WE ARE BACK

WOW! What a trip we had.

SATURDAY. We drove 750 miles and took 12 hours to drive all the way to Grand Junction, CO. It was a long day for all of us but we were excited to be in Colorado already and to have a shorter trip on Sunday. Most of that part of the trip was 75 MPH speed limit so that helped us a lot. I have to say that Utah is probably the most dramatic state I have seen. The drive was absolutely breathtaking, that really helped pass the time for us. Well, for the girls it was watching movies, coloring and poking each other. They were VERY good in the car and when they learned they received quarters for every stretch that they did not ask "are we there yet?" It was even better.

SUNDAY. We left Grand Junction and drove through the mountains and Vail to get to Denver. This part of the trip was quite a bit slower driving through the mountains but we were amazed at the number of bikers (on bicycles not motorcycles) that were riding up and down trails along the highway through the mountains. Some of these people looked to be a part of a race but on the way there we must have seen at least 300 people and children riding bikes around. This leads me to altitude. We were finding that we were experiencing shortness of breath just walking up steps at the rest stop and these people were riding their bikes UPHILL! We just did not get it. We got into town ate lunch and then went to our apartment where we signed our lease and dropped off all of Keith's work clothes that we being wrinkled by the second. Then we went directly to the Denver Mattress Co. to buy two bed sets which they were gracious enough to deliver the next day. Then off to Costco to buy hangers and and ironing board for the same wrinkled work clothes. Then off to the Texas Roadhouse (one of our old favorites from Tennessee) for dinner and to check into a hotel for one more night. Our girls were amazing troopers through all of this. They have not had any run around or "play" time now in two days.

The front of our model, same color but a bit different in the style

MONDAY. Another crazy day. After breakfast we took the girls swimming in the hotel pool while we reviewed all the options and decisions we were going to make with our builder that afternoon. We have been very focused on our budget and worked hard to choose only options that would be more expensive later on or very difficult to do after the home is complete. After swimming, off the eat lunch and finally see a model of our home. We were a bit nervous that we might not like it but rest assured we found it to look just as we had expected, only to me some of the rooms seemed larger. After that visit we drove off to see our lot and new neighborhood where we had our first options appointment. Once again we were not disappointed. We will be living in the "sticks" (which we love!) we will have a very nice view. After a 3 1/2 hour visit/meeting (once again kudos to the girls) we were finished with one of our two house appointments for the week. We were then treated with a thunder storm with lots of lightning, they girls do not remember thunder storms so this was a treat for us. Then off for dinner and to see if our mattresses had arrived. The beds had been delivered and we were off to the market for a few groceries, pots, plates, cups, etc. Phew!

A view from the top of our neighborhood

A mama deer near our new home

TUESDAY. Keith has his first day of work and it is month end. We drove him to work and he got home about 10:30 that night. They gave him a loaner car for the month so we will not have to drive to work everyday. The girls and I however took the day off! The three off us all had a bit of altitude sickness. It affects people in many different ways. In Tori it made her very tired. With Madison it was gas and diarrhea and with me it was nasal dryness and migraine-like headaches. I spent the morning deleting my headache and then we spent the afternoon swimming in the pool. The girls and I found a Chic-Fil-A for dinner and I let them play on the playground for about an hour after dinner.

WEDNESDAY. Pretty much the same as Tuesday, giving the girls a chance to play and ran a few errands. That evening we went out to dinner with Keith's new boss Dave and his counterpart Rob and his family. It was really nice to be out and meet some people and have a nice dinner. We ate at Ted's which serves Bison and Keith actually ordered a Bison burger. Very impressive. The girls were great and made a new friend Andrew who is two and absolutely adores the girls.


THURSDAY. Keith off to work, more errands for us, back to the model for measuring and off to home depot for some comparison shopping before our appointment at the design center on Friday.

S'more S'mores Please!

FRIDAY. Another crazy day. We packed up the car for the trip back and then headed off to the design center for a 10:00 appointment. This is where we pick out carpet, cabinets, flooring, tile and counter tops. If you are not careful you could EASILY drop $50,000 in this place. We were VERY careful, We did upgrade a few things but we stayed within our budget!!!! I am so proud of us. Also, the design center had a playroom (HOORAY) and that helped a lot during our 3 hour appointment. After that lunch and off to drive up to Keystone Resort for a company picnic/overnight. What a fun time! We were able to meet a bunch of people from Keith's office. The girls had a blast on pony rides, roping a mechanical calf, making s'mores around the campfire and of coarse dancing to the country band playing in the barn. We stayed in a beautiful condo at the base of the ski runs and the girls even slept in a bunk bed that night and had a TV in their room! Thanks Toyota!

SATURDAY. Another long drive today but first we decided to take a chair lift to the summit of the mountain and explore a bit. There were tons of mountain bikers taking their bikes to the top and riding the switchback trails all the way down. There were even some hikers who hiked all the way down the mountainside. We rode down! Then off to the car for a 570 mile trip to St. George, Utah.


SUNDAY. 350 miles and home at last. Keith will work here for one more week and then Sunday he will fly back to Denver. The girls and I will join him around the first week of September. Now we are back to keeping the house "show ready" and trying to eat up all our food in the pantry. I think I will need to get a bit creative with my menus. No offers on our CA home yet so keep praying. I will add more as I have news. -jane