Backpacking with the mastiff

Here are some pics from our latest backpacking trip.  Rocco is so cute when we are in the woods.  He's so happy and wants to run and explore everything.  He packs his own 20lb pack that includes everything he will need, including his sleeping bag.

     

I tested my new Gregory pack for the first time and it is awesome.

 Yeah, I should have worn my hiking boots but I was feeling nimble in my old nike runners.

 Beautiful lake full of brook trout

 We have video of rocco swimming, he basically taught himself.  We're so proud of that guy.

As I mentioned earlier, Rocco is awesome in the woods but instead of sleeping that night he was on guard dog duty.  He was amped and ready to take on any creature that wandered too close.  He finally went to sleep when we put the rain fly on our tent so he couldn't see out of it.  That was at 4:30 am. Wasn't the best night's sleep we've ever had.

 We ate well, homemade chicken parmesan, homemade berry cobbler with whipped cream, breakfast burritos with green chili and hashers.

Bolder Boulder and Family time

My little bro and his family came to stay with us Memorial Day weekend.  They flew out from UT with their two cute littles - Dane and Laila.  We had a great time keeping the dog food out of Dane's mouth, trying to meet nap times, running the Bolder Boulder, eating to our hearts content and just spending quality time with each other.  They're basically super awesome, and we wish all of my family lived closer.  Here are a few shots from some of our good times.  

 Matt's quite comfortable with the duckie sling.  He snuggled Dane at the Denver zoo.

 Laila checking out the otters

 Dane got a little sleepy at the zoo - love the bottom lip and eye rub

 

Kaylene and Daners kicking it 

Rocco wanted to be a part of the group for bedtime stories.  Their whole family was awesome with the dog, which we really appreciate!

Ladybug cake pop

at one point everyone crashed... I only caught photos of Rocco and Jon and Laila, but Matt, Dane, and Kaylene were all upstairs out for the count too.  We played hard.  

 On Monday, Jon Kaylene and I ran the Bolder Boulder - which is a super fun, large scale 10K.  

 Jon participated in everything - slip n' slide, marshmallows, doritos, cupcakes, water guns, football catches, high fived everyone we passed, cheered on all of the musicians, etc.. it made it super fun!  And Kaylene totally rocked it! 

 The runners

 Dane had a real love hate relationship with a lemon slice - but he kept going back...

We had a blast, and are so grateful that they took the time to come visit us in CO!  Here's to next year...!!