A father who, though he's incredibly busy with medicine, pursues so many interests and passions outside of his profession. Ian's already benefitting by being allowed to work with you in the garden, on small woodworking projects, and in the kitchen. As the boys grow older, I cannot wait to watch your relationships grow as you explore your own passions with them as well as take an interest in theirs. 

 From wrestling, to playing ball, to bike-riding, to planting seeds, to reading books, to singing songs, to running errands, to playing animals, to running laps around the house, to taking the night-time wake-up shifts, to supporting me in every parenting decision/woe/debacle, you are one heck of a father. I knew you would be. And I'm sorry for the times I give you a hard time.

 You lay down your life for us daily and our boys and I are truly blessed.

On this day, we celebrate you, Papa/Jim. We miss you and love you. See you later tonight!

Father's Day

After a torturous day of moving, we woke up on Father's Day and took some time to relax in our new backyard. Two important fathers were there, tattered and exhausted, but they were there. We were together. And we had made it through the day before together.

Under the shade of a beautiful maple tree, we relaxed in adirondack chairs for a couple of hours.

 While doing so, we enjoyed our favorite past-time together... watching Ian.

He didn't mind the limelight one bit.

So, to the two older gentlemen in this picture,

Happy, Happy (belated) Father's Day!!!

To my father-in-law, John: Thank you for welcoming me into your fold with such open and loving arms. I'm grateful to have such a loving, warm, and generous family in you and Kim. Thank you for being a wonderful role model for Jim; it's definitely showing in how he relates to and cares for Ian!! It's been so wonderful to watch you become Ian's grandfather. Looking forward to the beach next week!!

To my own father (aka Daddio): Thank you sooooo much for spending this weekend here with us. We are SO grateful to have had your help packing the truck and moving us into our new place. It was a longgg day and we are ever so thankful for your hard, hard work.

Thank you for your love throughout the last (almost) 28 years and for sharing your amazing musical talents with us and the many children you've touched through teaching and through SCORE. It's only fitting to include a picture of Grandpa and you making music for father's day. What a legacy...

 And now, to see you a grandfather... I love to see you interacting with Ian. Your complete adoration for him is so beautiful. I look forward to watching the two of you through the years...

Happy Father's Day to Ian's incredible Papa!! He is so fortunate to have you to walk with him through life. No woodworking project will be too hard and no hill to high to climb. Your passion for learning and creating will foster a great environment for this little guy to grow up fascinated and curious about the world around him. The love that's in your eyes for this little one melts my heart. The way you wrestle, rough-house, and play with him brings complete joy into our home. Ian absolutely adores his papa.

And on this day, this first day of residency orientation, we wish you the best. We wish you peace. And we certainly cannot wait to have you back at home. The house is quiet and lonely without your games of hide & seek, races across the floor, and giggles at Ian's latest accomplishment.

Thank you for loving for and caring for us so well.

Today, one day late, I celebrate the fathers in my life and I'm humbled with thankfulness.

Father's Day Weekend

Bittersweet is the best way to describe Father's Day this year.

I thought of and celebrated my dad, who is one of the most talented, musical, determined people I know. His music can touch me deeply, as almost none other can, and the cabin he built combines with so many wonderful memories that fill me up. He's always been a dreamer, but he makes many of those dreams come to fruition and we are the beneficiaries.

Though I didn't see my own father on the actual day, I did see him the day before. He delivered the personal remarks at my Uncle John's memorial service and they were extremely touching, describing character of my Uncle John and making so many people chuckle with their own memories of his impact in their lives. I was a proud daughter sitting in the pew, knowing that my dad had probably spent many sleepless nights reminiscing, writing, rewriting, pacing, and rehearsing. It was beautifully written and delivered and I'm sure Uncle John was smiling, nodding, and laughing his signature laugh.

I love you, Daddio!

I always considered Uncle John to be my second father. I spent every summer of my life living at The Pinery, where he would visit us at least once a week and we would visit his family, too. Memories of his joking and speaking of the future abound. It was always so comfortable to sit and listen to him talk to my parents and Aunt Beth. We bought our first car from him and always called him before actually purchasing our next cars or dishing out a significant amount of money to fix our cars. He was the go-to guy for many, many people. 

This weekend was spent remembering him and celebrating his life. Family and friends came from all over the United States and one from Germany to give tribute to him. He impacted so many people and helped to shape who they became. At the service, a choir sang "River in Judea" and it was a combination of the church choir and Venango Choir (both of which he was involved in) as well as a few family members. Combined, it was probably fifty plus people, all wanting to sing and honor him. Never has there ever been a campfire with more people laughing hysterically while sharing stories of a person's life. His wit and timing were extraordinary.

I love and miss you, Uncle John!

This was also the first father's day without grandpa. Uncle John's joined him in heaven, and if there are pranks in heaven, then Grandpa might have just gotten a note hidden by my uncle. Right about now he just might be chuckling to himself and shaking his head. 

This was Jim's first Father's Day and what a great father he'll be! The car ride to and from Pennsylvania was filled with remembrances about Uncle John, dreams of our future, and talk of what he's looking forward to doing with our children. His passions for biology and nature, enjoying hard work with his hands, woodworking, reading, and learning, being just a part of his excitement to share in raising our little one.

It's crunch time right now for studying for Step 2, his medical board at the end of this month, but he relaxed and interacted with my crazy & funny family all weekend. I don't think he'd have it any other way. AND, we took a few minutes for a little pregnancy photography shoot (Thank you, Whitney!!).

I love you, Jim!

Happy Father's Day!

Today I celebrate my dad- a music genius and doting father! He spent today going to see Wicked at the Kennedy Center with my mom and sister. That's pretty special :)

We cannot wait to spend this coming week at the cabin that he built when I was 5 years old, my brother was 2, and my sister was just a babe. I faintly remember him looking over the plans with my mom for the cabin he had designed. Now stands a unique, pine cabin that has been our family summer home ever since it was built.

Both teachers, my parents first bought the land when they were living in New York City. They then camped for the whole summer with their baby (me) before any structures were built. Then, before my brother was born, my dad bought a building book and read, chapter by chapter, as he was constructing the "barn" on the property. He reminisces that he would spend all day building and then read the next chapter of the book before that phase of construction the following day.

The barn served as the sleeping place for our family of four, with a loft for my parents and a bunk bed for me and Willem. Our kitchen was in my aunt and uncle's VW Camper (which they sold but then bought back and still have in AWESOME condition).

When the cabin was built, it was a community affair. Dad had the help of Grandpa and a few contractors and it went up beautifully. Each year my dad adds some new renovations and it's the perfect summer home.


Thank you, Dad and Mom, for a wonderful cabin and barn (which is where Jim and I stay when we visit)! We love coming back each summer to enjoy competitive Yahtzee (yes, this can be competitive) cornhole, badminton, volleyball, crochet, and bocce ball. We also love biking to the ice cream place, kayaking, and canoeing. But we also like lounging in the river or just reading or crafting under the pines.

It's a wondrous place!

I had always asked for my dad to write me a song and he did for my wedding. It was beautiful. It was called, "I Remember the Day." This is him playing it right before we paddled away.

An aerial shot from a ride in my Uncle John's plane.

In the winter.

Walter Otto Krumich- 90 years old (now). Also needs to be wished a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Happy Father's Day!