It was a very DC Christmas for us this year. Â Nick wasn’t allowed to take any vacation days during his language training, so we spent the holiday in DC instead of traveling to see our families. Â Thankfully, this lifestyle has taught us how to make do with whatever circumstances we’re dealt…
For Example:
Tree boxed up and on its way to Lima? Â Â No biggie, we’ll just enjoy the grandiose decorations at the US Botanical Garden instead.
No cooking skills anymore after 2 years of being cooked for? Â Who needs a home-cooked meal, going out is just as fun!
So that’s what we did, we rolled with it. Â And while it was different than Christmases of past, it had a unique, memorable feel to it. Â Maybe it was that whole ‘new baby’ thing.
Here’s a run down of what we ended up doing to celebrate our holiday. Â On Christmas Eve we had a failed attempt at going to mass. Â After bundling up our screaming child (in her beautiful Christmas dress), we arrived at church to find standing room only (despite the fact that we were 20 minutes early). Â We both looked at each other and aborted mission before the situation spiraled out of control (either Nick or Nia would surely melt down in those conditions). Â We retired home for a simple meal, skype calls with our parents and an early bedtime.
Ms. Nia gave Nick and I a lovely present this Christmas – she slept for 7 hours straight! Â I can’t think of a better gift than that!
On Christmas morning we got up and enjoyed breakfast out. Â This was one of our traditions as a couple and we thought it’d be fun to introduce it as a family tradition for Christmas. Â Nia was cooperating, so we decided to take advantage and head down to the US Botanical Gardens to check out the decorations. Â There was a train exhibit, poinsettias galore and bronzed replicas of the major Capital buildings. Â What a spectacular feast it was for the eyes – the colors were out of this world! Â We then capped off our morning by taking a stroll around the Mall before retiring home for a quiet day.
We hope you had an equally wonderful holiday, wherever you may be! Â Sending you all a big virtual hug . . .
