Boxing Day

Beach day makes everyone happy!
A camel & bedouin in the distance.

Salam alaikum!

Four men suddenly turned up walking along the beach.

Like a TV ad.

Matilda, Mariam, Isabelle & Abdullah... mermaids and racing car!

Good job to the dads.

After lunch and swim, Isabelle and Nikohl race down a sanddune.

Flying down!

It was a long way down...

... and an even longer way up!

A bit of competition between the kids.

They're exhausted and slowing down.

Nikohl after the dune climb.

(She's going to kill me for this!)

Christmas Day

Look, Santa came and ate the cookies! "Wow, which one is mine?"

"I got a camera..." "... and a sparkly dress!"

Matilda tries both presents out immediately. Matilda's stash. Isabelle gives the thumbs up to her loot. After a walk at the park, the Christmas table is set.

OMG, the parsnips were amazing! Another year, another turkey drumstick.

Actually, Matilda ate both drumsticks this year... boohoo. Isabelle gets stuck in to her Santa gift. She got the box set of HP books.

Thanks Rob & Gem, I love my pressie! After a serious game of Black Jack, we head outside for dessert.

First timer mascarpone filled panettone joins us. The usual suspects, marsipan and ginger filled goodies. Rob, I made an improvement on the pumpkin pie... walnut and pecan crumble on top.

Super yummy. Wish you were here... well, actually, then I'd have to share, hmm.

Angel, our Doha orphan this year, brought this amazing pistache and custard torta.

Isabelle's favourite.

Angel attempting to cut the panettone.
Apparently it was to-die-for.

The sheesha comes out to play.

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for the Smart Ass game.

Angel kicked our butts, that's the last time he's invited.

Julafton a'la Castles

Match much?
Once again, we are treated to a wonderful 'Jul' in the Castles home.

The three mini-White Castles hooked on a feeling... pepparkakor!

The kids eat (devour meatballs) first.

The first of many courses Swedish-style.

Matilda hijacks Nikohl's camera for the evening.

Martin Derek Zoolander masters the Blue Steel look

and poses the question "Would you like some schnapps with that?"

BFF

My other BFF

Ding dong, there's a rush to the door to see who it is???

IT'S SANTA!!!

Martin speechless for once...

Nikohl Arrives!

Nikohl landed EARLY this morning, and we're out and about in Souq Waqif.
It was love at first sight between the girls and Aunty Nikohl.

While waiting for the best Italian gelato in the world... I know, crazy, but true!

Nikohl delivers the most amazing 2 kg box of organic super yummy chocolate.

I'm in love.