Back home for Christmas

For the first time in two years I made it back to Albury for christmas. There was drinking, parties, family, and babies (however I didn't get to make any).

This is a baby.

I caught with old high school buddy Trent. We got stupendously drunk and won money on the dogs, before retiring to watch various Aussie movies (BoyTown, Crackerjack and the Castle). I also beat all of his times on mindsweeper...

Trent puts on a gun show - much to my delight

Christmas eve day was spent at a winery with the family. It was at a beautiful location that everyone got lost trying to find. We ate on a bridge above a creek that was teeming with wildlife. Fortunately I got to catch up with my cousin Oli and his father Karl (Carl?). We also got to kick a footy, feed Murray Cod and turtles (we also thrww ice at them), and make up an awesome game involving bouncing ice of tables and hitting chairs.

Karl (or Carl), Oli and yours truly

Christmas eve night was a small get together from the class of 2000. Most exciting was seeing Marcel Gordon, who now works in Zurich for Google (that's the internet company, in case you were wondering). Most embarrasing was being introduced to one of my peers younger sisters. I had no idea who it was, even though she had lived at Fenner this year. Most stupid was putting $20 on a game of pool against my mate Kleemo (holds a national snooker ranking).

I have no photos of this night, so instead of adding another baby photo here is a snooker table

The Big Day was super exciting as Ruby experienced her first Christmas.

Ruby and her Grandad posing for best smile of '08

She seemed super happy and was spoiled something shocking. For a five month old baby she got an awful lot of presents. However she lapped all the attention she received at the chrissie lunch from all family members present. It was good to see everyone again adn my schooner glasses have alreadt received a heavy workout.

The beautiful women of my family, my cousin, two aunties, Ruby's lovely mother Amanda, and mum. All our family is known for our gigantuan height. Many outsiders complain of sore necks after a Jones family reunion.

Finally Boxing Day was a BBQ I organised at my mates place, where I got to meet more friends from High School another baby - congrats Richard and Angela.

Organising a BBQ is tough, thirsty work

The Crhistmas break was finished with dinner at the pub. Before that however I go to take my brothers 6.2L Holden Senator for a spin. I've been told it goes fast but as usual I kept to speed limit. However there was a curious smokey smell hanging around the car when I returned home.

Dinner at one of the local waterholes. Ruby has already being introduced to the Gatt/Jones pub lifestyle - this was her second visit to the Paddy's in five days, and she visited the winery!

All in all I am surprised to say I enjoyed myself, I wasn't too sure I would. Here is a small tribute to christmas which will bring a smile to even the Grinch.

Get it - 'small' - oh boy! I'm a genius. Who else thinks there may be a few to many baby shots?