Project 365: Weeks 37, 38, & 39 "pre-vacation, vacation, & post-vacation"

This is my catch-up week. Back from vacation and ready to get busy with life again. I reeeeally held back and was ultra-conservative with my photo-posting. Because I care that much about your eye health. But you'll have to promise to come back later and see ALL our vacation pics. M'kay?

Sunday, September 4, 2011

If you'll remember, on this particular weekend we were in Fayetteville with friends for the game. So today was spent driving back. Between my juice fast, requiring that we drive all over town looking for a juice bar (or the equivalent), my overactive bladder (a side effect of being on said juice fast), and an impromptu stop at a Goodwill store just for the fun of it, the normally three hour drive, turned out to be more like five. But it was still fun. So much so that I forgot to take a picture. (Eh. It's just as well, considering...)

Monday, September 5, 2011

Labor Day

Thankfully, Paul was off today so we were able to drive down to my parents' house to pick up the kiddos. They were so excited when we walked in!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I'm pretty sure the neighbors will be glad to see us finally moved. This is out on our front driveway...and it happens all. the. time.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Some of our favorite toys: Schleich horses.

We all went to Wal-Mart tonight to load up on trip necessities like paper cups and paper towels and plenty of liquor to get Mommy through the 21-hour drive. Just kidding! Ha! Atticus wanted to ride the airplane. The "out-of-order" airplane. He didn't seem to notice. He made all his own sounds and pushed all the important buttons to satisfy his imagination.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Tonight we're eating up the last of our fresh veggies before our big trip. Unfortunately, it's my last day of juice fasting, so I don't get to partake of one of my favorite meals: squash, sweet potato fries, batter-less fried okra, cornbread, tomatoes.  :(

Friday, September 9, 2011

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!

Today we headed out for Colorado. It's a very long drive. And we should have been better prepared to leave at an earlier hour. (Typical.) We stopped for dinner at some random Route 66 diner in Oklahoma. It wasn't the most ideal location for a birthday celebration for Daddy, but it would have to do. I had a baked potato. Because NOW I'm on a fast from sweeteners. (This should be interesting...)

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Drivin' some moh-ah.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

 This is our first full day in Durango, Colorado. And we spent it exploring the cabin and the surrounding woods.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Noah and his Daddy went out hunting for a while this morning.

Here's an idea of what we see as we're coming down from our mountain cabin.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

We had to get up this morning and make an appointment for this one here to see an eye doctor. He scratched his eye on his big hunting expedition yesterday, and we wanted to be sure it didn't get infected.

And then we had some shopping to do.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Today we rode the historic railway, pulled by a vintage steam locomotive, between Durango and Silverton. Breakfast in hand, as you can see. It is an all-day affair, but it's truly some of the most spectacular scenery you'll ever see. Stay tuned for our full-disclosure post.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Today we visited Honeyville--for the sake of the little bee-lover among us.

And then we decided to drive on up to Silverton.

We actually drove through Silverton and on up the mountain to an old gold mine.

Thought we'd see what we could find there.  ;)

Many of the peaks had received a dusting of snow yesterday, while we were riding the train. But today we were at such a high altitude, we got some ourselves!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Today's adventure took place at Mesa Verde National Park. Stunning and awesome. Highly recommend this place!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Today we spent most of the morning and early afternoon in Durango getting essentials for the return journey and for its "Eat Local Celebration" on Main Avenue. Thanks to a local, organic pizzeria, I actually got to have pizza made from scratch without added sweeteners. Pizza never tasted so good!

And then we had dinner around our campfire to commemorate our last night in Colorado.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Today we drove and drove and drove. Stopped for a few minutes, though, in Santa Rosa, New Mexico to see "The Blue Hole."

Personally, I thought the kids were prettier.

Monday, September 19, 2011

More driving today. Atticus is so excited to finally be big enough to help clean the windows when we stop for gas!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

We are SO very glad to be back home today. Paul's vacation lasted through today, so we just vegged. And did laundry. Then tonight we went to a concert at our church. 

You might have seen my post about it. (If not, follow the link and check out their music. It's worth it. Go ahead. I'll wait.)

If you missed the concert, then all I have to say is, "You poor thing."

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Right before we left on the 9th, Noah had made his daddy a special birthday "treat," put it in the freezer, and forgot all about it. He remembered tonight and had Paul blow out a candle while we sang. 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Tonight was our first community group gathering this fall. It was good to see our friends again after the long summer.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Poppy played a little ball with Gabe.

That Gabe loves his Poppy.

And then he took us all out for dinner!

Thanks, Poppy!!!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Saylor had a princess birthday party to attend today. She was giddy with excitement.

AND. That, my friends, ought to do it. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up weekly from now on. 'Cause, man! Whew! Glad to be back amongst Sara's group o' Project 365ers. And on time, too!  ;)