ChristmAUSSIE

Our first Aussie Christmas was an unforgettable one to say the least.  We celebrated with about fifty others, who were all so welcoming to us.  Our friends' family has a huge gathering every year, with more food and presents than you could imagine!  It was so comforting to be around a family for the holidays and fun to see the different traditions they have.  We feel thankful that we didn't have to spend the day alone.  They even had a contest to see who could guess correctly "What dish will the Texans bring?"  Love it.  

The giant Christmas tree!! And all the place settings…about ten tables worth.  

The boys and I.  Look at that spread…turkey, ham, lobster, prawns, whole fish, and too many dishes to count! And if you were wondering, the Texans (us) brought southern cornbread dressing and pecan pie.  The dressing recipe is a classic from my grandma and the pie recipe came from my new cookbook!  R actually made the pie…and baked the crust from scratch.  Being the rule follower my husband is, you can bet he followed that recipe to the tee.

Jackie's adorable niece who is 3 going on 30.  

They also hooked us up with band gear so we can be true Aussie groupies now. 

Too bad it stormed all day..we planned to go to the beach after lunch, but the weather didn't want to cooperate.  Maybe next year.  Instead, we settled in at home with some holiday movies.  We also really enjoyed the midnight Christmas Eve candlelight service at church to celebrate.  

I could get used to R being around more during the day.  We have been trying to do something special every day that he's been off from work.  More time to play in the park and run around the neighborhood :)  Now that's what I call summer. 

More gifts and celebrating!  Even Teddy was able to join in on the fun.  Is this burlap "be merry" banner adorable or what?!  My sweet sis ordered it on etsy!  Such a great surprise as it was our only holiday decoration this year. Just wasn't worth lugging a tree home on public transport :)

All Teddy, all the time.  

Huge tree in the city.

R has time off from work= movie going.  Les Miserables and The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.  Both amazing…in different ways.  The first obviously a classic reinvented and captivating onscreen and the second inspirational, quirky, and real.  

Snag Stand for an "American classic" and "Spicy Cheese Kransky" haute dog as they call it.  

And so it begins…NYE madness.  Our neighborhood is one of the prime spots to catch Sydney's famous fireworks show over the harbour so we have been told.  We have also been warned not to leave our place the day of as the streets are too packed to leave!!  Looking forward to seeing what this is all about and having a few friends over to ring in the new year!

Cheers!