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*To the brave and creative men who created these projects, from handy, Familymen the world over...WE SALUTE YOU!!!!*

BIG PS - ALWAYS remember to pack your toolbox. My dad did, and on my last trip I didn't...I wish I had.

*Name* – David Lee

*Age* – 39

*Location* – Mount Vernon, OH

*Years Married* – 16

*Number of Children* – 6 (#7 due in Feb – Praise God)

*Employment* – Mitel Networks – I design network (Telephone/VOIP) communications systems – http://www.mitel.com

I was shocked by so many of you being willing to supply me with a license plate from your state. I got lots of duplicate offers but still need some plates from the yellow States. If you can send me a plate, "email me":familyman@bnin.net with "State Plate"in the subject line & the name of your state, and I'll respond and give you the go ahead. Thanks a heap!

*Name* – Mark Mix

*Location* – Fairfax, VA

*Years Married* – 17

*Number of Children* – 6

*Employment* – “National Right to Work Committee”:http://www.right-to-work.org/ and the “National Right to Work Foundation”:http://www.nrtw.org/.

I have to admit there is satisfaction in having originated the holiday known as Kid’s Day, although I find it hard to believe that some well-meaning greeting card company hasn’t come up with the idea to sell cards. I mean if there is Boss’s Day, Secretary’s Day, In-law’s Day, and Postal Carriers-who-deliver-by-car Day, you’d think they’d have come up with Kid’s Day.

My inspiration came a few days before Father’s Day a couple years ago. Ben and Sam were being loudly secretive about the gift they had made for Dad’s Day, hoping to entice me to the point of frustration. I played their game for a few minutes, and then as though a light had been flipped on in Ben’s head, the merriment came to a sudden stop and he asked, “Hey, we have Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day…” (I could see where this was headed), “Why don’t we have Kid’s Day?”

Here are the quick-facts on the addition over our garage: Monday - Tore off roof Tuesday - Installed new floor joists Wednesday - Sam broke through ceiling below. Added floor decking. Begin frameing. The players: Ben (15+) - great worker!…

Hey Dad,
One of the greatest things about being a dad is knowing that we’re all in the same boat (sometimes it feels like it’s sinking). It’s comforting to know that what you’re facing others have faced, are facing, or will face. To help you on your fathering quest we’ve assembled this index of issues others have faced. My hope is that you will add to the discussion and find some real answers given by real dads.

While in Kansas City, KS I ran into felllow familyman Wayne Young and his family. This is one dad who has made the effort to take his family to the best this country has to offer – “The National Parks Service.”:http://www.nps.gov/

In fact, his son Barrett has visited over 250 National Parks and completed over 240 Junior Ranger programs. The Junior Ranger program connects children and families to America’s history, culture, lands and landscapes while fostering a greater appreciation for the preservation and protection of these symbolic resources. National Park Junior Ranger programs encourage kids and families to Explore, Learn, and Discover these special places.

Hey Dad,
We’ve got ourselves a *winner* for the ‘no-more-goofy-t-shirts-for dad” contest. Out of the 50 t-shirt ideas and designs, Brent Welborn’s design embodies the tough, don’t mess with my family attitude that I was looking for. A special mention (and a FREE shirt) goes to Jeremy Hamilton who proposed the initial idea.

Not only is it very tough and cool, but it speaks volumes: “Yeah, I’m ‘da dad…and if you cut me in two, I be a DAD to the Bone!”