A Big Family Christmas

28/12/2025 2nd Avenue, Peaceful Bay

We are now nicely settled in our little Peacebful Bay house. More on Peaceful Bay in my next blog - I'll back track a bit to the past week... 

On the morning of Xmas Eve, we drove down to Albany - me with the car all to myself because Suzy went in the campervan with Mark. I took the opportunity to stop in Kojonup to go to the art gallery, which happened to be open. You can see my glass displayed very beautifully in the window. I told them they could put "30% off" on the pieces to help sell them (one has sold). I bought a couple of extra presents, and continued on. I thoroughly enjoyed the drive, alternating listening to podcasts with music. 

My glass in the Aura Gallery, Kojonup

When we got to mum and dad's, Suzy, mum and I had a walk around the block with the dogs. 

Then when everyone arrived (Talia and Melissa got down around 7pm) we did our family Secret Santa. Of course everyone knows whose Secret Santa is who, but it still is lovely to do. Talia was my secret santa and surprised me with two presents - a special bowl for my salads and a sun shelter for the beach. Cynthia and Warren arrived shortly after this - they brought their caravan to stay in.

Me, Suzy, Mum on our walk around the nearby bush

Melissa with new ring from Secret Santa (she is obsessed with rings)

 

Next morning was Christmas. I still put presents out for the kids - in three separate piles. Suzy had a large pile because she's been buying presents for herself with our credit card since she got home, mostly clothes. Talia and Melissa wanted cash so they just got a few small things. My main present for the kids was their photo books covering the years 2012-2025 (basically from the time I've had my iphone). I worked on these books during the campervan trip -it was a big job sorting the photos, poems, and stories by year. Anyway the kids loved them so it was worthwhile! 

Front cover of book has Talia in 2025

Back cover has Talia at 2012

Suzy with her photobook and her at 2012

Melissa holding her photobook and showing her 2012 picture

As the day progressed more and more of the family trickled in. It was a warm day, around 30 degrees (but we were happy to be missing 39 in Perth!). Wayne and Julie and kids arrived, followed by Caitlin and Andrew and kids, followed by Kaye, Wilbur and Didi, and unexpectedly even Raelene appeared. We all bought food for a late lunch, and then had our wider family Secret Santa followed by photos, volley ball, and even a hit of tennis! It was the first time the whole family has been together for a very long time - mum and dad were very happy. It all went smoothly, although I did miscalculate and set the table three chairs short!

Sitting around on the verandah chatting

Xmas lunch with bad jokes and great food

Talia and Melissa enjoying the day

Wilbur -seems to have grown again! He must be about 6 foot five!

This is everyone, even the dogs

All the grandkids and great grandkids!

 

Most people left Xmas day evening, although Warren and Cynthia stayed till Boxing Day. Talia, Melissa, and Didi went off to the Albany races, whilst Suzy dragged Mark and I into town to get shoes in the sales. Then on the 28th, we packed up and set off for Peaceful Bay.  Well we tried....

Mark had a small adventure in the supermarket car park as the Nissan broke down when he went to do the shopping (we were trying to get it to Peaceful Bay where we are hoping to sell it...). Despite much fiddling,  the bloody car wouldnt start. I drove our car up to meet Mark, did the shopping, and the damn thing STILL wasnt starting. 

I decided we had to tow the patrol so was trying to figure out how to do it.... Mean time a guy came along and said "sounds like a starter motor problem" (which we knew, although we appreciated his interest) and he started poking around. He said "you just have to hit it with a hammer" but couldnt figure out which was the starter motor. Then, another young guy came along and pulled out a hammer! We said "we dont know what is the starter motor" and he said "Don't worry, I'm a mechanic". 

After some banging and fiddling, miraculously, the car went - so - with profuse thanks to the mechanic - Mark collected Suzy and drove all the way to PB without stopping! (Of course now we have arrived it wont go again!).

Melissa, Didi, and Talia all dressed up for the Boxing Day Races