Hip Hip Hooray! It's Father's Day!

I have some WONDERFUL men in my life.

A great dad of my own who taught me (among other things) that busted and banged up cars can be repaired but it's the daughter in the car that is valued and loved above any cost.  Of course there's a story behind that : )

A great father in law who has shown me love, appreciation and generosity since I began dating his son.

And my three awesome brothers.  All of them who have loved and watched over me while growing up and who I know I could turn to in an instant for anything.  They were and are the best protectors of their only sis.

But 17 years ago Brent and I became parents.  Brent turning into a father would bring a whole new meaning of "wonderful" into my life.

He puts his children and all of their interests and activities ahead of his own.  He is involved in their education, their activities and their spiritual growth.  His priesthood blesses their lives regularly and he prays for them with every breath.

He laughs with them, plays with them, jokes around with them and lets them enjoy the goofy stuff that is part of him.  You know, the stuff that others would say "there's no way that side of him exists", but really it's the best part of him that is saved only for us.

Thanks for being a WONDERFUL father to our three really terrific children.

As a pre-dessert treat, the kids dipped some strawberries and then we did our best to turn them into baseballs.  Pinterest!

Maddison's birthday was the very next day but since she had to play two basketball games that night, her and her daddy decided to share dinner on Sunday.

They agreed on French Dip Sandwiches.

She is definitely her father's daughter.  A meat eater!  Someday her husband will really love that about her : )

It is so easy and so delicious!

Here's the recipe so you can please the meat eaters in your family.

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

3 - 4 lb. roast (i use a lean, yummy chuck. sometimes a sirloin tip roast if it's on sale for great price) There is enough for leftovers which are delish too!

1 large onion

1 pkg of au jus

1/2 cup white wine or water (i've used both)

2 cups beef broth (i just boil water and use beef granules)

1.  Slice the onion and place in the bottom of the crock pot

2.  Salt and pepper the roast on both sides and place on top of onions. Or use this seasoning that i use on all my roasts: 1 c coarse Kosher salt, 1/4 c coarsely ground pepper, 1/4 c garlic powder.  I just mix up a batch and keep it in a mason jar in my seasoning cupboard.

3.  Mix the dry au jus packet with the water or wine and pour over roast

4.  Pour the bouillon over the roast.  Stop before it is covered.

5.  Cook on low for about 10 hours or so (I put mine in the crock pot at about 7 a.m. on Sunday morning and we are ready to eat at 6 p.m. that night.  We have 2 - 5 church : (

Take the roast from the liquid and slice (really is falls apart so shred is more like it).  Return the meat to the juice.

I use good sandwich rolls and slice in half on a cookie sheet.  Slice or grate monetary jack cheese on one half and put under the broiler until cheese is melted and gooey and roll is toasted.  Oh goodness my mouth is watering!

Use tongs and pile the meat on the toasted roll.  Ladle a cup of the au jus to go along side.  Dipping is half the fun!

Then after a strawberry or two, Maddie brought out her contribution...

DQ ice cream cake!  Employee 50% discount baby!!

It was a great day and we all shared a laugh at the perfect Father's card...

Come on!  It's funny.  And if you have boys...you are totally laughing because it's true on so many levels.

...and look after us is what he does best!!