A Very Happy Christmas

Hello Family and Friends!
Happy New Year!
We hope everyone's holidays were full of family, friends and yummies! Sorry to hear that our Christmas post cards took over three weeks to mail! Oh Man!

After a massive grocery shop, house clean and kids bedroom reorganization, our visit from Mark's brother, Paul and his family (wife, Dawn and kids, Ella, 3 and Gavin, 1) was delayed by two days due to snow in Europe. Toronto and Manchester were fine, but their transfer in Amsterdam put a spanner (wrench) in the works. After everyone arrived safe and sound and visits with friends and family were rescheduled or cancelled due to snow in the midlands (Birmingham), Christmas in the UK was on. What made it even more special was confirming that online rumours were true and that there really is, in fact, a Tim Horton's - let me repeat that - a TIM HORTONS at Manchester Airport, Terminal 2! It's just a coffee machine with coffee that doesn't quite taste the same and previously frozen doughnuts in a kiosk at the Spar (glorified convenient store), but it was just nice to hold the cup again. It really did feel like a taste of 'home' and we decided that the experience would be worth another random trip to the airport, including the short-stay parking costs, sometime.

We took it easy the first day since both Paul and Dawn were feeling the effects of the minor flu Ella had a few days earlier. We took Paul and the kids along the Sett Valley Trail and home through New Mills town. Liam and Ella took turns on the sledge (sled) and sometimes went on together. Mark and I were amazed at how great Ella and Gavin adjusted to the new time zone, going to sleep at the same time as our kids. Liam and Gemma took forever to switch over and we expected their 'lot' to be up until 2am. 

On the second day of Christmas, we had a lovely lunch out at the Packhorse (our local pub & inn) with our family friends, The Gorski's and The Woodwards, who got to meet Gavin for the first time. It was a set Christmas Fayre menu for 17 GBP a head in the dining room area (not the pub). This is a very popular thing to do here and you must book early with a deposit as many pubs/inns book up quickly. We were very lucky we were able to reschedule our dinner on Sunday to lunch on Wednesday with our large group. Due to the snowy weather in the UK, lots of pubs/inns were getting cancellations. It was a lovely visit and meal - the kids were excellent. Gavin fell asleep on the table - literally and poor Paul couldn't stomach very much. Back at our England House, we had gifts and cookies, although everyone was pretty stuffed from lunch and didn't need to eat much more the rest of the day.

The next day, after I queued (lined up) outside the local butcher's to pick up our pre-ordered turkey, we ventured out to Manchester to The Lowry to see a Peter Pan Panto (Pantomime Theater) - a quintessential British Christmas experience. It was a full-on 2hr production with intermission and we weren't sure how Liam and Ella would manage but thought we should 'have a go'. The kids totally got right into it and "boo-ed" Captain Hook (with coaxing from Daddy/Uncle Mark). Ella loved Tinker Bell and the dancing, Liam loved the Pirates, Gemma loved the clapping and didn't want to miss a second of the action, and Gavin stayed awake for probably half of the Panto. The performances and production were brilliant - Peter Pan was played by an actor from the English soap opera 'EastEnders'. Seems to be the thing to do as a soap star - other Pantos featured talent from 'Corrie Street'. Considering we purchased the tickets the morning of, our seats had a great view of the stage.

On Christmas Eve morning, Mark and Paul ventured out in the couple of inches of snow we still had left and went up Kinder (the highest point of the Peak District, and the view from our family room). It is usually a 2hr ramble (hike) but in the deeper snow on the fell (hill) it was more like 2.5hr. The views were spectacular and they got some great pics. In the afternoon, Liam and Ella helped Mum/Aunty Krystal make the apple cinnamon pie for Christmas dessert. it was Ella's first pie and she did a crackin' job. It was roast and Yorkshire puddings for Christmas Eve dinner - classic English meal. The kids decorated chocolates, wrote their letter, drew pictures and left milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer. Aunty Dawn read 'The Night Before Christmas' and they were off to bed.

Christmas morning was a great success - 8 stockings, loads of gifts and lots of chocolate! The kids got exactly what they asked Santa for and the Mums and Dads came out with some goodies too. It was difficult to keep track of who was getting what as there was a bit of good ol' Christmas Chaos happening - wrapping paper everywhere, toys being built in all corners of the room! It was nice to really take our time in the morning and not have to worry about rushing anything to get out the door to start the Christmas visits. Most of the kids stayed in their jammies all day too (Gemma was dying to get her new 'Upsy Daisy' shirt on). Mark made a yummy English Christmas Breakie and Christmas Dinner prep started shortly after that. Everyone helped out in the kitchen (thank goodness) - Paul and Mark mostly watched the kids (and Toy Story 3). The turkey dinner was delicious - it was both mine and Dawn's third turkey - so third time's the charm times two? The pie that Liam and Ella helped bake was yummers in the tummers and finished the festive meal off perfectly.

I was worried about how well our tree would survive as I mentioned in a previous blog that our tree holder didn't keep water - the tree was barely still alive and I was nervous each time I skimmed it whilst passing by for fear of every single needle falling off! It was a nice looking tree though and was made even better by the decorations crafted by the kids - Ella even made a reindeer when she got here in 'Crafts with Aunty Krystal"!

I was so pleased with how the kids managed with each other, particularly Liam and Ella. I was worried that Liam wouldn't share his toys, but he was the ever gracious host and welcomed his cousins to all the toys (Santa was counting on him). He lets Ella do things that he doesn't let other people do, including us - like sit in the same chair as him:) Ella only needed 'alone time' from Liam once or twice, and I don't think they picked up too many bad 3yr old habits from each other. It had been 4 months since Liam has seen any of his friends from home so I think he wanted all the 'Ella Time' he could get:) Gemma just seemed pleased to have everyone around - she got on with Gavin great and even sorta said 'Ella' on Christmas morning:)

After a crisp winter walk up the lane next door to see the chickens and horses, the other Nicholson's left New Mills on Boxing Day to head to Prague where we would meet up with them the following day. It was such a lovely Christmas in England and having family over made it a holiday to remember forever. Mark's always wanted to host a 'Griswald Family Christmas' so this was one of his dreams come true:) Since Paul and family will be off to Malaysia for 2 years and won't be in Guelph when we move back, it was extra special to have them over and be able to see so much of them.

Photos: Facebook
The next blog on our Prague trip will be up soon...

Cheers,
The Nicholson Family