Santa Done and Dusted

Christmas is "done and dusted" as the Aussies would say. The holiday came and went so quickly this year.

Even Mickey gets into the holiday spirit

We had a great turnout on Christmas Eve as we hosted the 2nd Annual "Bangers on Bray" street party in our driveway for all our neighbors. "Bangers" is Australian for "sausages" and grilling them up on the "barbie" with a side of grilled onions is a national past time and, what I think, is a primary food source for all the munchkins in Oz. We even had a visit from Santa.

Our Bray Street Neighbors

Our next door neighbors - Glenn and Vicki

Ben grilling up the "snags" and onions on the "barbie"

Santa makes the rounds on Bray Street

Christmas day was hot and humid as you'd expect it to be in the middle of summer, but we all managed to stay cool with a good selection of holiday beverages on hand. Thanks Mary, the Pomegranate Martinis were a hit and very refreshing!

Christmas Elves!

Santa Bindi

Bindi waiting for her Christmas treat

Santa brings Bindi a new toy

Ben loves those Dewar's Chews - thanks Lorrie!

Granny Cheryl with her "grand dog" Bindi

Santa delivered a Wii into the King household this year (we must have been really good) so there was plenty of sports activities in our livingroom over the weekend. Lulu kicks butt in boxing and baseball!

MIL (mother-in-law) and FIL (father-in-law) duke it out on the Wii

Wii Boxers - Lulu KOs Benjo in the 3rd!

On Boxing Day (December 26th) we had a wonderful change in weather which brought cooler temps (yeah) and much need precipitation. We also set up the ping pong table in the garage and played croquet on the front lawn in between rain showers. Fun was had by all! Of course there was too much good food and sweets consumed so we now have 12 months to work it all off. Good thing we got a Wii Fit too!

Thanks Kelly for the canned cheeries, my pie tasted like a piece of home to me.

"Chrissy" in the Enviro Corner

I decided to bring a little Christmas spirit into work with me today (Christmas Eve) and give the Aussie boys in the Technical Services Department an idea of how an American celebrates the festive season. I have decorations scattered all around my little Enviro corner with a "Home for the Holidays" Yankee candle burning and Christmas music playing on my iPod in the background. Yes, there is a tiny Christmas tree with Mickey Mouse ornaments all over it displayed on my filing cabinet that is unfortunately out of the picture. The Department Manager took this photo of me to share with the rest of the company - all I'm missing is the red Santa hat! Can you tell I'm actually working?

Deck the Halls

Even though a live Douglas Fir can only be found in my dreams here in Oz an artificial tree and a Yankee Candle seems to help fill the void of a fresh cut Chrismtas tree. Our tree has been decorated with memorable ornaments from near and far and the stockings are hung just awaiting the magic that Christmas morning brings.