Dear Addison,

I can't believe that you've already completed your first year. It's hard to think that my precious little baby is growing up so fast. I remember how excited I was the day you were born. It was very special to see you come into this world, to hear your first cry, see your beautiful face, and to feel your little hand clasped around my finger. It was hard to believe that in just a matter of seconds I became a Dad and how my love for you grew so much. I could not believe how absolutely beautiful you were. You had stunning blue eyes with long eye lashes that would make any movie star jealous. I remember holding you for the first time and thinking about how much I loved you and how excited I was to see you start your new life.

Your Mom and I were so exited when we were able to take you home for the first time. You were such a good baby. You would never wake up during the night. In fact, your Mom and I would have to wake you up in order to make sure you were fed. It was hard going to back to work after we took you home from the hospital. While at work I would constantly think about you and during my breaks I would always call and tell Mom to put me on speakerphone so I could talk to you and let you know how much I loved you.

We got so many compliments on what a friendly, happy, and easy going baby you were. Both your Grandmas and Grandpas were jealous on how good you were. They told you that you needed to be harder on us because we were difficult babies compared to you, and that it was not fair that you were just an angel. We got so many compliments on what a smiley baby you were. Your sweet, innocent smile would light up the room. You also loved to laugh, especially when we tickled you. Sometimes you would laugh for no apparent reason.

You were always a very friendly baby and loved to be held by anyone. You have a sweet spirit and a loving heart. Even at your extremely young age I was impressed at how you would watch and interact with other babies or children. You were always drawn to them and would try to befriend them by showing or sharing with them your binky, bottle, or whatever it was that you had.

It's been so much fun seeing you learn an grow every day. I was so excited when for the first time you laughed, rolled over, crawled, stood up, and when you took your first step. You learn so fast and you are so determined. I was especially excited and proud I was when you said "DA DA" for the first time. I constantly reminded and teased your Mom that you said "DA DA" before you said "MA MA." You learn new things almost every day - like folding your arms during family prayer, waiving your hand when we say goodbye, putting mommy's cell phone up to your ear and saying "hi", and kicking your ball around with me when we play soccer. It is so much fun to see you learn and developing your talents.

This year has gone by so quick and I already miss my little baby girl, bit I'm so excited for the years to come. You are my prized possession, my happy thought, the apple of my eye, and my little princess. There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for your own good or benefit. My life is your life. You bring so much joy into my life and I love you so very much.

Love,

Daddy

One Year Older and Wiser Too...

above: addison blew out her candle all by herself!

...happy birthday to you!

it happened. even though i have been looking forward to this day, i also dreaded my baby growing up. yes, i know she'll still need me for a while yet, but february 19th made the inevitable one year closer. so, because i knew it couldn't be avoided, i let addison turn one. aren't i nice? i sure think i am. there are so many precious things that she does, cute ways that she thinks about things, i am terrified that she will suddenly stop. on the other hand, i love watching her continue to learn about the world around her and figure out how to accomplish the things she wants. she is mi bebe guros (baby laguage for my baby girls) and i absolutely LOVE her.

she had a family birthday party at our new house. it was a great turn out with kyle's parents, my parents and sisters including michelle and jesse, both great grandmas, and great, great grandpa breinholt. we ate amazing food - hawaiian burgers - a great recipe kyle's dad found that includes mango, pineapple, bacon, and a mango sauce with anything else you like. way better than regular burgers.

above: jalee trying to get addison to eat her cake by example. addison was having fun being quite the tease - right when jalee would lean forward to take a bite, addy would pull the fork away and laugh. below: addison opening her presents. favorite toy thus far - balloons, go figure.we totally didn't think to get pictures of anyone but addison until afterward, sniff sniff. but, we are so lucky to have such great family who loves addy there to wish her happy birthday.

she is growing up so fast, and i'm gonna enjoy every minute of it. i am the luckiest mom in the world. i know everyone says that, but only this mom is right!

Since We Moved

we have been very busy cleaning, unpacking, organizing, decorating and painting. i know i said in november that i was going to paint befroe we moved in, but things just never turn out the way you would like them too. so kyle and i spent our school vacation time painting. my sisters have put in many hours to help us out (thanks guys) and though we're not done yet, we will be taking a break until summer. we still need to paint our office, bathrooms, and hallways. plus touch ups. grandma is so nice to let us do this in her basement. her favorite color for walls is white, so i think our tahitian red in the kitchen is a bit bold for her taste.

it's an amazing feeling to go from a 900 sq. ft. one bedroom, one bathroom and shared laundry to 2,200 sq. ft. three bedroom two bathroom complete with our own laundry. we are absolutely loving it and feeling like we are swimming in the extra square footage. oh, what a wonderful feeling! i think addison's favorite part is the carpet. her poor knees really had to toughen up for crawling all over hard, mexican tile. now they will somewhat soften on the carpet. well, i guess i should say would've softened. addison started walking a couple of steps at a time in later december, now she is walking pretty well. i laugh every time i see her going from one room into another because when she sees a transition in the flooring, she gets down on hands and knees to crawl over it, then is back up and walking. what makes her even think to do that?!

