Goodbye Tucson!

Our beloved plants (currently residing at Cait's house)

The past couple of months have sped by as we have packed up our lives and prepared to leave it all for a year. We've been busy trying to see friends and family -- balancing brunches, dinners and hikes with shopping, planning, and research. In some ways it's hard to think about leaving Tucson since we have such wonderful friends and family there. Luckily, driving all around town on errands in 90 degree weather, through nasty traffic and unfinished construction projects, has really helped ease those feelings of regret : )

Annetta did her part in reminding us how much we love our home by throwing a lovely goodbye dinner party last Friday.


When I got to her house in the afternoon to help cook, I was surprised by the thoughtful and creative decorations she had made for us the night before. All around the living room she had taped colorful paper cutouts reading: "Just a few things you might miss on your travels..."

(Note the purple elipses. A nice touch, I thought.)

Then to the right of the doorway were hand-drawn pictures of things we will miss, including Kino Bay, Tucson Meet Yourself, Hipster bikes, Day of the Dead, Tumamoc Hill, Monsoons, and more...


It was not all sad, though, as she ended her wall art with this message: "But they'll be here when you get back!"


So true. Thanks for the sweet send off, Annetta!

Thanks to the rest of you as well... Beth and Chris, good luck starting your big adventure. April and Javier, we wish you all the best this year. Bria and Gus, welcome to Tucson! Maya, good luck with nursing school, you'll do great. Emery and Chris, congratulations on the new addition to the family, you will be fantastic parents. Cait, thanks for babysitting the plants and we can't wait to see you in September! Annetta, may you come to love Tucson even more.
We will miss you all!!!