Merry Christmas & Welcome 2008

Merry Christmas to all our family & friends!!! I trust you and yours had a happy day celebrating Jesus' birth.

I love Christmas and all that it means. I love celebrating together with the family, and I love the relaxing day we always have together at Mum's.

We start off the day (always an early start with kids) with the kid's opening their presents from 'Santa' and then from Mummy & Daddy. Then it's off to church when the hour is more reasonable. Usually we all go to our own separate church services respectively, but this year we decided to start a new tradition: to join together at the one church, alternating between ours & Beck's each year. And since Dame was on team this year, North Brisbane won the vote. It was really lovely to sit together, the whole fam taking up the whole row, with Nanny's chest swelling with pride.

Then for me it's usually straight home to glaze the ham, but thanks to the fact that Bethany's only 8 weeks old, Mum did it for me instead this year. Thanks, Mum. Still - we headed home to gather the cold foods I'd made the day before, and after a quick feed for the girl it was off to Mum's.

I love gathering together at Mum's each year. I love the fact that Kylie comes home from London and is there to share the day with us. Aunty Mal comes too, and she always enjoys a good laugh at our stories. Nanny & Pop join us every year. And Beck & Dame share lunch together with us as well. And it's all the more fun now, with little Marcella able to walk around and have fun with the boys. Mum always prepares a wonderful feast but usually leaves something in the microwave, Nanny always gets a photo taken of her with her mouth 'full', Pop always carves up the ham/turkey (and you name it) because no one does it as good as he does, we all crack open our bon bons, groan at the seriously-not-funny "jokes" and most of us wear the silly hats. Benny always hangs around the table for tidbits of food, while none of us want to be the "Santa" when it comes to handing out the presents. Oh, except Lachlan this year decided it's the job for him. Which worked out fine until he got a cool present then he quit to play with it! Most of which usually gets caught on video camera (usually with Dad or Kylie at the helm). Then it's straight into Mum's plum pud with her delicious custard, orange peel 'butter' and brandy cheer. Oh - and I forgot the one thing that all of us are certain to do every year - eat too much.

And then we spend the afternoon sleeping, playing cards/star wars monopoly, trying out presents and still eating nibblies. And then we feast again in the evening...

Recover overnight...

And then go to Mum's for leftovers on Boxing Day.

Thank you for another wonderful Christmas Mum. You go to so much effort every year, often cooking for days beforehand, just so we can create such wonderful memories as a family. I loved it as a kid and I know my kids love it too. You really are wonderful Mum... thank you!