365 Days in England - January Again

Well, we did it! We made it one whole year in England. Looking back, I can't believe everything that has happened in twelve short months here. It makes me feel like we can accomplish pretty much anything we set our minds to (but also makes me realize that maybe setting our minds to not accomplishing quite so much in 2013 isn't a bad idea).

Here are a few pictures of our second January in Leicester.

New Year's Baby Party

Our friends Tina and Lin invited us over their house for a little New Year's Celebration. The babies are getting bigger. No more lying around on the mat for these kids, sitting upright is the new craze. This was actually Maya's first real day sitting. I think she was inspired by Alan and Billie.

"Boop" on the nose from Wayne.

Everybody had a chew on a set of keys.

Maybe teething is the new craze too!

The Society for Historical Archaeology Annual Conference

Lucky for us the annual SHA conference, usually held in the USA, was hosted by Craig's department at the University of Leicester. After a very quiet holiday season it was nice to see some familiar faces in town. 

We had a little get-together at our house one night. Thanks to all who made the trek out to our house!

Maya meets Steve. I think she's going for the beard.

Snowstorm

It doesn't snow that often here in England, and when it does it doesn't usually accumulate, so the whole country went into a tizzy during a 5-day long snowstorm (accumulation approx. 6 inches). 

They don't shovel the roads or the sidewalks. Downside: Everything becomes treacherous ice. Upside: baby strollers make cool patterns in the snow.

Peekaboo. Maya's first snowstorm.

Here we are. Enjoying the snowy landscape.

All the snow meant a lot of time spent playing indoors.

Working on tricks...

... and "drinking tea" out of big mugs.

Maya swims

We signed Maya up for a baby swim class. It's something fun to do inside while the weather is cold and gloomy outside. Here she is modeling her new swimsuit.

Tankini, baby!