Top 10

So one of the things I like to do when it is slow at work is to surf through blogs on blogspot.com. There are tons (though many are from countries where I can't read the writing!) It's fun to kind of snoop on other people's business (which is one of the reason, I guess, that I took my blog off of the search site... I don't necessarily want people snooping unless they know us!) Anyways, it is fun to see people's stories.. I especially enjoy the ones about families and their kids (wonder why)... Well that long introduction is for this simple top ten list that I snatched from another blog. Thought it would be fun to do on Branson.

Here are Branson's latest top 10:
1. Favorite food: HOT DOG! Go ahead, ask him what he wants to eat! I guarantee I already know the answer... well unless there are french fries on the table, and then it might be a toss up!
2. Favorite book: I think I would have to say the Foot Book... he taps his feet the whole time we are reading it! Other favs include, Brown Bear, Brown Bear and 10 Little Puppies. We often have to put his books away to give us a break from reading the same one over and over!
3. Favorite Game: Peek-Boo (we are teaching him how to hide around the house and call "Peek-a-boo!" Our easier version of hide-n-seek.
4. Favorite thing: Branson is really into Mickey Mouse right now... we bought him a stuffed animal recently as well as a CD that has Mickey singing his name throughout the songs. He gets a kick out of it! The first couple of times, he started looking behind the TV (because that is where the speakers are) to see if he could locate Mickey! His other favorite thing is playing on his new playscape in the backyard!
5. Favorite Impersonation: He does so many animal sounds these days... I think "Hohoho" is the cutest right now... though he makes a great Cow "Moo" and Cat "Meow"
6. Favorite Thing to Say: "dunno" When asked where something is Branson lifts his arms in the customary shrug and says "dunno?"
7. Favorite vehicle: tractor - Branson truly adores Tractors! Thanks Papa!
8. Favorite Movie: The only one he has ever sat and really paid attention to at all was a Tigger and Pooh Christmas Special... it was cute seeing him sitting in the leather chair like a big boy watching the movie... I tried to sit with him on one occassion and he quickly told me "no" :( My boy is growing up!
9. Favorite Show: Its a tie right now between Little Einsteins ("Blastoff") and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
10. Favorite thing to wear: his gray tennis shoes... not sure what we are going to do when he outgrows those...

New Year's Eve

We had an amazing time on New Year's Eve! Branson was dressed in his rocket pjs because that was as close as I could come to fireworks! Branson actually went to bed before our friends came over which was nice. After the other kids went to bed we played darts, ate gumbo and played a hilarious game called Loaded Questions! Way to ring in the new year with laughter!

Playing with colors...

I decided to see just want my camera was capable of today so I changed all the settings and colors. These were the two I liked the best!

Who can resist a boy and his dog?

The day after...

Well in the Hurst family we used to go out every December 26th and go shopping with Susie. This year was no different. Branson wasn't terribly impressed with the shopping aspect as we tended to only go to clothing stores, but he sure didn't mind stopping for a ride on Winnie the Pooh at the outlet mall!

The family arrives!

The theme of this years Christmas ended up being fear... LOL! Branson was afraid of about half of his gifts! He is warming up to this really cool (moving) dragon... though getting close to it is still not his idea of fun!

Papa teaching Branson how to play golf... I think it will take a while for him to become the next Tiger Woods!
Papa and Nonna bought Branson a really cool playscape for the backyard! He loved it!

And of course... Uncle Sue was there to liven the party and spread some laughter!

More gifts!

Branson really grasped the idea of opening presents this year, so it was much more enjoyable to watch... though in this one, if you look carefully, he is trying to use his fork!

Branson decided about a month ago that he wanted to try to start potty training, so as any good parents would, we bought him an Elmo potty training chair! He has successfully used it already several times!!!

Branson loves animals and can tell you what sound many of them make... this puzzle makes the sounds when you put the piece in its spot. He thought it was too cool!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Santa came to visit the Tappan house and brought with him many gifts and much merriment! We had a wonderful year and lots to be thankful for! Branson of course was spoiled with all of his gifts, but so were both of his parents.

Night Before Christmas

As is another one of our more recent traditions, we read The Night Before Christmas to Branson before bed. (this is a long standing Hurst family tradition that we have carried over to our family) He was really tired after church and opening his present, but he sat intrigued for the whole story... He liked pointing at Santa and saying "hohoho".

Merry Christmas Eve

The party begins! As is our family tradition, upon returning from Christmas Eve Service everyone in the family gets to open one present. Branson was able to open a fun xylophone (I thought at this age a toy was better than clothes!)

I loved the smile on his face on this one!

Man they sure do make toys hard to get out of the packages!

Playing the piano with his dad!

In addition to Branson's gift, Brandon opened a new jacket... and I... discovered the location of my impending surprise trip! Brandon is jetting us off to Vegas in late January. The first day will be spent snow skiing! Can you believe there is a mountain close enough to Vegas to snow ski?! (I have never been!) And then Saturday night we are seeing Cirque de Solei "O". I told Brandon seeing another Cirque show was high on my list this year so of course... in typical Brandon style, he made it come true! Brandon says this time we are "Livin Large" in Vegas!

It all began....

Last night I asked Brandon if he knew the significance of today... he looked down at his watch and said "yes, of course I do! We have been together for 5... 6,7,8... no... 9 years!" It's hard to imagine, but 9 years ago today, Brandon and I were driving from his parents' house on Bulverde Rd. to my parents' house so that he could meet my grandmother for the first time (we were seniors in high school, mind you). He casually asked me as we pulled up the hill... "so, since I am meeting your grandma, do you want to be my girlfriend?" I, of course, instantly said yes and the rest is what you call HISTORY! Now we have an adorable little boy and 4.5 years of marriage under our belts! May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Thanks Grandma for being the catalyst for our life together. We miss you dearly and know that you would have been hopelessly in love with Branson and probably spoiled him rotten! Keep watching out for us!

A few last minute shots!!

Marble Falls Lights

On Saturday we met my family along with the Manchas in Marble Falls for dinner and more lights. These lights were not nearly as crowded as Zilker, and gave us time to socialize and enjoy the season. Luckily, the cold front hadn't blown through yet, so the weather was nice and not too cold!Nonna and Branson - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Aunt Courty and Branson rolling in the hay!

I asked Branson if he would please sit on the bench for a picture and he said "OK!" What an adorable kid!
Jennifer and Lauren Mancha -
I'm so glad I finally figured out how to take pictures of Christmas Lights!

Zilker Trail of Lights

On Friday night Brandon, Branson and I joined our friends, Kevin, Vicki and Harper for our first tour of the Zilker Trail of Lights. It was really crowded, but overall a fun time. We enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant and then walked down to the lights. Branson enjoyed looking at all of them. Harper really loved riding on her daddy's shoulders, but this wasn't Branson's thing. He was quite content in the stroller which made us very happy!

Apparently the tradition is to twirl under the tall Christmas tree of lights until you make yourself dizzy. Kevin was good entertainment spinning and trying to record on the camcorder. I think he almost fell over a couple of times! Harper too gave spinning a try with her mom!

Opening gifts....

Last night, Branson received a gift from his Great Aunt Bernadine... instead of waiting until Christmas morning, I let Branson open it last night.... he had so much fun! He really gets the whole idea of opening presents.

He ended up getting a drum set... which after I put it together, he immediately began playing. He surprised me by knowing how to sit on the bench, bang on the pieces and even use the foot thing to hit the bigger bottom drum!