2012 Year in Review

2012 was our first full year in London.  We enjoyed it thoroughly although there is definitely more we wished we had seen and done.  But perhaps we'll always think that.  When I reflect back on the year, my most vivid memories revolve around the trips we've taken in Europe as well as back to the states to visit friends & family.  Some of the highlights:

January:  Rang in the New Year in London with the J Grandparents.  New Year's Day was spent at the London Wetland Centre.

February:  Weekend getaway to Paris.  The circus was a highlight as was walking to the patisserie around the block for hot, fresh baguettes and croissants in the morning.                                                  

March:  Visit to Florida to see all the grandparents.  Sad news that Grandma L passed away, but at 95 she had a good, ol' life and kept her wits about her right up to the end.  If we only we could all be lucky.

April:  Springtime finally arrives after a long dark (3:30-4pm sundown) winter.  We enjoy the warmer weather and early blossoms with trips to Kew Gardens and egg festivities with our friends MM, KK and C.

May: Celebrated J's birthday at the Tower of London.  Then our first weekend excursion within the UK with visits to Stonehenge and Bath.  London started to feel very festive with the lead up to the the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration.

June:  Lots of trips and celebrations.  Spent a week relaxing in southern Spain early in the month.  Then another trip to the Lake District with J's parents to celebrate their 55th Wedding anniversary.  On our return, we celebrated C's 4th birthday with friends and neighbors and the Noble Gnarble.

July:  The Lawlers and the Olympics came to London. To say that I was obsessed with the Olympics would be putting it mildly. I couldn't watch enough footage or see enough games in person.

August:  Trip back east to visit the family.  Spent the week on Lake Ontario with the Klaehn's. Sitting around the beach bonfire, toasting marshmallows and making s'mores is quite possibly the best memory of the year.

September:  C starts Reception at her new school.  She loves it and amazes us with her Falcon Award. Trip to Salzburg and Munich for Oktoberfest with my Dad and Marylin.  It was a fun and festive trip and we especially enjoyed our night at the famous Hofbrau House.

October:  Officially in our house for one year.  We had another go at British Halloween.  Not nearly as festive as in the U.S. but enough treats to keep the kids happy.

November:  Once again, I am all consumed with work during November.  We hosted another expat thanksgiving which grew by two this year.

December:  Celebrated K's 3rd Birthday in New York City and spent time with the whole L and J families for Christmas.  The kids loved playing with their cousins.  We couldn't ask for a better way to end the year.

As we head into 2013, the big looming question is how long we will stay in London/Europe.  Our lease is up in March so we're trying to figure out if we should renew for another 18 months - or less - or try to find a place to buy.  And then the bigger question is when should we return to U.S. and where to settle.  While we're blessed to have options, too many choices can sometimes be so overwhelming.

Cheers to another year of exploring!