The Stephenson Families' Great Californian Adventure

Yeah the reindeers visited us in fine style this year. Mammy and Daddy had dispatched a team of crack agents to have a serious chat with the big bloke in red and all his little elf minions to give them strict "not too much, not too bulky, not too heavy" instructions. The plan was hatched, the agents dispatched in rocket powered wheel chairs, and Mr Claus said "bah humbug!" and laid half of Hamleys into the eager arms of 2 very small, very lucky, very spoilt children. Who gracefully passed them onto their oh so happy parents to lug back to San Franciscio in 5 suitcases, via a train, hotel, 2 flights, 3 cities, and a long drive. And even then, some of the stuff still resides in the UK ready for the agents to sneak into the country at an as yet undetermined date.

So with that sarcastic dig out of the way - onto Christmas! It was great, real fun, relaxing (as much as it ever can be for us) and just very very cool to spend so much time with the family, in the pubs, in front of the telly. We didnt really do anything much... I did a bit of bathroom and kitchen DIY (yeah, I know!), we drank enough to sink a ship, played games, shopped, ate... usual stuff just multiplied. I think I still have pasties, vindaloo and fish & chips in my body... that was a serious overdose!!!!