Some things change.......

............some things stay the same.................

Whilst there have been some big changes in my life this past year there are some things that have stayed the same.....the lead up to Christmas was (as always) busy and sometimes tiring.......but the day itself was fabulous.......no dramas.....food was great and company was excellent.  Lots of laughs as presents were opened and old times relived.  Mark and Terri hosted the day at my house

.......sorting out the esky's was a serious task for everyone to get involved in.....Terri was supervising to ensure there was room for food as well as drinks.........the boys seemed to be leaning in the direction of more drinks...less food.......(notice even Rose was putting her 2 cents worth in......)

I finished icing the cakes late last night......and there isn't much of this one left tonight! The Santa used to be on our Christmas cake every year when I was growing up........and he is still there......

Another  thing that stayed the same this year was starting a jigsaw to be worked on during the holiday break whilst watching the cricket or just relaxing....Rhiannon and Wade bought me this one which I started late this afternoon.......

One thing about my kids.......they are competitive......not sure where that comes from.....?? There are those who say it is me........me??....I am not so sure........anyhoo..........who knew that putting together the frame of the jigsaw was a competition.......???  Rhiannon's BF Wade jumped right in as soon as they arrived back from his parents house.....

.....and before long everyone was involved.......there was a lot of sledging about methods employed by some "jigsaw-ers"........but tonight the frame is complete..........and I can get on with filling in the rest of it over the next couple of weeks........

Someone who didn't get involved with the jigsaw was Rose......she is all Christmassed out and took to her blanket for a well earned rest after a strenuous day!

Thanks to everyone for helping make this such a wonderful day......Terri did a great job in the kitchen and turned out an excellent lunch.......Mark was in charge of dinner and did a fabulous job of combining left-overs into toasted sandwiches for everyone ....followed by cake and/or chocolates.  I was going to have an early night tonight....but that hasn't happened. But..... tomorrow will be a lazy day.....watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart (yacht) race and then the Boxing Day test (cricket) from Melbourne......and probably a nanna nap in the afternoon! (and of course jigsawing!)

Hoping everyone out there in blog land had (or is having) a fantastic Christmas and I look forward with new hope and confidence to a brilliant year in 2011.  Here's to change....and things that stay the same!

'Til next time....................Lorraine