Where Does Time Go?!

Since Asher was born, I have been trying to take notes every so often to help us remember this time of our lives. This evening as I was typing those notes I realized, I really should be sharing some of these stories and pictures with you, our family and friends, as well. So what better place to do so than our blog that we began 5 years ago and haven't posted to in 3 1/2 years.

When we started this blog we called and "Daniela + Mark: Notes from the two of us as we begin this journey together." Now we have a new member of our family, John Asher, and are weeks away from celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. So we'll have to update the blog's name... but first let's work on updating the blogs content. Here we go... I've added in content for most of 2015.

Utah 2015

Daniela's family lives in Utah so at least once a year, we make time to travel there to see them. One thing we have realized as we make our annual trips is that sometimes not going right at Christmas or Thanksgiving is nice. Not only are the prices on plane tickets much better (as in half the Christmas price) but more family and friends are available to visit. During Christmas people are traveling or with their own families. By going 2 weeks before Christmas, it is easy to schedule time to see our friends and get our annual update.

Traveling also meant Asher's 1st plane rides. We were pretty nervous... 4 flights with a 4 month old. Luckily, Daniela managed his feedings well, and overall Asher did great. In fact, I graded him on each flight. His scores were 9.5/10; 9.5/10; 10/10 (yes, he slept the whole way!); and 7/10. That's an average of 9. Pretty good I would say.

And while I can't tell you much about Asher's personality, he does seem to enjoy new experiences and people. Plus at 4 months, Asher will smile and giggle which is a great way to win new friends.

In Utah, Asher had lots of firsts... First trip to BYU. 

First trip to Temple Square. 

Gideon Pharmacy Christmas Party

Asher got decked out for the party... which was more of a dinner than a party... but we had fun regardless

Caleb & Asher

Here are the 2 cousins closest in age... Caleb & John Asher... 2 weeks and 2 days apart... We're hopeful that they will continue to find each other interesting.

Celebrating 50 years as a Pharmacist

John's Pharmacy has been in business for roughly 25 years. John McMullin has now been a pharmacist for 50 years! Here is the picture of the John's Pharmacy and John's Rx crew at this year's Christmas party. I'm glad I was able to work at the pharmacy when I was in high school, for the experiences I've had as part of a family owned business, and for my dad for building a business that so many people trust. 

At the Christmas party, the pharmacy employees gave my dad a drone... a Phantom 3 drone to be precise. And yes, as the picture shows, the propellers can cut flesh. That said, it is an awesome device... and it is easy to see why we can expect a lot more drones in our lives in the future.

Kansas City - JAM's 1st Roadtrip

For the past few years, I have been lucky enough to join with family and friends and attend a BYU football game at different locations (Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, etc.). This year, my alma maters chose to play each other... so it was a game we had to go to. BYU vs. Mizzou in Kansas City. 

We had to decide who was going and purchase tickets in the springtime. The surprise came when Daniela said she was going. I reminded her that we would have a child by then. That didn't deter her. Then I reminded her that it was in November and would likely be frigid. To which she became more determined to make it happen. And thus our efforts began to do things with kids, even babies, that others wouldn't...

We had a great time in Kansas City including...

1. Great dinner with family at one of my favorite places... the Cheesecake Factory. 

Funny moment... we were there on a Friday night. Naturally it was very busy. An 2 hour wait for a table. Plus we had a group of 12 so it took forever to get our food. One of my nephews got very hungry during the wait. Looking around he got excited when he noticed what he saw some snacks on the table... He opened one and found some white chocolate and popped it into his mouth... only to find his white chocolate was pure butter :-)

2. Great time with the Johnsons.

3. Loved being with family & friends at one of my favorite places, the Nelson-Atkins museum.

4. And touring a TV station.

5. Driving through Mission Hills (no pictures... but it is a neighborhood with really nice houses)

6. The football game... with Daniela and Asher

3 Years a Lawyer

I graduated from law school in 2012, took the bar exam that summer and then waited... and sometime in September got the good news... I passed.

It is hard to believe that has been 3 years ago. Especially when I think about the twists and turns those 3 years have had... but this year has seen some progress...

This year has included...
1. New and improved conference table

2. With the help of Crockette's Photography, some pictures of recent travels on the wall...

3. Meeting great people who I am happy to have as clients...

4. Working hard at our Cape office...

 5. And opening a small (and perhaps temporary) satellite office in New Madrid.