Going for early morning walks was a lot of fun with the kids this trip to Hervey Bay. But this morning was the best!
It was so windy, as we walked along the break wall the waves were crashing and making a huge splash over the wall where we were walking. The kids love it! They spent their time chasing, catching, trying to run to and away from the waves. There were many squeals of delight, many smiles and laughs. What a joyful way for us to start out morning!
Pictures say a 1000 words so here they are.
Walking out
A bit windy
Dancing in the waves
We made it to the statue
Pointing out the waves
Splash
Smiles of joy
Big splash
They loved it!
My bunch of crazies. Alexander then decided to be a bird flying with this stick wings
Christmas morning the tree was set with presents underneath waiting to be opened.
The kids got up and got ready and we watched Church Online. With hosting lunch, Julie didn't feel up to heading in to her church so it was nice to join with our church family on Christmas morning. The kids loved spotting Nana and Poppy (from the back of their heads) in the congregation.
A highlight of our church's Christmas services is the performance by the pastors of the Christmas story. This year the kids did voice overs before we headed up to Hervey Bay to help with the performance. The pastors acted out the story with the kids' voices narrating. It was so cute to watch and the kids were very proud when their speaking parts happened.
We read the Christmas story together, which I love doing as we focus on the real meaning of Christmas.
Then the kids made a train to head over to the Tree for present time. The reactions to what they opened was perfect so I think we did well with our presents this year.
Eliza was excited to get an electric toothbrush
Alexander loved his little drawing pad
Eliza's reaction was the best in response to Daniel getting his Mario track
And she loved her new earrings.
Then it was our turn to open our present from Eliza. At school, they made a gift for us, they wrapped it up and we had to wait until Christmas to open it. The downside was that it was covered in glitter. So much glitter. We had to open it outside to avoid it going everywhere. But the present is awesome! It's a calendar that has Eliza's photo through it. What a challenging task for the teachers to do for every student but it is one that we will cherish for more than just 2022.
The kids then gave Nana J her present of her calendar. She loved looking at the photos.
We restocked the Christmas tree, ready for more present time with Aunty Jen, Uncle Ryan, Maddie, Aly and Ollie and set up the house ready for lunch.
Santa hats and headbands were a must have when celebrating Christmas in Hervey Bay.
Cute and crazy cousins
We enjoyed entree of snacks from Nan's snack bowl and also of Malcolm's garlic prawns which James did well cooking. It was a nice way to have a bit of Malcolm there with us.
Cooking the garlic prawns (Malcolm's recipe)
Was a hit with Maddie who requested them
Being helpful to get a nice photo of us
The tradition of backyard cricket on Christmas Day continued - with a tennis racket as a bat and chairs as the stumps.
Then it started to rain and the animals came out - a beautiful butterfly and a tree frog.
We then enjoyed Christmas lunch as the rain poured down. The Lego bonbons were again a hit with some very cool creations being made!
I love their faces as it breaks
Eating and Lego fun
James got an ice skating Santa! So cool!
Even Ollie got to join in the fun
Maddie made a Lego moustache
The kids had fun playing with the flip cars
before enjoying present time.
Ollie liked the wrapping paper more than the present - of course
Eliza was so excited to get the same top as Aly
After presents we enjoyed dessert - mini pavlovas. So nice!
More cuddles with Ollie
Loving their hyper colour t-shirts from Nana and Poppy
And excited about their gifts from Dennis and Carol. Such lovely neighbours
To wind down at the end of the day, the kids enjoyed watching Lego Masters (and it gave James and I a little bit of a break)
It was lovely to spend Christmas in Hervey Bay and enjoy Ollie's first Christmas too.
