Jingle Bells...

How can it be that Christmas is almost here? December completely snuck up on me! This time last year we were braving the winter months in London with our dear friends Simon, Nattie, Howie, Barney, Pam and Mike. Every year that we were in London Pam and Mike (Nattie's mum and dad) would open their amazing house in Stanmore (one of the oldest houses in the area... it has a bell tower and everything... bloody gorgeous) and we would celebrate 'Christmukka' which was our combo version of Christmas and Hanukkah (Nattie's family are Jewish). The generosity and kindness that Pam and Mike showed us when we were in London was unbelievable. They really did treat us like we were part of their family and when Maddie came along, you would have thought that she was their granddaughter! They showered her with gifts, but more importantly they showered her with love and Pam used to come and visit me in Maida Vale and give me the most amazing advice. The best thing was, she never made me feel inadequate in any way. She was encouraging, full of praise, not to mention patient and kind. I cant wait for the day that Simon and Nattie decide to have a family. I know that Pam and Mike will be the most amazing grandparents and as for Si and Nattie... well let's just say that if I could come back and do it all again, I would love to have them as my parents. They are ridiculously eccentric, full of laughter and warmth, but most importantly they really know how to live life. There is never a dull moment and they seem to collect friends everywhere they go.

Then there was my UK work family. Ian Morton (my old boss) features as one of the all time funniest men I have ever met. He really is something. He has filled his life with fabulous women who all seem to have huge bosoms and he simply wont tolerate a lady in a comfortable shoe, so they all wear fabulous heels! He really is a magnet for special characters and working with him and his gaggle of gorgeous girls including Chili, Claps, Lazzie and Vic was like being in a pantomime that never stopped. His quick wit could tear a person to pieces within 30 seconds, but the truth is that his that his bark was always worse than his bite and he is one of the most amazingly thoughtful and generous people on the planet. Once he is in your corner, you know you will never be on your own.

It makes me so sad to think that we wont be able to pop in and visit our London family. I doubt very much whether any of them read this blog anymore, but if you do... we miss you, we love you and we are sending you more Christmas cheer than you could poke a stick at!

Now... having made myself feel very sad and miss all our lovely UK friends... I think it is worthwhile pointing a couple of things out...

1. We are home in gorgeous Sydney which means we get to spend time with all the spectacular friends we have made since we moved here when we were 23 (that's 13 years of gathering friends... Jesus we are getting long in the tooth!)

2. Mads has made so many cool little mates over the past 10 months (particularly the love of her life Linus Stafford)

3. In two sleeps we all get on a plane to Adelaide to see our families and celebrate Christmas together for the first time in 5 years (can't bloody wait)

4. I finish work tomorrow and will finally have a break for a couple of weeks (hoo-freakin-ray)

5. We are heading up the coast to celebrate NYE with a bunch of dear friends and their kids

6. Howie and Barney are coming to Sydney for a visit (so I know I am in for a good giggle)

7. For the first time Mads is truly excited about Christmas and can't stop singing Jingle Bells no matter how hard she tries

We had a packed weekend of pre-Christmas celebrations last week. Saturday was lunch at Aunty Kathryn's with my cousins Christopher and Rob, their lovely wives Kylie and Beth and their little girls, Daisy, Charlie, Bella and Ashley. We then had a smashing dinner with Eoghan, Tara, Gaz and Flo and their little boys. Sunday was a beautiful lunch at Meags and Martins house with Stevie, Sam, Cindy, Linus, Edie, Indiana and Olivia.

I also had the chance to catch up with two of my favourite girlfriends Sarah and Gail last week. Every time I see them we guzzle wine, cackle with laughter (both Sarah and Gail's laughs are top notch cackles!) and tell each other our deepest darkest secrets. It is like a therapy session with good food and wine! I always walk away from those girls feeling energised and ready to take on the world. We don't see each other very often, but when we do, I treasure every second.

2008 has been one hell of a year. Watching Mads grow from a baby into a little girl has been so much fun. She has a twinkle in her eye that makes us so happy. She is cheeky and full of life and she is absorbing information like a little sponge. She is a master negotiator and has Simes and I wrapped around her little finger. Just the other night, she was sitting at the dinner table and she looked simes in the eye and said 'you should get me a Freddo Frog after dinner dad... sound like a plan?'. I kid you not... 'sound like a plan?' Too bloody funny!

I wonder what 2009 will bring...? Who knows? Here's what I am wishing for...

1. good health, good luck and happiness for our family and friends

2. hopefully another addition to our little family (I guess we had better get on with it)

3. courage, passion, laughter and kindness... what ever happens

Merry Christmas xxx