Xmas Day 2006

Xmas Day 2006
I think Xmas is the best time of the year. It is stressful and people get a little grumpy in the days leading up but what could be better than being with friends and family, opening presents and the big feast...
Present and accounted for: Sophia and Joseph along with assorted members of the family.
Starting from the top Age that is!!!
Lucy,Grandad Dale, Grandma Gilli, Great Uncle Craig, Paul, Margie, Dan, Helen,Neil Nicki,James and a visitor from Ponsonby Jeannie.
Missing (Having Christmas in Christchurch with Grandparents): Mia, Katie and Chris, Karen and Steve
A fab lunch was cooked by Chef Neil...
The Menu
Ike Mata (Caught off the Lady Pat by Neil, Dan Nicki and JB)
Roast Turkey
Filet of beef
Oven Roasted Salmon Stuffed with Salsa Verde on a bed of tomatoes
Jersey Benne Potatoes
Caesar Salad
Grandma's Stuffing Balls
Desserts by Helen
Boozy Berry Jelly
Christmas Pud with Hard Sauce and Whipped Cream


Its Xmas Day and here is Miss Sophia in her new Xmas Skirt.
Sophia and Joesph are having Xmas Day with their family at their house.
The table has been set the guests have arrived and it's time to open presents.



Santa has got some helpers and they are doing a great job. Everyone was desperate to get their presents.
Uncle Paul was thrilled with KISS memorabilia that he was given by Neil and Nicki

JB was thrilled with his ironing board from his friend Lana

Daniel and James were waiting for their presents
Lucy and Dale were happy to wait

Sophia and Joseph got an ice crusher which made great slushy drinks. Excellent
There seem to be a lot of happy campers



JB is very busy with his art kit

Helen was pretty busy in the kitchen

Jeannie arrived just in time for guitars

Uncle Craig took the team shot


Cricket anyone. Sophia is showing fine form. James and Nicki had to work hard

Dale recovered splendidly after a short nap

Time for the pudding and very good it was too.

Highlight of the Day!!! The Queen kicked in and of course her subjects listened intently. There was a bit of banter.
Actually that was a lie about the highlight.
Look at this. JB's first moon. Then Grandma's camera took fright and ran out of batteries.

So all in all an excellent day was had by all
Merry Christmas Everybody.

Day 10 Sunday The Homecoming

It is a beautiful morning. Grandma got up early and starting cooking for the celebration lunch.
Baked a cake,made some chocolate chop cookies with the help of Joseph and made pizza dough for the kids lunch.
With everything underway Grandma, JB and Sophia went to get the ingredients for the cooking contest.
Masterchefs goes Large.
After the shopping a quick tidy up and Grandad Dale arrived to taxi the Holidaymakers home from the airport.
Sophia went to help.

Lana Lucy Katie and Mia were on hand to welcome Dan & Helen back.
And everone settled down for lunch.


Chris was a bit late he had been out hunting and gathering and he brought back with him some delicious sashimi.
A great little in-between snack.
Lana came armed with the ingredients for a very good Caesar Salad.
And some lovely home made mint jelly which was bashed into the new potatoes.
A great flavour which went very well with the rosemary lemon and garlic rubbed leg of lamb.
Now the most important part of the day was about to begin.
Sophia was the convenor and JB and Mia were the contestants


It was all getting quite tense as the contestants got down to it.
The jugdes were pondering.






All over and it was a tie.
The convenor loved the food


So it was Goodnight to Grandma and Dale


They arrived home safely.

A very successful day

Day 9 Saturday

It was very cold first thing this morning.
But luckily it warmed up for the forthcoming Zoo visit
Now we have forgotten to mention a very important member of the family

Little Maisie she is very cute
JB loves her very much.
There is also Lulu but she is a bit aloof and she doesn't show her face except for meals.
After a slow start everyone was off to Parnell to buy meat for
family lunch tomorrow.
Grandma was also picking up beautiful Peonies for Mama, Katie and of course Grandma.
When they open we can put a picture on the blog site.
Then off for the Saturday Adventure went the Fantastic Four Grandma, Joseph, Mia and Sophia. First stop (after spending ages parking the car...
lots of other people had the same Zoo idea) was the cafe. Standing in line with the hoards was a bit trying. And after all that soggy chips. Amazing what people eat when they are hungry.

Time for the big walk around the zoo. The tiger looked magnificent but silly Grandma left the camera in the car so we only had the phone to take photos. The peacock
was really showing off but his beautiful tail feathers got lost in the background and he was too far away to get a good shot.
We did see beautiful little baby birds and a baby emu close up.
The children walked on the rickety bridge. The lions were having lunch and the elephant was having shower.




Time for the ice cream treat and playing on the slide.
Then "Home James and don't spare the horses"
The children had a few moments playing in the park
Guess who had to have a wee nap