Christmas 2016

The theme of Christmas this year was #ItsComplicated. We made the best of what could have been an awkward situation to make the holiday as holly jolly as can be for everyone involved, especially Mazen.

Karen, Andrew and his daughter, Ava came to visit Charlottesville. Karen was in grandmother heaven.

And Ava is the sweetest little girl!

On Friday night I went to dinner at Red Pump Kitchen with some friends. Loved this salmon dish with parsnip puree and sweet potato chips!

Next stop was the Fitzroy for this delicious pumpkin-bourbon cocktail.

And finally at the Jefferson to see the Sons of Bill Christmas Show.

This was my first time seeing them play, and they were great! I loved all of the guest performers.

And the Christmas song in the middle of the show!

A video posted by Kath Younger, RD (@katheats) on Dec 23, 2016 at 9:02pm PST

On Christmas Eve Mazen and I went running! Mazen wanted to run with me, but I was smart enough to know to bring the stroller along too with snacks and water. Sure enough his legs didn’t last that long : )

This was the most fun Christmas yet to be a parent. I had so much fun helping M set out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

And we sang carols in bed until he was sleepy. (Note the eye rub!)

A video posted by Kath Younger, RD (@katheats) on Dec 24, 2016 at 5:51pm PST

Santa came through about 3am – I heard him on the roof. He put Mazen’s gifts right in the fireplace, which we left empty so he’d have room to come through. Plus the tree was already filled with family presents.

I was braced for an early wake-up, but Mazen actually was just chillin’ in his bed until about 7:30 when I started to coax him out. “Don’t you want to see if Santa came?” I asked. “Yes, but is it morning time mommy?” He finally came out, and it was so fun watching him open presents.

A video posted by Kath Younger, RD (@katheats) on Dec 26, 2016 at 4:31am PST

Georgie dog has been a huge hit! He responds to commands Siri-style, and he can do all kinds of tricks.

We spread the Christmas cheer with my boyfriend’s family and enjoyed Christmas pizza – layers of beef, cheese and spinach baked between two pizza crusts – with eggnog and a roaring fire. Yum!

Back at home later that afternoon, we played with more new toys and started to build a whole Lego city.

For Christmas dinner Matt made fish chowder with lots of crusty bread on the side.

By the 26th I was ready for a good workout and a salad! I had some vegetable quiche and fruit for breakfast, and then hit up strength class at the gym. I ate this salad for a late lunch topped with leftover steak, cheese, pistachios, and spinach.

KERF went through her own round of traveling this Christmas and moved servers, which explains why I went MIA for so long. If things are weird for a day or so, that is why! I’ll be back on my regular schedule Thursday :  )

I am SO pumped for January, and I have several posts coming up on my thoughts for the new year. I am all about decluttering this place, so be on the lookout for some fun Home Neat Home posts!