Christmas at the Dawsons (Part Two)

Last Sunday we headed over to Suffolk for 'round two' of Christmas with Mark's family. Greeted with a welcoming roast beef dinner (which Ben suddenly developed a huge appetite for), we enjoyed another few days of festivities, good food, more presents and trips out.

On Monday we took went to the seaside at Southwold. Ben was planning to take off his socks and shoes to play on the sand, but when we got there wellies and woolly hat seemed more in order! We enjoyed morning coffee and cakes on the pier and then all helped Ben try out his new cricket bat and ball from Aunty Lucy and Uncle Stephen on the beach.


Then on Tuesday we took advantage of the continuing good weather and headed into the forest. Ben had a go on the climbing frame and slide and then we went for a short walk in the woods, enjoying the rays of sunshine through the trees.
Below is Mark with Henry, one of Stephen and Lucy's dogs. Ben was still a little bit wary of them all - he enjoyed watching them from a distance and thought they were funny, but didn't like to get too close. Stephen and Lucy have offered to have him stay with them sometime to get him used to the dogs, so we will have to take advantage of that offer soon!

Boxing Day at the Castle

Boxing Day at the Castle and the Duck Race are Kenilworth traditions that we had yet to sample, but on Boxing Day morning we headed off to the castle where we caught part of a Punch and Judy show...

...and had a look at the new Elizabethan gardens which are due to open in the Spring...

...before taking ourselves down to the ford to watch the 1500 or so ducks released...

Numbers 462 and 463 didn't appear to feature on the leaderboard and we couldn't pick them out when they went past us, but we had a good time.

Christmas at the Dawsons (Part One)

What a lovely Christmas holiday we have had! We've been lucky enough to have almost a fortnight off, and have really enjoyed this special time together. We hosted Christmas for the first time this year, with Debbie's parents joining us for a few days.

On Christmas Eve we got ready by going to the crib service at St Nicholas Church, a lovely servive for young children, in a packed church. Ben enjoyed the nativity scene and processing around the church to see the crib, but was disappointed that there was no donkey to accompany the children dressed up as a camel.

We had a traditional sort of Christmas Day, opening the stocking left by Father Christmas first thing, then church, before heading home for more presents and a turkey dinner. Ben was a little bit overwhelmed by everything and the present opening lasted well into Boxing Day, but we all had a lovely time.

A few memories captured in the photos below:
Ben opening his presents - this one a garage from Nan and Grandad - which he enjoyed "helping" Grandad to build!

Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.
And finally, a rare family photo at the end of a lovely day.