Birthdays and other such gaiety in the CO Mountains

The last two weekends have been spent in the mountains soaking up the beauty and enjoying some cooler temperatures. We spent two weekends ago in Aspen celebrating my 25th (31st) birthday. We laid our heads at the Viceroy hotel in Snowmass Village, which was quite stylish and fun.

Matt enjoying our beautiful hike - which overlooked the masdedon dig.

Sweet glass wall separating the bedroom and the bathroom of our room

Keeping warm in July by one of the hotels beautiful fireplaces

Now you see where gaiety in the title of this blog comes from

We had one of the best meals that ever was at elina in downtown Aspen. If you haven't been there before, go... and go now. Truly couldn't have been better. The whole weekend was quite lovely!! And we almost hit a porcupine in the road - don't worry, didn't happen. We ate delicious food, hiked, went to the ballet, explored Aspen, etc... And on my actual birthday which was the Tuesday before I received a sweet new cannondale road bike (among other things:). I know, I know... I'm a lucky girl!

This weekend we thought we'd escape to the high country again... but on foot with our packs on our back. We brought the dog and went just above Nederland for an overnight trip.

Rocco packed his own food, water, and sleeping bag. He is zonked out downstairs as I'm writing this... completely spent!

Voila! Our new tent that weighs a good 40 lbs less than our last one, which made much more sense for backpacking. Matt's back is thanking us for this purchase!

My two boys hiking with their gear. Cute as can be!

Sweaty backs can indeed happen. Just saying.

Can you believe Rocco can jump so high for such a big dog. It's effortless.

4th Fun

We just got back from an absolutely splendid time in Steamboat Springs. We: stayed in a luxe house that was decked out with fine appointments and a polarizing wooden goat head, played in the pool, went on gorgeous hikes to ragin' waterfalls, played games until the wee hours of the morning, watched scary movies, went to a rodeo and saw awesome fireworks, laughed our guts out.

As always, we ate the best food that God has given his children. I gained 10lbs in 3 days, mostly water and glycogen but still.

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The Shirley mobile at the parade

Dancin' at the rodeo. I got a standing ovation from the people sitting behind us. I was feeling it.

Chicken fighting

Jeff ever one to mold his flocks, made a wolverine appearance.

He calls this one, the "Donovan"- My personal favorite. Also, in this pic you can see the polarizing goat head in the background.

Grateful to have an amazing family and also to be an American. God bless.