I find it really depressing to blog after not blogging for after a month. How do you capture all the
goings on (yes I just invented that word) of probably one of the craziest months of my life? The answer, this incredibly long, often random
account based on whatever pictures I happened to capture in the last four weeks.
Right before we took off on "bacation." That's what Anna calls it. Goodbye 8543 Aldeburgh.
We stopped off to the side of the road to get a shot of the Smokey Mountains. This is also where Anna discovered a new love...
Dandelions. Cute at first, until mom's allergies kick in.
We stopped at a small lake off the Blue Ridge Parkway for lunch. Notice Anna's change of clothes. The second look came after Anna decided to run at full speed into the lake. The water was mid-thigh before I reached her. Unfortunately, she did a face plant into the water before I could snag her. After she was dry she kept reassuring me, "Just toes in water, Mommy, just toes." Lesson learned, I guess.
Our first stop was in Knoxville. It was smaller than I thought it would be and not as pretty. Hence no pics. Sorry if you live there. No offense intended. We really enjoyed Nashville. Why? Well, because HCA's Corporate Headquarters are there, of course.
Actually, it just happened to be across the street from Centennial Park, where we hung out for a couple of hours. Beautiful flowers, lots of people watching, and a local arts fair, a perfect afternoon.
After the park we had some delicious hot dogs, sweet potato fries, and shakes at this hamburger stand. Seriously good stuff.
We stayed at The Preston Hotel, an independently owned place. It was SWEET! I sadly did not get a picture of the red velvet cow hide in the elevator.
I am being totally serious.
It was right by the Nashville airport and Anna loved looking for planes out the window.
We didn't do much in St.Louis but hang out at the mall right by our hotel. We did, however, get detoured on our way to the hotel and ended up driving through a seriously richy-rich area. Think Walker Lane (all you Utahns at least) times ten. That's the way you want to get detoured, I tell you.
This is Anna's actual mother who we stopped to see in Omaha. (How did I get such a fair b
londie?) This is pretty much an awesome picture of both girls. Sorry
Ambs, it was the best shot I had.
This sign is awesome because we entered from the plains side of Colorado and it was pretty much the brownest landscape I've seen. Well, I guess if I had to include Wyoming it would probably take the cake for brownest. ANYWAY, Anna was mad because I wouldn't let her run into the oncoming traffic. I'm a terrible mom.
A few days after we moved in, the Raffertys came to visit. Jeff and Scott went fishing and then we hit the Rockies game. Ahhh...I heart major league baseball games. Anna was so excited because we told her that she would get to eat a hot dog at the game. It was the first thing we did when we got there. She finished her last bite, looked up, and said, "Okay Mom, let's go home." Uh, sorry sweetheart, still have about three hours to go.
Love these pics of Anna. We went to Boulder one day. It's much prettier than where we live. It's right at the base of the Rockies. We live on the flat side of Denver. This was at a playground in Boulder.
We visited Utah for a week. I only took two pics while there. This is at the Sollis cabin where Anna immediately attached herself to the picture books. Loved seeing her pal around with Ethan and Tanner.
Dandelion love continues at the Jordan River Parkway.
By the way, did I mention I'm getting HUGE. I wouldn't mind the belly so much, but is it already time for puffy pregnant face? I guess so.
Back to Denver, we hit the local Farmer's Market. It was here we bought brats from an Austrian and I coveted the most adorable homemade dresses. I would have bought one for Anna in a heartbeat if it wasn't way, way, way out of my price range.
So we bought a new car. After six years of marriage we figured we deserved it. As expected, Jeff is keeping it meticulously clean. I don't know how he put up with my car sloppiness for so long.
Yesterday we went to Flat Iron Shopping Center. Anna loved the huge sandbox and dinosaur playground. I loved this dress with this cardigan over it that I found at Fossil. Jeff saw my mouth watering and said, "That outfit is so you." To which I replied, "It will be nice to be able to dress like myself again one day." Until then I will have to stick with my signature look of t-shirts and jeans.
Jeff's first day of work is tomorrow. I am so excited for him. He's finally able to jump into his career. I'm sure it will be crazy. Anna and I will definitely be having withdrawals. We've been spoiled having his undivided attention for a whole month. He's going to be amazing, I have no doubt.
