We've just had 3 days of family celebrations and loved it!

This year we spent Christmas eve with my parents and Nana and enjoyed Symon's family tradition for dessert on Christmas eve.... Strawberries and ice cream with a sprinkling of icing sugar. We then shared gifts and it was lovely. 

Later that night we had family communion and read the Christmas story from the Bible.  Always special to stop amidst the flurry of festivities and pause to refocus on what it's all about. 

Jasher & Monique stayed the night so we could all spend Christmas morning together. Someone woke everyone before 5am (no names will be mentioned... But she is the youngest in the family 😂). 

Then we opened gifts! It's so lovely now that the kids are older seeing them all buy gifts for each other. It does mean there are an awful lot of gifts under the tree! 

And one very special surprise this year... 

We visited Grandma before lunch and gave her a gift and also sung a few carols. 

Later that day we visited my Aunt & Uncle's home for an early Christmas dinner with my extended family. 

The next day on Boxing Day the Drake extended family festivities began, this year hosted by us. 

So lovely to see everyone and enjoy time together. The little kids opened gifts then the adults shared in a food "Yankee swap". Heaps of fun. 

We enjoyed a Skype call with my brother and sister-in-law in Australia too. 

What a great 2020 Christmas. We definitely don't take for granted that many people around the world are unable to gather with family and friends for Christmas this year. So thankful.