We have travelled hundreds of miles this Christmas time, packed up the car with two boys and two dogs nearly 10 times and stayed in 9 different beds. We packed up 12 bags for life, 3 suitcases, four holdalls, 2 backpacks, 2 handbags, 1 changing bag and 2 dog beds! As you can imagine even our Nissan Pathfinder with roof box was beaten by this amount of luggage, so my dear Mum will be driving down to us next time with a boot load of Christmas presents. I am sure the boys will have forgotten some of their gifts (as there was so many) and be overjoyed when Mum arrives! For once I wasn't a slave to my camera (although my husband probably thinks I had my nose glued to it). I realised when I looked through our photos that there isn't one photo of the four of us because we were all too busy enjoying ripping apart wrapping paper and the boys were tearing around like lunatic super heroes! Although I am of course sad I don't have that perfect picture I have some wonderful memories. (I might just have to set one up in front of the tree before the decorations come down!)

Thank you to all our hosts for their generosity and hospitality. We know that we shall be in Surrey again next year (yes my family plan 364 days in advance) as it shall be our first Christmas with my new nephew or niece who will be welcomed into the family in April. But I promise to return the festive favour in 2014!

I did snap away with my Fuji Instax and found in amongst some old card making bits and bobs, this paper flip book. Perfect for the 22 instant pictures I took! A handy book of memories I can flip through as often as I want. Next year I have one of these cute accordion albums on my wish list.

We visited my husband's 98 and 3/4 year old Grandma on Christmas morning at the nursing home she moved into only a few months ago. I took some great photos which we left with her so she had us with her. I am guilty of not printing as many photos as I would like (note to self New Years resolution) and that is why I love these little instant ones. The picture quality may not be as good but I really like the look they give.

Here are a few snaps from our Christmas time.

Now it's on to New Year! Ours is going to be about tapas and cava! I will be posting our menu and cocktail ideas this week so check back in if you are sick of turkey and party food and fancy something different at New Year!

My Cousins and Cousin in Law are off to work in Kenya in the Spring so a Safari Family Christmas was the perfect send off!

I made crackers from toilet rolls, animal print tissue paper and ribbon with Kenyan phrases instead of jokes and a packet of animal print tissues inside!

We used felt rectangle sheets from Hobby Craft as place mats and strips of silver birch as mats for the curry, tagine, rice and cous cous. I used little plastic animals on top of strips of animal print card for table names and a large sheet of hessian burlap material for a rustic table cloth.

My Granny's silver cutlery and mis matched crystal glasses finished the table off beautifully. We toasted to absent friends and had a riot in the make shift photo booth complete with a leopard print duvet cover as a back drop and my charity shop haul of props.

I found this great site which sells all animal print decorations and couldn't resist the paper pompoms which would have taken me hours to make!

We have two new arrivals coming in 2013 ...

The boys were a scream and totally bought into the Safari experience! My two little tigers were terrific!

Of course we just had to have an animal wreath at the door and a tiger door man ready to greet the guests!

A wonderful family time. Of course it wasn't quite complete we were missing the American contingent! It is times like this that my heart aches for my brother.

Have you had an alternative Christmas this year?! We are having a traditional Christmas with my in laws later today and tomorrow so we won't miss out on a turkey!

Merry Christmas everyone! It's finally Christmas Eve!