Daddy's Girl

Heather was Mommy's girl....oh for about the first few months....then she became Daddy's Girl and has been his ever since. Oh sure we have our moments and do girlie stuff together and have a typical mother/teenage daughter relationship, but mostly she likes hanging out with Dad.

When she was very little she'd go to bed willingly enough, but would lie awake in her room waiting for Daddy to get home from work and tuck her in. She'd become accustomed to falling asleep on his chest as he relaxed in his recliner each night after work. I was a stay at home mom during that time and she was mine all day long. So, when evening came she wanted her Daddy.

Marty's from a family of all boys so he's had to learn a lot about putting up with us. He's never once complained about not having any sons. He's been a great sport about traipsing around the country (and to another country!) to be there for Heather's dance activities. He's never missed a recital and only rarely has he missed dance competitions. Of course the year her dance solo was to the song "Butterfly Kisses" he sat in the auditorium with his dark glasses on! He's been a great sport about being the only man in the house or on a trip on many occasions.

Although Heather can appear to be very much the "girlie girl" when she's dancing, she's all tomboy at heart. She's completely at home in both worlds. You should have seen her in a tutu, catching lizzards and bugs!!!

Heather and Marty after a long day's work when we lived in Arizona.

Heather inspecting Marty's snowman he and his brother Rick built for her when we lived in Wyoming.

Heather helping Dad with yard work in Missouri.

This is where we typically went every Memorial Day when we lived in Missouri. There's a place on the river we call "Martin's Crossing." This is Heather, her cousin Brandon and Marty. Heather caught her first fish the day this was taken. This is also the first and last time Heather used her Mickey Mouse bobber. Marty helped her with her new pole, put on her new bobber and proceded to show her how to cast it out into the water. As soon as the line was cast she begins screaming, "No Daddy, No! You're drowning Mickey! Bring him back!" So, the line was reeled back in, Mickey "rescued" and a plain bobber put in his place. Mickey now resides in the bottom of Mom's keepsake box!

Heather and Marty with Marty's Grandma 'Raine on a trip to Wyoming for his family reunion.

Heather and Marty waiting to see the Rockettes on a trip to Branson, Missouri.

I was messing around with the camera taking pictures of Heather on pointe one day, and decided to snap a quick picture of them together. It's one of my favorites.

Heather and Marty at a dance recital in Texas.

All of us relaxing at Mom's on a trip to Missouri.

Heather and Marty fishing from a charter boat in Port Aransas.

Heather and Marty gazing at the stars the night of her 14th birthday party.