So that was Christmas! We had a lovely time with family. Usually I manage to write up our Christmas and “Year Round Up” post before New Years but this year the time between Christmas Day and New Years day (or Twixmas as people have recently named it!) has been increasingly blurred. So a little later than usual here are some snapshots from our Christmas and Boxing Day:
Christmas Day
We woke in our own house and discovered that “he had been!”. We opened our presents, packed our bags and headed to Nanny’s house for our first family visit. Mum, Jo and I first headed to the cemetery to lay flowers on Dad’s grave. While we were there the older kids delivered presents “down the road” to Auntie Janet and Uncle Gary. Once back at Nanny’s house the kids were delighted to discover that they had even more presents to open.
I love their named sacks that they have at Nanny’s house. We have similar hessian sacks at our own house but I tied large named cardboard labels on instead of embroidering them. One day I will as they look so lovely!
One of Rebecca’s favourite parts of the day is dressing up, she loves any excuse to don a party dress!
Izzy (or Dave?) playing with Izzy’s new tablet. The kids did have quite a lot of screen time over the holiday! But they have also been out and about, played board games, watched Christmas TV and movies, socialised and lots of other things as well so at least they haven’t been on their screen ALL the time (they’re back to monitored screen time now though, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do anything with them, I notice they get a lot grumpier after being on devices).
Talking of which, the kids were given lots of practical and crafty gifts from both sides of the family which they loved. These are great as they’ll keep the kids entertained and productive.
Christmas dinner was delicious! Thanks Mum!
Then we walked up to Great Granny and Great Grampy’s house for the afternoon. Dave actually popped home with Andy and picked Sid (the dog) up so he could come too. Present swapping commenced and we were all very lucky again.
As always, the kids were fascinated with the “hatch”. They loved helping to lay the table so they could pass and receive food through it.
Sid was so good and took everything in his stride as usual. He’s so chilled apart from when around other dogs!
Great Granny and Andy laid on a delicious tea. Izzy’s highlight was this Rudolph pudding that she got to smash the red nose (I know poor Rudolph!) to release the chocolate stars.
Great Granny asked Izzy if she was enjoying her day and what she most enjoyed, She replied that she most loved spending the time with family and it’s so true. My favourite part of Christmas is having special uninterrupted time with family. You could take the presents and fancy food away and it would still be lovely (while we are lucky enough to have them, we do appreciate these treats though!).
The kids and their wonderful Great Granny.
Two special men, Great Grampy and Danny.
Sadly, I didn’t get photos with everyone but our family did manage to get a few family shots using the timer so we will have them to treasure. Izzy with Great Grampy.
Caitlyn and Great Grampy.
Rebecca and Great Grampy.
Once I’d taken photos of all the kids, Grampy asked me to get in the picture too. Then it was time to drop Sid off to Granny and Grampy’s house as they were dog sitting and for us to walk back to Nanny’s.
Rebecca couldn’t wait to try out one of her presents – Benders (foam curlers). We all love getting in our PJs and cuddling up to watch Christmas TV too,
I enjoyed a glass (or two…) of one of my presents Baileys Almande. Sadly it’s being discontinued so its possibly my last year of enjoying this tipple.
Boxing Day
A new day and another new Christmas outfit to model! The curlers worked well!
On Boxing Day, Ceri and Lexy came home and Cerys returned, our family was complete.
Our Boxing Day was Ceri’s Christmas Day!
It was time for our personalised crackers with lovely, thoughtful gifts.
Ceri made me laugh when she initially though her present tissue paper was her cracker hat (you had to be there!). When us sisters get together, once we start laughing we can’t stop, I hope this never changes!
There were more presents!
We had to take our “traditional” Boxing Day, shandy with sisters photo!
Then our mum and sisters gin photo! Next year, we might start a baileys, tequila etc one…
It’s fair to say over Christmas we generally eat more chocolate than fruit but mum succeeded in getting us to enjoy some fruit by adding it to our gin!
We had a lovely Christmas. Family no longer with us were remembered, especially Great Nanny Critten, and we treasure the ones we’re lucky enough to still have to celebrate with. Thanks for all the thoughtful, generous gifts we received and for spending Christmas with us.
Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all had a lovely time!
