Our Christmas Day...

Turkey dinner at my parents - yes, I know I'm huge... less than 10 weeks to go!

We had a lovely Christmas Day... we had a bit of a lie-in (7.30am!!), stockings, church, big turkey dinner with my family and a relaxing afternoon. We took the present opening slow with Ava... wanted to avoid overwhelmed, tearful baby at all costs, and she took it all in her stride. She was the topic of much conversation at church when she proudly walked up to the stage carrying her broom!!

It was lovely. And chilled. And special. Just how I like it...

This girly adores her Uncle Agga...

... and there's always tonnes of fun to be had with "Tante" Kristin

Loving her Etchasketch...

HUGE thanks to Sarah from Clover Lane for some brilliant present suggestions. Sarah has six kids, aged between 18 years and 4 months, so she has serious experience when it comes to picking toys/books/games that are loved and lasting. The Etchasketch was on her list a couple of years ago... her 2013 list is here and is definitely worth checking out (she's also a big advocate of toys that encourage imaginative play and leave a bit to creativity, rather than toys that do everything for you!) I will definitely be referring to her list again in the future!

Helping Nanny and Grandpa with their present-opening!

They were seriously chuffed with their "Ava calendar"

After a lovely afternoon with my family, we headed back to ours where Papa told the Christmas story from beginning to end, using all the verses and characters from our Advent Calendar. It was great to see how the story unfolded from 700BCish, right up to today, and Ava loved watching all the characters play it out, making appropriate "baa" noises and playing the role of a choir of angels!

We then had a quick Skype chat with our Norwegian family to say Merry Christmas, before one tired little girl was packed off to bed!

I hope you have all had a wonderful, relaxing and memorable Christmas, remembering the arrival of the Saviour!

xxx