Ranger Lake State Park

We got in a camping trip!! (July 2010) We camped at Ranger Lake State Park outside of Gould on the west side of Cameron Pass. The campground looked a little sad as they had done a bunch of tree removal due to that darn Pine Beetle. We wanted to teach the boys some skills so they got to help with the campfire and cooking dinner. Justin also showed them how to widdle, they were very excited to finally use the pocket knives Uncle Ryan gave them. Alayna was great at helping gather firewood. Corbin made the whole outing a bit, well, interesting. We recently started potty training and he's been doing OK. I just didn't want to mess with any wet clothes or bringing lots of extra clothes so I put him in a diaper. He figured out he was going to stay dry so we found him on many occasions 'relieving' himself! Fortunately it was not right in our campsite. Oh the advantages of being a boy.

After dinner we took a walk to scout out the lake. After all, this was supposed to be a great fishing place. It was a very clear and shallow lake, you could watch the fish swimming. Until the rain started to fall! We continued to hiked all the way around the lake, and got to see a deer. It was not a very long walk, but the rain and thunder concerned the kids (we didn't even get that wet.) But once we got back to camp it started to come down pretty good. We found ourselves waiting it out in the van. The rain didn't last too long but we found out it was enough to get our bedding a bit wet! Camping is full of surprises. 

In the morning we were up bright and early.

The kids couldn't wait to fish, I think we made it to the lake before 6:30.

It was a gorgeous but chilly morning and I couldn't couldn't take enough picture of the mist rising off the lake. I love the mountains!

Coltin disappeared on me while I had the camera out and I never got a picture of him fishing.

Corbin's first fish!

 He reeled it in good and couldn't wait to touch it.

Coltin was so nice to help get the hook out.

This was the second one he caught! Have to give Mommy a little credit for helping him. I guess Alayna was the only one that did not catch one but she got to help Dad reel in a few.

Swimming

We have some great friends that continually invited us to their pool. The kids have had a lot of fun swimming. They all improved in their skills (unofficially). Corbin has always liked the water but after the second time going he was extremely comfortable. Jumped in, didn't need me to catch him and would swim alone with only the wings on, he did great. My fearless two year old! We had many fun times.

5th of July Outing

Our 4th of July kinda got rained out. Bummer  :(   But we totally made up for it with a fun-filled day after. First hiking over 5 miles in RMNP, followed by a lovely drive up Old Fall River Road to the top. Our kids were not sure if they wanted to go the full distance to see Ouzel Falls at the end but we made it and it was awesome! (I love waterfalls. Wish I could visit more.)  The trail followed the river so we saw many other falls on the way up. What a fun day it was being in the mountain forest with my family.

This one was Cascade Falls.

Ouzel Falls - you can see people on the top of the rocks on the left side. We did not hike up there as there really wasn't much of a trail and it wouldn't have worked with the baby pack. Guess it was more like climbing. Plus it was time to head back.

Top of the world.

I love the Trailridge Road drive, everytime I go it still 'awes' me.

What else happened in June?

Here's a few events that shouldn't get overlooked.


Coltin had a pretty good crash racing bikes with our neighbor. He skinned up a few spots on his right side, and even scrapped his helmet. It was good for all the kids to see that and understand better why they need to wear one! He was quite sore but healed fine. (Actual date 5-29)

Cubs Scouts Day Camp June 14 & 15
Coltin attended with about 13 other 8 and 9 yr. olds. I went with them for one day and it was fun. The weather was great. (We were hoping it wouldn't be too hot or pouring rain.) They had a lot of good stations. Coltin ejoyed the BB Gun shooting the most. He was able to shoot well getting a high score and earning a special badge and belt loop.

Corbin has become a big fan of baseball. He loves throwing the ball and is always dragging out the boys equipment. We set him up with his own stuff and started letting him hit. That became his new favorite. So occassionally when Justin goes to practice extra with the big boys down at the park, I take and younger ones to play. Here I was thowing and trying to take pictures, Queen of multi-tasking!?!  ;)  Alayna really wants to learn too, and to do it all the right way. She's picking it up well. So the best part of Corbin loving baseball is how he constantly acts out the game. (I hope my discription is understandable.)   He will throw/pitch an air ball take a few steps, then turn and with his invisible bat swing and hit that 'ball'. He will then take off running, sometimes in the direction of first base, and on his way toss his 'bat'. He usually runs some sort of loop and always slides into home. It is a riot! We love it though and always cheer for him.

Coltin may have gotten the first notible accident of the summer, but Everitt gets first prize for his wound. June 21, my cousin Kerri came by for a fun visit with 3 of her 4 kids. Right before lunch Everitt got too crazy in the basement and fell onto the corner foot of a cabinet and gashed open his knee. I knew right off it would need stitches. Our first! He held it together real well and was soo brave at the Urgent Care center. I was grateful Justin was home and able to take him in. He ended up with 5 stitches and a backwards L shaped wound. Or as he looks at it an arrow head. He was cute as we were getting him into the van he's biggest concern was if he would be able to play baseball. They totally said he could, but no sliding. Happy kid, just had to stay out of the pool for 10 days.

The boys love going up the to lake, this time they caught a huge bull frog and of course brought it home. It was crazy. All our kids had to hold it and at one point it looked like Corbin was trying to kiss it. Not sure what he's been watching! :) We did let it go after taking a few pix.

That is Corbin's hand