Aaron and Anna return home

Aaron and Anna had to return to England. We were all sad to see them go. A week goes by so quickly. Emilie is still not feeling very well so it wasnt just a surfeit of chocolate and excitement.

Abigails Birthday

It was Abigails birthday and she always moans about it being in the middle of Christmas and new year and that no one can eat much and she doesnt get a cake.................

A frozen park

We needed a walk in the fresh air to clear our heads after all the rich food of Christmas. It was quite cold in the city but we stopped for coffee and a sandwich at the art gallery. Then Aaron and Anna got their wine supplies to take home.

Boxing Day

Oh dear after a lovley Christmas day Emilie was poorly she was very sick and feeling very sad. Its a good job there were lots of people to cuddle and make her feel a bit better. She couldnt even get off the sofa to play with her new toys. Frank was ok it gave him time to master the new Wii game Marios olympics. Amelia and Martin came back for dinner and tree presants.

Jingle Bells

Emilie wanted to have a Piano for Christmas but as they are both large and expensive she got an electronic one for starters. She was so thrilled when she opend it she was speechless.It took her less than an hour and she was playing Jingle Bells.

He had been

Father Christmas had certainly been in the night and we must have been very very good. There were lots and lots of nice things for everyone. It took quite a while to open everything. Amelia and Martin had to leave as they were having dinner with Martins family. I think Lilie enjoyed her first Christmas. when asked if he had had a nice day Frank said yes but I dont want another Christmas till I am old we new just how he felt.

An almost White Christmas

We had a hoare frost in the night which made everything very picturesque not quite snow but it was beautiful. The children were not up too early about 9am to open their stockings.We checked to see if Father Christmas had eaten the pie left out for him. Then the tradition in our family is to get dressed and have breakfast of scambled eggs and smoked salmon. Then with a glass of Champaign in hand we see if HE HAS BEEN. The youngest goes in first and then hands out gifts to everyone.

Christmas Eve

We always have ham egg and chips for dinner on Christmas eve. This year Martins family joined us so we were a very large family gathering which was wonderful. We had our dinner followed by a game on the Wii where Frankie was the star performer.

Aaron & Anna arrive

It was very exciting when Aaron and Anna arrived. Emilie and Frank were very pleased to see them both and it was the first time that they had met Lilliane. It was the start of Christmas for us all. They had brought bacon and white sliced bread. So guess what we had for tea. More importantly they had brought parsnips and swede for Christmas dinner...............

Brrrrrrrrrrrr its cold outside

Frankie and Emilie were back at school this week, but Frank was quite worn out in the afternoons and couldn't even stay awake to play on the playstation.Wednesday we went out to finish our Christmas shopping and of course we had to have lunch. Amelia and I had duck breast with foie gras on pasta absolutely delicious and Abs had lasagna.Today it was minus 9c when we got up so I very kindly asked Malcolm to sort out the wild bird feeders he was really pleased.

Our very own Superstar

http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/yourlife/sexandhealth/2007/12/21/oli-s-new-lungs-are-best-present-ever-89520-20261593/

Check out Oli's story here. We are all so proud of him and so so pleased he is home for Christmas.

Mean Green Sewing Machine

Malcolm got a George Foreman grill for his birthday but he calls it his Mean Green Sewing Machine. So he tried it out for his breakfast this morning and was very pleased with it. He also got a gizmo from Amelia that stops pine martins from chewing up the wires in the car. Not something we ever had the need for in England, but we don't need a repeat performance of last winter.I got him the DVDs of The World at War and the children got him an apron with Grumpy Old Man on the front............

Double celebration

Today is Malcolm's 59th birthday. (The BIG one next year) so after presents and champagne we all went out for dinner. We had a toast to Oli who had his first outing post transplant to a pub for lunch. After dinner it was back home for coffee and birthday cake.

Busy busy busy

We have had a busy week this week. The children have been off school ill and Malcolm has been recovering from his virus. Emilie still has to do all her school work as home work, which is not easy when you don't feel well. ( its not easy anyway. I have trouble with the maths already)Its a good job she has her grandad. Wednesday I went Christmas shopping with Amelia we had a nice day and got most things done..........Frankie has become an expert on the washing machine and tumble dryer he loves to load it all and watch the machines. Lilie is growing very fast and will soon be as big as the other two.

Decorations

Today I put up the Christmas decorations. There was a short break in the terrible weather which enabled me to put the lights on the Christmas tree outside and have a quick sweep up. The flower pots still have dead geraniums in them as there has been no let up in the rain to give me a chance to replant them. Frankie had an aeroplane that he kept taking apart and then asking for it to be rebuilt ( not an easy job) so Malcolm has glued it together. We had some Christmas treats a Good snow man and a Christmas snail.

Bob the builder man

Malcolm has been very busy this week. He hung some pictures at Abigail's and helped Romain to put up the lights in the kitchen. He has had a virus that he caught off the children, sore throat and headaches. Poor Frankie had to have the Doctor out his throat was so swollen he couldn't swallow..

Kleeschen

Emilie and Frankie were very excited today because the Kleeschen came last night and brought presents. He had brought them sweets for their slippers on the previous 4 days it should have been 5 days but they were naughty on Monday and so got nothing at all............ Emilie had a princess coach and pony for baby born. Frankie had a new baby boy, and Liliane had a mobile for her cot.

Legend has it that the Kleeschen brought back to life 3 children who were savagely killed by a butcher, ready to be turned into sausages. Being a good-natured child-loving chap, he promptly resurrected the children with God's help ... "Kleeschen" is in fact, none other than St. Nicholas. Kleeschen goes around to check on children to see whether they deserve any presents and drops chocolates or sweets into their slippers. During the night of the 5th of December he enters the houses and brings the children presents.