From Bran:
From Reesie:
And our favorite, from Brady:
He actually drew a picture of cupid on the inside too - which was pretty funny. Shoulda got a picture of that too - it actually looked more like some sort of creature - so it was a good thing it was labeled "cupid". He's a funny one, that kid.
I don't know who has been having more fun around here - Bran or Kelly. This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship. : ) Many more rounds to come!
We had a great Christmas day. Santa found us - and everyone is happy! Mostly we are happy because we are together, healthy and appreciative of all the blessings that we enjoy. They are numerous!
Can we go back to sleep now?
Yep. Had to make a Gingerbread house too. What's Christmas without Gingerbread house making! I saved ours until Christmas eve - just to give the hooligans something to do. Why Brady looks so annoyed is beyond me. But it is pretty funny! Maybe his mom has been taking a lot of pictures lately? Nahhh. Not me.
Brannen woke up just in time to help them put some finishing touches on and eat some candy. He was such a good helper. Bed head and all.
They were pretty crafty this year - and really into the decorating. Had to use a paintbrush and everything! Very fancy!
Allison was our wonderful hostess and maker of much good food! She's trying to keep Kelly in line - it is a hard job, I know.
Grama Chris and the fun Christmas PJ's. 
Grama got all of the grandkids dufflebags with their names on them. They were a big hit.
They also all got hats - Brannen is trying to be convinced that the hat is cool.
See, now he is convinced.
The older girls race to open their presents. What cuties.
Then the party got really wild!!
Giving some hugs to Grama Marge.
Here they are again. The trained eye will notice that the color of the hats is not coincidence!! Good work Grama Chris!
We had such a fun time together. It was so nice to see everyone!
Here we are! In our Sunday best - ready for our Christmas picture. Everyone looks so handsome - Merry Christmas smiles and all. Well, Brannen isn't smiling yet - and he smiles so good! Lets give it another try or two . . .(You already know the end of the story, don't you?)
Yep, Christmas picture meltdown. It was inevitable. When you are almost 2, you can only take so much prompting before you crack. (notice how very amused Brady is with this whole thing!)
I want you mom! I don't want to sit here! I don't want to smile! I want you! Don't make me smile! Please!
Here is his "trying-it-out" pose - very reluctant. Maybe this isn't so bad.
Getting kind of warmed up now! I can even manage a smile!
Hey this isn't so bad! I am handsome! I am so cute! Take my picture! Bring it on! Merry Christmas to all!
Here she is in her ballet costume. They danced to "When Christmas Comes to Town" from the Polar Express - it was so pretty! This mom got a bit teary every time I saw it. This girl is just getting too grown up for me to handle!
Reese and her dancing friends. Such nice girls!
Rae and her dancing friends - well, they are nice girls too - just a little older and "cooler".
Here is Rae's class on stage in their final pose. This was a jazz routine that they danced to "Up on the House Top" by the Jackson 5. It was fun!
Rae Rae hamming it up on stage.
Reese being oh so lovely and graceful on stage. She loved dancing with a scarf.
Reese had to dance with boys (eeeeeek and shreeeeek) for the first time this year in her tap number. It was really cute and fun - but the girls all made sure they made as little contact with the boys as possible - cooties you know.
Of course, he really didn't like the bundling - but he loved being outside. He played with Nana, ate some snow and pulled his gloves off alot. Fun stuff.
It is hard to take a good picture of the little bugger lately! However, Reese is ALWAYS ready for her close-up! What a girl!
Here she is with her partners in crime. 
Good thing their plan was found out, and they were stopped. Santa ended up delivering those presents and all was well! Sheesh! That was close!
Here is our little shepherd boy - slicked hair and all. Well, he is a shepherd tonight - because we left the yoda ears off of this Halloween costume - and just went with the shepherd like robe. Works? Doesn't it??!! Can you feel his Jedi force convincing you of his cuteness? You will adore me, you will adore me . . . . 
Here is the whole shepherding family - complete with bathrobe and t-shirts on heads! Awesome! And to think-- they were fans of the Vikings way back then! Who wouldn't be - come on!! The Viks are timeless!!
Being reverent for prayer - no shirt and all. : ) 
Kisses! Gotta love your Reese!
So yea, he spent a good hour in the bathtub when we got home this morning! Can't you just see the happy?!? He was pretty cute. He still forgets that he can move that arm - but I think that is good for a while. We will work into it slowly. 
Rae and Reesie are both getting ready for their dance recital. It is coming up this weekend and they are both really excited. I had to go with each of them this week to get their picture taken with their class - all that fun stuff. I just had to take a picture of what Rae wore over her dance costume. I didn't notice her really until we got home - and I said - you wore THAT over your costume?!? I guess you can take the girl out of the barn - but not the barn outta the girl!!! She is so NOT my child. Or Kelly's for that matter. Wonder where she came from . . . .
