Family Activities
Travel & Vacation: Touring Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC
Arriving at Fort Sumter
The last time we visited Charleston, South Carolina we were able to go to Fort Sumter. The construction began on Fort Sumter in 1840’s it was slow work, but they put down over 7 million bricks for the 5 foot thick outer walls which were 50 feet above the water level. When the American Civil War started Fort Sumter was almost complete. On April 12, 1861 the Confederate soldiers located at Fort Johnson fired the first shot at Fort Sumter.
Fort Sumter was bombarded for over 30 hours and over 3,000 shells being shot at the fort. Citizens from Charleston watched the cannons fire on Fort Sumter from their rooftops. After a couple of days of bombardments the Union Army led by Major Anderson surrendered to General Beauregard of the Confederate Army.
Welcome to Fort Sumter!
Looking through one of the cannon portholes.
Jake and the girls.
Hanging out at Fort Sumter.
Brina standing on top of Fort Sumter!
Exploring Fort Sumter!
Our family at Fort Sumter! It was a rainy day, but we managed to miss most of the raindrops and had a grand time!
On top of Fort Sumter!
Getting ready to leave Fort Sumter, right before a big rain storm hit. Perfect timing!
Travel & Vacation: H.L. Hunley Submarine in Charleston, SC
H.L. Hunley Submarine!
A few years ago they found the H.L. Hunley Submarine off the coast of Charleston and have been restoring it in the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. Last year the girls learned about the Hunley in Social Studies and wanted to go see it. They were very excited because we got to visit the Hunley on our recent trip to Charleston. They are still in the process of restoring the Hunley so you have to look through an observation glass to see it, but there are a lot of neat items to see and learn about!
The H. L. Hunley is a neat piece of history because it was first submarine to sink an enemy vessel. It sunk the U. S. S. Housatonic in 1864 during the American Civil War. Unfortunately after it sunk the U.S.S. Houston the Hunley nor it’s crew could be found until just a few years ago. The scientists are still working to preserve the Hunley and there are several different opinions about why the H. L. Hunley disappeared.
Karlie peeking out one of the hatches!
There were two hatchways on the Hunley – one in the front and one in the back. They were only about 20 inches by 14 inches big (which would be about like trying to fit through a tire). Not very big!
Trying to power the replica of the Hunley by turning the bars in the submarine! Man-powered submarine!
They got Jake to help power the submarine!
Digging for the gold coin!
Looking at the actually H. L. Hunley while it is in the cleaning tank!
Another picture of the Hunley in the tank!
Learning about the Hunley!
A fun family adventure!
Lieutenant George Dixon’s gold coin! George Dixon’s girlfriend gave him this gold coin during the Civil War. At the Battle of Shiloh, George Dixon was shot, but the gold coin stopped the bullet and saved his life. He was said to be carrying it the day he went on the H. L. Hunley and it was one of the artifacts discovered when they brought the Hunley out of the water.
Brina powering the submarine!
Brina having fun learning about the Hunley submarine!
Karlie all smiles and soaking in the information!
Fun times with the kids!
House Building, Ice Cream Floats, Birds, Cats, and Crab Apples!
Fluff was such a good sport and let Brina carry her around!
We had a grand time in Kansas visiting family. Our time went by too quickly, but we were able to pack in a lot during our time in the area. We spent time with Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and more. Thankful for family and the moments we get to share.
We brought ice cream floats to the guys who were working on my brother Josh’s house! Ice cream floats are a rare treat for the girls since we have one that has a dairy allergy so they were very excited!
Karlie enjoying her ice cream float!
Brina relaxing and sipping her float!
My brother is currently building a house so we got to watch the process and help carry a few boards. He is getting married later this year so he has a deadline! It will be a nice place for the new couple!
Checking out Great Grandpa Verlyn’s birds!
They always love going out to see Grandpa’s birds!
Some of the chickens!
And a turkey!
The girls wanted to help Grandpa collect the eggs, he had already done it that morning, but they had laid some more!
A few more eggs, some big ones too!
Grandpa Verlyn gave the girls some of his Crab Apples! He warned them that they were tart, but they insisted that they wanted to try them anyway!
Karlie thought the crab apples were great!
