Friday, March 25, 2011

Twins Travel to Tucson -- March, 2011

This time the travelers came to us. Dorothy arrived on Saturday, 5 March, and Ruth and Dori arrived on Wednesday, 9 March. In their short visits we managed to work in lots of talking, lots of sight seeing, some wildlife sights and sounds (jack rabbits, coyotes, javelina), lots of eating, lots of "Kids 1st" box-going-through and a massage and some jewelry for each twin.

Dorothy got to see the normal tourist route with us complete with multiple passes through Border Patrol check points, but she's the first we've taken up to the top of Kitt Peak. We didn't go for any reason other than to drive up and back and for Trout to get a "man in the maze" basket. He found one in the gift shop there. It was labeled as being woven around 1960 and it now proudly hangs on our wall.

The man in the maze is the symbol of the Tohoho O'odham Nation. I've linked to their website before. Their reservation is very close to where we live. Trout talked to our friend, John, about buying a basket with the symbol. John explained the different ways the basket could be woven, the different colors used and what Trout should pay for what type. So Trout went prepared with some knowledge before buying. Thanks, John. Trout's been wanting to do this for years and this was the right time.

I was atypically negligent in picture taking, so all these are somewhat posed. They still show #11 quite well, along with her mom, namesake aunt, Grampa Trout and Grammy Lo. There are even some with Cisco. He was just fascinated by Dori and couldn't see (sniff) her enough.

We all went to the Desert Museum on Thursday. We got there in time to see a few animals before the raptor free flight. After that was over, Dorothy and Ruth headed down to see the javelina and coyotes and Trout, Dori and I went to the patio outside the Ocotillo Cafe to wait for them to come back and join us for lunch.

During that time, we got to show off Dori and talk with lots of other people. There's not much better than a baby for attracting attention. We especially enjoyed talking with a young sailor and his wife. They were on their way to San Diego for his next duty station. Their daughter was 3 months old and another little cutie.




It didn't take long for Dori to sack out after her bottle. Grampa Trout sure has the touch.



After lunch, Trout and Dorothy waited on a bench until Ruth tended to Dori. Dorothy had the perfect desert hat on, although we did tease her about looking like Darth Vader.

This is a cute series of pictures with Trout and Dori in our living room.



This is my favorite of them.



These are some pictures with the twins sitting on the sofa. Although Ruth looks a little funny in this picture, I love the way Dori is looking at Dorothy.

I like these with Dorothy, Dori and Cisco.


Trout got into this 3 generation + dog picture.

Me too.

I love the way Dori looks at her mom in this picture.

I think Cisco is licking Dori's feet in this one.

Here's the doting Grampa.


And I decided I'd finish with this potential-blackmail-of- a-15-year-old picture of Dori with Dorothy. This was her best goofy look the whole time she was here.

It was a delight having all 3 girls here. It was particularly good because Trout got such good news on Monday the 7th. Dorothy went into the room with us to get the test results from Dr. Patel. Trout called us his entourage.
At one point, our next door neighbor, Maralee, came over to borrow "Trout's strong right arm." She said something about how much alike Ruth and Dorothy looked. That's when we told her they are identical. Maralee has 6 kids. She blames the cold Montana nights.
You may notice in most of the pictures that Dori has a very intent look at the camera and other things. Ruth and I decided she is probably an old soul. That feeling sure comes out of her eyes.
While here, she was a delightful baby. She wasn't at all fussy, only cried when she needed something (food, diaper change), wasn't startled by anything and was in general good spirits the whole visit -- even when her GPs changed her diaper. (Thank goodness it was only wet!)
We must admit, it was hard for Trout and I to call Dory the Elder, Dorothy, but we're working on it.