Durango

We met Mom and Dad in Durango in September, 2012 (oh man, I'm so behind!). Because our minivan was still in the shop, we had a Toyota Sentra. So we crammed ourselves in, but we sure saved on gas!

 

On a completely random note, I had my first ran-over-a-dog experience. I won't write out the details, except to say I saw him too late and I had a bit of a panic attack afterwards. And, yes, dog jokes became Jeremiah's new form of torture.

 

We walked down Main Street for a bit before deciding on a restaurant. I'd found a really cool Western restaurant with live music online, except the website failed to mention just how tiny the dining area was, especially for a table of 7. We found a great restaurant with outdoor seating, though.

 

 

The next morning Mom and Dad took the kids with them to run errands, swim at the hotel pool, and play at the park. Meanwhile, Jeremiah and I had a Groupon for ziplines. Jeremiah had been wanting to go for a long time, ever since we missed our opportunity on our cruise, so I bought him this Groupon for our anniversary. It was so fun! The first time was really freaky, we were one of the last in our group to go because I was feeling like I'd bitten off more than I could chew, but once I made that first trip I was hooked! Jeremiah was a lot braver than I was, he made a flying jump off the first drop and went soaring.

 

Here we were challenged to drop without holding onto the rope, like a free fall. As much as I trusted the ropes to hold me, I still had serious trust issues.

 

This was a short one where you could "tandem". It really wasn't my favorite. We were so squished and the line was short enough that we didn't really pick up any speed before we were at the end.

 

There are some benches halfway down the mountain that we were asked to sign. Maybe one day we'll go back and see our names still on the log!

 

We then drove up to Mesa Verde National Park. We passed this particular mountain on the way and Jeremiah wanted me to take a picture.

 

Mesa Verde National Park is several cliff dwellings. You have to choose with one to go to, there are several options. I'm not sure which one we picked. I suppose you could do more than one in a day, but we didn't have time. This particular tour started us at the top, but looking at the picture just below, we ended up hiking down to these dwellings for some up close and personal time.

 

On the other side of the valley (ravine?) were some smaller dwellings.

 

This is the valley/ravine that we could see from the top of the cliff.

 

We were finally able to descend down into the ravine to see the cliff dwellings up close.

 

The very top, where you can see an opening between the ceiling and the walls, is where they had their storage. It was safe from animals, thieves, and floods.

 

This circular area was where they held their ceremonies.

 

For anyone who is claustrophobic, coming back up from the tour would have been a nightmare. There are stairs and ladders but it gets kind of personal.

 

Jeremiah was in love with the trees here.

 

A random snake greeted us as we exited the tour. I jumped over it but everyone seemed to think it was out to kill them.

 

We went to an outdoor barbeque place that night. We were all planning on leaving the next morning. The singer behind Aubrey was really good, he kept talking to the kids and getting them to dance.

 

On our walk back to the car that night, we stopped for ice cream at Cold Stone.

 

Getting healthy!

Crowdtap and Old Navy have done it again. I was selected to participate in an Old Navy Active Wear sample and share...and by share it meant I could invite a friend, so of course I asked Elysee to join me! Elysee and I work together and we've become really close friends. We talk about everything, but lately our conversations have been about getting healthier, so this sample and share couldn't have come at a better time. For example, Elysee brought in a small refrigerator for her office that we've stocked with water, lettuce, pre-cut veggies, fruit, and other salad toppings. Every day we make a healthy salad for lunch and then go on a 1-mile or so walk (when it's not too hot). We treat ourselves to a nice lunch when we lose 5 lbs, and we encourage each other when we're craving fast food or feeling lazy.

 

Elysee and I picked out the same workout outfit. We chose long yoga pants (I love how comfortable  they are) and a grey tank that ties on the side. I also tried on a coral-colored sports bra for a pop of color. I tried on the blue tank but liked the grey a bit more (sounds a lot like me, right?). I know that having cute and comfortable workout clothes will help inspire me to continue to make healthier choices and, hopefully one day, have time to workout at home or a gym. One can hope, right? :)

 

Ready for Summer...thanks to Old Navy and Crowdtap!

I was SO EXCITED to find out I was accepted into Old Navy and Crowdtap's latest Sample and Share! I've received a lot of goods throughout the past few years through these Sample and Shares, but the swimsuit one is always my favorite because it means summer is here! And in NM, it's actually been here for about a month, we're already melting in the heat!

 

My friends Tai, Kim, and Elysee were so excited that I invited them to join me. We are all moms on a budget and being able to get a new swimsuit, instead of pulling out last year's worn out suit, was great news for all of us. Add a free beach towel, bad, and flip flops and were were all over the moon! What a great way to start summer

 

Here is Tai and Kim showing off their eagerness to get started shopping!

 

 

This is the swimsuit Elysee picked...same one as me! We forgot to take pictures of her in the store, so she's showing it off outside the store :)

 

 

I was the only brave one willing to take pictures of me in the swimsuit. The keyhole cutout in the cleaveage area was a little more than I'm used to showing off, so I'm planning on buying some material in a blue color and sewing a little fabric across the front. Modesty is more my style, but I love the print! 

 

 

This is the other one I was considering. I was loving the blue! However, it didn't hold up my chest very much, and I could see a wardrobe malfunction in my future.

 

Kim checking out. I got the same bag but in orange. So did Elysee!

 

This is the swimsuit Tai picked out. I loved it but I have a little more weight to lose to pull this particular one off!

 

Tai is wearing her swimsuit at the pool, except she's wearing her coverup over it! She tells me she's had a lot of compliments on the swimsuit, making me think I should get it and use it as motivation to lose these last 10 lbs!

 

Thank you Crowdtap and Old Navy for another great shopping trip!