A Shafferland Christmas

Loved being able to share with you the fun of our Christmas surprise...but I also wanted to give you a peek into the Christmas we shared at home...just Ryan and me. So here you go!

We went to an 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service, and when we came home, we made our little nest in the living room under the Christmas tree! This was a tradition I've done for many years and Ryan has been a good sport to join in since we've been married:

We got up Christmas morning with the fireplace going, the trees lit, and cooked our breakfast. Just like last year, I whipped up a batch of quick cinnamon rolls the night before, and we baked those that morning - along with a pot of coffee, of course. :)

Ryan drank his coffee while watching the yule log station on TV. LOL!!!

And Braeya guarded the gifts.

Before we opened the gifts, I read the final Advent reading from my book. It has been such a joy to get to share reading that with Ryan this season!

And then we dug into stockings...Braeya first.

Yeah she got so into that gift that eventually she threw up. Lovely.

Then we exchanged our stockings...which I love.

Ryan got me some Essie polish {my favorite} - and the hilarious part was, the color he picked out was the same one Lynne picked out for me - and I was wearing it!! Good taste, huh?? 

 I opened some pens - which reminded me that was the OTHER thing I was going to put in his stocking!! WHOOPSIE!!!

 Among other things, Ryan received new chapstick to make up for what I have washed and dried...and a new plug for his phone when he's in the car.

 And his favorite coffee flavored Werthers!

Then it was time for real presents!

Ryan is such a thoughtful gift-giver. He got me this little flip calendar adapted from the Holley Gerth book You're Already Amazing and told me he wanted me to put it on my desk, read it, and believe it. Yeah. He's that sweet. 

 And then this little sign, which made me cry actual tears.

 Of course I had to get him Colts gear!!

 A photo collage from our cruise...he loved it.

 For me...a heated seat cover for my car. There aren't any bun warmers in my car, so this was AMAZING.

 And then it was time for his "big gift."

 I'd made him a little sign of explanation, and int he photo above, HE THOUGHT IT WAS A PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT. {It was one of those you+me kinds of things.}

But THEN...he figured it out!

 You plus me plus Pentatonix!! Yep! Concert tickets!!

 I asked him...when you thought this was a pregnancy announcement, did you think I was giving birth to the five fully grown humans in the bottom photo??  LOL!!!

He was SO excited. I love it.

And then my last big gift....

A gel manicure light so I can do my own manicures at home!! He knew I was planning to save my money for it...so he beat me to it!

We had a great morning together - yay for our second Christmas together!!