With Ella visiting this afternoon it was incumbent on us to put up the Christmas tree before she arrived. I thought we might have done it;
but the Maintenance Department informed me that this was just a start.
After lunch I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/12/18/a-knights-tale-79-wedding-number-three/
Danni, Andy, Ella, and Jack, shortly followed by Elizabeth visited this afternoon. We spent a pleasant hour and a half together until it grew dark enough for us to visit the Byron Road Christmas lights, leaving Jackie at home until we returned and enjoyed the Culinary Queen’s tasty cottage pie; firm Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots and broccoli; tender runner beans; and additional creamy mashed potatoes, with meaty supplementary gravy.
When the family arrived it was easy enough to plonk Jack, knowing that at 6 weeks he wasn’t likely to roll off sofa or cushions.
Ella, on the other hand was soon dragging her father into the library for the toy hamper to be brought into the sitting room.
Jackie took a hand at feeding our great-nephew,
until handing him back to his mother when the young family shared the sofa for a while.
On the Chesterfield Jackie read to Ella, until the sun had gone to bed and the rest of us set off to enjoy
the artificial light sources at Byron Road. Danni, Andy, Ella, Jack, and Elizabeth are all featured in the scenes, and named in their gallery images.
Later we dined as mentioned above, with Hoegaarden for Jackie, the last of the Pomerol for me, The Second Fleet Clare Valley Merlot 2020 for Elizabeth and Danni, and Diet Coke for Andy.
I love to see the reaction of children to the Christmas lights. I accompanied my seven year old granddaughter Evie to see Santa Claus this morning at our local garden centre and I also took photos of Christmas lights as directed by the child!
A similarly happy experience. Thanks very much, Sue
Your Christmas tree looks fabulous Derrick, and I haven’t even put my little tree up yet … maybe later today (Sunday)
Thanks very much, Ivor
Such sweet photos of your family and Christmas fun! God bless. ????ā¤ļø
Thanks very much, John X
What fun your family enjoyed! Thanks for sharing these priceless images of your outing as well as the inside shots. The shot of Jackie feeding Jack and then reading to Ella are so sweet.
Thank you, too, Maj
A very content baby! ?
He really is. Thanks very much AnneMarie
What a lovely family! I love the lights and the tree. I put up a big fresh tree for the grandsons too! The baby is adorable.
Thank you very much, Cindy
Ella gets more beautiful every time we see her. Thanks for sharing your sweet family and the lights!
Much appreciated, JoAnna
Precious moments together ā¤
Thank you so much, Lakshmi
Very happy family moments. Thank you Derrick for the smiles.
Much appreciated, Gary
What fun to have small children in your life. I would have had to have wrestled Jack away from Jackie. Love that one-sock-on, one-sock-off look. Was Jack named after Jackie?
I’m not sure where his name came from; but, probably incidentally, his maternal great grandfather, John Francis Cecil Knight, was always known as Jack. Thanks a lot, Judy
A beautiful tree and a festive place for a nap. The lights are beautiful. My heart is not in looking at lights this year. When we were in Wrangler’s hometown he drove us around because he wanted to see the town and their was many displays but they did not bring their usual joy.
Fully understood, Mrs W. I will think of you throughout this period. Thank you very much
Thank you. Wrangler wants nothing to do with Christmas. I am using Christmas to help me move forward
I am sure you made copies of the photos, as they make great mementos, and create great memories .
Yes, indeed, msw. Thanks very much
Ella’s getting prettier every time I see her. I have to ask — by chance, is the outfit Jack is wearing hand-knitted? It certainly looks like it. Either way, it’s very nice. Looks warm.
Primark, would you believe!? Thanks very much, Linda
You do have a beautiful family. The pictures are wonderful. As for the maintenance department I could have told you. š
Thanks a lot, Bridget š
Delightful festive scenes. Our tree will go up this week in time for the arrival of our youngest grandchildren – am counting the days!
Thanks very much, Anne
Ella is the Queen of the moment. These decorations assume an entirely different aura for children with each object becoming palpably alive in the universe of their own. No wonder they want to linger on before each tableau. For the grown up eyes, the dazzle of Christmas lights is a joyous trove of their own creations, a reflection of their convictions and credence suffused with a sense of contentment.
Thank you so much, Uma, my eloquent friend
What a display! And how lovely to get together with Ella and baby Jack.
Thank you very much, Laurie
What delightful holiday scenes! Jackie looks delighted as she feeds the baby and reads to Ella.
Thank you so much, Nicki
Beautiful lights! What a lovely occasion to spend time together
Thanks very much, Aletta
Yay for little children to bring joy and magic alive for the jaded elders. I need to rent one for a few hours.
Yay for Clare Valley wine.
Thanks very much, Yvonne. So true – and I agree about the wine
Ella is a shining star, but that handsome Jack is giving her a run for her money! š š
The expressions of children as they view the lights and decorations is always a joy! I’m so glad Ella had this beautiful experience! With each Christmas she will remember more….and she’ll have your lovely photos to look at when she is older! š
(((HUGS))) š
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
What a lovely, memorable time you had together! Ella looks like a sweet, little doll! She becomes more adorable with each posting. So glad you had this time with family!! <3
Thank you very much, Jan X
Jackie looks so happy when she’s with Ella!
Thanks very much, John
What a delightful day.
Thanks very much, Andrew
Beautiful! Ella is growing up and I appear to have missed Jack’s arrival entirely. I’ll be catching up again in the New Year ?
Thanks very much, Sandra. Jack is 6 weeks old
Lovely captures, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
It looks like a such a lovely day for all of you, Derrick, and the photos are delightful. Ella is looking so much older now. I found the hand and that tiny foot photo very touching. Lovely tree and beautiful Christmas lights, but being able to get together even more beautiful.
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Ah, your Christmas week is off to a grand start!!
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/santa-moving-in-sleigh-animated-gif.gif
I thought I recognized one of your signature gifs so I had to scroll up to verify. š
You know me all too well, Pat!
Such a special day and magical night for Ella! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Wonderful pictures with equally wonderful memories, I’m guessing.
What beautiful photos and Christmas is such a delight when there are children present.
What lovely family pictures, Derrick and the Christmas lights are amazing. I am going off-line for a few days so I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2022.
Enjoy the break and the festivities, Robbie. Thanks very much
Terrific Christmas lights. Such a joy to see families enjoying the displays.
x
Thank you very much, Melanie X
And a fine time was had by all! Beautiful tree and baby! And a happy little girl. Happy Jackie, too!
Thank you so much, Luanne
A beautiful gathering of family, Derrick and Jackie, and the Christmas lights seem especially colorful and bright. Merry Christmas to you and Jackie, and the family,and may 2022 be a better year for all.
Thank you very much – with reciprocated good wishes – from us both, Lavinia
Ella is a doll, and the baby is beautiful. The Byron Road looks fantastic awash in purple light.
Thank you so much Doll y š
You are very welcome, Derrick.
What a lovely family time!
Thank you very much, Mrs N.
It’s always a delight to see Ella and her family. I bet she loved those lights!
She talked about them in the car until she went to sleep š Thanks very much, Jodie
Awww! <3
Another lovely day ?
Thank you very much, Ribana