summer is here - well for the moment

Water is so much fun!

Spring time and loving it.

One of the things we missed so much when we lived in Africa was the seasons you get at home. Longer days, evening walks, bluebells - just blissful.

Family walk on gorgeous purdown

Dandelion blowing lesson

Joshua congratulating himself on being - well just gorgeous

'At last,' says Alex -frisbee time

Our Toddler

Some new pics, our baby is a real little boy! He is walking, playing, gurgling - all so much fun.

Some funny moments:

Hiding his bottle behind his back when he didn't want to give it back.

Stopping every now and then to clap himself (a new skill)

Uncontrollable laughter as he climbs down the stairs (with adult supervision of course)

Trying to feed him couscous - the confused look followed by it all coming back out again and sticking all over his face

Where has the year gone??

Oh my goodness, this time last year I was big and uncomfortable. Joshua arrived 1 year ago next Monday. He has one week left of being an under one - and getting into the soft play area for free!

What a whirlwind year. Joshua has spent half his life in Africa and half in the UK. I am definitely finding it easier to be a mum in the UK. SO much more to do and less insects to worry about, but then having to put clothes on him is a bit of a hassle.

He is such a blessing to our family. It has been a hard transition especially for Alex in the last few months but Joshua brings so much joy and laughter. He is almost walking, he is very happy to walk around holding your hand and occasionally I can get him to take a few tentative steps on his own. I find it amazing to watch him grow and learn and change.

Some normality

We have been back in our house just over a month and we are feeling some sense of normalilty, Alex has been having meetings with the MoD (his old employer) for the last couple of days and is due to return near the end of the month. He is not full of the joys of spring about this, but I have reassured him that he will have food and a smiley baby to return to. So as these photos prove it life is ok.

Joshua has been crawling for 2 months and is almost walking - all very exciting...

..... and he is pretty happy about it as well

Bath time - all the better for bubbles

The snow - as Alex says, 'cold without snow is not really worth it.'

Photos from a cooler climate

with Aunty Jenny on Boxing day

Some quality time with Uncle Gareth

Snuggled up and a new way to drink milk - look no hands

Still being carried in the sling - the hat performs a different function though - less to keep the heat off more to keep the heat in.

Back in the UK

We have been back in the UK for 1 month, so there is really no excuse for not updating this blog! We left Africa in a whirl of seeing local friends and saying goodbye to them, selling nearly all of our furnature (praise the Lord) and very sad goodbyes to our lovely team mates. The night we left the Island the power went out and still hasn't returned, this is a nightmare especially as it is the hottest time of the year and trying to sleep without a fan on is really challanging, we are praying for you guys! Big Pole Sana! (very sorry in Swahili) Since we have been back we have been reflecting a bit on the last 2 years in Arica, there are so many things we will miss. I hope to do a post soon with some incredibly witty and well thought out comments (well we can all aim high!) but for now here are some new pics!

A suitably islamic pose! No smiling allowed in photos. This is one of our good friends Mr M he come over the last day we were there with a Kofia (hat) and Kanzu (white long shirt) for Joshua With some friends, it is actually their house we are sitting in!

Giving as good as he gets!

My men - so cool!