Christmas

 Christmas was very different this year.

Hannah couldn't join us. I think this is the first year that one of the kids wasn't at home. Even on the years that they had work on Christmas Day they could have dinner together.

Hannah planned to come for a couple of days but she was asked to work. The nursery she is working at has a lot of staff out sick, flu season! Hannah was happy to pick up some extra shifts as she needs the money. She treated herself to a nice dinner in the evening! Pizza, sushi, chips and a salad (at least she got something a bit healthy!)

Hannah's Christmas dinner

Of course she got herself a cake.

Cake and a musical to watch, happy Hannah!!

Our Christmas dinner was very unique! No turkey, not even a roast dinner. We had BBQ!  Yep, we sat outside eating BBQ.

This was all David's idea! When he went shopping last week he called and said "Mom I've bought a BBQ set, we can have BBQ for Christmas dinner!" This was while I was sick last week, so I actually just agreed with him without thinking it through at all!  

The fun started with putting the BBQ grill together.

David and Mikey putting the grill together

Then came the problem of getting the charcoal to light! David has bought charcoal and a special liquid to start the fire. Of course nobody read the instructions until we had been messing around for about half an hour.

Trying to get the BBQ hot

3 wise men?????

Still waiting to start cooking!

The lads finally got things figured out and we could start cooking! Mikey actually did the cooking!

Mikey burning the sausages!

David having a go!

Even though it wasn't a traditional Christmas dinner it was nice. I think this is the first time I haven't cooked!

We didn't really do presents. I bought a little something for everyone, I'll get Hannah something when she visits, maybe next week!

Few more photos from the day!

Beef, mushrooms, chicken skewers and sausages

Sweet potatoes cooked in the grill

Beautiful blue sky!

presents

Christopher

The next photo I wasn't going to use but this is me.

I've always been fat and ugly, now I can add old to that list!

I didn't  recognize myself!

In the afternoon we had to go to the other house!  Mikey had a few lessons, I had one make up lesson from last week.

There is still cleaning to be done and the last few things to be packed up.  I did a bit but started to feel awful after a while.  Usually a short rest helps me to be able to push through but yesterday I just couldn't get any energy. I decided to go to the local clinic, I need something to stop the cough that has been hanging on for a few weeks, and was made a lot worse by the cold I had last week. I've also had diarrhea for over a month! I'm unable to rest properly so my body isn't recovering!! The doctor thinks that because I've been under a lot of stress then I'm not recovering! Came away with 5 different types of medicine. I hope I feel better soon as there is still a lot to do!! I told Hannah that I had all this medicine, she said that it was my Christmas present!!!