It's Christmas Eve, Not Christmas Steve! volume 3

Hi all! Merry Christmas 2013!

I'm so excited for Christmas even though it doesn't really feel like it's tomorrow! Wild.

Yesterday, Sean and I had an excellent night. He was napping and I woke him up so he would be able to sleep at night and, as he was still waking up, there was a terrified sounding knock on the door. Sean got up and went to the door and no one was there, just an incredible gift basket from Kneaders (a bakery/cafe that's really popular around our area). It had some peppermint bark, a chocolate rice krispie treat, caramels, and bread and syrup to make their special french toast along with the recipe. We went through that and then noticed a $65 to Target! WHAT?! We were elated.

There wasn't any note to say who it was from, but I'm sure they know we appreciate it greatly and it's definitely one of the best Christmas surprises we've ever received.

We went out soon after getting this cool gift to buy our snake a Christmas rat and we decided to grab a fun A-Wing (Star Wars) Lego kit just because. When we got back, we noticed our grill was moved. Sean looked under the lid and what to our wandering eyes should appear but another Lego kit! It was the Beorn at Dol Guldur kit that I'd been looking at for a while. Turns out, our neighbors dropped it off for us. SO nice! So we turned on The Frisco Kid and put together our sweet Legos.

I'm so grateful for such cool neighbors and friends that take such good care of us. I can't wait to give Sean and my family our gifts. Giving get to be more fun than recieving the older you get.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a magical Christmas full of all the best stuff. You know.

 Merry Christmas! love, the Donners

I love my Valentine

I want you to know before going into this that it's gonna be pretty gushy.

I love my husband. There is no better way to put that. He is exactly what I need.
I had an embarrassing emotional breakdown last night and, throughout the entire thing, Sean held me and listened to me blather on. He is just amazing.

I did this thing where I wrote 52 things I love about Sean on a deck of playing cards and I just keep thinking up more even though I'm all out of cards and he's already seen them. They look like this:

on the other side, there is a picture of our wedding. aw.


This morning, I woke up and went into the bathroom. Sean had to leave early, so I was home alone. I found a note written on the mirror and a box of fancy make-up! What a wonderful husband I have. And then, before I left for work this morning, I came outside and saw this on my car:

I seriously love this man.
Anyway, he should be home in about half an hour and then we'll see what he has planned. I don't know.
Okay, I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's day!
love, ellen.

It's Christmas Eve, Not Christmas Steve! volume 2

Merry Christmas Eve, all!

This is the first Christmas that Sean and I have ever spent and I think it's going to be number 1. I can't wait to see his face when he opens all his fun gifts and for him to see mine when visa versa and whatnot.

I'm so grateful he's here to enjoy this holiday with. So far, he's made me a christmas (eve) ham which was super delicious, and we drank sparkling blueberry grape juice, also delicious, and we've given each other pajamas and 1 gift each. I got him an awesome rifle lighter and he gave me a super cool microfiber hairbrush that dries your hair when you brush it! Awesome.

Anyway, I'm sure you don't want to be reading some blog on Christmas Eve. Go enjoy your family and stuff! okay,

MERRY CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!

love, Ellen

1 week and 1 day

Til I get to spend Christmas with my fantastic husband. Today, there's a lot to say and i think it best to be in a bulleted list, like i like.

• Remember last year's Christmas Eve post that had my most favorite christmas songs on it? that was a good one. you should check it out if you haven't.
• Yesterday, in church, Sean and I gave our 'new to the ward' talks. We actually had some fun writing them and telling each other the funny bits we were planning on saying. When we actually gave them, people seemed to enjoy them and we got lots of compliments after. 
• Okay, so last monday (a week ago today) i got my first smartphone. It's an HTC Radar. I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly careful i am with it. I leave it in my bag when i'm sitting down and it's rarely in my pockets in case it falls out. So on sunday, right before i'm about to go into the church for sacrament meeting, guess what. Sean's ipad was covering it when both were sitting in my lap and, as i stepped out of the car, i bet you can only imagine what happens next. yep, the brand new phone slips and tumbles straight onto the pavement and the screen shatters. my luck... but it's all going to be fine. the phone was free, it's only a malformation in the screen. All the apps and buttons (is that what they're called when they don't protrude from the surface?) and whatnot work. so it'll be fine. but what a frustrating thing. 
• On Saturday morning, Sean and I woke up bright and early to take miss kitty to get fixed. When we picked her up that afternoon, she was so silly! she had a piece of duct tape on her head for the vets to put her in her in the right carrying cage thing and she just looked high as a kite. She also got her vaccines. We have been giving her meds every day at 7 am and 7 pm and, even though they're super gross and she hates them, she takes them well. She's been sleeping a lot more and letting me cuddle with her! Right? she loves having her head scratched and laying down right next to me. cute.

• we've seen The Hobbit twice so far. for realz. We saw it in normal  and then in  Lots-o'-frames 3D which was weird. I don't know if i liked it or not. but anyways, it's really great and I'd recommend it. Also, recently, i've been re-watching the Lord of the Rings Extended trilogy. Awesome. 
• Only a hair more than a week till CHRISTMAS! I can't wait to give Sean all of the things I got him. And I can't wait to see what he got me! I think married christmas is going to be so much fun and I can't wait for Prime Rib with my family that night! and to give them what we got them! oh, christmas. so fun. 

i think that's all. 

but i also think i need to share this adorable picture of my sweet husband sleeping:

love, Ellen