My First Backpacking Trip

Here I am about to embark on the most ridiculous trip my parents have thought up yet!  Yes, if you can believe it, they decided to go backpacking with an 11 month old and three large dogs.  What were they thinking?! If you ask them, I'm not even sure they can tell you.

Stop taking pictures and let's get this show in the road.  I love hiking so I'm quite excited about what I think will be another fun trek into the mountains.  It's pretty great to sit up high, see beautiful places and nap on the move.  

Skye is looking quite handsome in his first ever dog pack.  In order to help lighten the load he carried the dog food and the dog bowls.  Those of you who know Skye are probably not shocked to hear that this thing barely slowed him down.

Mom and the dogs enjoying the view after the hardest part of our hike.  Pretty incredible from my vantage point.

I am currently hanging out in our three man backpacking tent where we would spend a very long night sleeping (or not) with three large dogs and about 10 daddy long leg spiders that couldn't just stay on the ceiling of the tent.  Creepy (in the extreme)!

We were ready to hike out as soon as the sun hit the eastern horizon.  Yep, we were that excited to get home.  The view on the way out was amazing - look at the morning sun on those hills.

Dad and I have now become one with this pack.  That's what happens when you spend hours strapped into or onto something.  

Bundled up and loving the view.

That's where we were.  Maybe it was worth it after all.  I mean we did have fun walking up the creek and eating dinner by the lake.  We also enjoyed the campsite, watching the sun rise over the lake and the dogs had fun running around.  Hmmm....maybe if there hadn't been any spiders.  

Fun with Friends

Some of our good friends from Spokane (Bryan, Sarita, and Evan) came for a visit.  We went to the Children's Museum, the Carousel, and Big Sky Brewery among other things.  We had fun playing, catching up, and eating (mmm, the chicken pot pie was delicious).  I particularly enjoyed following Evan around. 

Here we are at the Children's Museum.  Look at that slide and those trucks!  This is kid heaven I'm thinking :0).

Look at this ride!  We traveled in style, by bike, down to the Children's Museum.  Mom says we're heavy, but I think she's just complaining.

Look at me!  I'm riding a dragon.  This is probably the closest I will ever come to living out the dragon scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.  Wait, I think Mom is the one who said that.

Evan and Sarita took the safe route and rode a horse.  After my hair was almost singed by the dragon, I was rethinking my choice.  Well, there is always next time.

Look at that dragon, not to mention the blur that is the background.  We were FLYING!

Apparently the grass is not greener on the other side.  It just looked like more asphalt and wood chips.  Imagine that!  After this disappointing discovery mom and dad chased me back and forth for a bit until I collapsed in a fit of giggles.

I found the green grass.  Go me!

Whew!  This is one crazy slide.  Mom and dad insisted that I go down it twice.  I think they both wanted to ride it to tell you the truth.

Whoa!  We made it down again.