Reagan Fuller

American Heritage Girls Campout

This weekend was our first annual American Heritage Girls Camping weekend. The girls were really, really, really, looking forward to this weekend. Both because there would be camping, which they love, but also because the girls from our troop would be there too. I think there ended up being about 10 families there all together. We reserved camp sites all together so that the girls could take over the whole area and just be crazy. For this years event we decided on staying in Mueller State Park down in the Colorado Springs area. We hadn't been there before so it was fun to go somewhere new. The sites were heavily wooded and these could be seen everywhere and often. They had no fear of the humans and could often be seen just chilling outside your tent.

On our first night we had a family get together and shared some strawberry shortcake. We were hoping for some smores but there was a fire ban in effect. After dessert, we went to a ranger led talk on coyotes. To which one of our girls raised her hand and asked the ranger how coyotes mate. Lots of giggles on that one. The next morning we headed out early to our event for the day. We were headed to the Florrissant Fossil Bed National Monument.

This park is well know for being the biggest dig spot for fossils in the US. Long, long ago this plain was a huge lake towered by a volcano. And, you guessed it, the volcano erupted. Causing flows of mud and lava down over the lake. All the creatures and plant life were encapsulated by the mud flow and fossilized. Back in the 1800's this was considered a tourist attraction so 1000's of the fossils were taken by local families. Today the park is protected and it is a federal crime to be caught digging on the property. During the eruption hundreds of huge redwoods were also hit by the mudslides. Causing the tree base to become petrified. Here Reagan is standing in front of one. Again, in the 1800's the locals tried to unearth the trees using dynamite?? So most are either completely destroyed or falling apart. the park has enclosed them in steel strips to try and hold them together.

Our troop was lucky enough to get our own private ranger talk and led walk. Here the kids are demonstrating how the redwoods became petrified by the mud flows.

Here we are in front of the best kept petrified tree stump. By the time the settlers found this one they had learned their lesson to not use dynamite. Although, they did try to dig it up to take to the worlds fair. After realizing the stump was too big they decided to just cut out a small square instead. You can see the square on the top left portion of the tree.

One cool kiddo feature to the US Parks these days is the Junior Ranger Program. The kids receive booklets of things to do and find in the park. After completing so many activities they are officially sworn in as a Junior Park Ranger. They even receive their own Park Ranger Badge or Patch. Most of our girls decided to go for this honor. Here they are getting sworn in by our great Park Ranger.

Last but not least, the park had its own fossil dig area. The kids took turns digging for fossils. But, I think there was more talking then actually digging.

After enjoying a picnic lunch at the park we headed back to our camp sites. The unit leaders set up some tents and had various activities for the kids to enjoy. One of the Dads was able to purchase buckets of shale at a nearby stand. With goggles, razor blades, and mallets in hand the kids were able to carefully peel away layers of the shale and find their very own fossils. It was such a great experiment for the kids to see how fossils are actually found. And to our surprise it was actually fairly easy to find your own fossils. Most of our girls found several small insects hidden in the shale. Very cool activity!

Another Mom brought materials for the girls to sew their own camping sit-upons.

Mr Kingswood, a Dad, is an avid birder and volunteered to help the girls earn their birding badge over the summer. He donated birding books, bird diagrams, and bird informational packets to all girls interested. To which we were very grateful. Here, he set up a station for one of the birding requirements. The girls were to look at a bird feather under a microscope and draw the various parts of a feather.

Soon after this is started to rain a bit so we moved to our tent for some rest. Later in the evening we gathered together for a potluck dinner with hot roasted hot dogs.

The next morning was Sunday and we had to pack up and be out of our site by noon. First we took a short birding walk led by our birding dad (another badge requirement). At the bottom of the walk there was a small pond. Mr Kingswood led the girls in a small devotional service. Reagan, hating church as she does, wandered around the pond instead of listening to the service. A little awkward but we got through it.

Happy to say our first AHG Campout was a huge success. The girls all had a great time getting to know each other even better with no school or rules tampering their spirits. It was great to meet the families and just spend some quality time with our friends. Can't wait until next summer!

Leadville with the Sandovals

This week we finally had our friends the Sandovals up for a two night stay at the cabin. The kids were really looking forward to having some friends sleepover in their bunk beds. They all took turns sleeping on the top bunks so the fighting was kept to a minimal. We are lucky they all get along so well. The weather has been warming up drastically so we were able to spend a few hours at Turquoise Lake playing in the sand and the freezing lake water.

Day two we decided to be a little adventurous and take the gang to a new (to us) hot springs pool in the Buena Vista area. Mount Princeton Hot Springs was pretty remote. It had upper pools with a large water slide which had more of a "normal" pool setting. The kids swam in the upper pools until they were closed for the day.