Harley Puppy Dog

I was looking though some of our family pictures and wanted to share some of these.

A few months ago Uncle Carson suprised us one night by taking us back to his bedroom and showing us the cutest little boxer puppy I've ever seen. Harley and I soon became great friends. She was full of energy and loved to play and then she would turn around and be the best little cuddle bug ever.

Harley was surprisingly obedient for a little puppy dog. When we took her on a family walk we couldn't find a leash so we put her in the back of Addison's stroller. She was soon excited by the new sights and sounds and wanted to walk on her own. I letter her out and she stayed no more than 20 feed behind or ahead of us and would come right when we called her.

We enjoyed watching movies together, taking naps, and playing outside.

A couple of weeks ago Harley had quite the adventure and so did we. On new years day she escaped out the front gate and was lost. We frantically looked for her all over the neighborhood.

We posted dozens of signs, talked to neighbors, and searched the streets up and down for her. Luckily though we got a lead from an animal hospital nearby that someone had dropped off a boxer puppy and they had animal control come pick her up. I spent that afternoon waiting at the animal shelter for the truck to return from the route. When I saw the truck pull up and watched them take Harley out my heart was relieved. Poor dog had quite the adventure.

Addison's First Christmas

All of my family was in town this year for Christmas. Christmas Eve the family always goes to a movie and dinner at Texas Roadhouse. This year, Maeli - the oldest grandchild - and Jennifer really wanted to see The Princess and The Frog. Grandma and Grandpa watched Addison and Cameron at home, which is starting to become part of the tradition and they couldn't be happier.

Christmas was a blast this year. It was my first Christmas as a Dad. Growing up I thought that parents got jipped on Christmas because the kids got all the fun toys and stuff. But it was so much fun watching my daughter opening presents even though she had no idea what was going on. We woke her up around 8 am and started opening presents. Santa gave Addison blocks, and a Disney movie. Brittney bought me a beautiful painting, several Calvin Klein belts, and my favorite candy bar - Butterfinger. I made her a Dating Jar where on any weekend she can pull out a fun and unique date idea for that night. She also got a gift card to her favorite store - Charlotte Russe. We cooked our traditional Christmas morning breakfast, crepes, and then headed out to our parents. Both Grandparents gave Addison toy cell phones since she is always putting ours up to her ear and saying "hi" and then she presses all the buttons. She got a toy monkey and a puzzle from the Grandma and Grandpas and princess sippy cups from her cousin's Maeli and Cameron. Let's just say she was one spoiled grandchild.

The next day, Grandma and Grandpa McKay took the grand kids to Freestone park to ride the train while Brittney had a photoshoot with Uncle Ernest's family. Addison loved the train.

For New Years, Addison saw fireworks for the first time at Grandma and Grandpa McKays. We walked out to the end of the cul-de-sac and watched the Jones' traditional display. She cried when they exploded and we had to take her back inside before any more went off.
We moved into our new place which is Brittney's Grandma's basement. It's 2,200 sq. ft. of space and we couldn't be happier. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen with a small pantry, a large storage room, and a very spacious family room. Oh, and we have our own laundry which is a huge plus! We are loving all the room and Addison loves the carpet. We will miss our French Cottage, but we are excited about our new home and can't wait to give it the "McKay" treatment.

Mesa High, State Runners Up

I'm sad the title doesn't read State Champs, but I do want to say that Mesa put up a good fight. After being ranked 11th at the beginning of the year in their division, to become state runners up, that itself is a crowning victory. Those boys fought and bled together showing us that spirit and determination is more valuable than statistics and odds. After defeating Mnt. Pointe, a undefeated at the time, they were challenged again by Hamilton, another undefeated tea

m. The whole week before the game, I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. I was stoked to go to the game with my wife( a Mesa High graduate) and daughter( future Mesa High graduate). My parents bought tickets and shirts.

Even a shirt for Addison that was way too big for her, but it was super cute. On the shirts it said "Mesa Believes." We all believed that they could surpass the challenges that they had faced. Mesa showed that they could win, even though they face insurmountable odd, as they showed what they were capable of when they played Mnt. Pointe.

Before the game Brittney and I made a sign that said on one side, "Mckay Alumni: Kyle 2003, Brittney 2007, Addison 2029, Heart Mesa High" on the other

side it said "The McKay's Believe." Then we were off to the game with my two sisters.

