Celebrations..

Friday dawns and the weather is looking fabulous for the weekend visitors.

A 10°C increase in temperature compared to last weekend when we had a top of 13° C.

Cygnet is becoming all Chrismassy...with surprise decorations appearing on town buildings overnight..

The afternoon arrives in no time and Narns and Jark are the first to arrive..
Hannah has outdone herself ,applying her brilliant 'event management' skills.
She has co-ordinated meal preparation plans with Jess/Aaron, Lucy/Paul and Jark..
made up an exhaustive shopping list , organised for Jark, Lucy and Paul to do the shopping(while she is nursing) and brought it all down in her car. All whilst on a full time Nursing prac at Royal Hobart Hospital, doing Uni assignments and working at night at Rockwall a few nights a week to earn some money... What a girl.
(we won't mention the dessert that was left behind in the freezer!!)

The man of the moment arrives...along with his lovely mum and dad (So wonderful to see Jess and Aaron and Ben here) Thomas delights in playing with Benjamin

Bath time in the laundry tub goes down well..

What a gorgeous boy..so precious

More games..

Lucy and Paul prepare Friday evening meal ..with some help fron Jark and Narns..
Thanks guys...delicious!!

Just amazing to have my whole family together...happy happy happy

After dinner, the Brandi Dog challenge begins in the shop..so as not to disturb sleeping Tom

Saturday...just stunning..

I spot mother duck with her yellow and brown ducklings..

Unca Tom..

A bit of an impromptu performance from Benjamin..

Aunty Luce

Aunty Narns

Oh what a face ..makes your heart melt..

My turn..

Breakie time

Morning nap time..

Then up to the hill for a look about..

The boys lend John a hand moving timber up to the cubby site.

The girls do some aunty-ing..

Saturday lunch and  it is Jess and Aaron's turn to cook

Best picnic spot ever..

After lunch game of Bocce for those keen enough...

Maybe a spot of tree climbing for the youngen..

Afternoon nap time for our boy...

The wheelbarrow makes a lovely 'manger'...

Afternoon Brandi Dog Challenge.. (Narns and Jark have driven back to town to get dessert for tonight)

Unca Tome entertains Benjamin

Beautiful..

Time for the Christmas happy family snap..

Hannah sets up my camera and we manage to get everyone looking at the right moment!!

The Crandons...

Love Christmas..love my children..

Pressie opening time for Benjamin...with a little help from Unca Tom

Hmm...I like this horsey..

But this paper is even better...

Story time

Cute couple...

Make my heart glad to have everyone here...

'Christmas dinner ..table set

Jark and Narns do a brilliant job... delish..

Ma's Peruvian Nativity is centre piece..

Pressie giving between courses...Tom is bursting to get started..

John and I love the hats with lights from Lucy and Paul...now we can work into the night up on the hill!!

Jark puts finishing touches on the spectacular dessert..

Tom loves his Minecraft hat, Dragon T-shirt and lollipop from Benjamin (and J & A)

Lookin' good Jark and Narns..

Forget the spoon!! YUM

Brandi Dog is on again...

Wonderful pressies shared , fabulous dinner..Christmas together...nothing better.

Guest sleeping quarters in the attic..

Sunday Paul must leave us early to get back to Sydney...last cuddles

Ben takes a fancy to our shop labradour..reminds him of 'Buddy'

Love hugs

Chilling out with Unca Tom

Aaron gets some exercise..

Dad is not impressed to see Ben in the fire engine!!

Maybe a horsey ride instead

A pleasant stroll down to Martin's Point...Tom has a paddle.

And so does Benjamin..

Love to hold these moments in my memory to treasure when everyone has gone back to their homes.

My darling boy..

Jark and Narns drive Lucy to the airport as they are heading home..

It has been a wonderful weekend together...The best gift..one I had not thought possible this year ..given everyone's commitments and financial burdens.. SO SO PRECIOUS...THANKYOU

Monday before school..last play..

Jess Aaron and Ben head home Monday morning...a long day of travel ahead..

Christmas festivities continue..with scouts break up BBQ Monday evening..

The weather turns...and we experience heavy showers and Thunder storms throughout Tuesday..Very unusual to have thunder storms here

Baking for teachers' gifts..

Tuesday evening is Swansong sing and Social...last night of this season..
I am presented with a large bunch of beautiful flowers in gratitude for the use of the shop space for rehearsals each week..lovely.

Wednesday I am official invite to the Prize giving assembly as I am on the Board. Even get a mention in the welcome to honorary guests..

Tom is  receives the award for ' Safe'..
One of the qualities of the FLAMES school motto. FaithLearningAttitiudeMutual respectEncouragementSafe.
These 6 awards are given out in each Primary class.. (not 100% sure what the safe award means)

Tom's Principal Award that he received on St James' feast day..was also mentioned.

Proud of my beautiful boy.

Thursday we are flat out in the shop with another Taiwan order on the go...so I miss Community garden again. I manage to drop down some biscuits I baked to add to their lunchtime feast though.

Tom arrives home..HAPPY holidays!!

After work John and I walk up to Birte and Bob's place in town to join in at Tom's 'Garden Larder' work Christmas gathering and BBQ. Nice of Bec to invite us along.

We enjoy an early dinner.(ravenous after such a hectic day)..and socialise before wandering home.

I suspect tomorrow may be another busy one...we already have 5 orders to be done ...and the day hasn't begun yet..