Festive Cheer

Well Christmas and New Years is done and dusted and Aidan is heading back to work. I've thoroughly enjoyed the holidays and being able to spend time as a family. Aidan had a total of 9 days off which feel like they've gone really quickly.

Our Christmas began on Christmas Eve where Aidan and the rest of the staff at his work finished up at midday then headed to a local pub for lunch. Family was invited so the kids and I met up with everyone there. We enjoyed a yummy lunch, the kids opened presents, and the staff exchanged secret Santa presents. Aidan was so pleased with his and he put a lot of effort and thought into the secret Santa present he gave out so I hope the recipient loved it. 

After lunch it was time to head home and bake bake bake! We hosted Christmas at our house this year as we now have a house we can fit people in. Being vegetarian I instructed people to bring meat if they wanted it and a side dish. I used this as an opportunity to make a few dishes that have been on my to try list for a long time including salted caramel fudge, baileys cheesecake balls and a peppermint cheesecake. They all came out beautifully. I also made this "cheats" potato bake but added a little onion. I personally wouldn't recommend that recipe, it's much tastier doing a potato bake the traditional way. 

Christmas Eve night we went Christmas light looking heading to a local favourite where you can get out and walk through the garden. The owners of the house greet people as you enter handing out candy canes. The kids fell asleep in the car and then it was time to play Santa. The only thing more exciting about being a kid on Christmas morning discovering Santa has left you lots of presents is being Santa and watching your kids faces as they discover Santa has left them lots of presents. I feel so blessed that we were able to spoil our kids. 

On Christmas morning the kids woke up and opened presents and then we enjoyed a family breakfast together before the family started arriving. It was a little frantic as family arrived and wanted to exchange presents while I was running around preparing food and cleaning surfaces. The oven turned itself off while our vegetarian roast "tofurkey" was cooking so we skipped our protein and had the most amazing roast and gravy sandwiches for dinner. Everybody headed home late afternoon and the kids crashed early so Aidan and I ended the night by snuggling up and finishing off Sons of Anarchy which we ended up finishing the complete series. Just an update for those interested the last episode made me cry just as much the second time round as it did the first with all those post baby hormones running through my body. 

The next day Aidan's Aunty and cousins came up to visit and spoilt us with presents. Aidan and I were gifted with this beautiful herb garden. A gift that keeps giving. They live three hours away so visits are few and far inbetween. It's always lovely to see them. Although it's long overdue that we head down there for a visit. 

On New Year's Eve we hosted a gathering at our house. Everybody bought a plate and we had a BBQ, nibblies and drinks. We played card games and had sparklers and the kiddies minus Archie managed to stay up until midnight. I've always found New Year's Eve to be a sad sort of day because of the year ending etc but I actually had a lovely time this year. 

Our cruelty free BBQ. 

We had a campout at our friends house on New Year's Day, we both set up our tents and the kids loved it. Once the kids went to bed we attempted to play a card game and have a few drinks but we didn't have a late one. I really enjoy sleeping in a tent, we did some camping in Europe a few years ago and I've missed it. I love hearing the sounds of nature and waking up to the sun. 

We had a few beach days and a pool day thrown in there as well I think. We also attempted some DIY projects and just pottered around the house and relaxed. With people coming and going the whole time my house never really stayed clean. I did a big reorganise of the playroom but that's about it. I haven't had the time or energy to give the house a thorough clean and reorganise even though it badly needs it! Oh well I'll save that for another day.  

Well this was a quick recap of our festive period {two weeks late!} it was a really lovely chance to relax and indulge and catch up with friends and family. 

P.s no New Years resolutions were made here but we are going to work on being more organised and we are planning on opening a little business selling handmade kids toys. We are working on the finer details and experimenting with designs but hopefully we will be up and running very soon :-)