Zachary's Christmas and New Year Picture Book

We had a lovely Christmas and New Year, spending half of the time with Swith's family and half with mine. Here are some of the highlights...

Grandma Jeanette meets a little Santa

Zachary was very excited on Christmas Eve to observe the outrageously bright Christmas lights of two houses in Whalley, Lancashire; Auntie Marilla liked the cat better.

Zachary looks at lights on the ground

We enjoyed visiting Zachary's Great Grandad to wish him a happy Christmas and it was lovely to see him up and about in the day room...

Christmas cuddles with Great Grandad

Opening presents was a delight for Zachary, mainly due to his interest in the wrapping paper, however opening more than a couple of presents in one go was too overwhelming for him. Fortunately, we managed to finish unwrapping his presents before Boxing day.

Zachary attempts to steal a shiny bow without Daddy noticing

Swith's brother, Humphrey, and his wife Amanda came down from Newcastle and we had a nice walk around a nearby lake at Longton Brickcroft.

Chilly but content

Grandma Jeanette put on a delicious meal of dips, venison casserole, salmon and an amazing gateau for dessert while we also enjoyed the company of family friends Carol (poor Mike was ill), Nicola, Martin and the cute 18 month old Archie, who energetically ran up and down (next Christmas Zachary will be that age!).

Cuddles with Carol

One of the highlights of Zachary's visits to Leyland is that he usually gets to play with his crazy Uncle Bar (who argues that Zachary's Daddy is crazier)...

Walking up and down

Grandad Harry was on hand to keep Zachary occupied and happy while we finished off our epic board games...

'Do you like your monster?' asks Grandad Harry about Zachary's robot

Then we began the 5 hour journey down to Exeter for some New Years fun. Zachary had another load of presents to open!

Zachary with Mummy, Grandad Rob and his Santa sack of presents

Shocked to see yet another lovely present!

A trip around Bernaville Nurseries near Exeter gave Zachary a lot to look at...
 

More Christmas lights take his fancy

On a sunny New Year's day we went out with Bumble and her child-minded little boy (Zachary's first time in a double buggy) to show Daddy the house in Exeter where Mummy grew up and the park she used to play in.

Snuggled up in the cosy toes

We travelled to Exmouth for the annual winter sea swim with Uncle Julian and his friends. It was too cold for Mummy and Zachary, but see if you can spot Daddy running along in the second photo below.

Zachary watches as hundreds of dogs run past

Running for glory!

Bumble made a delicious buffet for a visit from Grandad Rob's side of the family; we were delighted to see Auntie Sue (Great Auntie Sue to Zachary!), Uncle Richard and Zachary's second cousin, Catherine, who is expecting her own little boy or girl in April this year.

'Is that my Great Auntie?'

What a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Thanks to everyone who made Zachary's first Christmas/New Year so memorable (...for us, anyway!).