Brina loved the crab apples too! I thought the crab apples were a little too tart, but they both thought they were awesome! There are very few food items especially fruits and vegetables that they don’t like!
Fun with the Animals
Walking the animals!
At Grandpa Russell and Grandma Penny’s house they had two dogs, cats, pony, and a horse that provided a lot of fun entertainment for the kids. Everyday they played with the dogs, cat, and did something with the horse and pony. Sometimes they went for carriage rides, combed them, rode the horse and pony, or led them around the pasture. The girls enjoy anything to do with animals so these activities were a big hit!
Karlie playing with Aunt Renelle’s dog!
The girls love animals and are always game to spend some extra time with any animal. When we were in Colorado we stayed with at my cousin Renelle and Eric’s house. They have two dogs and two cats that are in the house so the girls thought that was awesome. They had a blast playing with all the animals (well, except for one of the cats who booked it as soon as he saw us bringing our suitcase inside the house.
Brina petting Renelle’s dog!
Buzz and Misty were very excited to see the kids back in Kansas and came running (of course they were with Grandma Penny and carrying a bucket of treats too).
Brina carry a halter and a bucket of treats for Buzz and Misty!
Heading to the pasture with Grandma to spend time with the animals!
Brina leading Misty around.
Karlie was giving Buzz some exercise too!
The dogs thought it was a great game and were running back and forth as the girls walked Misty and Buzz!
Enjoying some time with the animals!
Brina loves Misty! Such a sweet pony!
Buzz and Misty did really well being led by kids and a lead rope!
Brina would spend hours in the pasture if we let her!
Switched! Karlie is now leading Misty and Brina is leading Buzz around the pasture!
Going for their last walk of the evening!
Beautiful Kansas sunset! Taken in the front yard at my parents house.
Travel & Vacation: Casa Bonita in Denver, CO
Casa Bonita in Denver, CO
While the girls and I were visited family in Colorado we took the kids to Casa Bonita’s in Denver. Renelle, Eric, the girls, and I met up with our other family members at Casa Bonita (my parents, Uncle Rick, Aunt Mary Ann, Laurel, and Erik). I remember going to Casa Bonita’s when I was in Junior High, but our girls have never been to the restaurant. It is about what I remembered! It is a unique adventure if you have kids. You don’t necessarily go for the fine dining, but the entertainment is fun for the kids. The girls thought it was AWESOME!
Casa Bonita is Mexican food with a lot of fun kid activities:
- 30 Foot Waterfall
- Cliff Divers go off the waterfall every few minutes
- Stage Shows – rescuing the princess
- Musicians
- Arcade
- Black Bart’s Hideout
- Stalagmite Caves
- Jail
- Pinata
- Pinata fun for the kids
- And more activities!
If you are looking for a fun place to check out in Denver with the kids this may be a good spot. The food is okay, but you really go for the atmosphere as much as the meal.
Water fountain outside of Casa Bonita!
Pirates and princess show!
Cliff diver landed in the pool below!
Black Bart’s Hideout was NOT a favorite of the girls. I have one that really doesn’t like being scared nor does she like skeletons so this was one area she was not a fan of in Casa Bonita.
They won the pinata donkey body, ha! They thought it was great!!!
Uncle Eric and Aunt Renelle bought some arcade tokens. The girls really don’t go to the arcade so this was an extra special treat. They had a grand time on this game stomping on the “spiders”!
Playing Skeet ball with Uncle Eric!
Brina and Karlie playing skeet ball in the arcade!
How about a game of Popcorn!!!
Renelle is having a good laugh at the girls driving skills. A great reminder why we don’t let 9 years drive cars, ha! They had a blast though playing the games!
Going through the caves, looking at stalagmites, and pools of water!
View behind the waterfall!
The girls are with Renelle watching behind the waterfall and watching the next diver.
Karlie waving to the diver!
Hanging out behind the waterfall!
Uncle Eric and the girls by the waterfall!
Uncle Eric and the three of us outside Casa Bonita’s restaurant!
Travel & Vacation: Dinosaur Ridge
Karlie and Brina ready to go explore at Dinosaur Ridge!
My cousin Renelle and her husband Eric took the girls on an adventure to Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, Colorado. The girls were really excited to check out all the neat dinosaur prints, bones, and learn more about the dinosaurs in this area. We took a tour bus up Dinosaur Ridge and the guide stopped a few different places to let us get out and explore more. It was really neat! The girls had a grand time! Thanks Eric and Renelle for taking us up to Dinosaur Ridge!
