Our first visitor

Rachel and her sister Maria were our first visitors. Kaylee was very happy to have a friend from home come visit.

Family Fun

Dancing kids

short video at mesa verde

Our first visit to the nearby National Park Mesa Verde

Ben had a day off so we decided to take in some of what the area has to offer. We took the short ride [10-15 minutes] to Mesa Verde National Park to check out some of the Native American cave dwellings. We only did one hike and there is a ton to see there so we'll have to go back. It was hot but the kids like walking around. These are some of the photos we took. It's a fun place to go for anyone who wants to visit.

More from our day at Mesa Verde National Park

Payton in his diaper

Not as bad as I thought

Kaylee wasn't too sure about this place but besides the fact that temperatures are in the 90s and we don't have our swamp cooler installed yet, things aren't so bad. There's not much to do so hopefully we can save some money and spend a lot of time together. Hope everyone is good.

Father's Day Sunday missing the family

Well it's Sunday and after having been so used to hitting up our families for some wonderful Sunday meals we were on our own. We are probably going to miss home the most every Sunday when we sit down for dinner and think of all the good times we had at home with the family. We miss everyone and look forward to when we can come visit.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY Dads. We love and miss you.

Rodeo Parade

We had a good time at the rodeo parade. Alliya broke out her sun glasses and got some candy. She loved it all-even though it was small-town thing.

A week away

Payton at home


It's been a crazy week since we first got to Cortez.
Ben came with the truck loaded and no place to stay. We found a hotel and called every apartment and house available for rent. Before Kaylee arrived with the kids and her parents, Ben checked out every place he could find. Nothing looked great but one house had some promise, compared to the rest.
We went and saw it Saturday morning and luckily moved in Saturday night and Sunday. We got over that hurdle but are still unpacking and getting used to our new home and town.
Our house is old but spacious (enough for all Kaylee's stuff if you can believe it). We have three bedrooms, one we turned into a toy/play room for the kids and Payton and Alliya are sharing a room. We have two bathrooms and more importantly a nice sized room for Kaylee to put her work stuff, which can also be used as an extra bedroom for anyone who wants to come visit. It's an old house but it will work just fine for us the year or so we are here.
The week we've been here has gone by fast and we'll be counting weeks now instead of days that we've been here.