MY FAVORITE SEASON

I've got to get better about this blogging thing. I mean, it's the holidays and I should be expressing all of my joy and stress and love and stuff!!! Right?

I love the winter season. It is seriously my most favoritest time of year. (couldn't you just SING that?) Maybe it's because I was born in December, or because I was an only child, the only granddaughter, and everyone's "princess". Either way, I love it none the less. I was always spoiled with my birthday being 3 days before Christmas. Everyone always says "Poor you! Having your birthday so close to a holiday!" I'm not sure why this would be a bad thing.

This year I expressed to my loving husband that I really didn't want to celebrate my birthday with much other than dinner and a movie. Did he listen? No. We came home from our spa day to a house full of beautiful people that love me. It was so sweet, so nice, and made me see stars. And by that I mean I was so exhausted I could barely make out everyone's faces. I tried to pull it together for the hour that we had cake, but I just felt almost delusional. Like maybe a little buzzed. I was that tired. None the less it was so sweet of him to do that, and I really did enjoy the company.

Christmas eve was spent at my Mother in Law's. Ryan's sister and her husband and kids were there. It was so fun to watch the kids play together, open their presents, and just be a family. Even if Branson refused to eat anything other than chips and bread. Christmas morning we were up bright and early at 5 am. Branson is for sure part Coonradt, can't WAIT to see what Santa brought! We opened presents, he loved it and looked super cute doing it in his white and red striped xmas pj's. At 10 we went to my dads house. He and his wonderful girlfriend went ALL OUT for Branson. I was pretty sure after opening all his gifts we would have to buy a new house. Or at least add on. My dad cooked an awesome breakfast, and I was stunned. I seriously never knew my dad could cook. I didn't even know that he knew how to turn anything in the kitchen on besides the coffee pot! We had pancakes, eggs, bacon and ham. And coffee. It was soooo good. (*side note, what is it about parents that when you decide "the adults aren't going to exchange gifts" they think those rules don't apply to them???) Anyhow. We left Grumpa and Lainie's ready for a nap. We had to be back up and at em at 4 pm, for my most favoritest part of Christmas ever. Dinner at Nana and Pop's. We always have a homemade salad followed by the most AMAZING prime rib. To say Nana is a good cook is an understatement. And my mom made this chocolate moose that was delectable. We left fat and happy. And brought leftovers home so we could stay fat and happy for a few days after :) Ryan picked up Keenan from the airport Christmas night and he came home to open presents. I love it when Keenan is here. We all do. Branson is just so in awe of him, he loves his big brother so much.

So here we are, a few days later, and I'm sitting her doing whatever I can do not have to put away the decorations. It's like the magic disappears once you take the tree down, or my counter top Santa goes back in his box. I think I'll push it out until New Years. that's Ok, right?

JUST

*Ryan shaved his beard off and Branson screamed. Didn't recognize him.

*Branson is talking SOOOO much.

*No gift exchange between adults this year, *WHEW*

*Do all toddlers refuse to eat healthy food? I'm wondering how I can sneak spinach into bread and cheese...

*Here are some pictures from Hawaii (late, I know. As always)

FEELING A LITTLE....

Why is it that turning 27 seems so OLD? I'm not having a birthday this year. I'm having dinner with my hubby and calling my mom and dad to thank them for putting me here on this earth, and thats it. My friends and I are all in agreeance, 27 is old. I even told Ryan when explaining how old I really feel, "that's how old YOU were when we started dating!". I'm not sure he appreciated that or not, but it's the truth! And he seemed so much older, and so much more grown up than me at that time, only the tender age of 22. And now, here I am. I'm older, maybe grown up, and feeling it. I don't know if it's just the chaotic last year I've had but I'm REALLY feeling it. And I'm pretty sure I look it as well.

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