Christmas Day 2015

Christmas Day 2015 was a delightful day full of family, friends, good food, and lovely memories. Here is the tree all ready for Christmas morning:

And the stockings ready for the children to find:

 Our traditional breakfast includes fruit salad, bacon-wrapped smokies, tea ring, and this year I added brown sugar bacon. One of the best parts of the day for me was enjoying a cup of real Assam tea -- wow did it taste good!!!!!!

After reading Luke 2, Michael handed out the presents:

Each of the kids had a sibling to buy/make for. Rachel spent hours working on her Minecraft-themed present for Andrew.

David spent days sewing things out of wool for presents. Michael got a Christmas tree. I love it!!!

Well, David was excited about his gift from Grandpa and Grandma!

We all love Laura's doll outfit that James created for her.

More present opening and enjoyment:

But, we paused at 10 a.m. for the traditional listening to the Queen's Speech (British).

Rachel and Andrew LOVED their emoji pillows!!!

Laura picked the perfect gift for Rachel!!!!

Grandma arrived part way through the morning. James sewed a swan for her.

While I busied myself in the kitchen the kids tried out some of their new gifts:

Then we headed over to Eagle Creek for our traditional Christmas hike. Great weather!

Grandma loved this tree!

And we even managed a family photo!!!

Then we stopped for our picnic lunch of hot cocoa, homemade marshmallows and Cornish pasties. The wind picked up and it was cold where we sat.

Back at home it was time to cook the Christmas dinner and get the table set.

We had a traditional British Christmas dinner with roast turkey and sausage/chestnut stuffing balls.

Two dear friends joined us for dinner with Emily and Craig popping in for a quick visit just beforehand.

Dinner was yummy! I especially enjoyed the turkey, the roasted parsnips with carrots, and the mashed turnips with potatoes.

Meanwhile, the puddings were boiling away in pots getting ready for dessert.

Setting the pudding alight:


Singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as the pudding arrives at the table.

We had eggnog as well -- the coconut milk nog is pretty good!

 A family picture with Dr. Blackwood:

 And then several of us headed outside to photograph the Christmas full moon -- last time we had a full moon for Christmas was the month I was born!

Great fun!

And so it was a most pleasant day with much to be thankful for!!!

Family Christmas

The Sunday afternoon before Christmas my side of the family congregated in the home my mom lives in for a Christmas celebration.

The table was beautifully laid:

And mom was busy in the kitchen cooking our feast!

The kids were all excited to be at Grandma's!

The little Christmas tree was still going strong!

"C'mon, Arthur! Look at the camera!"

Mr. Badger came along for the fun:

Mom served up a delicious dinner of roast pork, roasted root vegetables, green beans, and salad.

Very delicious!

Here we are at the table!

Here are the grandchildren with mom:

After dinner we sat around and opened stockings together. Here's cousin John:

Andrew and James:

A few more happy moments:

Michael and Rachel:

Here's the big mess! Yay!

Laura, John, and Arthur received plaid pups :)

Craig and Emily!

Playing with new toys:

We ended the afternoon with ice-cream sundaes.

A picture of the cousin table!

It was a very special afternoon and so delightful to be around "mom's" table together.