Our First Christmas!

I had SO been looking forward to my first Christmas as a wife...and last year at Christmas I had NO IDEA it would happen this year! I wondered what it would be like...and it was absolutely everything I could have dreamed about and filled with even more surprises!!

As has been my tradition for many years, Ryan and I spent Christmas Eve sleeping on the living room floor with the Christmas tree lights on all night. (And the fireplace running.) I appreciated him being a good sport about that! I just love waking up to the tree and all the beauty on Christmas morning!

Here was how it looked before we invaded it:

Isn't it lovely?

We took an official "first Christmas" picture with our trusty chalkboards:

We started the morning with breakfast. I'd made quick cinnamon rolls the night before, so we ate those with (of course) coffee to start our day. (We were trying not to eat TOO much because we knew we'd be eating for the rest of the day!) 

 Then (and I LOVED this so much) Ryan read the last chapter of my Advent book before we started to open our presents. I can't describe to you the feeling of hearing my own husband read words I wrote before we were together...as he led us in devotions. It was unbelievable and so very redemptive.

Then it was time to dig into the presents! This was my first time ever to fill a stocking and it was such fun. I loved watching him open it and love what he found inside.

 (He found it comical that the mini Reese's cups came in a king size package.)

 I gave him some themed gifts...and in there was a coffee set: two mugs and this wooden tray. Coffee in bed, baby!!!

 We had to take a break to give Braeya her stocking. She was most interested in the treats. And since she let us sleep all night for a change, I was willing to give her one.

 My turn!! My first time to have a stocking not filled by my parents!!

 Another break...to give this one her toy....

 Among the treasures...a very cool travel mug. :) We love our travel mugs.

 Another of Ryan's themed gifts - five boxes of Zingers. (He's not a pig. I just had to get them before they stopped manufacturing them!)

Ummmmm did I not just give her treats??? Yes, I thought so.

Ryan's last gift - a big clock for our living room. He's been wanting one for months and I stressed over which one to give him. He really liked this one, so apparently I made a good choice!!

My turn for presents! A book I saw at work that I wanted...Praying the Promises of God. My devo book for 2013!!

 LOVE this sign he found for me. Quotes Genesis - "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from the other." I loved that so much...we HATE being apart, even for our commutes and both of us always worry about the safety of the other one on the road. This is perfect!!

 WORKOUT CLOTHES!!!! I so appreciate the way he pushes me to do what I really don't want to do - and he does everything he can to make me feel cute while I do it!

 My last gift turned into a scavenger hunt!! I was so excited! I love scavenger hunts! :) A clue right by...my Christmas flowers!!

 Aren't they gorgeous? My GOODNESS I love flowers.

Another clue in the bathroom. (I had the wrong bathroom at first, so this one took me a while.)

 The last part of my gift - a necklace hanging on Chuck!!!

It was such a lovely Christmas morning. Loved it SO much. Thank you, my Love, for making it such a memorable and beautiful day. I loved sharing it with you!