First of all, I would like to wish all you Dad’s out there a Happy Father’s Day!! In honor of this day, I would like to feature my Dad!
I don’t think I have ever seen a harder working person than my dad. He does anything and everything he needs to make sure that his family has everything they need to live the best life! I remember when I was younger that he worked a lot, just so Kim and I could have everything we wanted or needed. There may have been some days he came home after Kim and I were in bed, but I never heard one complaint from him about the long hours, sometimes working without a day off for weeks or how strenuous the work was. I don’t think there is anything in this world that he wouldn’t do for us – even to this day!
For a couple of years, he also coached my softball team – and I think they are some of the best memories that I have! He taught me how to catch a fly ball and get in front (and not be scared of) a grounder, but most of all, he helped me learn how to pitch. Before I started pitching, he didn’t know much about it, but when I told him I wanted to do it, he learned everything he could, just so I would be successful. We would spend a couple of hours after practice just working on my form and learning different pitches to throw. I would probably pitch over 500 balls, and he would catch non-stop and never complain, except for when I hit him in the shin (and leave huge goose eggs). We even took home 1st place in the state tournament! Even when I was playing softball in college, they would surprise me when there was an away game and it meant so much to me. I don’t think I had ever told him how much it meant, but I feel like when he was there, I was able to pitch better knowing I had my biggest fan to cheer me on.
Ice fishing used to be a favorite time of year too! We would pack up on a Friday night and head to Boysen Reservoir or Ocean Lake to see what we could catch. We would normally get to the lake after dark, so we would have to wear our head lamps and have our frozen hands from the cold water while we set up our tip ups. Dad made sure that the generator for the little Pop Up Camper we had was always running so my sister and I would stay warm. From sledding behind the four-wheeler to betting “$1 on the first fish, $1 on the biggest fish, $1 on the most fish”, they were the best times we have had at the lake! He never made my sister or I pay up if we lost the bet, but you can guarantee that we made him pay up when we won!
A couple of years ago, my parents bought some land in the Mountains in Wyoming, which is what my business is named after and where a lot of inspiration comes from. I think being there with the family is one of my favorite things to do. It is so peaceful and sitting around the campfire laughing at all of the past memories we have, it something I will always cherish. Being in the mountain air and away from all the buzz of normal life is just what you need to clear your head and relieve any stress you may have – even if it is just for a short while.
6 years ago, he also gained the role as a Papa. I love watching him when he is with my nephew. Tryston absolutely adores his ‘Papa’. 9 times out of 10 when I call my dad, him and Tryston are causing some sort of trouble. Watching how dad is with Tryston makes me all that more excited for Cody and I to have kids one day!
Growing up, I thought that my dad was super strict and I absolutely hated it. However, looking back on it now, I am so thankful he was. Even though my sister and I may or may not have caused the receding hair line and gray hair, I don’t think I would be where I am today without my dad. Dad taught me how to change a tire and oil in my car, shoot a gun, tried so hard to make me left-handed like him, how to gut and clean a fish or elk and how to fend for myself in almost every situation possible. With mom by his side, they also raised me to be the woman I am today - how to reach for my goals, the work ethic I have, treat everyone with respect, and do the best I can every single day. I may be somewhat biased, but I truly have the best dad in the world. Words cannot describe how much I love and thankful I am for everything he does- and continues – to do for us.
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My Papa Jerry is the next gentleman that I would like to feature.
My Papa has always been someone I have looked up to since I was a little girl. My sister and I used to spend a lot of time with our grandparents, as we would hang out with them at the shop while our parents went to work. Papa owns his own business – has had it for over 40 years now. It is a fabrication shop and roustabout crew, so they work heavily in the oil field. He has grown it into a thriving business where a lot of family, as well a lot of good people work.
When I was a kid, I used to go almost everywhere with him – to the field, errands, you name it, I went with him. Usually our days ended with us getting an ice cream cone from McDonalds. One time, we went to someone’s property to get wood, and I was convinced there was an alligator in the pond nearby. I am pretty stubborn, and I would not let it be. The more I argued with Papa, the less and less likely I was going to get that ice cream cone. Let’s just say, we ended the day without our trip to McDonalds.
Some of the best memories I have are on the lake. One summer memory that is one of my top favorites is when Grandma, Papa, Kim and I decided to go down to Glendo for the day to fish. Kim and I had these worms that had special dirt so they glowed bright green in the dark, while Grandma and Papa used normal bait. We had a bet to see who would catch the most fish that day and what worms worked best! We started catching so many fish that we were knocking the fish off each other’s lines. We laughed sooo hard that day (and Kim and I won the best😊) Ice fishing is also something that my family looks forward to every year. One thing about ice fishing is you don’t need to be by the tip up all the time, so you can go do something else while still trying to catch that trophy fish. We were at Glendo one year and my sister and I found a small cliff where we could go sledding off of. My papa decided to go on the sled with us – and it was quite the sight! We flew off the cliff and then all you saw was snow fly up around us as we hit the ground! I don’t know who was laughing harder – the three of us on the sled or my dad who got to witness it!
One thing that I did gain from Papa is his love for rocks. One year, he brought me back a piece of raw turquoise from a mine (this is where my love for turquoise started!). I was so excited that I put it in my rock polisher and had to wait weeks for it to be complete. For graduation, my parents surprised me and had it set into a beautiful necklace. To this day, it is my favorite piece of jewelry and rock that I have! We used to collect so many rocks to polish and cut them so we could find out what was inside. Those rocks are still displayed throughout my house.
When Papa was in school, his jersey number was 00. So, whenever I could, I would have that exact number. The only sport I could consistently have 00 was in softball – and I still have all of my jerseys with it. All in all, I have the best Grandpa around! I can’t wait to make more fishing memories this summer (and try to out-fish him again).
