Gingerbread with Kara & Joe, Icy Plunge and Last Irish Christmas

Let's start with a little One Direction. These guys are the New Kids on the Block, the Backstreet boys, of the last 5 years. They're British so I'm not sure if they're as big in the States or Canada but clearly that didn't mean much for the Beatles. I'm sure they're big everywhere. Anyway, Norah heard one of their songs and has since become a bit obsessed with them. She knows all the lyrics to their songs and it's so funny hearing her recite these love songs that have absolutely no meaning for her. I predict we'll go to one of their concerts when she's 13 and we'll all wear their T-shirts.

A few days before Christmas (on little Geordan's 5th birthday) we headed over to Kara & Joe's and she surprised the kids with homemade gingerbread cookies. (Kara - full-time geologist, completing her PhD, mother of two, who 'whipped up' some gingerbread cookies from scratch, before 9 am.  If she's not super mom...)

Norah's

Mine - I completely rocked it.

Auntie Mimi and Uncle James sent the year's most coveted box of presents - which contained NOT only an Elsa full pajama dress (better than any Disney dress I've seen), but also the official, full-on, sequin-embroidered, small-bead-havin', glitter encrusted....Elsa Gown. Pictured above is the PJ dress. You could've fooled us though, we thought this was the dress.

Daddy doing his annual process as Santa Claus - putting out cookie crumbs, a gnawed carrot (from the reindeer), and a letter from Santa.

(Letter from Santa)

Strolling on Grafton Street with the Christmas buzz - our last Christmas when we could do this here in Dublin.

Norah as excited as can be on Christmas morning with a new musical jewelry box from Uncle Dan (Frozen of course), and her beret from Aunt Mary. I guess we have documentation of what was popular in 2014, when Norah was four. :)

And after opening presents Christmas morning, we made our way down about 1 mile from our place to the Forty Foot Swimming spot in Sandycove for the annual Christmas swim in polar temperatures. Wayne and I both did this last year and really loved it. I was terrified but really, truly, loved it. This year, I'm happy to say though, I didn't have to brave that fear again because of being pregnant. Phew! I'm sure I could've mustered the bravery but I'm glad I didn't have to contemplate it. Wayne on the other hand, was an absolute champ and took his plunge with a brave face. :)

Walking down, this is looking at the harbour at Sandycove, just around the corner from the actual 40 Foot (where the REAL jump happens). :)

There were, I'd say, a thousand people there this year. We went at the same time last year but this time was markedly more full.

 Our friend Ted (front, left) organized this year's meeting for the swim in honour of our friend Graham (who we lost in May 2014). He was with us for the jump last year and this was something he did every year. He loved nothing more than getting his friends together to do absolutely bonkers things - things that would always make you feel invigorated (Christmas plunge, 5 hour hikes, drumming circles, 7 am runs, meditation, yoga classes and tag rugby). The thing with something Graham suggested - you always knew, you might be hesitant at first (for fear/laziness), but you would never regret any activity with him. Being with him felt like a life-affirming act and that was his constant gift. We all miss him so much but having this to look forward to made Christmas morning that tiny bit easier, without him. His father and sister also came down to see the group and that really meant a lot to be able to see them.

Pre-Jump - looks of nervous fear! (except Ted who already jumped in once and is going again. That legend)

Wayne's is the last jumper.

Post-Jump Richie, Ted and Wayne. Oooooweeee that was cold!

Afterward - everyone all dry and warm. Graham's Dad is in the blue coat and his sister Mia (grey scarf).

 The whole gang - myself and Catherine (Ted's wife, next to me in the purple hat) are both pregnant and therefore had a 'pass' on the jump. :)

And us, home for our last Christmas dinner in Ireland - together as a little family of three. It might look a little sad but I promise it wasn't. We had a roast chicken, sweet potatoes, 2 types of stuffing and mashed potatoes & gravy (with cranberry sauce). It was small, sure, but we felt it was important and appropriate that we spend our last Christmas (our 4th here) alone, just as we did when we first arrived in December 2011. We didn't know a soul then (and that one was a little depressing) but this time we are surrounded by love and community but still really enjoyed spending this last Christmas with just us 3 (for the last year we'll BE a family of 3), in our home in Dublin. And after dinner we played with Norah's game of Battleship, polly pockets, and K'nex (super awesome building set which Wayne and I get more enjoyment out of than she does). It was a beautiful day from beginning to end.