30,000 steps and 8 new birds!

I'm in McAllen, Texas for a conference and also some birdwatching! Yesterday and today I walked over 30,000 steps according to my pedometer, but it was worth it - I have seen 8 new species! And I still have a few more to try for before I come home Sunday. Here are some pix of some of the new birds - hook-billed kite, buff-bellied hummingbird, and tropical parula. Sweet!

2009 and retirements!

Well, the news is starting to leak out so I thought I'd make it official by posting it here. I am going to retire on January 2, 2009! Whoop, whoop, whoop!!! And Marianne will be following up closely, and will retire in the spring of 2009. Another whoop, whoop, whoop!!! We are excited for this big change. It will give us more time to help with Grandma and Grandpa, and to do some projects around the house and yard that have been put off, and to visit family, and to travel and do some volunteer work. Overall, it is a good time to make the move. So, there it is - I think by posting it on the blog, that is making it pretty darned official!

Scott and Jen's new baby!

Well, in keeping with the new baby posts, here's the latest addition from Scott and Jen - Zane Van Manning. Everyone is doing well, and as you can see, big sister Zoe seems pretty happy with her new brother. What fun!