Packing for the Maldives

Yesterday was worth every bit of hard work put in over the last week. It was a blast! and the weather was at the "rendez-vous", who could have hoped for a white Christmas? Certainly not me, the first time in my 39 Christmases! Well, enough of that, there is only so much freezing cold weather one can get fascinated with (it is really beautiful, honestly!). But, I am a lucky girl, Greg and the children are visiting Granny in Derby and I am packing for... the Maldives!

And we celebrated with friends and family

After a bit of pampering at the hairdressers (I really should learn how to blow dry my hair) accompanied by Victor who was an angel, I am showered and dressed, help arrives. Margarita and Tina are helping with the finishing touches as Greg pours champagne and the children play with their new treasures.

Bea and Peter, Kate and James (her absolutely charming new man) and Isaura are all here to share the giant turkey, steamed veg and wonderful wines. Tina queued early this morning at Cafe Lisboa to buy the best ever Portuguese custard tarts, our surprise pudding. Everything is perfect. Later, more friends join us for drinks, cheese and chocolates. The house is full of children and friends, the wine flows, music plays, and the kids, the snow falls we are all very mellow, happy days...

I think today is a big success, would be even better with few more of my siblings around... next year peut-etre...

Joyeux Noel everyone X

Santa came early at the Knight house

We are so happy to have Max with us for nearly a week. Our house feels really complete. The little ones are thrilled, in their excitement they leave him no choice as to an early rise in the morning. He is such a great kid, a really wonderful big brother.

Last night I went to bed at 1am, putting the finishing touches to the house, being Father Christmas and the house fairy all in one, but when I saw their shiny faces at the breakfast table, with candles on, the carols playing, the flowers all over the house and even snow in the garden... it was all worth it. The magic was working.

Today we are expecting a lot of people for lunch... a feast actually... now I have to dash to the hairdresser, it is time for some "me time" toodleloo...

Christmas school play

They did it and they were great!

getting prepared for Xmas

A l'approche du dernier week-end de Novembre, le froid nous saisit. La maison est en train de se refaire une beaute grace a deux peintres Polonais adorables qui nous font beaucoup de poussiere, mais le resultat en vaut la chandelle. Pous ma part, j'exerce ma creativite sur mes jardinieres histoire d'embellir le voisinage...

Alice et Victor commencent a compter les jours a rebours avant Noel. Entre temps, nous sommes aussi tres occupes avec la Winter School Fair destine a recolter des fonds pour diverses charities (le lot de toutes les mamans d'ecoles privees).

Et puis, la semaine prochaine, nous aurons aussi le spectacle de Noel des enfants, je ferais des photos, promis!

Nous regrettons tous vraiment de ne pas etre a Eyguieres pour Noel, mais nous sommes assez occupes ici, avec la peinture de la maison et la venue tres anticipee de Max (sa derniere visite remonte a presque 2 ans). Par contre, vous etes tous les bienvenus jusqu'a notre depart le 25 Decembre. Nous pensons faire notre dejeuner de Noel entre le 20 et le 22.

A bientot!

So it is Eyguieres for Christmas then

From the discussions it looks like we are going to be in Eyguieres after all for Christmas Eve. We are flying into Geneva on the 20th if all goes to plan. We have a couple of days in Switzerland and then we are going down to the South of France.

No plans for new year yet...

Aller pour rigoler encore une photo de Cricri en Abaya :)

Marco & Cricri

We might stay after all...

On a converti !

Seriously, we decided to go visit the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosq yesterday. Christiane didn't like the compulsory dress but the place is to be seen once in a lifetime.

Our new piano!

Hello , it has just been delivered! how exciting!

Alice and Victor want to introduce you to our new acquisition, with pride!

message from Nora

i am nora i want yu sing hapi bisdey
i lov yu tu much
y ar tu biutiful

kisisisi nora

Still Dubai was nice

Although we are happy to  start anew in Switzerland, we must admit Dubai still had some great experiences to offer. We had and incredible camping experience in Oman this weekend. Here is just a little taste of our sunrise last Saturday morning.

Chris&Marc

Still undecided Xmas 2009

Alice et Victor sont en vacances des le 11 Decembre.

Max vient a Londres pour la premiere fois depuis 2 ans le 18 et nous nous rejouissont de l'avoir avec nous jusqu'au jour de Noel. Nous serons a Londres pour Noel et finirons l'annee su soleil des Maldives.

Peut etre peut ont se retrouver entre le 11 et le 18 quelquepart?

On pourrais faire Noel a Eyguieres ou en Espagne

En ce qui me concerne, Je serais a Eyguieres a partir de Mardi, 17 Nov.Puis je decend a Madrid avec Antoine...vers le 21/22 Nov avec certaines affaires pour leur nouvelle maison.

Selina vient le 11 Dec et on va voir un peu les plans de l'avenir avec Papa. Selina et fam vont faire Noel avant Noel pour profiter de la presence de Max.On pourrais faire Noel a Eyuieres ou en Espagne. Maintenant il faut voire avec les autres.

Liste du pere Noel

La sante pour toute ma famille

Bisous,

XXXXM

So Long Caramel

Our Cat Caramel has found a new home. I want to publicly apologize to Christiane for failing to understand the feminine mindset. When you said that you understood why we should give the cat(s) away I really thought you said that I could go ahead. I am sure Caramel will find a his new family with 3 kids perfectly alright.

Spice is going to become a Swiss cat promise. Marc

NOEL - CHRISTMAS PLAN MARCO & CRICRI

We are planning to be in Europe from the 16th of December onwards. Christiane has probable got to go to Lausanne for interviews.

We would however like to see everyone so please let us know and we will move around. For now the plan is to zoom on Eyguieres for the festivities but if you have any other suggestions we will follow.

Santa Claus wish list

- Ipod docking station with speakers / alarm clock for Chris
- Diving watch for Marco
- Dog Kennel for Chocolat

The Pragers from Dubai are coming back

For those who are not aware Marc, Christiane and Chocolat are coming back to Europe. We will be based in Lausanne, Switzerland from the 4th of January. Christiane is likely to go back to Dubai until end of January to organise the move.

Christiane is a little upset because I am pushing to leave behind our two new pets Caramel and Spice which had recently joined our family