Xmas 2011

This Xmas I made the decision to not open any of my gifts until everyone else was done, instead taking the time to concentrate on photographing and videoing everyone else.  It was well worth it!  I have heaps of really cool photos ... so have made some collages instead of attempting to upload them all.  Click on the images to see them in close up.

 In this one ... Rod and Michelle, who came to Mum's house on Xmas Eve, for drinks. nibbles, a swim, dinner and then came looking at Xmas lights with us.  It has become somewhat of a tradition for Rod, Michelle, James and I to buy each other board games for Xmas.  This year we gave them a selection of travel games.  They gave us Monopoly Live -which is an electronic motion sensored version of Monopoly - it is very cool!
Before we left Busselton we made two batches of Ninjabread men and a Gingerbread Train kit.  They were delicious, however the decorations on the Ninjabread were a little wacky - Eat Him; I'm Toxic Eat Him; a blue bikini; a dagger to the throat!!
I had been busy knitting for months for Xmas gifts - 10 scarves and 2 pairs of mits in total - Mum is in the collage wearing hers.
Steve Jobs made an appearance .... and then James was presented with his gift from the boys and I - a Xmas box with at least 20 individually wrapped gifts.  Some of them joke gifts (xmas sunnies etc), some of them lollies and food, and a few books and DVDs.

 Henry had an awesome time this year - he really seemed to get what Xmas was all about - well to him it was about lights, Santa and presents - LOTS of presents!  We opened a few in Busso before we left - one of which was another talking dinosaur - this one a big T rex.  Henry loved it and spent a lovely few hours chattering away to all his dinosaurs, introducing them to each other.  Visiting our friend's house to see their amazing Xmas lights and train display was another hit.  There were bubbles and toys to play with, lots of things hidden in and around the garden plus the incredible train track.  He fed the reindeer on Xmas Eve and then had his first night sleeping in the same bedroom as his brothers (which predictable caused all sorts of hilarity!)  Xmas morning ... he got a Mater Tall Tales DVD from Santa and promptly requested to watch it, then came ALL the unwrapping.  Henry likes to make sure that he has the right parcel, and checks that it says his name on it.  Then he carefully pulls away tiny piece after piece of paper.  Some of his favourite gifts were a Buzz and Alien knock down the wall game, a tiny flashing chicken and a magic colouring book.  It was truly delightful watching him enjoy Xmas.  And later watching him insist that Grandad look at and play with every one of his new toys!

As for the big boys - they were raring to go very early Xmas morning.  Jamie loves to show Henry all the things about Xmas and Thomas just doesn't stop moving!  Their highlights were remote control helicopters from Andrew and Eloise, plus the usual pile of Lego (which is always all built before the day finishes).  Jamie really liked playing Monopoly Live and Thomas got his nose buried in a few Lego books he received.

As for me, when we returned to Busselton, James asked what my best gift was.  I had to honestly say it was the gift from Andrew and Eloise - a set of 3 candle holders from their wedding table decorations plus some beautiful pyjamas.  Why the pyjamas?  Well, it was clear that Andrew didn't shop for them - so that means my gorgeous new sister in law must have taken the time to find something very personal for me in the 2 days she had off work between returning from their honeymoon and Xmas.

Another awesome Xmas.

Enjoy.
Amanda