More Christmas Updates!

It's just too difficult to keep up with the blog when I'm trying to cover the Christmas Holidays!!
Too much stuff to write about!
I'll try not to bore you but I like to think of the blog as a journal too so I want to make sure I touch on a bit of everything. Lucky you guys!! :)

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day - It's all about spending time with family and friends. And it's all about FOOD! Lots of food. And it was really, really yummy...everywhere we went!


...this is a long post but I thought I'd get a few days done in one shot!!!...

CHRISTMAS EVE...AT MIKE AND MIREILLE'S...

Mike and Mireille were kind enough to have a bunch of us over for Christmas Eve. They had some fun Christmas games to play, there was lots of food and drinks, and great company. Thanks Guys!

Me and Maddox

Game #1 - how difficult is it to open up presents with big winter gloves on? Took a while to get thru all the paper!! (no one knew why Mike and Mireille brought big winter gloves to Australia?)

Debra gives it a go.

Give-err Purdy boy!

B enjoyed the guitar. This was also used in Game #2. Very entertaining.

Also part of Game #2. Just for the record. Katrina beat Ray in this...and it was guys against the gals. No question as to who won, right?

The Gang!!
Thanks for a great time!

TIME TO HEAD HOME...TO OPEN UP SOME PRESENTS!!

In my family, we always opened our presents on Christmas Eve. I really like this tradition because it spreads Christmas out and it seems longer. We have a nice supper, open up our gifts from our family, and then we would go to Gramma Sadie's house!! Christmas morning meant gifts from Santa Claus. EXCELLENT!

So, we've been continuing with this tradition and it's been going well. We got back from Mike and Mireille's and had lots of fun opening up gifts. Thanks to everyone for the presents!! And thanks to Cheryl for my yummy chicken bones. I did try to share them a little...but not too much!

Oh, the things you can't get in Oz...thanks again to Cheryl for her wonderful care package. We're set for a while!

B got a "Dora" suitcase and backpack so she's good to go!

Shamus "helping" Raul with his gift.

Shamus got night vision goggles from his cousin, Chloe. He was very excited!

K, so he and Darryl had to go outside to try them out!!

CHRISTMAS DAY...MORE FOOD.
We had Nick and Mariana come over for Christmas dinner. It was a really nice time. We didn't know how the dinner would turn out because the Aussie's don't do the whole "turkey dinner with all the trimmings" thing. It's too hot for that.

So, we did some whitefish, shrimp, potatoes, and veggies on the BBQ. It turned out really well. And then I cooked a small chicken and dressing...just so we could have a taste of home! And then lots of salads and bread. I tell ya, we ate very well. Hats off to Darryl for doing a great job on the BBQ. Thanks Babe.

They were all dressed up in their new Christmas clothes!! Cute as can be!

And our nightly visitors....2 possums. I guess they live in the trees outside the house. The tree branches hang over our bedroom window upstairs so the possums tend to spook me out every so often.

BOXING DAY AT NICK AND MARIANA'S...
Even more food!! el Mexicana!!

Stay out of the kitchen boys...
Nick and Mariana cooked up a wonderful Mexican dinner for everyone. As usual ... delicious!! Thank you. We had a great time!!

Shamus and Raul wrestling. It took the kids a few days to get used to Debra and Raul but by the time they left the kids were giving them hugs and kisses!! sniff sniff. We were sad to see them go!

Yeap, trying to get a group picture but Raul didn't want to put down the food. heeheee...thought it was funny!

All the Christmas excitement had worn out the kids!!! Shamus fell asleep first and Breagha followed up shortly after!!!

Stay Tuned.