Merry Christmas!!!

Well even though I couldn't actually be at home with Branson, I was able to hear and see his expressions and reactions to Christmas gifts through Skype. It was the next best thing to being there! Branson got so many toys!!! He loved them all.

As you may recall, Branson asked Santa for Diego, Batman and a four wheeler. The Batman toy is his absolute favorite thing! Way to go Dad! When he came up to the hospital after opening his gifts, I asked him if he was happy with his gifts... he said he was, but that Santa didn't bring him Diego! What a little stinker!!! Thinking on my feet, I told him that I talked to Santa and told him that we were getting him a Diego gift so Santa didn't need to. He was cool with that explanation! Thank goodness!
It ended up being a fun filled family day!

Even in my little hospital room!

Christmas Eve

Our tradition on Christmas Eve generally entails, church, opening one gift each, reading Twas the Night Before Christmas and now putting out cookies for Santa. Since I am in the hospital, Brandon had to take care of making sure these traditions were carried out... unfortunately we did have to skip out on church this year, but I think God will understand!

Branson really wanted a Diego for Christmas... luckily Brandon found this Diego Electronic Journal. Branson loved it!

We read Twas the Night... all week so that Branson would be able to help me recite it on Christmas Eve. It was too cute! Then as we were wrapping up the reading, Nana was in the hallway with bells. Branson's face lit up when he heard the bells and he rushed to get ready to go home to get to bed so Santa would come. It was too cute! The Hurst Family Traditions that I grew up with continue and it was fun to be able to watch the excitement on his face!Once home, Daddy and Branson put out cookies for Santa and apples and carrotts for Rudolph before climbing into bed!Brandon had to play Santa's elf by himself and did a great job building the four wheeler and Batman cave!

Misc Pics

Here are several pictures from the last couple of weeks of Branson while I have been in the hospital.

A couple of months ago I bought Branson this doll and he refused to play with it. Lately though he has taken to playing with it and has named it Baby Aubrie. He is going to be such a great Big Brother!

These colored things on his fingers are actually marker caps. He loves putting them on his fingers and calls it a spider. He has a great time with them!

We watch a lot of TV, among other things, when Branson comes to visit me every day... Nana snapped this shot the other day!

Pics with Santa!!!

Well we had success this year!! Branson was so excited about sitting with Santa and telling him what he wanted for Christmas... We did a little coaching, but he knows exactly what to ask Santa for whenever he sees him... He wants "Diego, Batman, and a four wheeler..." guess he will get it all because he is spoiled rotten.

Branson and his friend Harper with Santa.

Christmas 2009 Pics

Brandon, Branson and I went and took our family pics today. Gotta love Brandon for puttin up with me and my camera... Got some good pics, although since we didn't go for the red sweaters this year they look more like fall shots... Oh well, with the exception of the snow we had this week (I will post pics from daycare later) it actually is and feels like fall instead of winter!

Branson is telling me he is "big and strong!"

Decorating the Tree

Last weekend we decorated the inside of the house for Christmas... tomorrow is supposed to be the big day for outside... we'll see...
Be sure to pay particular attention to the candy canes in this pic as you will see how Branson thought they were supposed to be hung....

Thanksgiving

We had a busy and family filled Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving Day we went over to the Tappans (hopefully they share the millions of pics they took with me so I can post some ...), Friday, Branson and I went on our third annual hike with the Hursts

and then went to see Elmo with Nonni.

Saturday Brandon joined us again for a Thanksgiving meal with the Hursts. It is always fun to spend time with family!

Branson and Papaw reading a book!

Some flashback pics from the last couple of years...

Sea World Take 3

We were blessed to be able to take our third trip to Sea World this year. Nana AND Papa joined us and we all had a great time!