Another beautiful day celebrating Christmas ... this time with the Stokes side. Six grandkids in six years makes for some wonderful chaos!

We had crayfish this year which was delicious, a pool to cool down and the kids played so nicely together. Flynn was just such a little sweetheart, happily napping where ever we plonked him. 

 

A quiet morning at home opening our presents together. Despite thinking the kids may be up at the crack of dawn we got a pleasant 5:50am ha! Will said he "heard Santa stomping on the roof" and Ethan just kept saying "Saaanta. It's Sannnnta!"

Off to my Mum and Dad's for Christmas lunch. We managed to squeeze Rusty in!  Ethan was already pooped before we got there! 

 

The hottest Christmas day on record! Some of the best food we've had in ages. Dad cooked up two chickens and we had ham and salad. Such a delicious plate of food. Mums pudding with cold vanilla ice cream was a highlight for me! 

Triple nappers on the way home, a sign of how wonderful of a day it was! 

 

Our tree was up by the end of November. Toddy went and cut it down, donning hi vis and strapping it to the roof. My hero! 

The excitement level this year is up a notch! Will has a million and one questions about Santa. How does he.... ? Where does he....? Is Santa actually real? 

We've had mangoes galore, home made fruit icy poles and a little advent calendar giving a small activity for each day (or a chocolate or book when I've not had the time!) Slow afternoons after quiet time, lots of cuddles and Aussie Jingle Bells on repeat. Games of "pretend to be asleep!" while the boys play Santa. 

And Flynn, the most perfect little Christmas present for our family. To think this time last year we were a little overwhelmed with a 7 week old secret meaning we'd have three babies back to back. But he has bought a calm to our family and I'm so aware of how special a tiny baby at Christmas is and given it is most likely our last, I'm trying to soak it all up!