Ewan with one of his mega-build Lego sets he got for Christmas from Santa

Some photos from Christmas

Wow! Well it sure was a hectic, noisy, happy, fantastic Christmas this year ... the kids had an absolute ball. Our lounge looked like a ToysRUs depot by the time they’d all opened their presents. It was carnage! I’m very pleased that we could spend it all with Andrew, Leigh and the boys this year, it would have been perfect if Ally could have been there with Lara – well, there’s always next Christmas hey? And by then Lara, will be old enough to get excited at being given presents. We are having Andrew and Leigh around (with the boys of course) tomorrow to celebrate and bring in the New Year. So, if we don’t speak to you first, have a wonderful, happy, healthy and prosperous 2018 (the year of the earth dog in the Chinese calendar)

As always click on photo to see full size image.

Santa's been!!  

Xmas Eve

Some Christmas photos in one movie

Some Christmassy photo and a bit of discussion about pros and cons of Canon vs Nikon

Two cameras, two completely different types of picture.

I took these from basically the exact same position, resting the camera on the arm of the couch - so basically these are semi-handheld ... i just could not get the effect I wanted with the Nikon (top photo) But the Canon did it first go, using Aperture (Av) setting, so I controlled the light getting into the photo and got some nice bokeh (background blur).  I never thought I'd say it but again and again I'm turning to the Canon to take photos and I'm very pleased that I went for this entry level DSLR. Next year I want to do a proper course, where I go to lessons and interact with a human teacher.  I also want to buy a Canon spec zoom and also a wide angle lens.    The wide angle lens and zoom lens that came with the Canon 'kit' are quite crap.

More shots from the Canon (the colour is richer, I think and these are hand held photos, with tripod they'd be perfectly sharp):

And some more from the Nikon - I am not liking the false colour images I get from the Nikon, this has always been a problem I've had with this camera and it's very noticeable now that I have the Canon.  Doesn't matter what settings it's on (ISO, aperture, shutter speed), the finished photo (in low light) is not true to the natural ambient colour and the images are furry ... 

Ewan's eyes are not sharply focused, which they would have been with the Canon in a shot like this.

 The only thing that the Nikon has got going for it is the dynamic zoom lens but since I got back from South Africa, I'm having a problem with the shutter release button, so might have to send it in to Nikon when I've got some money, to have that fixed. 

Merry Christmas 2015 - The Aftermath

Last of the X-massy stuff, here are the videos of the big day.

2014's epic 50 minutes must have been a joy for everyone to watch. This year, to make it easier for youngster of today who are used to instant gratification, I have broken it up into smaller chunks.

In order of shooting - apart from the "thanks".

Important things first - Thanks...

Next up Xmas eve tomfoolery and dinner...

And then to Kiddies presents opening. First up is the presents they wanted to open on Xmas eve...

If you want to jump to specific spots (this is in the hh:mm:ss format).: Aunty Ally to Faye and Ewan (00:01:00), Faye to Ewan (00:02:33), Aunty Jean to Faye (00:03:18); Nana to Faye and Ewan (00:04:33).

More family presents on X-mas day...

Granny and Grandpa to Faye and Ewan (00:00:47), Oma to Faye and Ewan (00:01:55), Aunty Sharon and Uncle David to Faye and Ewan (00:02:55), Kevin and Hayzel to Faye and Ewan (00:03:52), Aunty Jean to Ewan (00:04:34), Ewan to Faye (00:05:40) and the Harrisons and Staraks to Faye and Ewan (00:06:00).

And finally, presents from Santa!

Faye and Ewan opened presents from Uncle Andrew, Aunty Leigh, Daniel, Peanut and Granddad on the afternoon of 24th while we were Skyping...

 A drawing and colouring set for his comics he writes.

An animal girls design and drawing pad.

Some photos around Christmas time

Ho Ho Ho Christmas Videos

Here is a batch of Christmas videos.

Remember to click on the YouTube logo on the video to watch them in YouTube on a bigger screen rather than the tiny screen on the blog.

Keep an eye out for the best (and fastest shepherd around). Sorry about the sound but 6 and 7 year olds just don't project when performing on stage).

Look for the prettiest African dancer in Faye's Christmas play.

Yip, that was a big disappointment.

For your December cat lols - the bug eating cat (sorry about the poo but the weather had been bad and Faye hadn't been out to pick it up for a few days).

Letters from Santa again this year...

Have you seen this monkey? Wanted for being the cutest monkey around.

As promised, a blast from the past - Santa's Holiday in South Africa...

Christmassy photos.

Faye had the annual 'Christingle' service with the Guides last Wednesday in the Congregational Church.

Ewan got a Christmas jumper, which he will be wearing on the last day of term and some new Avengers shoes from his daddy.


We've now got two Christmas trees up - our regular artificial one and a lovely little Nordmann Fir, there are even some presents under the tree already!