The KLMN Blog

Monday, September 08, 2008

One day we decided to basically just get in the car and drive. We discovered a beautiful hidden reservoir, barely on the map, that was completely untouched with no development anywhere near it. We also saw obvious effects of devastating forest fires of the past. It was incredible. Note to readers - if anyone ever tells you that Lake Vallecito, another place we checked out, is a bustling metropolis of fantastic activities, don't believe it. It is so not. :)

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Clean and Cute

My Heart

After a day of jeep rides, climbing and trains, Liam finally settled down the last 30 minutes of our train ride (described below). There is nothing quite like snuggling my sweet boy, his cheeks all pink from a day of outdoor adventures and his eyelashes literally resting on his cheeks they are so long. Deep breaths and little boy snores. I could do that all day.

Choo Choo

We went to the old mining town of Silverton, Colorado. It truly was right out of a movie, with roads that were still unpaved, old brothel buildings still intact and 1800s general store fronts and saloons. I cannot imagine how people live there now - and they do - with it being so remote and small. But it sure was like stepping back in time! We caught the old Durango & Silverton narrow gauge steam train back to Durango and honestly it was one of the coolest things we have ever done! The scenery was shockingly beautiful and completely pristine - 3 hours of travel on the tracks with barely any civilization seen. We saw a bald eagle and deer and folks on the other side of the train spotted bear and a mountain lion! If any of you ever make it to Southwest Colorado, the train is a MUST. The kids loved it and 3 hours flew by.

Sky High

Here are pics of the jeep tour, described in posts below. Liam LOVED the rocks - climbing them and throwing them. We found snow packed at 12,000+ feet and all in all it was just pristine and peaceful and stunningly beautiful.

Jeep Jeep

We took an awesome Hum-V jeep tour of some old abandoned mining areas and mountaintops of 12,000+ feet. The kids loved it and the neck-craning view and heart-stopping cliff drives were incredible. Here are some shots.

Colorado Fun

We took the kids to a great cowboy show. We ate a good ol' fashioned chuckwagon meal and saw a performance of cowboy music performed live by a great band. It was such a fun night!

Liam loved the cowboy music.

Durango Pics

This was the view out our window when we woke up.

Downtown Durango.

View from Durango.

More Wedding Wonderful

Wonderful Wedding

Madelyn and Joe became Mr. and Mrs. Woodson and we were SO honored to be there and be a part of it! Nick gave the bride away, Liam was the reluctant ring-bearer, Kate was the flower girl, and I got to read a beautiful selection of verse. My Mom and Dad were there along with so many terrific family and friends of Nick's family. It was a lovely, wonderful, special event. Another bonus is our dear friend and former babysitter from Minnesota, Lindsay (who now lives in Mississippi and we don't get see often) came to Baton Rouge and helped out with the kids over the weekend and we got to have a great visit with her! Such a wonderful weekend!

Mr. and Mrs. Harris at the wedding.

Nick giving away the beautiful bride.

Kate doing a FANTASTIC Flower Girl job (while Nick tries to coax Liam down the aisle in the background)

Kiss the bride!

Nothing like a man in a tux with a truck. :)

The Big Easy

A couple of weeks ago we headed to New Orleans and Baton Rouge (pre-Gustav) for Nick's sister Madelyn's wedding. We flew in with the kiddos a couple of days early so we could spend some time exploring the area. I had never been to "N'Awlins" so was excited to check it out. We met up with Nick's sister Ava and her boyfriend, Tommy (now the newly engaged couple, by the way, CONGRATS TO THEM!) and walked around the French Quarter. We had lunch, strolled around, indulged in DELICIOUS beignets and cafe au lait at "Cafe du Monde" and took a carriage ride around the quarter. I sampled an obligatory Pat O'Briens hurricane and we all made our best effort not to spontaneously combust in the sweltering southern heat! :) It was really fun! On our way back out of N.O., the kids, Nick and I celebrated my parent's anniversary with them at a fantastic brunch at "Commanders Palace". A wonderful family weekend of both Harris and McKenny. Blessed are we.