Happy Father’s Day

I know Jeff is never one to want us to fuss over him, but he is the one man who deserves all the fuss! I don’t think I could ever describe what he means to this family. He is the glue that holds us together. He is the calm in the storm. He is the anchor of our faith. He is our guiding light. He is our biggest supporter and are most passionate corrector. He loves fiercely! He is the BEST father our children could ever have. He never stops loving, giving, or fighting for each of us. So what do you give the man who gives all of himself? Time! Jeff is notorious for buying whatever he wants when he wants it so it’s hard to come up with actual gift ideas, but what he wants most is to have his family close...and that’s what we did. Saturday evening, everyone (including Laurin, Casey, Amber and Jacob) gathered for a fun pulled pork BBQ taste-off. We decided to gift him an experience. We purchased kits through Utah Taste-off. They pulled together 6 different BBQ vendors to provide 3 lbs of meat in each kit to compare, contrast, and enjoy. In addition to the abundance of meat, we had sides to enjoy plus Dad’s Rootbeer (only appropriate drink for the holiday!). We enjoyed our dinner and overall, Bandera BBQ was the top favorite. It was fun to debate what we liked or didn’t like about the meat. 

After we finished eating, we simply enjoyed spending the evening together. A few months back, Jeff helped all the older boys get a bow and arrows. They brought their bows and did some target shooting. Even Jonas joined in the melee with his toy bow and arrows!

Now lest you think we didn’t get Jeff any gifts, that evening Jonas begged Jeff to open at least one gift. I think Jonas was more interested in the gifts than Jeff was. Still, I let them open the gift I got for Jeff (the boys chipped in to pay for the taste-off experience). This is the first time I got Jeff a gift...for me. Haha! This is a typical Southwick way to give gifts - get someone else something that you could use for yourself. Well Jeff has destroyed our duvet cover with his rough feet so I got him a new duvet cover and some lotion and pedicure products to help his rough, dry feet. We all laughed pretty hard!

Following that, we stayed up until nearly midnight playing games. It was the simplicity of being together that was the most important part of the weekend for him.

And the celebrations continued into Sunday! Laurin and Casey stayed overnight and through the following evening after dinner. They presented him with probably the BEST Father’s Day gift...or should I say “grandfather’s” day gift! That’s right! Laurin is pregnant!! She gave him a shirt that had “Dad. Established 1996” embroidered above a pocket on the front of his T-shirt; however, once he unfolded the shirt, there was another thing embroidered under the collar on the back “Grandfather. Established 2021”! Jeff was both surprised and thrilled! We are all super excited to welcome Baby Irons in January!!

The rest of the day was much like the previous evening - just spent with family. Dallin called and chatted in the morning then we went to church for the first time since March. It was a little strange not being able to associate with friends like before. We were all spread out in the chapel and most people were wearing face masks. Still, it was nice to be gathered together in faith and to hear Jeff speak (he had been assigned to speak in two wards that day). That evening, Amber and Jacob joined us again along with Katie, Greg, Gma Penny, and Grumpy. We enjoyed a yummy burger BBQ, more games, and simply time. Time is the one gift Jeff can’t buy for himself, and it’s the one gift that means more to him than anything else in the world. Happy Father’s Day!