Weekend in Durham

As is tradition, Lee and I went to Durham to visit his family the weekend before Christmas. Lee's mam and stepdad always throw a party for a bunch of people including his four siblings and their families, and we usually stay at Lee's dad's house and spend some time with him and Lee's stepmam too. We always have a lovely time. This year there was a family thing hanging over me so I wasn't at my best, but I had explained to people and I think people understood why I was a bit down. 

We set off on Saturday morning up the A1 and got to Lee's mam's at about 12 o'clock, I'm guessing. We had stopped for some coffee on the way up. I was wearing a blue velvet Simply Be dress that I only ever wear at Christmas, and tartan patterned tights. They were from Snag originally but I got them off Chloe I think. I definitely hadn't worn them before so they were new to me.

About 1pm Lee's siblings and co started turning up. Oh and our friends Paul and Lianne who are basically family now; we always love to spend time with them too. Lee's mam had done a bunch of food including vegan and vegetarian options, so there was plenty for me to choose from. 

Lee's brother Chris was forty the following day, so Lee's mam had got a chocolate orange cake for him and I had a piece; it was delicious! We took a photo of the whole clan and I got some photos with my niblings. There was plenty of wine. We also usually use this time to swap Christmas presents. However, this year Lee's brother Andrew had suggested that we did Secret Santa and each of us got one person to buy for and spend more money on. It worked out really well - we still got presents for the kids - so we all opened that stuff and all the adults were happy with what we got!

We left Lee's mam's house quite late on when most people had already left, and went to Lee's dad's. We talked to Michael and Mary for a bit before going to bed. On Sunday morning I got up and had a shower and Lee's stepmam made us breakfast. We sometimes go out with them at Christmas but we decided to stay in so Mary cooked a lovely lunch. One of her sons came over so we talked to him for a bit and I did some of my cross stitch. 

We finally said goodbye and headed back to Lee's mum's for a bit. His mam and stepdad and youngest brother were there, so we talked for a little bit before heading home. It wasn't too late when we got back but we were both knackered so we got into bed and watched TV. As you can see from my last photo, Katniss was lying with us and we had the Christmas bedding on which I always love! 

On Sunday I was wearing my festive star top and my maroon pleated skirt which came from New Look forever ago and which I weirdly only ever wear at Christmas too! 

It was a nice weekend, I always really like this tradition. 

Tights and boots when we were about to set off on the Saturday. I love these tights for looking festive!

Chocolate orange cake, delish!

I always try to get a photo of Bev and all her kids - that's Andrew, Chris, Daniel and Lee at the back, and Kim and Bev at the front. Gorgeous photo!

My eldest niece Leah who always poses for a photo with me. Hey boyfriend Mason came as well

My second niece Caitlin, she's a lovely kid

Caitlin's brother. I have another niece and another nephew but I didn't get round to asking them for photos

I am aware of how crap I look in these photos, but it is what it is

Lee's stepdad Gary took this of all of us including his parents and Lee's uncle

This was Lee's dad's Christmas tree on the Sunday morning in the new extension of their house

Sunday's outfit of festive top and skirt

Here's what I got in my Secret Santa - in  the box is a kit to make resin coasters so that'll be fun to do! And I love Cotes du Rhone Villages wine

And here's Katniss lying on me on the Sunday night