THANKSGIVNG FUN IN THE SUN

Today I'm writing from Maui, HI. The Grand Wailea to be exact. This the hotel to stay at if you come to the island. Especially if you have kids. It has a water park that boasts the worlds only water elevator, numerous slides, a swim-up bar and anything else you could imagine wanting. Not to mention, its right on the ocean. There is a hotel within this great hotel. And one of these days, we will be bazillionares and we can stay in the coveted Napua Tower.

We made the decision to forgo the traditional family Holiday and spend Thanksgiving in Maui about a year ago. It has been a lot of fun, but a lot of stress too. There is the obvious stress of flying 7 hours with a toddler. Though, Branson has been nothing but great on every flight he as ever been on. I'm hoping the flight home will bring back the same statement. Anyhow. The second night we were here, we rushed Branson to ER in an ambulance. He woke up with labored breathing and couldn't catch his breath easily. Terrified, we left the hotel at 10:30 pm. Long story short, he has croup. How is it that this kid gets hurt and sick before we leave for or are on vacation? Ugh. But, he is resilient. 8 hours after leaving the hospital, he was on the beach throwing sand and splashing in the water. Kids are amazing. Whats not so amazing? The hotel screwing up your Thanksgiving dinner reservation, and making it for 8 pm instead of 5 pm. Who in their right mind with a 1 year (who goes to bed at 7 pm) would make dinner that late? So Thanksgiving dinner wasn't that fun for mom. Or dad I would assume. Honestly, no meal is that fun with a 1 year old. I discovered this when he was about 9 months old. He didn't want to just sit in someones lap or his stroller anymore while we ate. Someone told me this ends when they are about 2. So I have a year left of not being able to enjoy a meal. Great! Yippee. Can't wait. But of course, I am so very grateful for my baby, and the blessings he has brought our entire family. He makes everyone laugh and smile. Especially me.

I'm looking forward to enjoying our last few days here, but then to getting home and back to our routine. I can't wait to decorate for Christmas! I do need to figure out where we are going to put the tree out of Branson's reach. That would be a disaster...

If you can't beat 'em...

Join him.

Branson has taken a huge liking to playing with tissue and toilet paper. Instead of getting upset and running around trying to clean it up, like I probably should be doing, I either break out the camera or join in on the fun. This morning I walked into the guest bathroom and he had unrolled the entire roll of toilet paper. He was practicing his paper shredding skills, so I sat down and helped. As I shredded, he would pick up the pieces and place them boyishly in the tub, where they belong. Great fun! Besides tupperware, lids and pots & pans, this is his favorite toy. Funny side note, when he is playing with the tupperware, there is one lid that absolute perplexes the poor guy. I know when he gets quiet that he is silently trying to figure out the snap/seal thing. So cute really.

1 YEAR PICTURES

Here are a few pictures from Branson's 1 year photo session with Jessi LeMay. We love her!

BIRTHDAY PICTURES

It's been a year...

Branson's birthday was amazing. On the actual day, we spent it celebrating just the three of us. Ryan took a rare day off, so Branson was of course stoked to be spending all day with daddy. The two of them are so amazing to watch, they laugh, play, cuddle, talk, giggle, smile...all things that could be happy are happy. We spent the morning doting on our boy at home, he had yogurt (his fave) for breakfast with a banana. He played, watched his favorite shows, and then went down for a nap. We had lunch at Olive Garden, and it was the most pleasant dining outing we've had yet with him. He climbed all over the booth, made oogly eyes at all the pretty girls, and enjoyed his first unhealthy meal of chicken strips, french fries, and bread sticks dipped in Alfredo sauce. Lunch was followed up with a trip to this amazing toy store by our house. We got a bunch of toys out and let Branson pick out the ones he wanted. And hour and 3 toys later, we were home for our afternoon nap. When he woke up, my friend from high school, Kendall Price came over to take some pictures of the birthday boy. She captured his first cake experience, I can't WAIT to share those pictures with you all :) Needless to say, the day was perfect.

We celebrated with family and friends Sunday. The party was baseball themed, and Branson had his very own large baseball cake. There were so many kids here...and it was AWESOME. 8 kids and all their parents running around after them. Branson got some pretty cool gifts, a wagon from Grandma and Grandpa O'Brien, a B.O.B. stroller from grumpa, a fire truck from Mema and her crew in L.A., and a ton of other gifts that he can't take his hands off of. We have been having so much fun. And he is at the most perfect age...I can't get enough of him. I want to pinch and squeeze both his cheeks multiple times a day.

Today was his last check up with Dr. Ludwich, the children's Heart specialist. This is a man that I feel I owe my life to for eternity. He saved my baby's life, and by default saved me and Ryan as well. I can just see the passion in this man's eyes for his job, and I really think Branson may be his favorite. I mean, he kind of has bragging rights with this one. Anyhow. Today B checked out perfectly. Dr. Ludwick said he "graduated from the heart center". I left with tears in my eyes and a heart heavy with appreciation.