Later Christmas day...

Not safe for gingerbread men,

And Santa seems to have missed the gingerbread house.

About 2pm we went to friends' place for drinks, food and cricket! It was Luisa's first time playing cricket. She got the hang of bowling really quickly.

Get him out!

And she was a natural with the bat.

Time for serious stuff - shoes off.

Then as all good Aussie backyard cricketers, a hard earned coldie.


A bit later and it was time for dinner.

First up - prawns.

Then baked ham - huge.


And turkey.

Then grandma's plum pudding and custard. It is flaming - just can't see it.

Boxing day saw "My Bar" sign go up.

The 28th saw a lot of wood chopping in the kitchen and the installation of the new induction stove by Luke. Llew had to cook on it straight away.

After it all, Peanuts was exhausted. Just let me sleep! But who wasn't like that?

Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the house

were smells of Llew's cooking

and gingerbread house.

We cracked all the crackers

and put on our hats

everyone got one

including the cat!

We had beer

we had wine

and cheesey fondue

Oh how devine!

It was just like in Germany,

except the weather was hot

but we ate all the fondue

snowing or not.

The last advent day

Peanuts wants paper!

One present each

to start off the caper.

Outside for a drink

Watched the sun set
A few phone calls home

And one stuck inside pet.

Next round of food

Was fondue hot pot

With beef, lamb and veges

tradition or not.

A family portrait

with all of our crowns

And then it was time

For the next round!

Chocolate fondue

with lots of cream

fruit and marshmallow

Oh what a dream!

Finally Christmas

and morning appeard

But we had to eat first

Pancakes! we cheered.

With sprinkles or chocolate

or maple syrup

However we had it

we gobbled it up.

Finally time

To open the gifts.

Santa delivered

and into we ripped.

Santa was generous

with big ones and small



We had so much fun

opening them all.

There may not be much snow

and it may not be white

But Merry Christmas to all

whatever your plight.

Pre Christmas

Luisa baked lots of Christmas cookies.

We wanted a real tree - but this is Rockhampton! We bought a small tree for next year, but it has to mature. So meantime... A plastic one!

Spreading out the branches.

Done. Family and friends.

The war of the Cristmas cake. One is Llew's, the other Pat's, but I'm not telling which is which :)

My gingerbread house.

Luisa's gingerbread house.

I made an advent calendar and Luisa has been opening one every day.