naps, dates, and a special gift

Christmas naps under the tree are the best.

This past weekend Shawn and I were able to go out on a nice fancy date.  We got dressed up and went to the Bartolotta ristorante, located just a few miles from our house  It is small and quaint, but has an amazing menu.  We decided this is our new Christmas tradition.  Every year we are going to go out for a fancy dinner date around Christmas.  This is what we had for dinner:

Appetizer:
Saute di Vongole/ Sauteed clams, cannelini beans leeks, tomatoes, and grilled bread
Insalata di Zucca/Roasted butternut squash, arugula, goat cheese, almonds, balsamico

Main Course:
Gnocchetti di Semola/Semolina gnocchi, scallops, shrimp, brandy-tarragon sauce
Tortellini alla Panna/Meat-filled pasta, cream, Grana Padana

Dessert:
Tiramisu/classic whipped mascarpone cake
Pistachio Gelati/house made gelato

I didn't take any pictures because I was having so much fun, but the food looked and tasted as good as it sounds.  The restaurant makes their pasta fresh every morning and it was delicious.  Looking forward to our fancy Christmas date next year :)

Last night for FHE we also started another new tradition.  We talked about how even though we are celebrating Jesus's birthday, he doesn't want an actual present from us, but that he wants us to try our best to serve others, obey the commandments, and share his gospel. Then everyone chose a goal that they are going to work on this year and wrote it down.  We put the goals in a fancy gift box and placed them under the tree.  The kids all wrote their owns goals so I am excited Christmas morning when they get to read them out loud to the family.  It will be the first gift we open and hopefully it will help everyone remember the reason we are celebrating.  I'm also hoping to save these goals in the stockings when we put all the Christmas decorations away, and next year we can read the goals and reflect whether we truly gave a gift to Jesus the past year.