Dawes Family in New Zealand

A Dawesland Christmas 2009

I will admit, after 4 Christmases now in NZ we were really started to feel it this year, the last few years we have been lacking in something, not really sure what exactly, but just something. It’s probably the change of season or the change of weather that has thrown us, but now maybe because we are really starting to chill out a lot more (and really turn into Kiwis!) that we are literally realising that some things are not worth worrying about too much!

Of course we had one very excited little girl in our home, even more so than last year as Bethany was really into the whole Santa thing and truly adored the whole idea of it. This year she had only asked for two things on her list to Santa (which sadly we don’t have a copy of as they did them at school): A Moxie Girlz and her own box of chocolates!

Christmas Eve was a joyous day, we enjoyed a lovely dinner and then played games before Bethany took herself off to bed at 7pm – not before of course leaving out some Christmas cake, a glass of wine, a carrot for Rudolf and a note to the big man in red just saying thanks.

The next morning was a flurry at 6.02am as the door flew open to our bedroom. Bethany said she had seen a 5 on her clock but waited till it at least said 6 before coming to get us – how very considerate!

Of course Bethany loved opening her presents first from Santa (Santa being extra generous this year and packing the stockings for Bethany’s teddy bear Whitey and even Denver and Bailey!). Bethany was delighted at the fact Santa had given her exactly what she asked for - he is a good old chap!

Afterwards we all sat and opened presents from each other and from family in the UK, of course Bethany’s mound was huge, ours not so big this year – mainly as we have a million thanks to our parents for buying us a stunning new BBQ and lots of gardening things – our new project (which will re-commence once the rain and the silly season is over) was only possible because of them. We really are thankful to all who sent presents and cards, I have mentioned it a million times before in other blog posts but it really does mean the world to us to know you think of us still.

Under a mound of wrapping paper emerged two gorgeous doggies with silly doggy smiles, happily chomping their way through some some doggy treats, then running wildly with new squeaky toys…oh the simplicity of it all!

Breakfast came in the way of Chef Michael who prepared a lovely BBQ full English….yummo.

The rest of the day was playing, singing, eating (I cooked a roast dinner again) and, well, drinking bubbles! There were a few clouds in the sky and the odd wind gust but the temperatures were high 20′s and lovely enough for Bethany to be able to splash around in her paddling pool. Denver also taking to it when Bethany wasn’t looking!

We finished the night with a Christmas movie and we all snuggled together on the sofa with the candles flickering before it was time to go to sleep and dream about the wonder of the day. This probably reads like it was the most perfect day ever? Well apart from the obvious fact we really missed our family – it actually was a perfect Christmas Day.

It’s been raining ever since, and we have plans for New Year’s Eve which might not actually happen yet because of the rain, we will have to see. 2010 is approaching, I hope 2009 was good to you…although 2010 is going to be a big year, for us in particular – but more on that later.

Happy Christmas everyone, hope yours was as magical as ours!!