Uncle Eric and the girls looking at the dinosaurs outside the visitor center!
The gray prints are dinosaur tracks!
If you look closely there is big track right next to a smaller set (a Mom dinosaur with a baby) and right behind the two tracks is another one that is chasing them. Pretty neat seeing the different tracks and how they can determine what they were and a lot of other cool details!
Up close picture of one of the big tracks.
They let you climb up part of the rock area to check out the tracks. The kids loved climbing up and putting their hands in the tracks!
A lot of different dinosaur tracks on this section.
Karlie all smiles as she comes up to the observation tower.
Karlie and Brina at Dinosaur Ridge.
All smiles! You can see the dinosaurs tracks in the picture behind them.
Looking at the tracks and listening to the guide talk about all the different ones.
Touching dinosaur bones in the rock.
Large dinosaur bone!
The guide told us how to locate them since not all were marked with signs. Karlie found one!
Brina found one too!
Another one has been found!
Karlie having a grand time at Dinosaur Ridge!
Listening to the guide describe and show all the interesting pieces in this area.
Karlie touching the dinosaur footprint. If you look closer the rocky area dips down where the dinosaur footprint is outlined.
Hanging out at Dinosaur Ridge. Fun times in Colorado!
Travel & Vacation: Red Rocks Overlook Trail & Amphitheater
My cousin Renelle and her husband Eric took the girls and I to see the Red Rocks!
While we were in Colorado a few weeks ago we got to go for a hike up the Red Rocks Overlook and check out their Amphitheater! The red rocks were huge, beautiful boulders on the side of the mountain. It would have been neat to see them right after a rain storm, they probably look gorgeous! In the Red Rocks Amphitheater they hold many concerts. The Red Rocks are on over 800 acres of land and at about 6,500 feet above sea level.
The Red Rocks Amphitheater was formed naturally. The way the rocks line up provides an amazing acoustic setting for concerts. There is a museum at the Red Rocks Amphitheater were you can see all the musicians who have performed. The had all kinds of artists and groups including Bon Jovi, The Beatles, Sting, Opera Singers, and many more!
The red rock boulders were huge!
Brina hiking up to the top of the Red Rocks Overlook Trail.
Cool Red Rock boulders lined the hiking trail!
Brina taking a moment to sit down while Karlie thinks about how cool it would be to have one of those big rocks at her house (no I wouldn’t let her take one home on the plane, ha)!
Uncle Eric, Brina, and Karlie hiking up the trail!
Looking at the Red Rocks Amphitheater and parking lot below!
Just as long as they piece on top doesn’t roll my direction….
A view of the Red Rocks Amphitheater from the top of the Red Rocks Overlook Trail! They were getting ready for a concert that evening!
Karlie and Brina enjoying their time exploring the Red Rocks!
What goes up….must come down! Walking back down the trail with Aunt Renelle!
Brina pausing to let me take a quick picture!
A view of the Red Rocks Amphitheater from the top railing. It seats about 10,000 people. I bet it looks amazing at night during a concert!
The girls had to run down all the stairs of the amphitheater! At least they were able to get in a little extra exercise!
Inside the Red Rocks Museum they had a wall listing all the years, dates, and musicians that have performed in the amphitheater. They also had several other cool rooms to go through and explore. It was a pretty neat adventure for the kids. My cousin Renelle had been at a concert there a few years ago and said it was awesome!!!
Travel & Vacation: Picnic and Hike Around Lily Lake
Karlie and Brina hanging out at Lake Lily
We head up to Lake Lily to have a picnic, walk around the Lily Lake Loop, and enjoy the scenery. It was a beautiful day. A little colder than we are used to in South Carolina. We had a wonderful day with family!
Dad trying one of Renelle’s Wasabi Seaweed Strips! Spicy, crispy, and delicious!
Fun at Lake Lily!
Renelle brought these super cool hippo treats. The outside was a crunchy cookie dipped in white chocolate and chips of chocolate. The inside was a creamy chocolate.
Pausing for a picture with Grandma Penny and Aunt Mary Ann on our hike around Lake Lily.
