Christmas Holidays

I can't believe we are already at the end of the holidays and that my alarm is set for 6:30am tomorrow morning! Not looking forward to it at all, but I guess its a choice I need to make, to choose to be happy and make the most of every day I have been given.

We started off our holiday with the Carey Floor Care Christmas dinner, which was held at a restaurant literally a few feet from our frint door. After dinner, we had a few ones round our place before calling it a night. The rest of the holiday literally is a blur. We had so much going on in such a small space of time. The American family all arrived for the wedding and we had to get our spare room ready for family staying over. Christmas and Boxing day passed us by so quickly - we had dinner both days at my in-laws. Turkey, gammon and all the trimmings. Then all the wedding stuff really got going and the last of the running around was done. 

Cassie the reindeer

On the Friday before the wedding, I went over to Joanne's and started baking Rosie's christening cake. It took me 11 hours! It was Joanne's mom's birthday, so she got into a cake of her own, which turned out really well too.

The Chrsitening was the day before the wedding, but we didn't stay very long, because of a few last minute run-arounds. The wedding was beautiful, and Christina looked amazing. I don't have very good pics because I took it with my phone, but here's one in the meantime. 

For the evening do (after the meal etc) Mark and Christina organised a hog roast. And a South African company at that! Had a fat old chat with the owner (he is from Vereeninging) and has been living here for 11 years! 

Needless to say there was enough hog roast left to feed Ireland and we ate it for 2 days after. We stayed at the reception until pretty much everyone had left (just after 3am) and just in time to see Mark do a very special dance for his bride to I'm too sexy for my shirt. He wiggled his hips, danced around a pole, (with his long legs) and at one point he nearly took off his shirt! Christina crawled under one of the tables - she was THAT embarassed. It was a brilliant day.On New Years Day, Christina's family was all still here, so we went for a walk in the forest park and went back to my in-laws place for some hog roast. This was followed by a pub quiz, and we only got into bed at 4am. No wonder I have a throat infection - all the laughing and screaming and performing (we are a very competitve family)!

I really can't even remember what else we did. I baked and took the spoils over to Joanne's, spent some time with the twins, Conor and Ewan (3 months old) and finished the holidays off with a post Christmas lunch and shop (hit the sales) with Joanne in Antrim. Here is a pic of our delicious meal before we start the detox and healthy eating habits tomorrow.

lasagne

homemade chocolate pudding

tried a new decorating idea

homemade brownies

All in all, it was a holiday filled with friends, family and good food. Lets hope next Christmas we'll be home for Christmas! Wishing you all a very blessed 2013.