Steve and Judy's Travels!

We got that in Chandler, and more.  Grandparents, kids, grandkids all in the same house.  Each quiet morning evolving into the chaos of the day, winding down at night to relative quiet, and all the older people gone to bed.  Morning coffee on the outside patio and breakfasts in shifts.  Shared plans executed during the day.  Lunch and dinner together.  With Christie there, we were a family of nine, but there were rarely that few.  Austin on the couch made it ten.  The first night at Matt’s house was pizza for sixteen.  The next night was the party, again at Matt’s house, for thirty-five or forty.  The next night Judy made dinner for sixteen.  Swiss steak like mom used to make.  Mashed potatoes, brown gravy, and dinner rolls.  Back at our house the next day there were twenty-three for lunch!

The rhythm was flawless, each person getting what they needed.  An absolute delight.

Judy and I are back home at Sandpipers now.  No more trips on the schedule.  Becky has a quick turnaround.  Several of them are leaving mid next week to move Taylor to England.  Taylor will embark on an advanced degree at the University of Reading.

Broad-billed Hummingbird.

Mexican Jay.

Arizona Woodpecker.

Acorn Woodpecker.

Coatimundi.

One of their cool features is that they can turn their rear ankles around and walk headfirst down trees!

Wild Turkey.

And one very pissed-off rattlesnake!

So why is he still in all the family pictures!

We all went back to Tucson again today and then to Madera Canyon to hike together in the cooler altitude.  Tucson is at 2,400 feet.  Madera Canyon is at 5,400 feet.  From 98 degrees to 82 degrees!

A drive to Tucson with everybody for move-in day for Conner.  It’s a family tradition.

He got a nice sized dorm room inside the south end of the football stadium.

His roommate won’t be here (There, we’re back in Chandler tonight.) until Friday.  We got to wander campus.  Met some people.  Ate at the food court.  Bought souvenirs at the bookstore.  Saw a lot of stuff.

Conner is off on the grand college adventure.

Right now, you’re probably thinking to yourself:  “I wish he’d just shut up and send out some bird pictures!”.  Well, message received.

Rosy-faced Lovebird.

There is a flock of them in the neighborhood, so we hear them outside every morning!

Gambles Quail, but they didn’t want anyone close to them.

A gallinule baby.

Not exactly cute.

A night heron, if you can make out the shape.

And bunnyrabbits!