Happy Happy New Year! I guess this should be a year's round up or a 2018 post but I'm a little behind on the blogging front so here's a roundup of our Christmas instead if you'd like to see. For me, it's my favourite part of the year. You can see the first part of the month's festivities here, and photos from all the pre-Christmas snow we had here. R <3 xx

// The build up

Ben & I pretty much finished up with work a week before Christmas so had some time to really enjoy the build up.

Cosy evenings in surrounded by warmth from the fire and fairy lights.

I even had some time to watch TV in the day!! You know it's Christmas when you can do that. Eating all the chocolate and gingerbread... 

We had an early Christmas with my Grandparent's.

And recreated our dream pudding from the Ivy {white chocolate sauce with frozen berries!}

There were some ridiculously beautiful frosty mornings and sunrise walks.

We hosted a big drinks afternoon for neighbours and friends. SO happy that we have a finished house to host!

I basically wore this outfit for the whole of December

We got through a lot of mulled wine.

I made a million cakes.

And bought mince pies.

Our kitchen was packed about an hour after taking these photos. I love Christmas for getting everybody together.

One of my oldest friends came round for a catch up and Christmas gingerbread icing.

Then I had our annual Christmas Dinner with another group of girls where we all cook together.

Lauren won the Christmas jumper wearing.

Surprise surprise I wore this again.

Miss B's annual quiz

Then breakfast to swap presents with two of my fav girls.

And our pups!

Ben & I met a friend for a Christmas coffee and stopped at the flower market for Christmas blooms.

Festive wreaths

We went over to St Albans for a Christmas wander and ate lobster rolls from M&S on a bench! It's the little things. We then came home for yet another afternoon on the sofa. We had such a lazy Christmas and I loved it.

We had an afternoon picking up more festive treats, yule log mainly! 

Lazy days to treasure.

We discovered our new favourite dinner ever.

And the pup got excited for Santa.

And then it was the best day of all. Christmas Eve!!

We went for our annual Christmas Eve walk and stumbled across a brass band playing carols!

Then prepped Christmas dinner all together and cooked the famous coca cola ham.

We weighed the turkey by stepping on the scales with it, then weighed the pup!

Veg prep.

All the insta filters.

Ben & I went to lunch with his Dad.

Then unloaded all the presents under the tree.

We went to a family friends for Christmas Eve drinks, that's become a tradition and then walked back for our annual special supper. Party food, the first of the Coca Cola ham and the cheese.

These were insane.

Christmas Day //

Christmas Day was so rainy this year but we still got up and headed out for a family walk first thing, stopping by the farm and seeing a day old baby long horn cow!

We came home for fresh croissants for breakfast.

This little guy wore a bow tie!

My brother & I decided that you're never too old for handing out the presents.

We exchanged presents with my family and then went up for breakfast and presents round two at Ben's Mums with his side of the family.

We came back to help my parents with the turkey. A 20lb bird!

And finished the ham.

Chefs!

Our family friends came over for Christmas Day. 

Some photos can't be shared on here... it was the funniest Christmas Day we've ever had.

With lots of fun and games.

Boxing Day had bright blue skies! So we had a lazy morning and then went out for a long dogwalk to try and work off the turkey.

The days that followed were nearly all spent at my Parent's. Those blurry days between Christmas and New Year with alll the leftovers. It was heaven. We started The Tunnel on Boxing Day and have since binge watched all 3 seasons. It was SO addictive and I can't remember the last time we were all so immersed in a series. We wore comfy clothes all day everyday, only escaping for some walks. It was so unlike us all, but the best tonic.

We had bubble & squeak for a few days, ham, turkey, pickles, a lot of cheese and then Mum made her famous turkey soup. I know some people hate leftovers but I can't get enough of them.

The puppy snoozed whilst we binged on the Tunnel.

Christmas magic.

Then on the 29th we had all of the Kedgley clan over to us for our annual get together. 17 of us and 2 children.

One last big hurrah before Christmas was finished for another year. 

And then it was New Year! Oh Christmas. Until next year...

I hope you all had a wonderful time.

R <3 xx