We had a great time hosting our family, especially Christmas Eve with Kate and the kids watching Carols By Candlelight, then watching their excitement on Christmas morning when they saw the presents under the tree and the snow that Santa left behind.
Mum and Dad came over a bit after 1, then Rob and Nic arrived at about 5 and we all tucked into a Christmas dinner of roast lamb, turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnip, peas, mint sauce made from mint grown in our garden, a nice 2000 Woodpark Cab Sav Shiraz from the cellar, then rhubarb and apple crumble, trifle and christmas pud for dessert after the kids had convinced us that presents must be opened between courses.
The weather was rainy (good for the garden) so although we managed to get to the beach for a quick walk on Boxing Day we spent the rest of the time indoors. That was OK though; the kids had a great time playing the organ, the new Playstation games and with their other presents.
Mum and Dad said it was the easiest Christmas in 36 years for them! Good. It was about time one of us assumed the mantle.
Some photos …
Mmmm … trifle.
Today we had a busy day getting things ready for Christmas. Safeway / butcher / fruit + veg shopping this morning (not too crowded down at Highton Village, luckily), then cleaning and tidying the house and garden, then some food prep. I started the trifle and also made a rhubarb, raspberry and apple crumble, and Jayne’s having a great time making some gingerbread men.
It’s nice to think that we have around 10 days of relaxing, eating and drinking with friends and family in front of us.
It’s as big as a 1kg block of Dairy Milk, but on the plus side it’ll be difficult to lose and it works both the TV and the DVD player. Cool.
Great birthday present from Rob, Nic, Hayden and Renae. Oh, and they also gave me a Traveljohn.
Just a short post to say that we’re really looking forward to hosting family and friends over the Christmas and New Years’ Eve weekends.
Kate and Matt and family are coming over on Christmas Eve, which means Christmas morning presents with Bailey, Olivia, Dayne and Hannah, and staying for a couple of days, which means beach-going, boating, golf and an extended play with the kids for us, and maybe a bit of pressure off Kate and Matt.
Rob, Nic, Hayden and Renae are coming over on Christmas Day and staying that night (maybe the next night too?), and Simon is also coming over that afternoon, we think, with Bec coming the next day.
Not sure about Mum and Dad though. Are you staying over?
Then over the NYE weekend we have at least Adrian & Nat, Matt, Jacqui and Oliver, John & Bec and Jed & Gita, with Jon, Hannah & Brittany, Iao, and Damian and Kate possibles but unconfirmed. Oh, and at least three dogs to keep Max company.
Looking forward to it.
I’ve just experienced first class vacuuming. Absolutely A1.
Peter and Christine left us their hoover. It might look like the one that Inspector Clouseau struggles with in The Return of the Pink Panther, and it must be close to 20 years old, but it makes short work of Max’s hair (lifting it from the carpet, that is - we don’t use it on him … but that’s an idea).
It even stripes the carpet like a lawnmower.
Officially it’s an Electrolux Z747.
From now on it’s the Jumbo.
P.S. That’s our Boony doll next to it. For scale purposes.
