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Published: February 13th 2009
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The festive season is a time to celebrate with family. After a wonderful Christmas in Sweden in 2007, we were thrilled to be invited to spend another Christmas with Maria's parents, especially as it would be Liam's first visit from Santa. This year though, the Nylund family were almost outnumbered by Aussies as Adam's parents and Kyrie came from Australia to celebrate the festive season. For the first time in almost three years the three Odell children and their parents were together again for some family holiday fun!
Long before Christmas though, the festive season got off to a flying start with nuptials as Luke and Maria surprised family and friends by tying the knot! Due to flight necessity, Adam and I were 'in the know' about the pending nuptials and it was very exciting to greet a somewhat nervous bride the night before the wedding when Maria and Kyrie met us at Arlanda Airport. It was quite late by the time we made it back to Luke and Maria's place, said a quick hi to Luke, and then turned in for the night...Maria being particularly anxious to get a good night's sleep before the big day. The next
morning, once the true nature of the 'Christmas party' was announced to Kyrie over breakfast, the festivities really got under way as we focused on dolling ourselves up in time for the arrival of the guests. To describe the preparations as glamorous would be an understatement-Luke rushed out on the cold, wintery morning to collect the wedding cake. I hastily set-up an ironing board only to succeed in burning a huge hole in the dress I had planned to wear and had to ferret around in my backpack for an alternative ensemble. Luke and 'Uncle Ham' entertained Liam, who seemed quite unaware how incredibly special this day was and continued to keep the boys busy as he tottered around and played away the morning in his own little merry way. Meanwhile, the living area became the official make-up room, the bride busily consulting her compact mirror and Kyrie peering in the mirror from one of Liam's toys as she contemplated her make-up. The three of us were constantly consulting each other to make sure we'd not been too liberal with the eye shadow or come out looking too orange from overzealous foundation application. Glamorous or not, the whole process of
getting ready together was one of those wonderful times that will always be etched in my memory-it was a lovely beginning to what was a truly wonderful day.
The arrival of the guests around twelve seemed to take the bride's nerves up a notch. Maria's family were the first to arrive and sat around very happily chatting away, sipping glogg and nibbling gingerbread biscuits. When the time came for Maria and Luke to announce the true reason for this gathering, the announcement was greeted with a huge amount of excitement but not a lot of surprise. Many amongst the Nylund family were apparently quite suspicious in the lead up to the 'party' but the news was met with a really joyful reception by all. For Robert and Sheryle Odell though, the news was a huge shock. There wasn't a lot of time to chat about their surprise before we all hurried off to the city chambers where the ceremony was to take place. Maria and her mum walked most of the way arm in arm, with Luke ferrying everyone along to make sure no one was lost along the way. Liam, looking completely adorable in his little tailored
pants, shirt and vest ensemble, was in great spirits and loving the attention being lavished upon him by his entire family now gathered in the one place together.
The ceremony itself was given in both Swedish and English which was perfect for all. It was lovely in every sense of the word-Luke and Maria were both quite emotional, as were most of the onlookers as we watched them exchange vows. After a wonderful first year of parenting Liam, it was amazing to see this couple whom we love so dearly, celebrating each other and the love they share. The ceremony was short but meaningful and the moment of becoming 'man and wife' was met with huge applause from all present. Lots of photos and hugs followed as the elated couple were greeted by their loved ones all gathered to celebrate this day. We soon headed back to the apartment for champagne and cake, giving everyone the chance to catch their breath before we donned our dancing shoes and headed to a nearby restaurant for further celebrations that carried us into the wee small hours of the night. Luke and Maria stole off to a hotel for the night
whilst Maria's parents looked after Liam. We got the best deal though-partying on late into the night at the wedding celebrations and being awoken the next morning in time for morning playtime with Liam who had been dressed and fed by his grand parents. He has happy and bubbly and easily entertained with all his favourite games before Luke and Maria arrived home again.
After all the celebrations around the wedding, one could almost forget Christmas was just around the corner. Only a few days later, we got the White Christmas we'd so been longing for. With the tree dressed by Luke and Maria and presents mounted underneath, we all settled in to embrace all things Christmassy. Gathered together in Maria's parents' living room were Maria's siblings and partners, her parents and the Odell clan. As we sat sipping glogg and watching little Liam totter around, the snow began to fall outside. Ahh magic. To be together, with snow pattering down as we celebrated Liam's first Christmas, just magic.
The traditional Swedish Christmas foods were far more familiar to Adam and I this year and we were eager to tuck into the fantastic cuisine on offer.
The Odells were understandably a little more hesitant in filling their plates initially and Kyrie especially seemed overwhelmed by the myriad of new taste sensations she was about to discover. Watching her two brothers tease her and attempt to force feed her some of her less-preferred foodstuffs brought back memories of days past. It was so wonderful to see the Odell siblings together again at last.
The opening of Christmas presents this year seemed a gigantic task due of the sheer volume of gifts under the tree. Liam was not particularly excited about the present opening proceedings despite the eagerness of the adults around him who were keen for his first Christmas to be special. He was completely captivated by the shiny Christmas star in the window and his first Santa hat, provided by Grandma and Poppy Odell, so I think the occasion was pretty special for him presents or not. For the rest of us, presents were opened and remarked upon and thanks given with great cheer. For me though, by far the standout moment was when Adam and I opened our very first Christmas present from Liam...a request to become his godparents. I really had to
hold back tears-we were both very surprised and completely honoured too. It's undoubtedly the best Christmas present we've ever received.
The Christmas celebration itself didn't end with calls to Australia in the wee small hours of Christmas night. As all good things should, it extended over the next three days as we wined and dined with various members of Maria's family. And after three days of eating too much wonderful food and drinking too much schnapps, we were forced to acknowledge that Christmas had indeed come and gone for the year. A family affair it was in every way this year, and God willing, it won't be too long before we celebrate another one just like it.
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