About the Year
The year featured two big trips: returning to Hawaii and British Columbia. Sandwiched around those trips was a LOT of work, as we transitioned from Alltel to Verizon Wireless. With the conversion work just about done by the end of the year, I left the company to seek out new opportunities. Alicia and I completed our move back to Phoenix, and we enjoyed being able to spend the holidays with our families. Speaking of family, both my brother and sister had additions to their families. On August 14 in Houston, TX, Kris and Doug became proud parents to Evie and Bella. A couple months later, on October 5 to be exact, Steve and Sarah welcomed their third addition to their family, Steven Jr.
New Year's Visit
To kick off the New Year, we received a visit from my brother and his family. They arrived on New Year's Eve and stayed with us a couple days. On New Year Day we visited Carlsbad Caverns. On their second day in El Paso, we ate lunch at Double Dave's Pizzaworks, went bowling, and capped off the evening at Cattleman's Steakhouse. The first picture is from Carlsbad Caverns, with the remaining being taken at Cattleman's Steakhouse.
Hawaii - April 2009
On April 23, Alicia and I made our second trip to Hawaii. This time, we spent the entire week in Maui. Check out the photos from our trip here.
Steven George Tilson
Steven George Tilson was born into the world on October 5, 2009. The following weekend, Alicia and I spent a long weekend in Phoenix. We saw our new nephew for the first time on Saturday, October 10.
Thanksgiving
This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family, as we do every odd numbered year. It was a special Thanksgiving as it would be the first Thanksgiving for Steven George. We also were fortunate to have Janet, Connie, and Murphy visiting from Tucson.
Christmas
The day after Christmas, my family gathered to celebrate. Alicia was especially excited for Steven George to open his first Christmas gift from us. We got him an educational toy called Learning Puppy.
Other Photographs
May 3 - On our way back from Hawaii, we spent a few days in Phoenix. The timing of the trip centered around my sister and her husband being in Phoenix for a wedding. On Sunday morning, we celebrated Mother's Day a week early at Mimi's Cafe. It was great having the entire Tilson family back together again. From left to right: Sarah, Steve, Isaiah, me, Alicia, Arianna, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Kris, and Doug.
July 23 - Alicia and I celebrated her birthday at Olive Garden.
August 2 - On the 13th hole at Butterfield Trail in El Paso, I recorded my second eagle. Like my first eagle, it was a hole out from about 100 yards on a par-4.
November 29 - The Pastores family celebrated two birthdays in November: Kathy and Alex. Their birthdays are eight days apart, and we celebrated at a sushi restaurant in Glendale.