We have lots of different activities every Christmas. In 2011 Ottery St Mary started with turning on the Christmas lights on November 25 with a church procession from the Church to the square. Mikee was part of the choir and sang Christmas carols.
And a day later it was Christmas Carols and a Fayre at St John’s School, again with Mikee in the choir.
On the 16th of December we had Christmas Carols with the Church Choir performing at home at Knightstone.
And the last Sunday before Christmas at a church service Mikee was appointed full chorister at the Church in a touching ceremony.
And then came Christmas with our big Christmas party on the 23. A black tie party for 100 guests.
And at Christmas Day itself we had all my old and new children present except Ulrika, who joined a couple of days later.
Carol singing at Ottery St Mary: The choir wanders down to the square from the church
Mikee in the choir
Jennifer was in the crowd listening and watching with Caleb and Eric
Caleb, Jennifer and Eric
... and they were joined by Lewis and Thalia later
Young performers
Christmas Fayre at St John's. The Fayre took place the day after we had swithced on the Christmas lights in Ottery
Mikee was singing again in the school choir at the top of the large reception room. But her face is hidden behind the others
The Church Choir came to Knightstone to sing before Christmas.
Judith Reynols is the director of the choir
Mikee was very excited to sing at home
Lewis, Thalia, Caleb, Eric and Jennifer listening to the Carol singing
Eager ;listeners
Mikee
Christmas 2011
Ann Haines has taken Mikee under her wings and picks her up every Thursday for choir practice. Now relaxing in the interval.
Jen was listening to Annie
In one of the intervals the younger ones congregated in the library
And looked at Eric's book
The Mayor, Glyn Dobson, joined the singing
Grenville has been a fixture at our parties since we moved to Knightstone
Listening to the choir
The final carol
The ringers at a Church service a week before Christmas
Mikee would get her supplice as a full member of the choir
Mikee taking her oath
Tim Treanor was officiating
Michael More and Freja, head chorister, are looking on in the background as Mikee is appointed a chorister
And then Mikee was entitled to wear the surplice (the white piece worn over the red cloak) to signify her new status
Mikee lighting a candle
During the service Eric fell asleep
Mikee got a certificate as a full chorister
We had a staff party a couple of days later. Kim, wife of Richard who helps us in the garden, to the left with their baby and Karen, Lewis wife to the right
Eric a few days before Christmas
Underneath the tree the Christmas gifts piled up.
Eric and Mama
Eric and Jennifer are dressed up for our Christmas party on the 23rd.
The first guests had arrived for our Christmas party. We were 95 guests in total and still had food left over for all Christmas
Bishop Michael and our local vicar, Simon Franklin
Jennifer dressed our Christmas tree, which stands more than 20 feet tall
...and she decorated every part of our house
Our Norwegian tomtar have pride of place at our fireplace
And Eric cooking in his toy kitchen
Susanne and Eric
Dave preparing Christmas Dinner
Pulling the Christmas crackers
Everyone absorbed in their newly opened cracker gifts
Dave showing his little fun gift
We started to open the Christmas gifts
Unpacking Christmas gifts
Eric opening a parcel
Mikee climbed up on the windowsill in the Great Hall. One of the window panes has a carving from the 18th century
While Magnus relaxed and looked on
Opening gifts
…and distributing them to others
Susanne and Dave got a Blu-ray player
Everyone helped
Eric got a crockery and cutlery set for his kitchen
Cat had just finished an extra portion of chocolate mousse
Cat had just finished an extra portion of chocolate mousse
