Tucson Trip *updated*

Nora and I went to Tucson last weekend.

It's late, I'm tired, and I just wanted to get these pictures up. I will fill you in verbally, on the details tomorrow. We had such a good time with everyone down there, and I wouldn't do it justice if I tried explaining all the fun stuff we did, right now!

Enjoy the pictures (warning, there's a ton of them)

View them here. (Click on the 'i' to see the captions I put on some of the pictures)

Ok... I know it's several days later, but it is Friday night, and I have settled in with a beer (Fat Tire) and popcorn (Smart Balance light butter, best microwave popcorn in the world) and am ready to blog away.

The Tucson trip was a blast. We did so much and had such a good time with Great Grandma and everyone else. Of course, in true *she's so my daughter* fashion, we had to seek medical attention for Nora's thumb within 24 hours of our arrival. Nora is an avid thumb sucker, actually she only does it when tired, hungry or sleeping, so during waking hours it is not usual to see her suck her thumb. Several days before our trip I noticed that her thumb was looking chapped. It had started to kind of peel and crack, but otherwise wasn't horrible. After we got to Tucson, it was angry red and puffy to the point of looking like a grape about to pop. My mom and Midge thought it was infected so Nora, my dad and I ended up going to the clinic at Walgreens, saw a nurse practitioner, were in and out in 45 minutes, which was awesome. Especially since there is a nasty strain of flu not covered by the flu shot going around Tucson. I knew if we had gone to an urgent care, one of us would have come down with it. No Thank You. Tom saved the day by suggesting Walgreens, and it was perfect. Long story short, Nora's thumb is finally on the mend, her pediatrician here switched her antibiotic to Augmentin and she takes her final dose tomorrow evening.

One of the highlights of the trip was Nora getting a haircut from Uncle Tom. He did a fantastic job and could put "Baby Mullet Removal Expert" on his resume. I'd happily be a reference for him. Nora instantly looks 2 years older (boo hoo) but 200 times cuter. Thank you Tom!

Some of those pictures were taken at the Ted DeGrazia gallery in Tucson. I had never been here, but loved it. It was fun taking pictures there. In the background of some of them you can see the snow on the mountains. It was pretty chilly our first few days there.

We also went to the Desert Museum. One of my favorite places on Earth. Nora had a blast. We got to see some Harris's Hawks in free flight during a demonstration, and they swooped so close to the crowd that Nora could have reached out and touched them (she was sitting on my Dad's shoulders).

It was so nice to see my everyone again. Nora gave my Uncle Mike quite the workout with their "Switch Knees" game, which, I do have to admit, Mike taught her, so he can't complain about her wearing him out! :) Here's a video of them:

Oh, have to include this... Notice the magnets high up on the door behind Mike? Nora took the magnets off the fridge and moved them to the door while she was there. She and Mike had another game where he lifted her up to get the magnets that were too high for her. At one point, I think we needed Nora's cooperation for something else and Mike bribed her with 'do that other thing' and then (exact words) "I'll help you get high again." Just what I need. My uncle helping my almost 2 year old get high. ;)

Oh, this picture was on my other camera and I just downloaded it... Two friends from high school (Lakenheath) live in Tucson, Gavin and Jackie. They were both dormies like Murphey. I hadn't seen them in 14 years, and we got to meet up one evening while I was in Tucson. Jackie was great enough to meet Gavin and me out after a long shift at the Olive Garden. I had so much fun catching up with these two.