Every new year we see a lot of snow! After the past 2 years, we have grown to expect it but at first it came as quite a shock- sometimes it can get so deep it comes above our knees, but it's still business as usual in NYC- not like back at home when everything stops! Sadly, we actually don't have many proper photos of the snow, usually because it's just too cold to be standing around in it for too long- but it is very pretty in the park- i must remember to try and take more next time. Here are a few from our phones!

Once we left Osaka after New Years, we headed over to Tokyo for a bit of sightseeing/shopping. Tokyo reminds me of New York in so many ways (I often say it's like Times Square- but everywhere!), but also is so different from anywhere else in the world! It's always so much fun to visit!

P.S. I hope everyone has been enjoying all the photos so far. It's taking a lot longer that I originally thought to catch up to present day! Right now, we are both doing well and enjoying the end of summer in NY. Tom is working really hard on his course which takes up a lot of time (but he is having a lot of fun with it too!) and I have just got back from a fortnight in the UK. Next we'll be posting all the photos from NYC 2013!

New Years Day is the biggest holiday in Japan, so we all got dressed up for the occasion whilst visiting Tom's family. Although I looked a little too tall and out of place, it was such a great experience to dress in a kimono!

Thank you to all Tom's relatives for organizing all the clothes, hair, and for such a memorable day.

Apologies in advance for the overload of photos from Japan. We have over 1500 photos from the trip, and even by planning 3 posts, it's still way too much! We started out in Osaka a few days after Christmas 2012, where we explored some of the city and enjoyed a visit with Tom's family...

Happy New year 2013!!