Old & New Xmas Traditions

There we go.

Xmas over for another year.

How did you spend yours?

I love reading people's Christmas blog posts to see how other families "do" Christmas.

 

Our family Xmas traditions:

 

A real tree - put up only a few days prior to Xmas before all the needles start to go crunchy.

 

Our main Xmas meal is eaten on Xmas Eve so the women of the house can relax on Xmas Day.

 

 

 

 

Everybody dons paper hats out of the Xmas crackers - and other relevant (but crazy) headwear and accessories.

 

 

We check the night sky for Santa's sleigh lights, sing along to the Carols on telly then put out Santa's snacks.

 

 

 

Then we usher the kids off to bed - and wait.............

 

1.30 am (I swear Santa had no more than 10 minutes to sneak in and out) the lights in our bedroom came on and 2 excited girls dragged their sacks in to show us!!!!

 

Thankfully convinced them to go back to bed and come back when it was light.

 

 

Frenzied unpacking of Santa sacks on the loungeroom floor at first light. Lots of knick knacks and "needed" bits and pieces like new school bags, textas, games, books....and nail polish and makeup for Kate.

 

Grandparent's are woken and we all gather around the tree. The kid's raid the pressies and hand them out. Adults take forever to open theirs as all eyes are on the kids reactions as they rip into their gifts.

 

The big pressies come from us....this year it was iPod Touch's all round.

 

 

A yummy brekky of yogurt, fruit, croissants, bagels and juice.

 

 

When we're spending Xmas at home it means that family are here too......we often congregate under Grandma and Pop's caravan annexe and relax.

 

 

Or get everyone involved in our latest building project.....

Our rustic freestanding pergola is looking fab!

 

 

2012 sees the start of a new Xmas tradition.....

playing in our new pool!

 

 

 

Hope your Christmas was a blast too!

xxx

Xmas Chaos

Having Xmas at your house?

Me too.

 

A few visitors perhaps?

We're expecting parents AND parents-in-law.

 

Cleaning up to make the place look nice?

Putting up the decorations?

I wish.

 

Just over 5 days til Xmas -

and this is how our place is......

 

 I can hear you politely say....

"It'll be nice when it's finished!"

Yes. OK.

 

But in the meantime.........

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Need Gift Ideas?

Only 2 weeks left!

How's your present hiding place looking?

This shop is full of funky stuff I would be more than happy to find in my Christmas stocking.....

Fruit Memo Pad $6.50

Bunny Scissors $29.80

Birdy Salad Bowl $38.50

Squirrel Nutcracker $29.95

Birdy Wall Hooks $19.95

Rob Ryan "Seasons" Plate Set $59.95

Online shopping - how did we ever live without it?

Xmas Challenge + News

Up for a Christmassy scrappy activity?

Then pop over to Show Us Your Stuff - I think you'll love this month's challenge.

Here's my sample:

As much as the girls loved building our Gingerbread House last year - not sure I'd tackle it again. Got ourselves into a right old mess with lollies sliding off everywhere!

Heaps has been happening since I last posted. Let's see.....

BIG news is this:

Kate received an Outstanding Achievement award (for placing highly in more than 5 subjects) at her high school presentation this week.....and.....

Dux of Year 7!!!!

Wow!

Bethany did a gorgeous performance of "Apache" at her guitar concert.

First time being asked to perform solo for this concert.

She's playing her brand new guitar - it's beautiful!

We gave in to Mia's pleading for a "kitten of my own" after her friend's cat had a litter.

Half pure-bred posh Burmese and half feral cat - oh my lordy!!!

Very cute though - and affectionate and cheeky as all baby animals are!

Climbing on the furniture.....and people's shoulders.....and my keyboard while I'm typing.....are favourite activities of his.

 "Whiskey" is his name. Love his snow white whiskers!

LOL'ed at Carl Barron when he came to Inverell with his "One Ended Stick" show.

He doesn't even have to be telling a joke and he cracks me up!

What else? Oh yeah. It has been ultra HOT.

Cooled off at Copeton Dam the other weekend with a bunch of Mia's friends....

A bobcat was here yesterday digging up the place.

Yes - more home improvements happening!

Beth, Mia and friend dressed up for the final Bluelight Disco of 2012....

John Travolta eat your heart out.

Life drawing works from my Art Class I'm still attending every Saturday....

Xmas shopping comely along nicely.

End of year concerts and things already started.

More to come.

Everyone is tired.

Everyone is crankier than usual.

It is hot.

So hot.

I. Think. It's. Beginning. To. Feel. A. Lot. Like. Christmas.

The C-Word

I have been completely and blissfully oblivious to the C-Word.

Until now.

A kind and thoughtful person informed me today there is just over 6 WEEKS until CHRISTMAS.

Panic stations!

All those crafty Christmas-y projects I optimistically told myself I would tackle.

Will this be yet another year I don't get around to them?

Will I find time to be the ORGANISED and CLEVER mum I know deep down I could be?

Is it too late to start?

Cute Christmas Top

Salt Dough Gift Tags

Bon Bon Place cards

Felt Advent Calendar

Has Xmas crept up on you too?

Are you anywhere close to prepared?

What's on your "Perfect Xmas" wish list?

Hello

I won't bore you with why I haven't posted on my blog for WEEKS.....let's just say Life has gotten in the way of Blogging about Life.

And to tell you the truth - that can't be a bad thing.

Some highlights of the past month include:

Hubby and Middle Princess Beth got their faces on the local news with the local Archery Club.

Here's Bethie with her gold medal...

I had a birthday.

My good buddy Linda visited from Kyogle, bringing along her latest charges for plenty of cuddles....

Had to laugh at the sight of them strapped into the car ready for their journey home....

Yesterday I went to a paper-making workshop at our local art gallery.....

......all inspired now to use these beauties on my scrapping pages!

AND the life drawing class I'm a student at was featured in this gorgeous magazine.....

....including a photo of my drawing of Bethany (the one in my blog header)! Wowsers!

See you soon with more news and more photos....

maybe even some scrapbooking.....

xxx