Colorado 2015: Durango

After three days in Winter Park we drive from northern CO to the southern edge, to visit our friends The Woods in Durango. We hadn't anticipated seeing them two years in a row, but we just couldn't pass up the opportunity being that we were already in CO. I had never driven from north to south in CO before. There were so many beautiful landscapes that were completely new to me. It was hard not to hope that maybe one day...many mamy days from now...our journey as a family might lead us to Colorado permanently. It's a dream, and it's good to have dreams.

Colorado 2015: New Mexico and Lubbock

After three days in Durango it was time to  head back home to Austin. I stopped a few times in northern New Mexico to photograph landscapes and then I took took the boys to the Hot Air Balloon Museum and Park in Alberquerque. It was a magical place, a perfect stop for us to stretch our legs. And one last fun thing to do before enduring the hardest stretch of our roadtrip - ABQ to LBK.

Back on the road to Lubbock. It was a long day, we had several unexpected delays. It was a huge relief to finally arrive. We spent the entire next day in Lubbock, visiting with family and friends. 

Four Brick Walls

We bought a house this week. It happened fast and we're still reeling and in shock I think. It's going to be a big move. We'll be moving about 20 minutes northwest of our current home. Gavin will have to change schools and we'll be leaving our wonderful neighbors. 

The house needs some TLC and it's been hard for me to envision us there. It's been bittersweet. 

We are happy about four brick walls (must have been an upgrade chosen from the first buyers who purchased the house when the new community was being built). Our new house has an in-ground swimming pool and the big attic. During the showing Gavin and Sawyet walked out the front door. The grown ups were in the midst of discussing whether or not this particular house was right for us, and worth our time to make an offer. Admittedly, I'm the one who needed the most convincing. The interior of the house requires a full paint job, a big project to undertake with not a lot of time and the first day of school around the corner. Then I stepped out into the living area to check on the boys and I saw this:

There were our boys, just enjoying each othet's company oh the front porch. Talking to a curious neighborhood cat who had wondered up the walkway. All of a sudden I felt like maybe this house could be right for us. After all, the boys looked so natural sitting on the front stoop, like perhaps they'd been in this house all along. 

Colorado 2015: Casey's Birthday

The boys and I returned home from our Colorado trip on Casey's birthday. Casey had the house clean, had gone grocery shopping, and a backyard fiesta was underway at our neighbor's house. It sure was nice to be home. We missed Casey. 

Colorado 2015: Day One, Amarillo

Casey's family reunion was in Colorado this year, during the July 4 holiday. We drove from Austin to Amarillo where we spent the night with Aunt Irma and Uncle Eloy. They were so excited about showing us their casita camper. We enjoyed camping out on their driveway. Our cousin Anthony gave us a tour of his exotic fish and reptile stire and then took us all out to The Big Texan. Then it was time to get back on the road and head to Winter Park, CO.