How we celebrated.

Shawn's 24th birthday was simple and wonderful.

It started out with breakfast together and opening a few presents. We have started a little tradition of giving each other 3 gifts for each holiday: something to read, something to wear, and something to "play with." (I think the original idea was for kids' gifts, but it works for adults too!)



Something to read: a juicing book.
Something to wear: new cologne.
Something to play with: the new iPhone (probably his favorite).

In Germany, where Shawn was born and raised, December 6 is a national holiday called Nikolaustag or "St. Nicholas Day." It's not just a day to celebrate Santa as we Americans might be prone to think. In Germany, children place one pair of shoes or boots outside their front door on the evening of December 5. In the morning, the shoes are filled with candy (if the children have been nice). :) Because of that, Shawn's birthday will always require a little candy.

I went off to school and Shawn went off to work where he was celebrated by cards and a cake (so sweet!). Then that evening for dinner, Mom and Dad treated us to yummy steaks and more gifts!

"24" - both of our age, for a couple more months!

The best gift, though, was the one God surprised us with the morning of his birthday. We looked out our front door and saw this: the most gorgeous sunrise we've ever seen. I didn't edit these photos at all.