Family Christmas

Because I am heading out next week and an early celebration means we all get to see Bridie Sean and Dylan for Xmas gifts and company.So Andrew and Lynne again hosted a fabulous dinner, HUGE ham (everyone able to take 2-3 kgs of ham home!!) and a turkey that was very successful, based on a New Idea recipe.

The Christmas tree and lights.

The area in Patterson Lakes is locally famous for its Xmas lights Andrew and Lynne get into the tasteful mode, Unlike a neighbour who is so Over the Top!
Their immediate next door neighbours did a low key one, A rope of lights spelling "ditto"
This year Dylan liked A & L's reindeer with nodding heads!

It was a lovely mild day so Sean was kept busy negotiating with Dylan about where he was going to be playing.

The swivel stools were a great hit! And they go up and down!!

He quickly found the dog Monty who, while startling him with her sudden movements, did not scare him despite her size. Imagine a dog coming up to your shoulder height!

Monty has a soft toy she carries around. The current one is a tiger. So Dylan threw it for her and when she pounced on it Dylan yelled "YES!!!" This kept him busy for quite a while.

He had a giggling fit (after the fright) when Andrew popped the champagne cork and it went flying over to the Xmas tree!

Monty getting ready for the throw

Then he found the light bays on the deck and found they were a perfect fit!

The pool was GREAT!

Lunch was delicious with a really nice pumpkin dish we all liked.
Dylan especially loved the duck fat roasted potatoes!!

Nick and Kate were well and great company.

Lynne entertaining us with description of how  Nicholas (friend )
signed his name same as her Nick!

Andrew excelled himself again with the dessert
The picture says it all !!

Raspberry Meringue layers

We really enjoyed it but loved especially Dylan's enjoyment of it.

At one point he got a blob on his upper left arm and had us in stitches as he tried to lick it off while holding a laden spoon in the air!!
We had Xmas presents after lunch and Dylan was very happy to open them all for us.

We all then retired to the pool side while Bridie and Kate took Dylan swimming. We had some trouble with his new water wings so Andrew got the baby life jacket out, and he loved this, refusing to take it off
His latest phrase is 'I do it myself" So Kate and Bridie were only allowed to hover as he mastered getting around.

He was excited when Kate went underwater and he couldn't see her!

Lazing on the lounge was appealing as well.

A really lovely day!