Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas Day here - in fact one young lady in this house hold would tell you it was her best ever.

Our older kids arrived home Christmas Eve and the gifts under the tree seemed to grow once again.


Friends arrived for the exchanging of gifts and we all sat and watched this Christmas Movie
Christmas Morning saw us all go as a family to the early morning church service to celebrate the birth of Christ. It was really quite special to all be there as a family together.

Once we got home, I kept the girls busy in the kitchen, whilst Steve ducked down the road to our friends place to bring home Chloe's surprise Christmas Present. Once he was home again, the gift giving started. In our family we have a tradition of handing out one gift at a time, which gives everyone the opportunity to appreciate each other and thank the giver before the next gift is open, so this part of our tradition and celebration can take a little time.

The mystery of the purple package was finally solved and it was a gift for Chloe after all.
She was quite excited when she saw what it was. She figures she might be able to bake something now without burning it.
Her sister and brother in law spoilt her when they gave her this
She had been wanting either an Itouch Dock or speakers for her laptop, and Sarah was pretty happy that they were on a winner when they chose this gift for her.
Now her brother is a huge tease, and he wrapped up one of Chloe's old presents that she received last year and when she opened it, there were directions to go find the real present under her bed. Each of Pete's presents were wrapped with a mile of stick tape and once opened there were always instructions to go looking for them elsewhere. Just added to the fun of the day.Sarah received a beautiful teaset from her in laws, and lots of money so that she could enjoy the Boxing Day Sales, and I can tell you she had a ball shopping yesterday and got lots for her money. Both the boys got cash too to go towards specific things that they wanted, along with books, DVD's and CD and lots of bits and pieced that they wanted.

And just when everyone thought the gift giving was all finished and started to get up and clean up, another present was found in the tree for this little chickee.
She was completely overwhelmed when she opened the present and just sobbed and sobbed and just clung to us. She had us in tears too.
Meanwhile her brother and sister were out the front door and into the front year. They got to see her Christmas present before she did, because she could not stop hugging us or crying.
Finally she got to have a good look at her Christmas Present and she spent most of the day in and out - sitting in it, reading the manual, listening to music in it, and in the afternoon and that night we both went for a drive. Chloe is yet to get her licence, but it won't be long now.
She has done her 100 hours and her log book has been sent in, so we are just waiting for it to come back before we book the test. This young lady did get spoilt this Christmas, but we had already had other gifts for her before we found the car. We only came accross it the week before Christmas and it was in such good condition, and such a good buy, that we just snapped it up. It did make her Christmas though and her gratitude and thankfulness and love sure made the day for the rest of us.
After going for a little drive and visiting a friend to show her, her new little car, it was home to get dinner on the table. I am afraid that the guys in this household like a traditional Christmas lunch. The girls prepared lunch and the guys washed up and cleaned up afterwards for us.
We had a very relaxed afternoon just having a rest and chatting to each other. Chloe was keen to go for a drive so later in the afternoon we went for a drive to visit one of her friends.

Boxing Day, Chloe had to work, but Sarah and I hit the shops in the morning for the Boxing Day Sales. I have to say, I would much prefer Boxing Day Shopping here than in the city. At least we didn't have to queue for ages just to pay. We bought some bedside tables for Sarah, bedside lamps, towels and some homewares. Chloe met us when she finished work and the three of us all went and had a Pedicure together (it was part of my Christmas Present). It was so relaxing and so good to do it all together, we then went clothes shopping and both the girls got some real good buys and bargains.

We met the guys at the Cinema when the shops closed and we all went to see AVATAR - in 3D together. I wouldn't have thought it would be a movie I would enjoy, but because the rest of the family wanted to go see it, I went along but have to say, I really did enjoy it - definately a movie that needs to be seen in 3D - probably even a movie I could see again.

We are now getting ready to go camping for the next three days as a family. Lots of fishing, reading and relaxing. Hoping the weather isn't going to be too hot - nice gentle breeze, even a few showers wouldn't worry me, but I am looking forward to it being all of us together.

Finally I just have to wish this very special and gorgeous lady a very

Happy 50th Birthday

today.
We have been best friends now for almost 27 years. She is one of the most colourful, bright, bubbly, sensitive and caring persons I have ever met. Time and distance haven't diminished our friendship, if anything our bonds are even stronger. I can trust her to be brutally honest with me but it is always done in such a loving and caring way. I have been SO SO BLESSED to have her friendship and if you are reading this Barb, I want you to know that I treasure your friendship and hope that your birthday is awesome. I know that you will enjoy yourself because that is just who you are, I hope you have taken heaps of photos of your celebrations at work today - can't wait to see them. I'm also looking forward to catching up with you in a couple of weeks time and celebrating again.