Having Jonathan’s whole family together has been such a delight this Christmas. His brother’s family (Pete, Jo, Tom, Will, and Libby) arrived just hours before us. We spent Christmas Eve day at the seal colony and came back to an incredible feast prepared by Sheila. We indulged in a great eating extravaganza and then attempted to work ourselves out of a food coma by playing games. ‘Muppets,’ a new card game the kids taught us, was a big hit.
Christmas morning was filled with excitement, as Santa had visited 29 Tetney Road, and made an incredible mess! He left snowy footprints through the living room, knocked over candles and picture frames, and even left half-eaten carrots in the fireplace. So typical of a man, Santa!
We spent a leisurely morning opening gifts and ate a breakfast of smoked salmon and eggs around noon. After showering, we drove to Trish and David’s to exchange gifts. We shared a tea, chatted, and watched the Queen’s Christmas Day address. This was my first televised Queen’s speech and I played along with the prank that I needed to stand for her address! Monty, the cat, provided additional entertainment, as he proceeded to get high from a cat nip Christmas gift!
After Trish and David’s, everyone participated in a Wii games competition. I discovered just how rubbish I am! Jonathan and I displayed an astonishing lack of rhythm on Just Dance and were completely outshined by Cliff and Sheila’s impressive moves. After being defeated in every Wii sport imaginable, I was eager for the next feast Sheila prepared.
We had a lovely dinner, too many dishes to name. I loved popping the Christmas crackers, comparing prizes, and wearing the funny paper cracker hats. I tasted my first ever Christmas pudding, a desert that dates back to medieval England. I enjoyed its strong tastes of brandy and spices and was lucky enough to get the coveted piece with a silver coin. (A coin is inserted to the bottom of the cake and whoever receives the piece with the coin is meant to have good luck and wealth for the year.) I even learned a new ‘After Eight’ game. Much laughter ensued after placing an After Eight chocolate square on our foreheads, manoeuvring it down our faces—without using hands, of course—aiming for the mouth. It’s much more difficult that it sounds!
We continued with drinks, card games, chatting, and laughter for many hours. We lit paper lanterns (and nearly burnt down a neighbouring barn!) and I Skyped with my family back in Iowa. This was an exceptionally lovely Christmas and I felt blessed to be surrounded by so much fun and love.
I really enjoyed seeing photographs of the whole family. Pete and Jo are still lovely and their three have grown since we last saw them.
oh i loved reading this–how much fun and food and laughter–perfect for you abby!!!