ten.little.miniks: Christmas Day

This was our first Christmas experience away from both sides of our family. I have to admit that it was nice to be able to take the day at our own pace and allow the children to play with their new goodies without the rush to be somewhere else.

The kids woke up early and bust in excitedly! We sat with them and as they opened their stockings and unwrapped the gifts under the tree we took the time to talk about what Christmas really means, We talked about our Saviour and the greatest gifts He gives to us. Once we had finished with the majority of gift opening Kent and I gave the kids their gift from us. It was a small box each that they opened to find a series of home made gift certificates. Each certificate was something they could redeem on their surprise trip to Perth! We told them we would be leaving very early the next day to drive down and spend a week with family and friends. They could not contain their excitement. The hardest part about living in a remote town is being so far away from the ones we love so much, our children miss their special people and talk about them all the time. It was exciting to anticiapte our road trip. We then took some family photos in our new jammies and our mugs of hot choc or eggnog.

We enjoyed a sit down breakfast with muesli cups, coco pops, and croissants. We spent the day playing with new puzzle, reading new books, practicing on my new ukelele and the kids wheelie shoes. India helped me set the table and was very particular about what should go where. Turns out i was too but again, im trying to let go of the stuff that really doesn't matter. Indi continued to help me in the kitchen while we prepared, chicken & salads, and a pavlova. Once all the food preparations were over we really took the time to relax and enjoy each others company.The kids had received a PS3 game from Grandma and Grandpa Baker called Just Dance. It was so much fun to watch each other attempt to keep in time with the music and perfect dance steps. Even though the kids took turns to cry from defeat it was a fun game and one that will get a lot of use in our house.

Kent gave me a few books, a Polaroid camera, and a ukelele. I was so happy with all the gifts and in return i surprised Kent with a trip away to the Hilton without he children once we got to Perth. I also gave Kent a Zombie Apocalypse Survival Kit. My amazing friend Erana had made survival kits for the men in her family and i fell in love with them. I asked her if she would make me one and then i added a few extra things myself. Erana did an amazing job! the kits were made from old tobacco tins. Inside each tin were a number of useful items from fold away knives to water purification tablets. Other items like waterproof paper, a stock cube, a condom, and metal ropes. Kent enjoyed checking out his new gizmos. I hope he liked the Walking Dead theme.

We went to bed early for our early start the following morning. It was truly a beautiful day, despite the heat (45*c) and i drifted off the sleep feeling overwhelmed by my many, many blessings. Next year we go to Adelaide.