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The dad I would like to feature in Today’s “Father’s Day Series” is my father in law, Robert!
I got pretty lucky with the father in law that I gained about 2 years ago now. When Cody and I first started dating, we were long distance, so I was only able to see him on the weekends. Luckily, Robert and Mandy would let me stay in the spare bedroom, so I didn’t have to go home. During these weekends, I was able to get to know Robert probably faster than if Cody and I weren’t long distance – and I am so grateful for that!
The first time I met Robert was during the 3rd weekend that Cody and I had seen each other. We met Cody’s parents at McGraff’s for lunch and I was super nervous – I feel like first impressions mean everything when you are meeting parents for the first time. Robert doesn’t talk much, especially if he doesn’t know you – in fact, I think that is where Cody gets some of his shyness. At first, I wasn’t sure what Robert or Mandy thought about me dating their only son. Now, Robert likes to tease me because I haven’t seen classic movies such as Star Wars or Indiana Jones, but let’s be honest…his taste in movies is, definitely in my opinion, questionable. 😊
In the summertime, you can usually find Robert in his goofy hat camping up the Poudre River or at a Lake here in Colorado. He likes to fish, read books, hike, and relax in those quiet, beautiful areas. During the off-camping season, you can usually find him with a list of projects that he tackles. He is skilled at quite a few things ranging from woodwork to tiling to fixing almost anything. He has tiled our kitchen and bathroom and it looks AMAZING! For Christmas, I even asked him to make me some shelves for my rocks, and they turned out perfect! I may or may not have a rock problem, so there is a good chance they are already filled up….
Even though Robert is a pretty quiet guy, he is also a very caring person and will do anything to help his family. If we are ever in a bind, he is there in a minute to help us out, no matter the time or day. I think there have been many instances where we have had to call him for help. When Cody and I first moved into our house 4 years ago now, Robert and Mandy both came over to help us put up a fence in the pouring rain. It was such a cold, long day, but I honestly don’t think Cody and I could have gotten that far the first day without them! In fact, Cody and I had started the night before and we had cemented our posts in the ground. We were so proud of ourselves until Robert was having to fix our EXTREMELY crooked fence line. At the time Cody was pretty mad, but now we just laugh at the memory of that day!
I have to say I am pretty lucky with the Father in Law that I gained when I married Cody. I am excited to see him as a Grandpa one day and show the same compassion he does for a little one as he is for us.
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Uncle Jason is the next Dad I would like to feature for Father’s Day!
I don’t know if I have ever seen anyone who is more of a fisherman, hunter, rock-hound, knife collector, fabricator – literally everything you can think of, Uncle Jason has done. During the summer days, you can usually find Uncle Jason with Aunt Stacey at the lake fishing away or causing trouble in some other way. In the wintertime, you can find him on the ice – catching large walleye, perch, crappie – anything that he can get to bite his hook! Uncle Jason has quite the talent with working with metal. He has not only built knives from nothing to a knife that could cut through just about anything with one slice, but also has made beautiful structures and pieces of art. Last year, we decided to do a trade – I made a Turquoise Dragonfly Pendant for him to give Aunt Stacey, and he made me an amazing metal fence brace that has a garden of daisies with Cody and I’s names and year we bought the house. I was truly speechless when I saw it – it was beyond what I could have ever imagined!
Not only is he my Uncle, but he is also my God Father – and I have to say, I don’t know if I could have been blessed with a better one! I also gained a pretty great Aunt a couple of years ago (who I have claimed as my God mother 😊). I am honestly inspired by his talents, determination, and strive to live the best life possible!
Last year, when I had my very first art show for Rusty Creek Designs, he drove up to Estes Park with Aunt Stacey, Mom, Kim and Tryston to support me! I was so surprised that I started to tear up. I am truly blessed to have the support I get from all of my family.
I have been told many times that I take after Uncle Jason in many ways including my gracefulness. However, I wouldn’t want to take after anyone else! While I have mainly talked about him being an amazing Uncle to me, he is an even better dad. He will do anything and everything to ensure that his kids and family are taken care of. All in all, he is a pretty great guy and I am honored to call him my Uncle.
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I want to feature 5 dads for Father’s Day this year in my “Dad Blog Series”. The first dad I would like to highlight is one of our best friends, Joshua!
I have known Joshua for almost 7 years now. He met my husband, Cody when they worked together at Walker Manufacturing. Cody is a little on the quite side, but Josh is the complete opposite! Josh basically forced Cody to have lunch with him. Finally, Josh got Cody to agree to a double date and the 4 of us have been best friends ever since then!
Since knowing Josh, we have been able to see him turn into a husband and a loving father. The amount of love he has for his family is beyond what I could write in words. He will do anything he can to ensure he is providing for his family and being able to live the best life possible. For instance, Josh had left a job a couple of years ago for an opportunity that he thought would be a great next step in his career! Unfortunately, it did not turn out that way, so in order to ensure his family had everything they needed, he worked 2-3 jobs at once and worked 7 days a week for almost 6 months. He got a job at the Smuckers new plant in Longmont, but he had to wait a couple of months until the plant was open and he could start working there. I admire his determination and goals that he has strived to reach in his life.
Josh is a father to an amazing 2-year-old daughter, Norah, with another little one on the way! I am so excited to get to meet the newest addition to the Atteberry family in October and to see how Josh continues to grow as a father. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him go from a dad with a new born to a toddler and the patience and love he has for his beautiful little girl. Norah definitely has him wrapped around her little finger.
Josh and I are too much alike and we both like to voice our opinion, which is usually not in agreeance. Even though I am normally right, we both agree to disagree and go about our day! I do have to say, I don’t know what Cody or I would do without Josh and Jenna. They are not just our friends, but they are family.
