I have a very small family. I'm not even sure there are enough of us to constitute a handful. :) I mean, we ARE a handful, but I'm not sure quantity-wise we are enough to be a handful. So one thing I've inherited with marriage...is the chance to attend multiple Christmas gatherings. And I'm not gonna lie - I've been pretty excited about it!
This past Sunday was the first of the celebrations - with Ryan's side of the family. We took a TON of pictures, but some of them were close ups of the kiddos and I didn't ask if I could post them, so I'll try to keep it generic here.
Ryan's mom and stepdad live in a gorgeous log cabin in the woods. (We had round 2 of our engagement pictures taken out there.) It's so beautiful all the time, but as you can imagine, at Christmas it's especially beautiful. And his mom is such a great hostess. She had the coffee cups (and many K-cups) ready for us when we arrived:
One of the trees (ahhh yes, she is a woman after my own heart with many trees...) with our gifts stacked under it.
Hanging out with Ryan before the festivities began...of course, watching football!
We had a really great evening together...started out by sharing communion together as a family (which I LOVED) - and then we had breakfast for dinner. That was yummy! Ryan's niece read from Luke 2 and then all the kids dove headfirst into the Christmas gifts. The mosh pit of gifts....
I was hanging out in the corner drinking more coffee. :)
With this guy. Goodness he's handsome. I should marry him.
Everyone was very festive. Even Bucky.
Ryan's stepdad, Allen - who has made me feel very much a part of their family. I appreciate him!
One of the nieces, ripping into her gifts. Doesn't it just make your thighs hurt to see kids sit like this?
Ryan's beautiful mom, Nita. I love her so much. So thankful for a great mother-in-law!
Ryan handed me Allen's drill so he could take a picture. When I grabbed it, I accidentally turned it on. Scared me to DEATH.
The first of many official Christmas photos. What a great night with my new family! So thankful for them!!
2 comments:
An amazing family it is and you just add/fit right into it. I had the pleasure of seeing Allen and Nita at Meijer on her birthday. Wish I could have spent hrs. with them but had to get to mom and dad's. They had the kids and needed to get there before the presents got opened. Once again so glad you are a Shaffer.
Shawn!!! It is very much an amazing family and I'm excited to be part of it! :) And I'm excited you love it too!
Post a Comment