We Wish You a Ripper Christmas!

Christmas Day started of course with present opening accompanied by Aussie Christmas Carols!  We were spoilt with presents, but here I'm modelling the stylish yet useful slippers with mop bottoms - from Loopy of course!

And Darren was delighted with the doormat that I got him!

After a big brunch, and dropping off food and drink at Mark and Emma's we headed to Half Moon Bay to meet up with Mark, Emma, Mabel, Kieran and Emma's mum and dad. It was about 32 degrees so it was nice to cool off with a swim (3rd Christmas Day swim!) and a glass of bubbly!

As is typical of Melbourne weather, a change was due and we could see the dark clouds coming, so we headed back to Mark and Emma's for some time to relax before Christmas dinner.

And time to eat!  Emma had done the turkey and I had glazed a ham, and Emma, mum and I had made some salads and other yummy things, so by the end we were stuffed!  Luckily the dad's were there to do the carving!

Cranberry glazed ham!

It's kids' champagne - honest!

And then the rain......

Kieran was afraid of the storms which is why he is not in any of the photos once we got back to the house.  The thunder was really loud, and the lightening amazing so it's not surprising that he didn't want to be outside!

When the rain (and hailstones in some parts of Melbourne - at 32 degrees!!!), got harder we headed indoors and, after a pause, managed to squeeze some cake in!

After a wonderful day, we headed back home to Skype John and Jackie; and Emma, Dan, Joseph and William, as their Christmas Day was starting.  It was so nice to be able to spend Christmas Day with lots of family around, but it also reminds us of the family that we can't see.  Thank goodness for Skype!

Merry Christmas everyone! xx