The lower pools are open into the evening so we talked the gang into giving them a look as well. I was happy we did because they were definitely the better part of the springs. The lower pools run alongside a river. Along the sides of the river there are pockets of shallow slower moving water. As we ventured closer we were told that the hot springs actually seeped into the river along these sides. You were able to sit in these pockets and feel the hot water seeping up from the ground. As you buried your feet into the sand it actually got really hot. But, as it mixed with the river water the temp was great.

My kids loved the rustic feel of the river. The Sandoval kids not so much. So we stayed just a bit and decided to get the kids off for dinner. I could have stayed a few more hours but there is always next time.

Madison did find this cool rock along the river that was the shape of a perfect little chair. She was able to sit here and relax while my kids played in the river. A great visit for the kids. We can't wait to show them Leadville in the winter. I don't think they've seen a winter quite like that before.

Dress Up Time

Sorry Yoshi! That's just what you get for being the baby in a house full of girls. You'll get used to it.

Nana and Papa Visit

Well, given that as I sit down to write this blog entry it is actually mid-September, I'd say its safe to say we are behind our blogging duties. So I may not remember all the actual fun details. But, at least its finally up in cyberspace for future reference.

Our summer kicked off its start with a visit from Nana and Papa for the Memorial Day weekend. This would be their first visit up to Leadville. Given, it wasn't quite warmed up all the way our sightseeing would be limited. But, the cabin would be the main attraction this visit anyway. Nana was anxious to see how the girls were enjoying their birthday present. Or enjoy laughing at their aiming skills I should say.

We did get the Fullers' out to our favorite Turquoise Lake for a brief visit. The lake was still mostly frozen over and the air was a bit chilly. So they didn't get to fully appreciate the beauty of our little get away. But, these are the infamous "rocks and trees" folks so I think it might not have meant quite as much to them anyway. Maybe another summer.

Daddy got the ATV's out for a little spin and Nana actually said she would enjoy taking them for a spin. I know you may not believe us so we got her on film for proof.

After a few days in Leadville we made our way back to the house for some of their favorite actives. Easily enough, they are happy sitting in the garage watching the kids play.

After a bit the kids were getting too crazy so Dad had to try and control the situation. I think he did a fairly good job "tying" them up. It took a good amount of work for them to free themselves. Once free they took to tying each other up for fun. Who would of known a little caution tape could make for a full days activities.

Independence Day

This past week was our first week long stay in Leadville. WIth school and other kid activities it just hasn't happened yet. The week started off with Daddy's race. The girls happily went along to cheer Daddy on to the finish line, as long as it would be followed up by another visit to the rock store.

Part of my requirement for staying a week would be that the girls take this chance to get some badge work done. For the summer the girls have decided to work on getting their Geology, Gardening, and Birding badges. One requirement of the Geology Badge is that they go to a stream and note several things about the water. Dad had just the spot this morning which would also lead us on a small hike along the Colorado Trail. Check out this stream!

The girls had to find things like fast and slow streams, how the water causes erosion, how the stream carries things from upstream, etc. This required a good amount of detective work and they were eagerly up to the task.

Later on down the trail the big girls spotted some great rocks to climb.

Soon after the rocks the girls were getting tired and hungry. No fear Mom had sandwiches in the car and Dad had a favorite picnic spot in mind, Turquoise Lake. We found a spot on the beach and relaxed for a few hours while the kids played in the freezing water and built this in the sand.

On the 4th we decided to take a little day trip to Breckinridge. None of the girls had ever been to this town and Dad promised lots of shopping. They were in! While window shopping we found some of these in kid sizes. These are a favorite shoe for Dad and the girls were in dire need for some good hiking shoes. Plus they are quite stylish now so all in all a good buy.

Breckinridge was absolutely packed as everyone was in the mountains for the holiday. Didn't matter, we were dedicated to seeing the fireworks in our own little town of Leadville for the first time. We perched ourselves on top of a hill to watch the show. Not a bad show for such a small town. We even had the excitement of seeing the firemen in action as they had to put out a small grass fire caused by some low fireworks.

While in Breckinridge we happened upon a great little furniture store which made all kinds of "cabin" style furniture. The outdoor furniture is what first caught my eye. We lucked out with a great adirondack style tea set bench for the deck.

As well as a nice relaxing swing for the yard. We were also able to finally find a great aspen log bed for the guest room. So as of now I think we are officially done with cabin furniture. Onto the decorations.

We spent much of the next few days playing in our yard. What I will remember most from this week was how dirty the girls were at the end of every night. I think this means they had a good time.