For our family Christmas is a time of excitement and joy. It starts
with Leonie and Sam who are like kids in a candy shop with the joy and exuberance
they display about the presents under the tree. My parents joined us from Lennox Head to share in the festivities
which were great as it’d been a few years since they’d been with us at
Christmas.
The lead up to the big day is always chaotic as we dart about getting
all the last minute treats and supplies to ensure our day is filled with fun
and love. This year we’d planned a typical Aussie Christmas lunch comprising lamb,
prawns and ham with the usual salads.
As always Santa didn’t disappoint in the gifts he left our kids, the excitement
they displayed as they unwrapped a new pool and games table was priceless. Not
to be outdone the rest of us enjoyed gifts from loved ones. Our lunch on the
back deck couldn’t have been better, the weather was perfect and a great time
was had. By late afternoon the traditional siesta was a must but with more toys
to construct time was limited.
Boxing Day was the same as Christmas day but on a bigger scale. Leonie’s
parents, sister and her offspring joined us for another lovely day where once
again we proved you can stuff yourself with too much food.
With Mum and Dad hanging around after Christmas we got a chance to
share Dad’s 73rd birthday with him as we all went out and celebrated
at the Shellharbour Golf Course.
New Year’s Eve for us is normally a quiet affair but having built in
babysitters this year meant Leonie and I could go out and let our hair down. We
all went into the harbour to watch the 9pm NYE fireworks before ditching the
family and heading to Balgownie pub where we met up with friends and celebrated
the New Year.
At this time of year when
we celebrate with family its extremely saddening to hear of the tragic passing
Gavin Murray who was killed in a car accident 3 days before Christmas. RIP
mate.
