A Christmas Computer

Our grandson, Zach, is an exceptionally bright 8-year-old in the third grade in Billings, Montana. We made a the decision to bring them to Tucson for Christmas and to purchase a MacBook computer for Zach's use in his studies at Lockwood School.

As you will see, it was not under the tree during the opening of other presents. Kathy brought it out from our bedroom and the rest is evident in the video below.

New Car

The Internet is a wonderful thing. Kathy has been looking for a new car for a couple of years. While she looked at several makes and models, her dream car was a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Last week, she received an email from a salesman in Peoria, Arizona (north and west of Phoenix) that they had a used 2008 model that had been leased for a year and only had 6100 miles.  The dealership hired someone to drive it from Peoria to our house in Tucson where we signed the purchase papers on our dining room table.  Kathy will now have a ride for her 40-mile daily commute that gets 27 miles to the gallon in the city and it has seats that better accommodate her tender lower back.

Landscaping

The landscaping, including a dining patio by the pool, dresses up the backyard.

Landscaping

Desert landscaping adorns the area around the new swimming pool.

Renunion

Bill and Lorie Hougland, my sister and brother-in-law try out the new swimming pool.

Reunion

The first weekend in October featured a mini-reunion of sorts as my sister Lorie and her husband, Bill, from Houston, and our second cousin, Judy, from near Melbourne, Australia, came to Tucson for a short two-day stay.

Judy had visited Tucson nearly five years ago. Lorie and Judy had not seen each other since she had moved to Australia in the 1970s.

Gully Washer

For those of you who think Kathy and I live in a bone dry desert here's proof to that it rains from time-to-time. Last night it rained harder than we have seen in a long time. Here's the proof, a rain gauge that Kathy deployed about a year ago. It reads 2.8 inches of rain.

Gully Washer

The rain gauge used to be in the middle of the backyard, but was displaced by the swimming pool. Now it resides at the back wall.

Waterworld

Kathy's Daughter Carla and grandson Zach are spending the weekend, flying in Thursday night from Billings, Montana.

Waterworld

Kathy's grandson Zach enjoys the new pool.

Waterworld

Zach uses a water toy.

Waterworld

Carla and Zach have been in the pool constantly during their visit.

Waterworld

Carla uses one of the float tubes to blow water at Zach.

Waterworld

Zach is pleased after his morning swim.

Pool update

Before the water comes the pebble tech.

Pool update

The pebble-tech grew coates the inside of the pool shell.

Pool update

Ready for a quick dip. The water temperature was 91 degrees without using the heat pump.

Pool update

Kathy couldn't wait.

Pool update

Kathy starts the never ending battle to rid the pool of leaves and other debris.

Pool update

Kona was happy to see the pool was ready to use.