Mesa was to face Hamilton at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The stadium was awesome. The crowd that came out to cheer on the Jackrabbits was even better. It was a sea of purple and gold. Our numbers were far superior than that of Hamilton, and our spirit was even greater. Old friends and alumni were reunited in this glorious field of battle. My father-in-law, a 3rd generation graduate and football player came out to the game. He participated in the State Championship back when played football for Mesa in the early 80s

The Mesa High Jackrabbits came marching onto the field. The stands erupted into thunderous cheers of support. The Mesa High team preformed the Haka, a mauri war dance, that has become a tradition started by many of the Tongan and Samoan players. After the kickoff the game began. It was a back and forth battle between Mesa and Hamilton ass each team struggled to advance on the field. I was impressed as Mesa's defense prevented Hamilton from gaining yards. At one point during the second quarter, Hamilton was at the goal line with two yard to go. After being shut down, Hamilton was forced to take the field goal. Though disappointed that they had scored, we still know we had a fighting chance. Toward the end of the second half is when Hamilton scored its first touch down. You could feel the disappointment of the crowd, but we didn't stop believing.

The second half of the game I'm hardly going to mention. Lets just say Mesa could not hold onto the ball and gave it up to Hamilton after several fumbles. Toward the end, Mesa continued to fight valiantly, but to no avail. The buzzer rang, the game was over. Hamilton left the victor.

Though no state champion title was awarded to Mesa High, those boys have something to be very proud of. We had not seen as state champion game since 1992. Mesa was just considered a second rate team. But those boys proved otherwise. Its funny that even though Mesa hasn't seen a state champion game for a while, the spirit and support for our football team is unlike any other school. Though winning is great, Mesa High students and alumni continue to show great support and love for each other even in the times we lose. We stick it though during the thick and thin. We are so proud of those boys, and humbled that we were able to participate in the state champions. Carry On Mesa High! Carry On!!!!

Happy Birthday Kyle!

kyle,

i remember the first time i ever saw you in june of 2007. you were in the ballroom at nau and efy

was in session. i could tell you were a great counselor by the way you interacted with everyone around you. you had some crazy energy that whole week as you bounced down the halls and made sure your group had spirit. i remember thinking, " the poor girl who marries him, he's all over the place!"

michelle loved you as her counselor, and when she asked me to write on your facebook page and say hi for her, i was excited to write you a message. your reply came back, and i was so afraid that our conversation would end there. so i wrote you again, pretending michelle wanted me to. when you replied and asked for my number, i was shocked. excited. thrilled. and nervous. i was going to go on a date with a counselor. an efy COUNSELOR. you seemed so much older than me, with with much more experience in dating. i knew you were fun, and i was terrified to disappoint. i had a wonderful time that night.

i couldn't believe you liked me enough to ask me out again. but you did. over the next four months as we dated and got to know each other, i fell in love with you. i loved how you could make me laugh. you were so clever with the way you talked and i found myself laughing for days as i reflected on a single conversation or a look you gave. i loved that you had the ability to talk to anyone around you, even strangers, and be completely comfortable. you were great with kids of all ages, and it impressed me that you got along with my sisters so well. they still love you. that was very important to me. i saw you dig in with the work at your house and you even looked to be an extra help with things you thought needed to be done. you made chores fun. people who were normally considered "different" in society always had a friend in you. they knew to call you for a ride or a visit and you would be there. i appreciated the trails you had gone through and was amazed at how much stronger they made your spirit and testimony.

once i knew that i wanted to marry you, march 7th couldn't come fast enough. i had the jitters that whole week. in the temple i was so nervous that i nearly threw up, but when i saw you smile at me and take my hand, i knew everything was going to be fine. that day was perfect. i will never forget it.

in the whole year and ten months we've been married, we have accomplished so much. moving, going to school, counting pennies, and having a baby. and consequently, you have been the rock through it all. i have never doubted your ability to provide for our family or achieve anything you want in life. as i continue to get to know you better, sometimes what i learn drives me nuts, but i can never stay upset at you for long. i learned that you never let the small things get to you, which is completely opposite from me. you always encourage me to be more than i am. when it come to school or hobbies, you say if i want to do it, then i can. you help me see how i can accomplish my goals and road map a way for me to get there. you stick up for me and support me. you let me cry. you love me, and so much more.

i can't get enough of you and addison together.

you are so good to her. you are going to be a perfect doting father to all of our children - just like your dad. addison lights up when you get home each day and loves talking to you on the phone. i know a you'll always have a special place in her heart.

thank you for being the husband and father that you are. thank you for your love and patience. thank you for your service. i will forever be greatful i was the lucky girl that got to marry that energetic counselor from efy. i love to be with you and i am so excited to do just that for eternity. i hope you have a wonderful birthday! i love you so much.

with much love,

brittney