Merry Christmas!

We had SO much to celebrate this Christmas, including Allen's REMISSION and a new baby on the way!  

Last year we started a tradition of letting each of them pick out a present for the other.  They couldn't wait to go shopping this year! Of course Brookelyn and Braedyn were anxious to get started early opening presents, so Allen agreed to let them open one present an hour on Christmas Eve (between 10am and 6pm).  Here they are on Christmas Eve SUPER excited to open their special gifts from each other:

They could barely sit still!

Aren't their little faces priceless?!

She was thrilled with her "teacher supplies" from her brother.

Such sweet hugs! 

And more sibling snuggles!

Later in the day, they finished opening the rest of the gifts from each other!

Brookelyn was super surprised by her goodies! 

She couldn't believe she got actual "teacher grading" pencils! 

Braedyn was so proud of his choices!

He KNEW she would love star stickers for her students! 

Brookelyn couldn't contain her excitement as Braedyn opened one of the gifts she got for him (with some guidance from Daddy)!

Yes, that is a cap gun.  And, yes, it is VERY loud!

After baths, it was time to set out cookies for Santa!

And, time to throw out reindeer food for Rudolph!

Then, Daddy read them "The Night Before Christmas" before it was time to snuggle them in their beds!

Christmas morning, they were SUPER excited--of course!

Attempting to wait patiently at the top of the stairs.

First look at the presents under the tree!

Our elf, Lucky, left the kids a note saying that they had a few minutes to kiss him and hug him (while Santa suspended the magic) before he left.  They were SO excited because it had been really hard not to touch him over the past weeks!

Notice Lucky's ALL-EN band on his hat?! 

Then, it was time to OPEN PRESENTS!!

Braedyn struggled with the wrapping paper while Brookelyn realized that Mommy and Daddy had given in to the Wii! 

All Braedyn wanted from Santa was a remote controlled helicopter!

So excited over a new craft project! 

Braedyn loved the excitement of not knowing what he was going to open next!

Showing Daddy his awesome gift. 

The Samurai sword he "secretly" asked Lucky for.   

A new ride on toy! 

Our budding singer/song-writer got her prized pink piano! Now she needs lessons!

Christmas 2012 was certainly a blessed season for us! We are looking forward to 2013 with lots of HOPE!