Today the White House released the official portrait of the First Family. Annie Leibovitz was the photographer.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House, Sept. 1, 2009. (Official White House Photo)

photo credit: The Official White House Photostream via flickr

Parent’s Day
A day for honoring and paying tribute to the men and women who bring love, stability and strength to the family and the country.

All hail the ‘rents!

photo credit: via flickr

Father & Daughter Take a Walk Day
With the beautiful weather outside now is the perfect time to take a father / daughter walk. Just the two of you.

Enjoy the beauty of the summer and the enjoyment of each other. Because before too long you’ll find yourself walking with her one last time; down the aisle.

photo credit: via flickr

Father’s Day
A day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life – whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or “Big Brothers.”

It is a time of burnt toast and breakfast in bed, family gatherings, crayon scribbled “I Love You”s and, of course, that lovely new tie!

And on this very special day – Holidays on the Net is happy to invite you to our special Father’s Day celebration. Come join us as we celebrate dear old dads and let them know just how much they mean to us.

You can refresh your memory about the history of Father’s Day, test your dad trivia (Quick: How many dads are there in America?), and read some inspirational quotes about fatherhood. Or take a trip with us down memory lane as we recount your favorite TV dads (Are you more a fan of the Homer Simpson dads or the Ward Cleaver fathers?). If real-life celebrity dads are more your speed, then you’ll love our story on the Top Celebrity Dads.

And its not too late to get your kids involved in planning for Father’s Day. Check out our collection of crafts and coloring pages. We’ve also got a robust list of gift suggestions suitable for any budget. And since the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach (or so goes the saying), we’ve put together an impressive collection of Father’s Day recipes — from sweet treats for breakfast to Hero sandwiches for lunch to BBQ with all the fixins’ for dinner.

We look forward to celebrating this special day together with you. Here’s to our dads!

Did You Know?
June 21

It’s Father’s Day!

Thanks for joining us as we counted down to Father’s Day!

Happy Father’s Day,
Louie and the Holidays Elves

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Father’s Day & Fatherhood
June 20 : 01 day till Father’s Day

Did you know that many child development experts believe the influence of a father on his children is most critical from the ages of six to 14?

Former President George W. Bush, himself a father of two, agrees. As he wrote in the 2008 Presidential Proclamation for Father’s Day.

“By providing their sons and daughters with a positive example, fathers help give their children the necessary foundation they need to make wise decisions throughout their lives.”

*Read Barack Obama’s 2009 Presidential Father’s Day Proclamation

Father’s Day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life – whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or “Big Brothers.” So join our Father’s Day festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Father’s Day on June 21st!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

As we countdown to Father’s Day (06/21) – here’s our continuing look at some of TV’s favorite fathers: From the 1950s cardigan-wearing, “Father Knows Best” types to the 21st century guys juggling dysfunctional families and questionable careers.

TV’s Top Dads (in chronological order)

Ray Barone (1990’s/00’s)

Ray Barone (played by comedian Ray Romano) was the Italian-American, sportswriter dad to three on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005). Set on Long Island, the show featured the complicated (some might say: dysfunctional) family dynamics between the dopey but well-intentioned Ray; his long-suffering wife Debra; his gruff but good-hearted father Frank; and his meddling, passive aggressive mother Marie. And many were the opportunities for conflict between them, since Ray and Debra lived right across the street from Frank and Marie.

Check back each day for another TV dad (or you can cheat and check out all our TV dads here).

The White House Released a Father’s Day Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Father’s Day, 2009
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

On Father’s Day, we pay tribute to the loving and caring fathers who are strengthening their families and country. We also honor those surrogate fathers who raise, mentor, or care for someone else’s child. Thousands of young children benefit from the influence of great men, and we salute their willingness to give and continue giving. We also express special gratitude to fathers who serve in the United States Armed Forces for the sacrifices they and their families make every day. All of these individuals are making great contributions, and children across the country are better off for their care.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 21, 2009, as Father’s Day. I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on this day. I urge all Americans to express their love, respect, and admiration to their fathers, and I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

Barack Obama
President of the United States of America

Read the full text – A Father’s Day Proclamation

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Father’s Day & Fatherhood
June 19 : 02 days till Father’s Day

Did you know that one in four dads who work outside the home spend less than an hour a day with their kids?

And did you know that 38% of working dads say they would take a pay cut to spend more time with their kids?

Father’s Day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life – whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or “Big Brothers.” So join our Father’s Day festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Father’s Day on June 21st!

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

As we countdown to Father’s Day (06/21) – here’s our continuing look at some of TV’s favorite fathers: From the 1950s cardigan-wearing, “Father Knows Best” types to the 21st century guys juggling dysfunctional families and questionable careers.

TV’s Top Dads (in chronological order)

Homer Simpson (1990’s/2000’s)
As a less-than-perfect dad, Homer Simpson has cornered the market on underachieving. As The Simpsons’s (1989-present) animated patriarch, Homer personifies bumbling ineptitude in everything he does – from his botched attempts at raising his three kids to his rather ironic job as safety inspector at the local nuclear plant. The longest run show on TV, with characters that have never aged, The Simpsons offers America a satirical, politically incorrect family and one of the most enduring iconic cultural references.

Check back each day for another TV dad (or you can cheat and check out all our TV dads here).