Karlie wanted a picture with these cool fallen tree by the lake!
The Rocky Mountains scenery is beautiful!
Having fun in the Rocky Mountains!
Grandpa Russell by Lake Lily!
Gorgeous mountains around Lake Lily!
Soaking in the scenery around the lake.
Karlie all smiles on the hike around the lake.
Grandpa Russell on a stroll at Lake Lily!
Love spending time with my girls exploring.
Karlie loves being outside!
Travel & Vacation: Colorado Wildlife
Yes, there are bears near Estes Park! We were driving and saw this guy across the river from us.
We went on a road trip through the Rocky Mountains. On our adventures we saw several animals. The girls were thrilled to see so many neat animals that we don’t see everyday in South Carolina. We went up through Estes Park, Colorado and made several stops throughout the day. Thankful for some fun with family.
Caught a quick picture of these critters as we were driving past. Love that they are munching right off the road and hanging out near a patch of beautiful wild sunflowers.
We drove past a field full of goats. The girls were fascinated and excited! They thought it was so cool that someone had so many goats.
The brown speckled goat in the picture is not eating, she is checking out her newly born twin baby goats. We could see glimpses of the baby goats, but I couldn’t get a close picture of the twin baby goats because their was an electric fence and the grass was too high. They were tiny and adorable trying to stand up on their own. The really cool part is that while we were there with our twin girls there was another set of twins watching twin goats being born on National Twin Day. What is the likelihood that would happen, ha!
Brina really wanted to take this little chipmunk home with her. It may look cute….
Ducks swimming around on the lake!
The girls thought the ducks with the blue feathers were super cute!
This little guy can up to say “hi” to me. I think he was hoping for a treat!
Hummingbirds are always fascinating to watch!
This one about landed on my Dad’s finger. So cool seeing their wings fluttering so quickly.
Our wild bear! The girls were super excited to see the bear!
Munching on berries and relaxing on the rock.
Travel & Vacation: Rocky Mountains, Glen Haven General Store, & Baldpate Inn
Hanging out in Colorado for a few days!
The girls and I had the opportunity to travel out to Colorado recently to visit family. My parents drove out with us and my cousin graciously let the three of us crash at her house and my parents stayed with my Aunt and Uncle. Thankful for some time to catch up with family and explore the area! We had a blast in Colorado.
We drove up by Estes Park, it was completely changed since our trip in July 2012 due to the massive flooding they had back in September 2013. The river, rocks, and roads were totally different. It was quite sad to see some of the damage as well as many homes and businesses that were destroyed. We stopped at one point to get out and stretch our legs. The girls took an opportunity to check out some cool Colorado rocks near the river. They were still cleaning up the area, repairing the roads, homes, businesses, and bridges.
Showing Aunt Renelle some cool stones they found.
Looking at some stones they discovered with Grandma and Grandpa.
When we stopped at Glen Haven two years ago and there was a strip of stores next to the Glen Haven General Store (now it is the only one left on that side of the road). We ate their delicious and huge homemade cinnamon rolls! Thanks Renelle for sharing!
Renelle showing the Brina a cool goodie she got up for them!
Anyone want to eat a bag of rocks?! How about chocolate rocks? Funky, but yummy!
We made a stop at The Baldpate Inn for some coffee, hot chocolate, and tea. The girls relaxing on the Baldpate Inn’s cool porch swing!
Karlie checking out all the keys! Inside the Baldpate Inn they had a room full of keys hanging on the walls and ceiling from all over the world. They even had a key from Hilter’s house, one from a bank Jesse and Frank James robbed, and many other really neat ones!
We finally found the stash of South Carolina keys. They had so many keys you could look them up by name, location, or a number of other details.
Another favorite spot Karlie found…..they had a library, music, and game room at Baldpate Inn. She was content to sit and read!
Relaxing on the porch at the Baldpate Inn!
Enjoying the beautiful view as we sip our hot coffee and chocolate!
Brina mesmerized by the hummingbirds!
The girls and I shared a cup of hot chocolate at Baldpate Inn, delicious!
If you are near Estes Park the Baldpate Inn is a fun place to stop by for a treat, meal, or you can stay overnight too!
Back at Uncle Rick and Aunt Mary Ann’s sharing stories and laughs!
