Xmas Day Lunch

We spent Christmas Day at a fancy golf course for a seafood lunch.

Alison having a laugh with her Dad and Aunty Sara

Mathew and Jeremy getting into the Xmas spirit.

Uncle Jeff giving Alison a bottle (Mum was getting into the Christmas spirit a little)

Santa arrives for a round of golf

Alison meets her third Santa ( I may have to explain this one day)

Aunty Sara and Alison

Nandi gets into the Xmas spirit

Our first Xmas

Linda is also in the Xmas spirit

We spent the rest of the day relaxing and digesting. We actually played some of the new games that we received for Xmas.

Xmas Morning

Xmas Morning

Merry Xmas Daddy!

Alison received a Santa doll as big as her from her Nandi!

From her Grandpa Vince (who has a construction company) she received a Tonka Truck

We all had a fun time opening Xmas presents. Next year Alison will be 16 months old and will most likely be well aware of what presents are....should be fun!

Alison has a Xmas morning cuddle with her Aunty Sara and Uncle Jeff

Grandpa Vince gets in the Xmas spirit.

Xmas Eve

Christmas Eve at Forestdale

We had a small Christmas Eve dinner with family at Forestdale. Leon, Alison and I plus my Mother (Nandi). There was also Leon's Dad, Linda and two of her boys, Mathew and Jeremy. It was a lovely dinner of Pasta and Trifle. After dinner we surprised everyone and dressed Alison in a Christmas outfit that her Uncle Craig had sent over from America. His son Callum had worn it the Chrismas prior and was just as cute.

Our Christmas Baby!

Meeting Santa

As it is Alison's first Christmas we thought a photo of Alison and Santa by herself was called for.

Xmas tree

Another Christmas first for Alison

We put up the Xmas tree today. Alison loves looking at the pretty flashing lights at night time.

A Musical Genius!

We introduced Alison to her toy piano today. She seemed to like all the flashing lights and noises. I think she may be a musical genius judging by how quickly she worked out how to play it! With her long fingers (like her Mother) Alison will have to get piano lessons!

Another goodbye

Cousins

Craig, Jen and Callum passed through Brisbane on their way home to the USA today. They had a few hours stop over at the airport in Brisbane with time to kill. I decided since Leon was out fishing for the day that I would go and have one last cuddle with Callum.




Alison is going to miss her Uncle Craig, she really enjoyed all her cuddle time with him. Craig was very good at getting her off to sleep.

Xmas with the girls

We celebrated Xmas with Leon's Sister and her two girls as they were down visiting from Chillders. The girls just love their little cousin Alison. Above is cousin Billie and below is cousin Charlie.
Alison managed to get spoiled with presents from her Aunty and Nanna. Next year she might actually be able to open them herself! Above she is reading her new pop-up princess book with her big Cousin Charlie.

I am showing off Alison's new Xmas bib and booties!

Aunty Sara never misses a chance for a quick cuddle.
Nanna and Greg get a cuddle
Uncle Jeff also loves a cuddle

Alison getting loving cuddles from her Aunty Leanne.

It was a great Xmas celebration. The food and service was perfect and the heavens opened up and provided us with entertainment as we watched people try to keep dry out on the busy Gold Coast streets.

Bye Bye Craig Jen and Callum

Not sure what it is about a man and his daughter that makes women go awwww. Leon and Alison got many awww looks today at the airport. Alison has graduated to being able to look forward in her carrier. She loves looking around at everything...even if her head does seem to wobble a bit.


We left Adelaide today after a sad goodbye to Craig Jen and Callum. They head down to Robe for a short mini holiday before they fly back to USA at the end of the weekend.

Once again Alison was excellent on the flight. She slept most of the way and had a nice quiet feed. I hope this good baby thing lasts as next time she flys it might just be her and I.

Winery

We spent today in the Barrossa Valley going to a few wineries we had not visited before. It was Jennifer's first trip to the Barrossa. Keeping with the 1st Birthday Monkey theme we had lunch at The Monkey Nuts Cafe at Kies Winery. It was actually a very nice selection of reasonably priced food....the wine was good to! I will update where the photos were taken once Craig updates his blog as I can't remember exactly which winery was what!

Jen just can't wait till we get home to have another taste of this drop we bought.

We finished off the day nicely with a lovely dinner with Deb and Mum. This was Debs first cuddle with Alison.

The Magic Cave

Meeting Santa!

After lunch at the Ed, Leon, Alison and I met up with Craig, Jen and Callum and visited the Magic Cave to meet the jolly old fella himself.