Boxing Day 2006

This post comes after our return from holidays in the Sunraysia (Mildura) and Riverland (Berri / Barmera) regions, visiting family.

As per tradition, Boxing Day followed Christmas Day and our crazy silly season travels began...

For lunch we went to the Avoca Hotel at Edwardstown (south suburban Adelaide) to celebrate Christmas with Mum's sisters Fay and Marilyn, and their families.

The children's menu at the Avoca Hotel included a burger that one person, seeing this photo earlier, commented: "Is Joshua eating the burger, or is the burger eating him?".

We then piled into the car for Boxing Day Pt II - the Lamberts of Nuriootpa. The boys promptly went to sleep as we headed north-east to Nuriootpa.

There we saw Dad's mum, Nanna Lambert, with Debbie and Barrie, at Ross' family home.

Ross' family enjoys a Christmas tradition perhaps from Cathy's southern-US days, of trying to smash open the pinata full of lollies. The pinata can be seen innocently waiting (like the lamb to the slaughter, or the turkey for Thanksgiving!) while Simeon emerges in the impromptu "Cars" play Joshua performed.

After Lambert presents were given and received, we went outside to smash the pinata:

First, Ross prepares Jordan for the first strike. The Crows scarf is the blindfold, the basketball ring the gallows for Manuel the Donkey.

Then Joshua got a turn. Fortunately Ross had Manuel on a string so he could be lowered/raised for each attacker... or to protect Manuel from blindfolded bludgeoning !

Ross makes some running adjustments ...

Jordan strikes ...

... then Ellie has a go ...

.. followed by Rikki (breaking 2 broomsticks in the process), strikes at the Headless Horse - O, Manuel! ...

... then finally, the pinata breaks and the children scramble for the lollies inside. Here Joshua shows off his trophy filled with lollies (not to mention his mouthful!)

After those frivolities we got into the car - after a beautiful DIY pizza-making session for dinner - and drove to Berri en-route to Mildura, Victoria.