One Year Older And Wiser Too

Happy Birthday on January 4th to the best dad and husband anyone could ever ask for.

It's funny how similar this year's picture is to those in the past.

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If you want to see the previous 3 years, click here:

Brandon's 26th Birthday

Brandon's 25th Birthday

Brandon's 24th Birthday

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Last week on Thursday we ate at Texas Road House before heading to our hotel in Lehi.

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Good thing someone remembered Brandon's birthday was coming up (wish I could take credit for that one, but it totally slipped my mind) so the servers could embarrass him. Here he is riding the saddle and yelling "Yee Haw!!"

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Mckinley thought it was pretty funny. She is such a happy girl these days, even while still being sick.

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Brandon got breakfast in bed for his birthday, then we went to Pizza Factory for lunch, and had Thai Food for dinner at his parents' house, followed of course by the traditional shared cake with his little sister. He had a basketball game that night so we didn't do any crazy celebrating, but he said it was a good birthday.

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Back to Christmas for a minute, here is Mckinley with Santa Clause. She didn't cry or anything, in fact, she smiled at him right after this picture was taken.

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Here is Mckinley enjoying (and yes, standing up all on her own believe it or not) her music table she got from Grandpa Salmon for Christmas. She can't pull herself up, but if you put her next to something, she is really good at standing up next to it. She sure is growing up!

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I got Brandon this popcorn maker for Christmas. He said he wanted one of the big ones but I knew he wasn't serious so I got this awesome nostalgic counter top one instead. It's perfect!

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Mckinley's booster chair didn't quite come in time for Christmas but we're sure glad we have it. She is getting to be a little more mobile now and doesn't do as well just sitting on the floor while being fed. She loves to bang her spoon on the tray.

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Mckinley had fun this Christmas getting to know her cousin Sam, who has now gone back to New Mexico. Can't we implement a rule that family isn't allowed to move out of state?? I hate that she has cousins she will never know.

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We had a fun New Years Eve. We had some amazing food over at Brandon's parents house. His dad bought all sorts of noise makers and confetti and stuff, so after a burst of fun, everyone got right to work cleaning up the mess. I'm still finding pieces of confetti in Mckinley's diaper bag.

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Mckinley's hair is long enough to put in a tiny ponytail on the top of her head. It's so fun and so stinking cute!

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Now tell me this picture isn't cute. Mckinley got the cutest white furry jacket from one of the doctors I work for.

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It's hard to believe that in 2 days Mckinley will be 8 months old. She has grown up so much and gets more and more fun every day. She has quite a few newly learned tricks. She will spit out her binki on demand (even did it over skype for my mom and sister - so awesome!), she can clap, she kind of waves, if you say "give me a kiss" she will usually look straight at you until you kiss her, she is getting super close to crawling (at least it seems that way). She smiles at anyone and everyone, she is a super good sleeper and has learned how to find her binki when it falls out which means I get to stay in bed more at night. She hates getting her mouth wiped after eating, loves getting her diaper changed, loves taking a bath, but doesn't love getting dressed for some reason. I have no idea how much she weighs or how long she is. I never do that on my own but maybe I should since she doesn't have a doctor appointment for another month still.

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The most exciting thing we have going on is that my parents will be home from Hong Kong in just 26 days!!! I think about it all. the. time. (literally) and can't wait for them to meet Mckinley. I think that's it for now...