This year Michael and I made some new traditions for the holiday season. First, instead of getting each other a lot of gifts, we decided to just get a babysitter and go on a date night. That was a great idea because it was less stress and pressure (and money) to find the perfect gift. And honestly we don’t need much right now anyways.
Second, we invited my parents to our place for Christmas Eve dinner. In the past they drove down from Seattle to spend Christmas morning with us. We’d go to brunch at Gracie’s Restaurant. It was always wonderful and delicious. But last year we decided that we needed to simplify things for Christmas.
With Logan here now, it was a LONG day. Christmas morning with us, then brunch and gifts with my parents and then Christmas dinner and gifts at Michael’s family’s house. It was just too much go go go. And it kinda sucked that my parents were driving a long ways to visit and they only got a short, rushed amount of time.
This year we decided to split Christmas up. Christmas Eve my parents drove down from Seattle and we all hung out, then opened some presents and had Christmas Eve Dinner. Michael got me Christmas flowers! So sweet. 🙂
Christmas Eve Eve Logan and I were both sick (bummer) with sinus infections and Logan had an ear infection. Antibiotics! Yay! 🙁 Despite that, it was still a good holiday weekend. I skipped the gym on Christmas Eve and just rested and watched Christmas movies and cartoons with Logan. 🙂
Anyways, Christmas Eve was really relaxed and it was nice to just hang out. Lunch:
Snacky plates. My parents picked up some vinegar and salt chicken wings (I’ve never had them before and they might be my new favorites!) to go with lunch snacks. The guys watched the football game and I prepped dinner while Logan napped and once he woke up, he played with his Grammy. 🙂
Dinner was EXCELLENT! I am SO happy with how it turned out. I did a roast, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. I used this recipe for the roast.
I marinated the roast for most of the day in the balsamic vinegar, then poured most of it out and put the “paste” (rosemary, thyme, fresh garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil) on the roast and popped it in the oven. I’m not used to making meals like this, so I was REALLY happy that it turned out so delicious and perfect.
We had a really nice dinner together. Logan refused to eat much of anything (what kid doesn’t like mashed potatoes?!?!). We had some pie and opened presents and played in the SNOW.
Christmas morning we woke up (we all slept in til 8!!! Even Logan!!! Christmas miracle!) and did Christmas brunch with my parents. Michael made omelettes for everyone with bacon and my parents brought mini cinnamon rolls. Yum!
Then we opened presents. I post some videos on Instagram. Logan LOVED opening presents this year! 🙂 Check out what my brother sent me:
LOVE IT. 😀
After presents my parents headed to the beach for a few days. It was definitely more low-key and less stressful and very nice this year. After Logan’s nap we drove to Beaverton to hang out with Michael’s family.
I like the new tradition!
Lori
That still seems like you crammed in a lot even with it being simplified LOL! John and I did low-key gifting this year for budgetary reasons and it was nice.
Lisa Eirene
Budget reasons for us too.
Yeah it sounds like a lot but it was very slowly paced and there was a lot of just relaxing and hanging out. It was nice!
Lisa
I have a child who won’t eat mashed potatoes or cake and he doesn’t like chicken tenders. I guess it’s a texture thing, but now that he’s older he says that cake is “too cake-y”. Yay for new traditions!
Lisa Eirene
Ha! Sounds familiar. I thought Logan would love chicken nuggets. Nope!