Branson's Party!

Bounce, throw, catch, play, Branson's 1st Birthday was a super FUN DAY!

We were happy to host our friends, at Matt's gym, for a sports themed 1st birthday party.

The kids (and dads) had fun playing in the gym.

We fed everyone from the gym's "concession."

some of the crew eating and coloring

cake time!

Branson was a fan!

no hands needed - he just did the old head dive!

 my sweet one year old!

present time!

these three were all born within a month of each other - they are in sitting oldest to youngest in this picture

B with another girlfriend

Thankful for our tribe!

Sir Branson turned ONE!

Branson turned ONE of Friday!  We started the day off with our traditional Birthday Pancakes!

Following breakfast we opened a few presents.

The remainder for the day was pretty chill...lots of time to play.

He's so happy!

Brans little friend came over for a quick visit - they are always to pleased to see each other - it's the cutest thing!

After dinner we headed out for some frozen yogurt

and some fun family time! It was a good day!

Branson's Birthday Interview

1.     Name? BRANSON

2.     How old are you? ONE!

3.     Nickname? BRANS, B, BABY B, WRECKING BALL

4.     Who is in your family? DADA, MAMA, SULLY

5.     Favorite color? BLUE

6.     Favorite food? CHEESE, BREAD & MEAT

7.     Favorite thing to do? CLIMB THINGS

8.     Favorite toy? BALLS, CARS, BOOKS, ROCKING GIRAFFE

9.     Favorite book? "WHERE IS BABY'S BELLY BUTTON?"

10. Favorite TV show or movie? FOOTBALL GAMES

11. Favorite song? "WATCH ME WHIP"

12. Favorite animal? GEORGE (CAT)

13. Best Friend? SULLY

14. What do you take to bed with you at night? SLEEPSACK

15. What do you want to be when you grow up? YET DO BE DETERMINED

16.  What makes you happy? YOUR FAMILY, CLIMBING, DANCING, BATHS, PLAYING, EATING

17. What’s your favorite thing to do with your family? PLAY

18. Favorite Birthday present? TO BE HONEST - B LIKED THE TISSUE PAPER AND WRAPPING PAPER BEST! 

19.  What did you do today? FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY WE MADE SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PANCAKES FOR BREAKFAST AND FOLLOWED DINNER WITH FROZEN YOGURT AT HUGHSTREET.  FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY WE HAD ALL YOUR FRIENDS OUT TO DADDY'S GYM FOR A SPORTS THEMED FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY!

20. What are some of your biggest accomplishments in the past year? LEARNED TO SLEEP, EAT, CRAWL, STAND, WALK, TALK, CLAP, WAVE & SMOOCH!

Sir Branson - 12 Months!

12 Months - 23lbs  - 29.5 inches

Feeding - As noted by your sweet rolls you are an awesome eater!  You enjoy it and you like to do it often!  You have weaned down to just one breastfeed a day, right before bed.  You skipped bottles and went right to drinking your milk from a cup.  You like most foods, but you definitely enjoy meat and bread the most!  If your eating something that's not your favorite you will leave it till last - you always eat it you just like to eat your favorites first.

Sleeping -  Your nighttime sleeping has improved GREATLY!!!  I think we can, almost, say you are consistently getting 12 hours a night (although I hesitate to write this - I don't want to get too excited as I know how quickly this can change).  Your napping isn't great at the moment - your still taking two naps a day, but I think you are trying to tradition down to one nap a day. 

Milestones - This has been a big month for you.  You took your first steps - 14 in a row on your first go at it.  You sign "more," can clap, wave and high five.  You continue to babble away coming up with new sounds and ways to express yourself.  You are a climber.  You find the most challenging way to get somewhere and take that route.  You love climbing on Sully's stepstool, especially up onto his bed.  The only problem is you haven't figured out how to gracefully get off his bed.  You love music - especially if it has a good beat.  You are a good little dancer and as soon as you hear music you like to get your groove on!  You newest and possibly your cutest new trick is "smooching."  When we ask you for a smooch you lean forward, mouth wide open and come in for big, wet kiss!

Likes - eating, baths, your family, peek a boo, playing with your brother, chewing on things, reading

Dislikes - when toys get taken from you, being told "no"

Funtimes - Over the past month you celebrated your first Christmas and New Year's.  Saw all of your extended family on both sides and took another airplane ride.

12 months has come and gone - we are so thankful for our year with you.  You are so full of fun and excitement.  You have the cutest little laugh and your joy for life is contagious.  Happy Birthday sweet boy - we LOVE you SO MUCH - we know you will do great things!

PSA

I'm here with a "Public Service Announcement" of sorts.  I have decided that for now (not sure for how long) that I will be significantly cutting back on blogging.  So sorry to my five readers out there ;)  I will still blog once a month and randomly here and there, but it won't be the every week kind of deal that it has been over the years.  This may not last long - I've blogged for almost 10 years and I do enjoy having a "memory book" of sorts or it may last forever - who knows.  For those of you who can't live without seeing our faces I have committed to instagramming 1 picture a day for 2016.  You can follow me on instagram @sarahjanekaminski

Blessings to you all and we will see you every once and awhile :)

New Year's in the Dids

On Boxing Day we made the trek from Lloyd to the Dids to spend the second half of our vacation with the Morgan side of the family!

Boxing day supper - Morgan family reunited and to celebrate that we took our traditional awkward family dinner picture :)

all dressed up for church the next morning

we did Christmas on the 27th night...starting with Papa reading a Christmas story

and then gifts!

and quite possibly the most exciting and surprising gift of the year...my brother bought my mom, sister and I all Tiffany necklaces!!!  I haven't taken mine off since!  So special!

Grandparent gift

and for supper that night - Christmas crackers!

Caitlin got all the ladies matching jammies for Christmas - SO FUN!  They are so soft and comfy!

The next morning we opened stockings and then watched the Very Merry Christmas Parade (it is tradition)

walking in a winter wonderland.  Sully is on my dads old sled (60+ years old)

It is the sets 50th year Anniversary!  Grandpa Morgan would be proud that it is still being put to good use every Christmas - the Morgan tradition continues!

the boys is their matching shirts!

on Nathan and Caitlin's last day with us Nathan treated us to a day at the Children's Museum in Calgary

fun was had by all!

New Year's Eve walk

this guy's birth was definitely our highlight from 2015

our last picture in 2015

we flew home on New Year's Day but before we left Sully wanted to help Papa put the Christmas set away.  Sully was so pumped that Papa's shepard had a staff because when he was a Shepard in the church play he didn't have a staff :)

What a wonderful holiday we had.  Full of family, friends, fellowship, and rest!