I am going to take a break from my normal blog posts to wish you all a wonderful Xmas and a very Happy New Year. As you know, my last blog post was about Sedona in Arizona. Normally I would keep my posts in order following the places we have visited, but felt I would interrupt the normal process by sharing our special Christmas with you all.
Obviously we travelled East from Arizona toward Florida, then North into Pennsylvania (where we first began our trip 5 months ago.) We were excited to be seeing Lynda, Alan and Scarlett again, as well as Alan’s sons and their families, who had flown from Australia to spend Xmas with their Dad and Lynda and Scarlett as well.
Justin, Patty, Mark, Trev and Mariella
Mariella with Akaisha.
Christmas eve was a very enjoyable evening with us meeting a lovely family, friends of Lynda and Alan’s. Mark, Patty, Justin and Mariella were fascinating to talk to and very accommodating when we took the kids outside to leave food for Santa’s reindeer.
Coats on to go outside....
...to leave food for Santa's reindeers.
Chayse with no coat, but lots of reindeer food.
Lynda, Alan and Scarlett sprinking reindeer food in preparation for Santa coming.
The children (under Kaitlin’s guidance) wrote letters to Santa, and left them in designated areas in the living rooms. Santa was going to have a big job leaving little surprises in twelve different areas (seven for our children, one for Scarlett and four for Alan’s Grandchildren).
Kit found a place under a table...
...whilst Amber's place was the chair.
Terri-Anne wondering how Santa will leave pressies for 12 kids!
Xmas is never complete without a beautiful tree.
The kids were very excited going to bed that night and I thought they may not sleep, but I think the excitement of the days leading up to Christmas and the goings on with many people enabled them to fall to sleep without too much trouble.
Trevor and I spend a few more hours finishing off the wrapping of presents (glad I wasn’t trying to wrap for 7 kids in the RV….that would have been a nightmare). As it was, we were staying in Lynda’s huge art room, which she had transformed by hiring bunk beds for the kids and a queen size bed for us. It was spacious and warm and perfect for our size family.
Christmas Day…………….was it a white Christmas?
Alas, no…….but special nonetheless. The kids found that Santa had left them all a pile of pressies, and they spent the next half an hour “oohing” and “aaahhhing” at what Santa had bought for them all.
Santa's been to visit with pressies everywhere.
Kaitlin with Akaisha (her first Christmas!)
Chayse being pleasantly surprised.
Flynn excited about hs spy gear!
Is that a watch I spy, Jai?
Santa found Amber's note.
Kit was spoilt with gifts.
Santa left Scarlett a new car!
Santa spoilt everyone and nobody was disappointed.
Kayla and Aiden with their cool toys.
Thomas and Jack in Scarlett's car.
A few calls to Australia to wish our families a great Xmas (although by then it was nearly over for people in Oz).
A skype call to Gran and Grandad....
....and a phone call to Nana and Pop.
Akaisha with Aunty Lynda
Then with Mum....
...and then Dad!
This was followed by a lovely breakfast cooked by Alan, Steven and Keith. We filled our bellies before we all settled down to open presents we had given each other.
Alan helping Scarlett....
...unwrap her presents.
Amber unwrapping her presents...
...with Kait and Akaisha sitting.....
...and Steven and Chantelle watching.
Lo and behold, there were more surprises in store! Guess who was in the neighbourhood and decided to stop by and surprise all of the kids!!
Look! It's Santa!
What a great surprise!
A Santa who can make....
...balloon candy canes!
Santa with the Howitt Clan.
Jack, Kayla, Aiden and Scarlett.
The children spent the next few hours playing with presents they had received from Santa, their parents and relatives.
Flynn giving Scarlett a lesson in her motorised car.
Amber and Chayse playing wth their assortment of toys.
Kayla with Rapunzel Barbie.
Thomas with Mum Terri-Anne.
We received a skype call from Daphne and Nick (cousin to Trev’s Dad and a gorgeous couple we stayed with in Texas). Meanwhile Lynda had done a splendid job of organising caterers to take care of Xmas lunch/dinner. She had everything organised to the finest detail and made for a very yummy and festive day.
Alan and Lynda
Trev and Cathy
Steven and Chantelle
Amber, Jack and Terri-Anne
Keith choosing from the buffet.
Jai, Kit, Aiden and Kayla
Flynn and Chayse
Kait and Scarlett
Our children were able to experience a real gourmet Christmas followed by traditional sweets (desserts).
Pudding and cake...
...with Christmas carols
Akaisha loving it.
The official photographer..
..has an eye on Kait!
...who has an eye on the delicious desserts!
Just when we thought gift giving was over, we found some more pressies (left there because we had been surprised by the visit from Santa!)
Lynda with her gift.
Steven with his cool tie.
Trev getting spoilt...
..as was Cathy, Terri-Anne and Chantelle with their diamond bracelets!
Most of us were ready for an early night, and I must say that having a late breakfast, then an afternoon dinner was perfect, and we actually went to bed without feeling bloated.
Scarlett trying on her art smock.
Akaisha playing with the ribbon.
Finally the day takes its toll on Alan and Akasiha
Thankyou Lynda and Alan for a wonderful Christmas…not a white one, but a fun one filled with lots of festive cheer. Maybe we’ll get a white New Year!
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