Santa Train Ride

We went on a steam train ride last weekend. We all really enjoyed it so much. It was an hour trip, the adults got wine and mince pies and the kids got a juice and a present from Father Christmas. Was really worth it, Isabella was happy and relaxed the whole time, enjoyed some strawberries and didn't cry at Father Christmas although he didn't quite get a smile from her.

Christmas 2013

We've had a lovely Christmas, our first Christmas with Isabella. Andre had to work Christmas Eve, but finished early. We had a little family Christmas photo shoot and so almost forgot to put dinner in the oven. I wanted to leave the photos as late in the evening as possible because I wanted to change Isabella into her Christmas outfit and wanted her to still wear it the next day. Well, at least it stayed clean for the photos which we took dangerously close to her bottle and bed time hence the faces in the last few photos. She then had her bottle which she spit up all over the front of her outfit... No worries, we wiped it and some baby lotion helped mask the smell.

Early Christmas morning we flew to Germany to spend a few days with the family. Isabella surprised us by being very cool and calm about traveling as though she's done it many times before. She did have two long flights behind her before birth. She decided to put my airplane nappy changing skills to the test when her nappy leaked and we had to have a complete outfit change including a whole body wipe-down in the airplane bathroom. So she arrived in Germany on Christmas morning wearing pink instead of red.

Waking up Christmas morning.

Tagged and ready to fly!

Enjoying her in flight meal.

Luckily her Aunty Simone was ready with another cute Christmas outfit when we arrived!

Santa baby!

Isabella enjoyed all the attention from the family and her parents enjoyed a little bit of a break from feeding and entertaining. She must have been a super good baby as she also got spoilt with loads of presents for Christmas!

Boxing Day at West Wittering Beach

It was raining every day between Christmas and New Year but Boxing Day felt especially cold and windy. We drove anyway after spending two days at home. We've not been to West Wittering before. It seemed like a lovely beach. Must be a popular beach as there were lots of people. We didn't stay very long though. When we got out the car there Andre realised he had left his jacket at home! I was freezing with my coat so could just imagine how cold Andre must have been. Him and his dad took a few photos while Marietjie and I tried to hide from the wind. Then we got in the car and drove to Ikea! Much warmer!

Cold and windy! Quite like a Cape Town winter's day!

Perfect wind for the kite surfers

Typical English beach with pebbles.

Christmas Eve & Day

Andre and I both still had to work Christmas Eve, me luckily only the morning, Andre had the late shift until 7pm. So we decided not to cook a big meal as we usually do for Christmas Eve but have canapés instead and cook on Christmas Day. Andre of course made us stay awake until midnight to open presents.

I bought him this t-shirt. I think it
matches his expression above!

Christmas Day we also spent at home. The girls cooking and the guys watching and giving instructions! Lots of good food and family time at home.

Checking on the roast potatoes and parsnips.

Made mulled cider for the first time and
it turned out so good!

Christmas holiday

Andre's dad and stepmom arrived the 22nd of December. We were waiting for them at the airport and they snuck up behind us and surprised us! We were actually standing watching a police officer with a sniffer dog randomly checking people's luggage when more police officers appeared with big guns slung across their chests. We were discussing how they must have just appeared because of the flight from South Africa having just landed ;-) Just kidding! Kind of!

We had a lovely time with them. We both love love love having family around us although for some reason the family seems to not always understand this and is often wary of staying too long!

So they arrived on Saturday, we spent the day at home and on Sunday went to London to the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. As I understood it's meant to be a Christmas market type thing but it was really more of an Octoberfest (loads of rides) with a bit of Christmas market on the side! It was great though. We had a good time there. Lots of color, lots of people, good food like crepes which is very German Christmas market-like. But also a beer tent- fun, but not very German Christmas market-like!

We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon strolling down Oxford Street and Regent Street admiring the Christmas lights. I love Christmas lights!!