Boxing Day

Boxing Day is when we have a quiet day and relax after Christmas day. My nephew, Max is over playing games with Hugh

and Emily is enjoying reading, uploading her new CDs to her iPod and watching DVDs she's received. Claire has gone to Craig's grandparents for the day but, if I remember correctly, is working again tomorrow.

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I have spent today catching up on some washing (though not very well) and trying to get to grips with Photoshop Elements 8. There are a few features that have changed that I used to use regularly so I am having to work out how things are done now. I've edited my photos (as you can probably tell by the number of posts up today) and printed a few photos out already. I'm thinking of scrapbook pages that could be made but first of all I have to think about catching up with my JYC layouts.

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I hope your Christmas was as enjoyable as ours and I look forward to reading about some of them on the blogs I read. Enjoy your evening.

xx

Christmas morning

This year is probably the latest we've been up on Christmas morning for a number of years :o). Emily woke at 4.30am but then didn't wake Claire until 5.25am and then after that woke Hugh and Sarah. I woke up at 5.50am and had to listen carefully to hear if anyone was up yet. I was supposed to be picking Mum up at 6am so I was up and dressed in a fairly short space of time ;o). I think Mum has been coming round at 6am to watch the children open presents since they came back to the UK. Dad used to come as well but has decided going out at 6am is a bit early these days!

Everyone gathered and ready to start

Mum looking remarkably cheerful so early in the morning!

Jon

Hugh played Father Christmas again this year and handed out all the presents

Hugh's girlfriend, Sarah, was with us for Christmas morning this year before going home to her family for Christmas dinner.

Starting to open presents

Sarah and Hugh

Wallace and Emily (Wallace loves Christmas morning and likes to see what everyone is opening

Sarah made Hugh's knees more festive ;o)

Watching Grandma open her present

Not sure why Claire was wearing her new scarf on her head!

Emily knows where it's meant to go!

Time to relax again

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Mum went home for a while after the presents were opened but I picked both her and Dad up again at 1pm to come round for the afternoon. Jon had picked up his brother, Mike after Church. Hugh played Santa once again and handed Mike and Grandpa their presents

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xx

Christmas Afternoon

This year Jon decided that after the presents had all been opened we would sing a few carols. He'd been practicing on his guitar for a number of weeks and had printed out the words for us. We sang Holy, Holy, Holy; Silent Night and Joy to the World. Mum kept us all more or less in tune with Emily a close second

Jon's brother Mike joined in

Hugh, not so much! ;o)

and I didn't hear Claire very much

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After singing and before eating, I decided I would like a couple of group photos. Taking part with Journal Your Christmas this year had made me realise that I tend to take photos of present opening and then forget the rest of the day. This year I decided it would be different.

Emily, me, Hugh, Jon and Claire

Mum and Dad with the "children"

and a snap of Mum with Hugh and Emily (Claire was doing her hair at the time)

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The table was brought into the lounge for Christmas because the area that the previous people used as a dining area is now my craft area/dog area. We all managed to get round the table, which was the main thing.

I stood on the stairs to take this photo ;o)

Somehow we ended up with a mens side

and a ladies side (with Jon and me at either end).

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Lunch was delicious and, yes, the turkey was cooked outside on the Weber again this year. Again, by the end of the meal everyone was almost too full for pudding but we did manage to eat a little bit.

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It was a fun meal with lots of chat and banter. Hugh was in top form and had us all laughing. Even the jokes in the crackers were amusing this year (and different to the ones we've normally had!).

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After the meal I took Mike home and dropped Claire off at her boyfriend's house before going back to pick up Mum, Dad and Emily to go to my brother Iain's house. We had coffee and exchanged presents once again but I forgot to take my camera!

xx

Mum's Christmas Surprise

As those of you who have read my blog for a while will know, for Dad's 80th birthday, in September, I made a lap quilt. I told Mum at the time that she had another couple of years before it was her turn to receive one ;o). However, while making the quilts for Christmas, I decided it would be the ideal time to make one for Mum too. I knew she wouldn't be expecting one and she has always loved the ones I have made. On Christmas morning I was looking forward to seeing her reaction.

Opening the present " Is this what I think it is?"

Finally getting a look at it.

Mum has always liked pastel shades so that was what I used for her quilt

Closer up

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I was glad that Mum liked it and am glad I don't have to keep it a secret any more :o)

xx