Happy Holidays!
2023 started for us with a visit from Claire’s family in Tucson on New Year’s Day. We celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary two days later. We explored Arizona from south to north with friends from Kentucky, over a week in late January. We drove through snow and enjoyed Sedona, Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly - where we had dinner with our Navajo friends, then back to Tucson, Saguaro National Monument, and San Xavier Mission. Lulu went to Albuquerque twice in winter, to look at houses Audrey and Dan were considering. They moved to Albuquerque in June.
We took Lauren on her “Lulu and Papa trip” to Carmel, California in February, and we took Greta on her “Lulu and Papa trip” to San Diego, California, in March. While in San Diego, we had dinner with long-time friends Bob and Paige. We enjoyed a family weekend in Phoenix, with all four of our children, three spouses, six of our grandchildren, and Mary joining us. We loved every minute of family time! The photo below was taken during our family weekend in March.
We returned to Lectoure in mid-May, for our six month stay. We were busy almost every day, going to concerts, markets, walks around the village, working in our garden, getting together with friends at our house and their homes, and meeting at restaurants. In early June, we invited friends to see our ranch photography, exhibited at our friends, Romain and Dominique’s Galerie de l’Oeil across the street. There was a huge rain before and during the party… not the best timing, but still nice to see so many friends! We enjoyed Lundi Nuits street parties in Lectoure in July and August. We met friends at six farm dinners at Ferme Cazaux. Lulu took photos of Ferme Cazaux owner, Coralie, and the farm crew at work, and made a photo book for them. We enjoyed Lectoure’s Summer Photography Exhibition. We visited churches and chateaux, took drives through the countryside, we went to the Blaziert Fete in July, Lulu volunteered for Patrimoine weekend in Lectoure in September…. Through summer and autumn, we enjoyed dinners and lunches with friends in the Gers. Our life in Lectoure is full and fun!
Our summer travels - We met Whitney’s family in Biarritz in late May and spent a night in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. We visited La Rochelle and Île de Ré in July. We stayed in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne and stopped in Saint Emilion for a short visit. We visited Peche Merle cave in August, to see 25,000 year old cave drawings. We enjoyed a day exploring Toulouse with our friend, Rebecca. In September, we returned to Morocco and spent a week in Marrakech with day trips to Ait Benhaddou over the Atlas Mountains, and Essouira on the Atlantic. We went to Spain in early October, visiting San Sebastian, Bilbao, and the Asturias Coast - it is beautiful!
We flew back to Arizona on November 14. Lulu walks daily with our friend, Ornella, when in Tucson, and we get together often for dinners with her and Donato. Our girls and their families plus Lulu’s Mom, joined us for Thanksgiving weekend in Tucson. We ran/walked the Tucson Turkey Trot, played games, and ate too much. We will spend Christmas in Tucson, with Whitney and Claire’s families joining us for a couple of days.
2023 has been joyful for us with friends and family, new experiences, good health, and always learning. We have much to celebrate! We wish you a happy holiday season and New Year 2024!
With love,
Lulu and Papa
