This was our second Christmas in Torquay so we knew what to expect this year. It still did not feel like Christmas because of the long hot summer days but we enjoyed the time nonetheless. This year, Alexis was in school right up until a couple of days before Christmas so we didn’t participate in as many Christmas activities as we did last year.

We began our Christmas celebrations with Oma, Opa and Allison when they were here in the beginning of December. We went to Carols by the Bay in Geelong to enjoy some traditional and non-traditional Christmas carols. We also had our BBQ Christmas dinner with them, complete with all the fixings, Christmas crackers, decorations and Christmas apparel too!

Similar to last year, Alexis and Reid entered into the gingerbread house competition at the RACV. With the help of Oma and Allison, they made two beautiful houses, decorated with all kinds of yummy chocolates and lollies.

This year, Alexis was part of the choir at her school. This gave her the opportunity to sing at Carols by the Sea in Torquay. She was really excited to be a part of the show and did an excellent job singing!

This year, Alexis and Reid seemed to have an ever-changing, always-growing wish list for Santa. When we visited him at the Geelong carrousel this year, Reid asked for a boy baby doll and a basketball and Alexis asked for a telescope and a camera. Both Alexis and Reid were quite happy to sit with Santa and have a chat with him this year, a big change from years past.

On Christmas Eve, Santa made his way around Torquay with the Fire Brigade to visit the children one last time before his trek around the world.  While here in Australia, it has become custom for us to have finger food and open presents on Christmas eve, very slowly in an attempt to make it last as long as possible. And finally, we left out some cookies and milk for Santa along with a note from Alexis.

Christmas morning, Santa came with a sack full of presents and a stocking full of goodies for both Alexis and Reid.

After the presents had been opened and a special breakfast was enjoyed, we went to church to celebrate the real reason for Christmas, the birth of Christ. For the afternoon, we went to the beach and enjoyed the beautiful blue sunny skies with a refreshing swim in the ocean. What a great way to spend Christmas together as a family here in Australia.