Incredibly the children only stirred at about 07.45 this morning so at least it wasn't with heavy eyes that we contacted my parents on skype for the much anticipated present opening. It has been wonderful to be able to have this new tradition of my parents watching our living room for an hour or so, seeing the children opening their gifts and all the general chaos and mayhem that it entails...almost like having them with us for a little bit of the day.
All the children seemed generally happy with "Santa's" deliveries and where quickly ensconced in various parts of the house, playing or reading depending on the nature of the gift. Beth and I took ourselves off to Church at about 10ish (no one else had managed to migrate into clothes at this point and I don't believe that Church is about shouting and screaming so was happy to leave them too their slow morning) and after that it was off to the Viljoen's for the most scrumptious lunch ever. 
Kerry and Rob have been so so good to us during our time here and Rob had made such and effort to decorate the table beautifully. We feasted on Lamb and Gammon, roast potatoes, green beans, Brussel sprouts, carrots and broccoli followed by a yummy cheese board (complete with biltong) and tiny mouth size cheesecakes. Fat and happy we all crashed on couches for the afternoon watching movies just as we would with family and it was a very happy Robertson family that finally made our way home on Christmas night. 
This is the first year England has felt even marginally like home at Christmas and although family's absence was as keenly felt as ever, 4 years of sharing this sacred day with the Viljoen's has allowed us to create a kind of history with them and we are starting to develop new traditions which leave me feeling, once again, so so blessed to have these incredible people in our lives.
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