Our first Christmas in Madison was a huge success! It was so wonderful to not be on any sort of schedule or time constraints and to be able to move completely at our own pace.
On Christmas Eve, we spent the day finishing up last minute projects and wrapping presents. We went to the 5pm candlelit service at church and then spent the evening eating tasty finger foods (kale chips, roasted chickpeas, zucchini chips AND vegan chocolate chip cookies....and let's not forget that bottle of Pinot Noir we polished off as well).
Christmas Day was just as low key. We opened our gifts to each other, ate breakfast, then spent the afternoon at the zoo (since the weather was sunny and 40-something). I know we were greatly missed by all our family back home, but I loved being able to follow our own little schedule. It was by far the least stressful Christmas ever!
Instead of doing a big traditional Christmas dinner, we decided to opt for a smaller, more practical plant based meal (oh, did I mention...we're going meat and diary free until January? More on that later).
I made quinoa and porcini stuffed acorn squash (all roasted together to perfection), coconut milk mashed potatoes with a mushroom gravy AND pomegranate and pear spinach salad. Super classy and super yummy!
This year, we decided to only do a few gifts for each other (including our stockings). This is definitely going to be a tradition that we keep going for the future. It was so amazing to not have to stress over spending too much money or having to do any last minute shopping. Even though we only had a few gifts a piece, we still managed to get some great things:
Tim bought me an immersion blender, perfume, a Victoria's Secret gift card and some specialty Earl Grey tea.
I bought Tim a new sweater, an Otterbox Defender case for his iPhone and a month's membership to our local rock climbing gym!
Josie really made out like a bandit and got 2 new AIO cloth diapers, some smart wool socks, new mittens, a Montessori peg counting activity, and a light table (made by Tim...or at least in the process of being made...it'll be done by New Years). Not to mention all the great gifts that our families mailed to us just in time for the holidays! Thanks everyone!
Here are some snapshots from our Christmas. I hope you don't mind the lack of variety:
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Day 2011 |
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| Henry Vilas Zoo: Christmas 2011 |
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| Henry Vilas Zoo: Christmas 2011 |
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| Alpacas! |
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| Pointing at the Alpacas |
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| Christmas 2011 |
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| Christmas Day Trip to Henry Vilas Zoo |
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| Christmas Day 2011 |
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| Christmas at the Zoo! |
I love, love, Love the pictures of Josie by the tree. You are wonderful at capturing the moment!
ReplyDeleteGramma Jodie
Sounds like a great day. We went to the Syracuse zoo last year in a snow storm. I loved it. Thinking about heading that way this week for a day trip.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice Christmas!
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