Christmas Celebrations

I hope everyone has had a very happy Christmas and is gearing up for a great New Year. I just thought I'd share some of the highlights from my celebrations.

We started with a Christmas Eve celebration at my sister's house. This started out a few years ago as simple waffle preparation for the Christmas breakfast but has now evolved into a celebration of its own right. Kirby cooked up delicious nachos with marinated chicken and home made salsa. We then had a Christmas Eve walk, another thing that has become a family tradition. 

The following morning we all gathered at my sister's house for a Christmas breakfast. This is a fairly recent tradition which came about as mum and dad wanted some time with just the immediate family before we all split up to spend the day with our partner's families. It's always a breakfast of waffles, berries, ice cream and bacon. A great start to a very healthy day. :)

Christmas lunch is spent with my husband's family at his family home. They always put on a big European style spread with 2-4 different meats and a variety of side dishes. Helen sets an amazing table every year, with almost every decoration having a special meaning. It was a smaller gathering this year, as Helen's brother and his family didn't come so we only had 14 people.

We finished the day by heading around to my aunt and uncle's house for a casual dinner. Just a bunch of different salads and a small tray of meats to round out a very full day. It's a rule at this dinner that you're not allowed to eat unless you are wearing your Christmas hat, a rule Ben took as a joke his first Christmas with me until he was turned on by the whole family. :)

Lastly, we always spend Boxing Day at my aunt and uncle on my Dad's side. It is a terrific relaxed affair. We start with a BBQ, play a fiercely competitive tournament of bocce (I came second this year) and then eat dessert while watching the Boxing Day test on TV. At least one person will have a nap during this time, almost always me!

Best wishes to you all for the new year. Is anyone coming up with resolutions this year? I think mine will be to finally organise my scrap room and create more layouts this year. I only did 39 in 2013!