The Year of the Dragon

It is very hard to select the sixth annual collection of photos for 2012, especially when so diligent in documenting the arrival, life and times of L.A.L.W. (pronounced LAL-dubs). This year, we go for a small sample that illustrate some amazing events from 2012. I have limited myself to only 10 photos, but realised in reviewing the billion others I took what an amazing time we had.

Many lessons are passed through the generations.

We didn't have many photos of Filippo this year, so we found his closest likeness. 

This is what we call a jubilee!

Autumn leaves.

Breathing underwater (so to speak). 

Amazing spider(wo)men!

A groundbreaking women's pleasure emporium, indeed. (Photo by Beth)

SPF 50

I don't know, what's 1.581 kg, ginger and snores a lot?

And my best photo of 2012! Predictable and sentimental, but that's what happens...

Nice to meet you Gr-emily, you can call me Leo Augustus.

If The Name Fits...

If I become a father in two weeks and still plan to keep my wellies, I have not choice, do I?

I'd rather hang with "camp glampers" than with "festival dads", but I don't see why I can't be both.

This looks much nicer than Glasto or Womad, especially this summer! I didn't see many kids in the video promo.

Hey, Baby!

If blogging is hard now, what will it be like in a month when our new arrival joins us? Here he comes!

Coming...

Easter chick from Santa Caterina, Italy, 24 April 2012.

Still coming...

The girl from Ipanema, Brazil, 30 May 2012.

Really, he's still coming...

The girl from Beer, Devon, 2 June 2012.

Almost here...

Only girl (in the world) besides Rihanna from Hackney, London, 24 June 2012.

Ciao, 2011!

Slightly delayed, but here's the fifth annual year in pictures. Many thanks to Elizabeth for several of the photos this year.

Theo at Seatown, Dorset


A (L.A.) Christmas Story


When asked "What would Lady Gaga Where"... obviously, matzah bread.


The Real Royal Wedding of 2011 was in Vermont!


Little fish. big fish. Swimming in the water.


Aktaş Beach


"Simmering, brooding!" -- The Guardian


Maremma Harvest Festival - 2011.


Happy Natty at The Wolseley!


Untitled


We, Polly, do solemnly, and sincerely affirm that, on becoming British citizens, we will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law.


Mother-in-laws and martinis...these are a few of my favourite things.


Migrant labour saved the olive crop yet again.


Oh, the sweet couple. So petite bourgeoisie. (Photo by Beth!)


Hi Brooke, I am Nicolo.


The Eve of Christmas Eve on Escondido Beach.


My wife, mother-in-law and friends give extraordinary 40th birthday. (Photos by Beth!)


...t.A.T.u., B.H.O. and a Gaddafi impersonator came to my party to help break the piñata. (Photo by Beth)


I asked them to make the "you can have your ice cream without having to finish dinner"-face.


Bere and Nicolo share their personal and heart felt stories of teething with me.


Tea tastes better in Aral, Kyrgyzstan.


30 and still dirty. (Photo by Beth!)


Rocks stars in Joshua Tree.


Anyone seen James?


Vermonting in January...


I found nothing funny in Istanbul. Nothing at all.


Some of the brightest minds I know studied in a quaint village in England called Cambridge. So lovely!


And, the photo of the year for 2011...

Welcome to the community, dear Nicolo! (Photo by Beth!) While not aware at the time of costume selection (Gold shorts by American Apparel -- £24.99), I was clearly deeply moved by one scene in The Big Lebowski.

Postcards From A (Mini) Re-Woo-nion, 2011

Samuel leads Byron, Brett and James in the semi-daily flag ceremony.


Pete and Regina up the Chesapeake without one of their paddles.


Ian and Penelope not-so-subtly cheating at foosball by holding their opponent's players while Mayme attacks.


Mayme provides non-verbal feedback when presented with the option to eat a well-seasoned Maryland crustacean.


Unlike the crab previously pictured, no fish were harmed for this photo.


Taraksh ponders just for a moment what it would have been like to live in 7H Hibben and decides it is better to go home.


Molly ignores the call for "Killoff Family Portrait" and jumps into Emily's spot.


Ah, that's more like it!


James gave me a piñata for my birthday and proceeded to show me how it worked.


Mayme shows everyone how to do it for real while Penelope, in flagrant disregard for the rules, gets too close. Ethan bites his nails in anticipation for what comes next.


Someone put ladies underwear in the piñata. Regina gloats while Jen asks herself why she was so slow to snatch them.


Anna and Todd thank Emily for the short presentation she gave on airborne particulate matter.


Jen and Paul enter corn coma, avoiding Emily's presentation.


Brett enjoys quiet breakfast while Amon sings the children to sleep.


At any one time, the most we could pull together for a "group" shot.

We missed all who couldn't join.