Boxing Day 2024

Still playing catch-up on the Xmas blogs and only just got around to uploading a few of the pictures from our Boxing Day family get together. I am not going to write much on this blog as it was all the usual shenanigan's but without the giant Xmas cracker for the secret Santa presents this year. Instead we all agreed to have completely anonymous secret Santa presents (rather than buying for a specific person) and then randomly picking them out of a giant wrapped box.

We started the food before presents this year as Matthew was stuck in traffic coming from the tunnel.

Didn't seem like any arguments about having gammon sandwiches before presents.

Holly chilling on her phone and waiting for more presents.

Eventually everyone was here and it was time to cram in to the living room for some presents.

Present time...

Rare moment where Josh was down with the family and not hiding away in his bedroom.

Tina and Brandon opening some presents.

Holly was spoilt as usual and had loads to open.

Lea seems very happy about her book.

We thought this was perfect present for Nicky from the kiddies.

Really pleased Amy liked her Terrifier throw (even if it will give Nicky nightmares!).

Updated 2024 picture of the 4 siblings - one year older.

At everyone's request the PS3 Buzz game was dusted off for some family fun.

Buzz is always good fun as 4 people can plat at once.

Rory even dusted off last years family present which has hardly been used.

Michael trying to stick Grinch's hat on his head whilst blindfolded.

Zoe's turn.

Auntie Lea. How can she place it so high being so short?

David getting close. Not sure who won in the end. Might have been Amy.

Auntie Lisa having a go.

Always got an ear pod in and listening to music!

Tina and Brandon having a play fight.

Holly sitting down to have some food with her Uncle David and Uncle Michael.

Holly playing with some of her presents.

Tina and Holly in their matching outfits for Boxing Day.

No giant cracker for 2024, instead a Secret Santa box to pick out a random present.

Tina and Brandon cuddles.

Looking cool in one of his many new Xmas outfits.

Family picture (less Matt and Amber as they had left and Joshua who was hiding up in his room).

Christmas Day 2024

Better late than never but here is the blog update for our Christmas Day 2024. Despite having a new "Dad-cam" and a phone camera, surprisingly I didn't take that many pictures. As usual the five of us just stayed at home on Xmas day as I always think it is unfair to go dragging the kids around everywhere when all they want to do is play with their presents. That being said we actually got a good lay-in on Xmas day as I don't think any of the kiddies woke before 9am meaning I had time for a cold plunge and a skull crusher coffee to start my day.

Brandon didn't really have a main present this year as his list mostly contained lots and lots and lots of clothes. Probably his two main presents outside of clothes was a new watch and some aftershave - needless to say he had the most presents. Joshua went to the other extreme and wanted a PS5 for his bedroom, so he really only got the one main present and then a few smaller bits. Holly was similar to Brandon in that she didn't really want a main present and therefore had lots of little ones like clothes, Lego, jigsaws, viewfinder, Tamagotchi to name a few. It is always difficult to buy for Holly with her birthday so close to Xmas, but basically she got tonnes of Stitch items.

Anyway we had a nice relaxing Xmas day, played lots of games, ate and drank loads throughout the day and then settled down for a nice big festive dinner. Brandon was a lot more sensible with the alcohol this year and paced himself without mixing drinks. So unlike last year he made it past 9pm and even better he didn't throw up everywhere!

Santa had been over night and left a sack for everyone. As usual mine was the smallest.

Brandon had the most presents so was pretty much opening two to everyone elses one.

Brandon's new jacket to add to his collection of coats.

Holly with a Stitch light for her bedroom.

Josh had a few small presents but then just one main present.

Brandon trying out one of his new jumpers from Shein.

And Joshies main present was a PS5. He only wants it to play the new CoD game.

Brandon with a personalised Linkin Park pint glass.

Holly with more Stitch presents.

Another Stitch Lego for Holly to get cracking on with.

Brandon got a couple of Linkin Park canvas prints for his bedroom.

Some cargo's for Josh as we are fed up with him living in jogging bottoms all the time!

Didn't take him long to crack in to that box. He has hardly used it since though and still sticks to GT5 on his PC!

Brandon and Holly showing off some of their new outfits and Holly with her Tamagotchi.

Lots of Disney characters for Holly to unlock on her Tamagotchi.

In the afternoon we played Holly's new Stitch Monopoly (which of course I won!).

Amazed that both Josh and Brandon agreed to play.

Table prep'd and ready for the festive dinner.

Christmas feast time.

This was my Xmas dinner for 2025, my god did those brussels work quickly this year.

Holly eating a tub of frozen peas (she doesn't like them cooked!).