CHRISTMAS DAY 2011

A little look at Christmas at our place this year.

We had a wonderful Christmas Day with all the family home. We had a very early start to the day. Not so good when you didn't get to bed until after 1.30am Christmas morning. I like to get the table all set for Christmas lunch before I head to bed.
Sarah and Penny were in at 6.30am to wake us up so that we could open a present or two before we headed off to church.

They had bought Pete's beautiful golden cocker spaniel up to stay for Christmas. It was her first Christmas and the kids have all spoilt her rotten. I can understand why, she is such an adoreable creature. Such a people's person and just loves to be around people.
She was absolutel hilarious to watch when we opened out presents. She couldn't get enough of the paper. Thought it was all a a big game.

We headed off to church as a family. I loved how we all went together to celebrate the reason for this very day.... the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and how we were able to take communion to remember why he came for us... It was nice to catch up with friends and some friends who were home on holidays...

We came home and finished getting lunch ready before we had our gift giving. Took lots of photos.

Just before we sat down to open our presents we had the photo shoot with the dog. Penny was so accommodationg, she was just so darn cute.. Love these shots of her...

and these ones as well.
Love our Christmas Tree this year..
Present unwrapping time.....
Chloe opening her presents...
Love some of these shots of Chloe.

I got really spoilt this year by everyone..... Just loved all my presents.
Not only did I get these awesome bedside lamps, but I got a new paper cutter from Chloe with extra special blades, I got a pedicure from Pete, and my Husband really spoilt me with a new one of these.
I have my first lesson in the morning.... I am now looking forward to doing more sewing this year. I will be able to keep my old machine now exclusively for scrapbooking and this one for sewing. I also got a lovely new stainless steel electric frypan, plus an external hard drive for my computer. I was definately very spoilt this year.

Love these photos of my man too.
My son in law
and these are some of my favourite shots of my eldest daughter
Some of my favourite shots of our kids.

Our Pete
Our Sarah
Our Chloe
And our course my wonderful man
We had a lovely traditional roast turkey dinner with ham off the bone, and most of us were too full to eat the plum pudding and brandy custard.... that had to be left to dinner. I love setting the table up for Christmas lunch and using our best dinner service.

In the afternoon most of us had a nap, and those that didn't watched a couple of movies. It was pretty hot, so we didn't venture out doors much this year. Totally different to the weather we had for Christmas day last year when we had it in Melbourne.

Christmas night we had friends join us and Steve did curried prawns for us all. He is the master chef where curried prawns are concerned and the kids love to come home and have him cook it for them. Their favourite.
We had the nicest Christmas... so good to have family home. I look forward to this time when we are all home together.

This Christmas I have been blessed and there are so many things I am thankful for.

1. That all my family were home for Christmas
2. That we could all attend church together as a family and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
3. That we could all take communion and remember the sacrifice that was made so that we could have a relationship with our God.
4. Christmas Carols, especially those that proclaim the Christmas story or a Saviour born to save us all.
5. The giving and receiving of gifts.
6. Joy and laughter shared amongst us all
7. Pete's puppy Penny and the joy she bought to our lives as she shared in her first Christmas with us all.
8. Mealtimes, and the fellowship around the table.
9. Seafood and the abundance of it this Christmas
10. Traditions - the things we look forward to as we celebrate Christmas together.
11. Getting together with friends and sharing the joy.
12. Surprises - we all received some this year.
13. Christmas greetings via cards and emails.
14. Ferrero Rochers - my favourite chocolates
15. Girl time and guy time.... we have all had special times together which hold special memories for us.