Daddy Dates

Ryan has been spending lots of outdoor time with Collin and Brennan... and they are in kid-heaven! You wouldn't believe how much better their behavior is when they are earning "good choice" stickers for a date with Dad. They are also so good the days surrounding the activity. They just love their Daddy.

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Last weekend was the Father-Kid Campout. Ryan was in charge, so he took off Friday from work and spent the morning shopping for all the breakfast goods. Then in the afternoon he set off in the truck with the kids. I was all alone by 3pm!

After they set up camp and got situated, they ventured into the woods to set up the geo-cache for everyone else the next morning. They buried the treasure (a plastic dish full of plastic coins) in the dirt with a shovel to mark the spot. They also attached all the coordinate clues leading to the end.

They ate and partied until 11pm and arose early. After a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage, everyone ventured out on the treasure hunt. At their destination they discovered their treasure had been dug up and carried away. We are assuming it was a raccoon, but what did he want with pieces of plastic? Stupid rodents.

Anyway, while they were all gone adventuring for almost 24 hours, I went to dinner with friends, read a book, and made a cushion for my rocking chair. It was a great, quiet evening and morning. I live for the Father-Kid Campout each year, but so do they so I guess it works out perfect.

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This past Saturday was our stake Relief Society conference. Collin had earned "good choice" stickers for a hike with Dad, and Brennan had earned his stickers for ice cream with Dad.

It worked out for a perfect Saturday morning.

They all headed to the nature preserve and hiked first. Ryan wanted to play with the new camera, so Collin took this old dinosaur one. He was in heaven - our very own explorer.

They were real troopers, according to Ry. No whining, and it was quiet the celebration when they made it to the top. (This was no sissy hike either - The reason Coll was earning a hike was because I took them for a walk at the preserve this summer with playgroup, and I got too tired and couldn't make it as far as they wanted to go. For real.) These boys are really getting tough!

Here they are at the top celebrating. After their hike, they went to the park for a picnic and playing on the playground.

This park is affectionately called "the spider web." Collin has been wanting to tackle it all summer, but when lots of kids are there, it bounces a lot and scares him. Also, his cautious mother hasn't pushed him too hard - you know, the threat of broken arms and such. Anyway, Collin did it on Saturday! With some help from Dad, he totally made it to the top of the spider web! Glad I wasn't there to panic about him falling... I just saw the pics afterwards.

After some playing, it was time to try another geo-cache - seeing as the Father-Kid one didn't bear any treasure. Here they are finding the box. Super explorers!

On the way home, they hit Coldstone for some ice cream.

What kid wouldn't love Daddy Dates when they include dirt, exploring, treasures and ice cream!? Oh, and in case you are wondering, Dad loves these outings too. Is it any wonder why these boys prefer their daddy? He's pretty awesome, wouldn't you say?

Here's to Daddy Dates!