Merry Christmas

Another exciting Christmas morning in the Branton household.  Even after staying up very late the night before, Reese was still up before 7am and ready to race down the stairs.  We had to wake Talan up so it took him a while to warm up.  We always make the kids wait at the top of the stairs so that we can come down and get their reactions but I couldn't do that this year because Talan insisted on being carried down.  Reese, however, raced down ready to rip into her gifts.

Checking out her letters from Santa and Eric.

Unfortunately the camera was on the wrong setting so most of the photos turned out fuzzy but we did get a few.  Reese asked for three things from Santa: an iPad, a laptop computer, and an iPhone 5.  Made it tough for Santa being that those are all things meant for someone a bit older and mature.  She ended up getting an iPad which she was very excited about but we exchanged it for an iPad mini.  We figured that is what Santa would rather her have but the elves were in overdrive and didn't have time to make enough by Christmas Day. 

Talan asked for a pet dolphin and a pet dog.  Yikes.  Thank goodness he was still excited when he got a Nintendo DS instead.  Reese was excited as well because now maybe he will keep his paws off of hers.    

Look at all of this loot!

He did get a dolphin and a dog, only of the stuffed sort.

Chicago Fire wristbands

 

More Fire gear

After getting through all of their gifts from Santa, it was time to start ripping through the gifts under the tree. 

I captured a lot of reactions from the morning but these were the best two:




Needless to say, they had a fantastic Christmas morning.  We were all overwhelmed by everything we received and by how blessed we are to have the family and friends that we do. 

We were supposed to join the Heller family for dinner that evening but poor Sophia came down with the flu.  We made the best of it and ended up having our BBQ shrimp (that we missed out on the night before) for lunch and then had some of the appetizers that we were going to bring over there for dinner. 

Reese crushing some shrimp in the cute apron from Aunt Jill and Uncle Nemo

Like a whirlwind Christmas came and went.  If this year is anything like last (please let it be better!) it'll be here again before we know it.