A great time was had by all at the Pack 559 2012 summer excursion to Magness Adventure Camp near Kiowa, Colorado.

Our Aunt Shirley has come to visit, and she has brought with her the original of Mollie Dorsey Sanford's diary from 1857 to 1888 to donate to the Littleton History Museum. Mollie is Jon and Ben's great-great-great grandmother, and came to Colorado in 1858. She married Byron North Sanford in 1860, and Byron served valiantly with the Union forces in the Battle of Glorieta Pass: the "Gettysburg of the West." We enjoyed reading how Byron was eight hours late to his own wedding, because he had to ride 50 miles to get his and Mollie's marriage license, and by the time he got there the office was closed. Mollie endured those hours in remarkable good humor, and her diary recounts the story in humorous detail.

Above, the cover of the diary, done in 1925. Below, the boys look at the diary and photos of By and Mollie.

Above, Shirley with the diary. Below, copies of the printed versions of Mollie's diary.

Below, the diary with photos of Byron North Sanford and Mollie Dorsey Sanford.

We had a great time at the CMC's celebration in Buena Vista, visiting old friends, camping, river rafting, fishing, and listening to bluegrass music.

This was the first neighborhood parade that the kids rode in all on their own.

This has been our family's first year to enjoy the "Cherry Knolls Swim Team" experience. Ben loved the competition and camaraderie, and the rest of our family enjoyed the social scene - even during 100-degree days.