Genevieve's First Christmas

We'd purposely made sure that this Christmas was going to be pretty low-key, but that didn't mean we weren't busy!

I had my department break-up at work on Friday afternoon, and then rode home from Elwood into a very strong head-wind (with a few too many VBs under my belt and heavy bottles of wine in my pack). We waited for Nanna to come by, as we were headed off to see Even, who each year do their Christmas Even gig. They're always great and this year was no exception. Last year Naomi missed out (with the bump in her belly) so it was great that we had the proud babysitter to fill in.

On Saturday we headed up to Ballarat for lunch with Nana and John's family. A few weeks ago, we put a little rear-view mirror in the car, so from the driver's seat you can see little Vievey. It's enough to see if she's happy, or asleep or with the sun on her face. Here you can see the view from the driver's rear-view mirror.

Ballarat is in the grip of a water crisis (yes, I know we all are, but Ballarat is particularly bad). Here you can see "Lake" Wendouree, which as you can see, is more like the Wendouree mud flats. The lake was the host to the rowing events from the Melbourne 1956 Olympics. We saw a rowing meet there just two years ago. Here, you can see Nai and Genevieve walking where they would normally have been up to the necks in it.

When it came time to the giving of gifts, no guesses who received the most ! She received HEAPS. Honestly, we should've brought a ute! After Nana's on Saturday, we were then off to Pop's on Sunday. We thought this was to be a small(ish) lunch, however there were probably about forty there. I was happy though, as I think I ate about a whole month's worth of dead animal (pork, turkey and ham!) Genevieve had a slice of turkey, and it disappeared very quickly. And of course, more presents for Vievey.

Then, on Christmas Day we had the close family over for coffee and fruit-toast, as well as yet again, more gifts for little Genevieve.

It was great to get a shot of Genevieve with Nanna and Nana. She's seen quite a lot of both of them in the past few days, and she's loving it.

So now it looks like some other kid's toys are here, there's so many new ones. She's already chosen a few favourites... but there's plenty there for variation.

Getting excited!

...actually, probably us more than her. She doesn't really know what's going on. She's loving all the visitors though.

Thanks everyone for the cards, emails and best wishes for Christmas, and to Nanna for babysitting last night so we could go out.

We're seeing Nana for lunch today, and Genevieve will be meeting her step-cousins for the first time today - one of which is only 8 weeks younger than she is, so hopefully they'll get along.

Bah..... humbug!

Last year we drove to Adelaide for the big family Christmas.

This year, we're doing as little as possible. No tree (if you ignore the 30cm one on the mantlepiece). A few little family things, with people stopping by our place on the big day to watch Genevieve open her presents (of course, that'll mean scrunching and chewing some wrapping paper).

About the only thing we did do is ask our friend Jenn to post us another stocking from the US of A, to match the ones she gave us a few years back (which it does - it's just the camera flash making it look a different colour).