Christmas Day was sunny and around 60 degrees although there was a brisk breeze. We decided to go for a family walk around Wash Park before our Christmas lunch, something we have not done in years. We all walk or run around it regularly but not as a family. We saw one of Anna’s teachers from school, Mr. Kevin, also doing the same thing.

Then it was off to the Indian restaurant for our traditional Indian takeout Christmas lunch, it was so good. Jude and I watched the Packers game and then some of the Ashes cricket which was fun. I made my annual fruit salad, in honor of my mum, and that was delicious as well.

Jude reached a soccer milestone this week. He said a couple of months ago that he wanted to pass 1,000 juggles before the end of the year and sure enough this week he did it. He goes to the park every day to practice juggling the soccer ball and this week he came back to say he got to 1,470 juggles, a fantastic achievement that took more than 12 minutes. That takes a lot of skill and concentration.

Today, we are doing our annual pilgrimage back to Des Moines, Iowa for New Year. We missed last year because of covid but we are excited to be back there this year. We packed up this morning and drive to Lincoln, Nebraska and will be seeing everybody before lunch tomorrow.