Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!

Well it's officially 2017.  On the last day of 2016, I reflected on the year that was. Did I have amazing highlights? YES!  Did I have devastating lows?  Yes. 😭 Did I accomplish my non-resolutions that I set in February?  Sure, it's a work in progress.  Did I focus on what's important to me?  Yep.  Did I make good decisions?  Sure.  Did I make mistakes?  Yep.  Did I apologise for the mistakes I made?  Nope.  Did I care what anyone thought about the decisions I made?  Nope.  Did I beat myself up over "Could have, should have, would have"?  Nope.  Each moment is about the experience it gives you and is what shapes your life.  This year was about living unapologetically and so will 2017. What I love about the new year is the clean calendar pages, the new notebooks, new confidence, new chances and fresh starts.

And now I'll do what's best for me…
- John Green

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Thank you to everyone who sent Christmas cards.  We love seeing your family photos!  We stopped doing Christmas cards some time ago, opting to send out a virtual card (you are reading it now) so enjoy our Christmas 2016.

Official Santa Photo 2016
QVB, Sydney

Christmas in the City

Closest we get to licking snowflakes

Santa Train
(MissE's last year probably!)

Tis the Silly Season = Christmas Parties!

My Christmas party was at Madame Tussauds this year.  While pretty much everyone else went red carpet glamour, I went costume (the original theme), channeling a '90's classic: Clueless.

AS IF!

Psycho

Spiderman

MrH's Christmas party was amazing this year.  It was at the Australian National Maritime Museum.  It's always good but this year was a stand out, we boogied until midnight!

I'm on a boat!

Rhonda Burchmore

Groove Factory 

The best cover band ever: Furnace and the Fundamentals

It's not a boat party until fake Cher sings If I Could Turn Back Time

Christmas

Gingerbread is not my friend, but chocolate is!

'Twas a Night Before Christmas...
A boy and his pup watch Christmas movies

We had a quiet Christmas this year.  We stuffed ourselves silly and introduced the kids to Christmas classics: Home Alone.

Elf on the Shelf

Holly, our Elf of the Shelf, returned for Christmas 2016.  She was up to no good a lot of the times!  Here were her antics this year:

Left to right, each row

Dec 1: I’m back, bi… oh wait… playas!  As usual Holly brings with her advent calendars.

Dec 2: Holly makes her ‘wish’ list.

Dec 3: We’re… we’re going streaking!  We’re going up to the qquad and to the gymnasium.  Bring your RED hat…

Dec 4: Were you raised in a barn? Close the door… and FLUSH next time!

Dec 5: Was it something we did?  Where are you going?

Dec 6: I’ve got a stowaway to Singapore!

           “Elfie” at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore.

Dec 7: Holly meets the Fullerton bear.

Dec 8: Dang girl, your breath!  Holly visits Straits Kitchen and eat like the locals, including durian ice cream.

Dec 9: You can't leave Singapore without visiting Raffles (luckily it was across the road from my hotel)
           One last ‘Sling before leaving Sing (Long Bar Raffles Singapore)
           Some of us spent the day at work, then there’s Holly… (Fairmont Singapore pool)
Dec 10: Oh, hi!  Another helper elf! (at Changi Airport)
             There’s no place like home… where the coffee is hot and flat whites exist. The darn elf does it again!  She’s in business while I’m in cattle-class!

Dec 11: Rested from her holiday, Holly is up to her tricks again.  It’s December not Mo-vember

Dec 12: Holly got into the wrapping paper.  We kinda need the backpacks still.

Dec 13: Weee….

Dec 14: The ole stocking switcheroo

Dec 15: Holly the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul.

Dec 17: Hey fishy, fishy!

Dec 18: Today’s the day!  ROGUE ONE… Holly brought some early presents for the movies

Dec 19: Quality control.  Do not leave these for Santa, they are horrible.  Santa PAWS might like these?

Dec 20: It’s not rocket science… it’s a gingerbread house.

Dec 21: Holly “decorates” the kitchen.  Holly wuz here.  Elves rule, kids drool

Dec 22: I’m just saying nobody has ever seen me and Spiderman in the same room together…

Dec 23: TP Party
Dec 24: Nativity Set & Farewell

So that's it for 2016… and here's to 2017!