Christmas 2008, in a nutshell

After all the festive plans and preparations, I thought you might enjoy a peek into my 2008 Christmas family album ...

Firstly, a photograph of my very own Christmas Elf ...

Yes, this is my daft daughter dressed in her best Elf outfit, all ready for the Christmas Eve celebrations!

We had over twenty guests on Christmas Eve, but guess who forgot to use her camera?! Doh! Ah well, this is Christmas morn instead, taken just after the big Xmas Eve clean up and just before the next big clean up - unwrapping the gifts Father Christmas brought to our house!

My son, still a big kid at heart!

Stuart opening his pressies

Lunchtime - flamin' the Christmas pud with brandy! Yikes!

Boxing Day was soooooo cold, but very beautiful ...

The Christmas Elf donned zebra wellies and snuggly hat to come walking with us ...

Cute eh?

We tramped round the muddy lake ...

But even 'Elf and Safety' couldn't prevent the Zebra wellies being plastered in green goo by the time we returned to the car!

Urgh!

Elf food

Elfin' around with Stuart

 

Watching the ducks ...

Which is something this little elf has been enjoying since she was a baby - an entire quarter of a century ago!

Well you didn't think I'd be sitting doing nothing did you? Snapped by my son on Boxing Day evening ... knitting a little birthday surprise for a special someone ...

Last but by no means least, we shared my lovely niece Leah's birthday. Leah turned 21 the day after Boxing Day ... pictured here looking very embarrassed as seventeen of her nearest and dearest sing 'Happy Birthday' in the restaurant, raucously!

My two tucking into the Chinese food (not to mention the beer!) at their cousin Leah's birthday bash

Proud mum Fo enjoying Leah's birthday pics

Enjoying Leah's birthday celebrations with my Dad, (Leah's Grandad) ... thanks go to my son's super girlfriend Hannah for taking this rare pic!

I SAW THREE SHIPS

I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;And to close my 2008 Christmas celebrations, a Victorian Christmas carol I first learned many years ago, as a little girl in primary school ...I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;And all the souls on earth shall sing,On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.