Christmas Day I was still umming and aring whether I would drive with the kids to Warnnambool (7hrs) to camp at the beach. I got up boxing day morning and said to Dad did he and Mum want just to go locally, so i whipped out to Granthems bend and found a spot. I raced home and got the boys tent and the shade area to put up and claim our spot. went home and packed to go and we set up, nothing like spare of the moment decisions….Gwynfor worked boxing day but had the Sunday and Monday off , so he got to have a chill out as well.

The ooohla accomodation, and the NOT so ooohla !

Lots of swimming, relaxing, bikeriding, and game playing was done by all.

On Sunday we went over to a near by winery for lunch, that does woodfired pizzas and of course great wine!

Last night Dad went and got his boat ,and we went for a sunset cruise from camp.

Then thismorning, the worst bit about camping ,which is the packing up and washing when you get home.

Ella woke at 4am to go to the toilet, and saw the present at the end of her bed, I heard her opening it and we told her to try and go back to sleep. The others got at 5.45am so early start for the James household.

Santa was very kind to the James children, they got lots of surprises. Rhys’ main present was an ipod nano, Ella got her long awaited little pink camera, Jack got Lego police HQ, Aislin got Lego house, along with other bits and pieces.

at 8:30, Evan and Tan, Nana and Pa arrived for more presents and yummy breakfast. Gwynfor went off to work at 10, and we spent the rest off the day at our house building lego, flying remote control helicopters that, Jack, Rhys, Evan and Pa got, there was a bit of sabotage with frequencies that they were flying on etc. There was alot of chocolate and lollies consumed as well. Nice and relaxing afternoon. Gwynfor got home from work at about 4:30pm the the next phase started which was at Mum and Dads for Tea.

We had some lovely food and nice wine over our three courses.The day was just perfect.

Wow ! we have grown with 20 children between us, now, The kids love getting together as much as the adults do which is lovely, to see. They danced and mucked around all night.

A nice catch up for the Adults too!

We were quite controlled tonight, sometimes it can get way out of hand.

Every year the year 5s put on a farewell for the year 6 students, it’s a very big deal, what your wearing and how your going to wear your hair etc…

Our year sixer and our year fiver, looking very smart and gorgeous.

They had such a great time ,and danced the night away….

This is Rhys very good friend Ashley. Rhys receiving his year 6 graduation certificate.

OMG! my first baby to head off to high school….

Well I am skipping a few months in between, but I thought if I don’t get December up to date, it’s going to be another 6 months before I get any done….so here we go.

Rhys’ Birthday landed on a Friday, but he had his birthday on the Saturday at the Corowa pool(beauty of having his birthday in summer). I can’t believe how grown up being 12 is….

Everyone arrived at our house and scoffed some food down then they walked down the pool where I met them.

there were lots of acrobatics off the diving boards…

plenty of testosterone while the piggy back wars were on….

all the gang.