A big family Christmas.........

In no time at all there was only one week left until Christmas and we had Christmas functions happening all around us.    I joined the Line Dancing ladies for lunch at Shepparton RSL where we enjoyed a nice lunch and danced to the music of Anthony Tenace.  The next night we were dancing our feet off again as we all enjoyed the Line Dancing Christmas party.  Once again Anthony's music was wonderful and the dance floor was full all night.

Bill too had Christmas functions to attend with the Photography groups last meeting and dinner at the Seven Creeks Hotel with the Computer group.  Euroa's Christmas decorating committee had excelled itself with Binney Street looking very festive.  Christmas carols in the street were a lovely addition to the festive season too.

Tuesday night saw us join many others at Rotary Park as we all enjoyed Carols by the Creek.  The Euroa Citizens Band and the Strathbogie Singers provided the entertainment and we all joined in singing many old favourites.  Of course Santa was the main attraction for all the kids and he was swamped when he did arrive, by fire truck, just before dark.  Another great night was enjoyed by all.

Finally our long awaited day dawned and we were in the car making our way to the airport to pick up David, Corbyn and Amélie who were visiting us for Christmas.  It was lovely to see them coming off the plane and getting big hugs from them all.  We drove back home and later that evening we were back in Binney Street waiting for Santa to arrive.  Always a popular fellow, with his sack full of lollies for all the kids, tonight was no different as he reminded the kids that there was only 3 more sleeps until he would be delivering the presents.  The drinks and Icecreams handed out by Burtons were enjoyed by everyone as well.  We finished the night with fish and chips by the creek before going home and getting the kids ready for bed.  It had been a huge day for them as they had left Perth at 6.20am.

The next day we drove over to Shepparton to finish off the Christmas shopping.  We had some lunch between shopping centres and were home early afternoon.  We did find this rather jolly old chap in the Mall on a previous visit.

On Saturday we decided that a day at home was a great idea and so all enjoyed a day in the lounge room alternating between Upwords, Chess, Colouring in and being entertained by two excited little kids.  The weather had decided to turn up the heat and so inside with the aircon on was the only way to keep cool.  

As Saturday was Christmas Eve we decided that we would head out once dark and have a look at the many houses decorated for Christmas.  We drove around finding many streets we didn't know and along the way found many houses with fantastic light displays.  These two were our favourites.

Back at home the kids got ready for bed and after leaving Cookies and a glass of milk out for Santa,(their choice) and a carrot for the reindeer it was time for sleep.  Daddy and Nana had some more work to do before we could sit but soon all the evidence was gone and we too could wait for Santa!

And then it was Christmas morning and just like David and Gareth, these two little people had to be woken up.  We felt a little mean but as we had to be on the road by 8.00am we thought we had better make sure there was some time for play.  Once they saw that Santa had been any tiredness was out the window and Christmas Day began in earnest.  Presents were handed out, breakfast was eaten and we were soon in the car again for the long drive to Parkdale where we were celebrating Christmas with the family.  Both the kids were asleep before we were 20 mins down the road!

We arrived on time and soon joined the rest of the family inside.  The forecast 36 degs was on its way and we were all grateful for the wonderful airconditioned family room where our hosts had set up a huge table to accommodate all 24 of us.  This number included 3 of their friends from the UK who were experiencing their first 'hot' Christmas!  As Mum said to her daughter Charlotte at once time "it's a little different to Christmas in Nanna's house".

Corbyn and Amélie enjoyed their day, meeting all their cousins, Aunties, Uncle and of course their Great Grandmother, Valda.  I think Auntie Ree (Maree) won the title of 'the fun auntie' when they opened their pressies from her.  A whoopee cushion and pooping reindeer was just the thing to tickle a kids fancy.   The water guns were a winner too especially when Rem took them outside for some real action with the hose and the guns.  All in all a fabulous Christmas Day was enjoyed by us all, fabulous food, great company with many families coming together and kids who always bring Christmas to life.  Our only downside was that Gareth, Taegan, Noah and Ethan were not able to be there with us as well.

It was a quiet drive home as once again the kids were asleep in no time and the rest of us wishing we could be as well.  Back at home it wasn't long before we were all looking for our bed after our big day out.

The next morning we could relax and take time out which we all did just chilling in the aircon again.  After lunch we drove around to the pool where David and the kids enjoyed an hour or two in the water. Bill and I watched from the shaded seats enjoying the occasional spray from the sprinkler as the wind blew it our way.  The sky had been cloudy all day and soon after it began to rain and so it was back home we went to the cooler and now the dry!  This mad weather certainly has it's moments this summer.

Corbyn helped me bake a banana cake a little later on though didn't want to eat any of it.  Bill and David couldn't wait to attack it.  We continued to chill out for the rest of the day and night before it was time for their last sleep at Nanas place.

The next morning we were all up early as we had a couple of people coming round to take some pictures of the kids.  We had a fun morning with Kobe and Dan and are looking forward to seeing the pics.  Later that afternoon the kids found the bubbles they got for Christmas and Bill got to work with his camera.  Hopefully one or two good ones in there.  And then it was time to pack.

We all piled back in the car for one last drive to the airport to say goodbye again.  Just five days but Nana and Poppa had enjoyed a wonderful time with you all.  Perhaps you will come back another year.  It was a very quiet drive back home and a very quiet house the next morning without two little people running around.

Bill and I spent the next few days staying out of the weather and decided that our NYE would be spent at home.  We watched the Melbourne fireworks on telly and welcomed in 2017 with a hug and a kiss!  Very low key but peaceful after our busy Christmas.  I hope you all enjoyed your festivities wherever you were. 

I can't finish off 2016 without one more picture.  While in Melbourne just before Christmas we stopped to look at the Myer Windows.  The story was Christmas Eve in St Kilda about a normal family spending Christmas Eve in the back yard.  (Looked like in the 60's). Kids swinging on the 'Hills Hoist'!  Sadly our 'icon' has been sold to America this last week.  I wonder what they would make of this picture.  

So once again I thank you all for hanging in there, reading all about our 'wanderings' around this big country and other bits and pieces we get up too.  Hopefully we get to meet up with you all during the year but for now now it's time to rest awhile and we both wish all our family and friends a very safe and happy 2017.

Until next time........