Christmas in Brisbane

The kids and I flew up to Brisbane on the 13th of December. It was a quick 90 minute flight and with no customs to worry about, we were soon at my mum and dad's house. As always the kids got straight into the pool where they would spend most of the next 2 weeks. Hunter and Mackenzie's swimming lessons had definitely paid off, they were swimming and diving and very confident. The first few days Kingston was very apprehensive, and not very interested in the pool, but by the 3rd day he was starting to enjoy himself, and even jumping off the side like the kids to show Poppa his tricks. The kids helped my mum decorate the Christmas tree, they did a great job, and Craig finally arrived on the evening of the 23rd, just in time for Christmas.

This is how the tree looked.



On Christmas Eve, the kids laid out some stockings and went to bed early, very excited for the next day. Last year when they woke up, they caught Santa napping on the couch, so they were curious if they would get to see him again.


They didn't, but he left lots of goodies for everyone.


Everyone got comfortable and starting opening their stocking gifts.







We took a break for some of Craig's delicious blueberry pancakes, then it was time to open the presents under the tree. This year we had my cousin Toni joining us too.



And my Uncle Chris, aka Big Chris, the kids have 4 Uncles named Chris so it can get very confusing.


Kingston got an Elmo Potty, and the Potty Time dvd.


Mackenzie gave Kellum a special present just from her.



Here's Nana opening one of her presents.


And Craig with one of his.




Kingston helped Poppa to open his.


Kellum decided to sit on Craig's lap to open his present.


Mackenzie got a Princess dress.


Craig surprised me with the hair straighteners I had been dying to get, he kept the secret so well.


Chris got a joke present from Kellum and Kenzie couldn't stop laughing.


Here's my brother Chris, aka Little Chris, or Blue Dragon.



It was getting very hot already, so Kingston decided to cool off in front of the fan, that's a towel in a backpack he's wearing, he didn't take it off the whole morning.



Then it was Kingston's turn, my mum and dad got him Elmo Live. It was a hit!






I got a tripod for my camera, I was so happy, I had been wanting one for a while.


Kellum got a backpack for his trip to Europe in May.


Kenzie with her new doll, it's a fisher price one that comes with a toilet and sick and toothbrush and she talks. Kenzie named her Puddles.



After all the presents had been opened, the boys decided to make some oyster shooters.



Even I got roped into trying one. It was okay. I didn't join in the second round though.


Hunter got an underwater video camera from my parents, so he was straight out to the pool to test it out.