ASPEN GROVE FAMILY CAMP
July 28-August 4, 2012
Pretty much...... The. Best. Place. On. Earth!!!
As we were driving up the canyon- Mark and I were both so excited telling the kids all about it. The kids hadn't been here for at least 4-5 years, and Josh was the only one that really remembered any of it. We were explaining all of the fun things to do- the feeling up there etc. and then we said, this is our favorite place on earth!! Allie- quickly asked --better than the Temple--(since she had heard us say that before.) Of course not--- but besides our house and the Temple-
It's at the Top!!!
It's at the Top!!!
We Love Aspen Grove!
Mark and I both go way back with AG. Daddy Doug managed it-- so I was blessed up there as a baby, and then baptized up there. And then, Mark and I met there! Mark went throughout his childhood too. It is just an awesome place! One of our favorite things about going up there, is running into old friends. As we got there- we found one of Mark and Keith's Young Men, Brad Stucki, (he was a Deacon) from when we lived in Virginia. Brad worked in the Dining Hall- so running into him was such a fun surprise that first night. It was fun throughout the rest of the week- as he came and sat with us to pick Mark and Keith's brains for all of life's answer's. :)
Our family had wanted to go to AG for a while-- but every summer it just didn't happen.
We had tried to see if family wanted to go, but since we already had the Back East trip planned with the Crane's, and the Millsite reunion with the Gibson-Doxey's- We didn't have much luck getting anyone to come. At first- we thought we'd go with just our family- but as we were talking with friends one day, each of them expressed some connection or desire to go. So.....we decided to all go together!
We have never been without family- so we almost felt like it was
sac-religous :) But in the end-- it ended up being so much fun!! AND..... who would have known the whole Don and Arda Jean Family would be there!! :) I had to laugh.....my whole childhood- we drove down to Oak City (where my Grandpa's family migrated after coming across the plains)- to have a reunion with my Grandpa Christensen's cousin's families. They even had an official bound reunion book- with all of the assignments layed out for YEARS--like 75 years! At one point- one of the cousins reunion responsibility was raising the beef for the reunion :) Seriously- we went every single year without fail. I think Mark and I even went right after we got married. That's actually where the official family dance started. Glen (their youngest son)- hitting on Debbie was a sight for us all :) It's a good thing- our Dances now are FAR AND BEYOND better than those first jives. Having a family dance where you actually know each other- is a great thing! All I remember about that reunion is why are we having a reunion with - 2nd cousin's twice removed???
Funny! So you can imagine when I saw them all up at Aspen what a good laugh Mark and I had!
The hilarious part, is that we ended up going with family after all!!! Oh- also the Huish's were there too! The family we all doted on for years- While Mark and I were on staff- we were basically threatened-- "Keep the Huish's Happy!!!" So that added a little spice to the week as well!
Aspen is the Best! Here we are watching the opening show-- and loved that they are still going strong with the skits! This one was actually funny. It was Darin (yup- he's still there!- I think he's 30+ nowadays!) and Jason Longhurst! Crazy- how far we go back! Mark and I were laughing that Mark came as a 16 year old- when Caroline and Mark were teen counselors. They got married, and had Jason. Then-- Mark had Jason when he was the Cub leader when we dating and worked up there. THEN-- Jason was now Josh's teen counselor this summer! Funny!
Anyway-- Jason and Darin did this funny skit to "Loathing" - BYU against the "U" I guess Darin is a student there now. You can see it on youtube if you want something to do. Our kids loved it!!
Sorry about the long journaling--- I kind of have a lot to say :)
Sunday afternoon- waiting for the traditional pictures!! Love these cute kids!
The standard Aspen Grove shot near the horseshoe pits. We love to compare the years- it's hilarious!
And this, was most of our group-- minus the Keate's (they were at their brother's mission farewell.) What a great group of friends!!
The "kitty" became a highlight for Jackson. Kim kept teaching him to look at the kitty- Meow! We sat right under it every time we ate- so he developed a love for the "kitty!" :)
The Sunday afternoon chillin' was awesome! Jackson swung for the first time.
It was super, extra fun because Dan and Julie and Mom came up to see us!! Our kids were in heaven playing with their cousins!
Monday- was our first day where the kids went to their classes. Just after we dropped them off we jumped right on our bikes and went for a ride. It was glorious!!! We had so much fun playing all day. The best part was picking up the kids for Aspen Follies- and they all had huge grins on their faces- they loved their leaders and teachers.
ASPEN FOLLIES
"The VanCreafes" Since we weren't a family reunion or just one family- we came up with a name that would represent all of us. The VanCreafes--Van Tassell, Crane, Keate, and Fife's. Aspen Follies was super fun with this crowd- it was all new to them so it was a whole new game.
Josh set the camp record this year for Potato Sack racing..... he was long done before all of us adults even got going. The Long Jumping he does in track is paying off!
Here we are doing our cheer.
"Tick Tick Tick Tick...... BOOM Colorado....... I say a BOOM Colorado!
G00000000 Van Creafes!"
The traditional 4 second "BYU!"
LOVE that Earth Ball.
All the same games-- all the same fun!!! Loving every minute of it!
Josh was feeling pretty cool-- that he caught a water balloon-- and won a drink in the store!
Look at our little Allie, she's got mad climbing skills!
And Jackson- just loved chillin' on Dad's back all week!
We went for a little hike one evening over to the Theater in the Pines.
Good to know, it's still standing strong- and super fun.
While we were there- little Morgan Fife- noticed I had a camera, and was all over it! "Take one of me like - This..... now like this!" She is a total cutie- and such an adorable little model!
The week was complete with all of the tournaments going on - throughout the day. I think we signed up for almost every single one. My favorite- ping pong, but basketball was amongst the tops for the guys. Golly- between the Christensen Cousin's beating us in bball, and the
Huish's beating us in Badminton- we didn't quite bring home the purse.
Oh well- it was super fun being a part of it.
The great thing about Aspen Grove....... is that pretty much nothing ever changes. Still Frontier night on the Ball field Tuesday Evening. Mark and I remember well- getting this all set up.
It has been fun to see it grow through the years.
The VanCreafe's all loved it! Especially the tasty snow cones, and fun Frontier activities for the kids.
Mark and Josh battled for the win a few times- it was fun to see them duke it out!
Allie and Devree just loved the Dunk Bucket.
Darin's just awesome! Here he is -- still in all of his Aspen Grove glory- telling the kids an Indian story around the campfire..... branding leather for one and all.
More friendly competitions--- Hatchet throwing- yikes!
way blur on the pictures- oh well- the memory--right?
Zack and I loved the watermelon eating contest. Mmmm mmm- Zack won this one!
It was just plain old AWESOME to be back at ASPEN GROVE again!!!!
Keeping it super cheesy- and reminiscing all our fun times...... we had to take a hike to Stewart Falls. Along the way- we of course got a picture of our tree. It made me chuckle. A heart--- with M + C in it-- with an arrow toward heaven...... reminding us that our future family would "Return with Honor!" :) Ha Ha-- that was the newest, coolest slogan back then.
We were just thrilled to have Debbie and Cosi come up and hike with us!!! Josh wasn't diggin' his class as much (now that he's a young adult.) It actually was a bummer because they put 13-15 together, and 16-25 year olds together. Weird. 16 year olds- have nothing in common with over 19-25 year olds. So..... Josh came with us a lot. Josh and Cosi had been texting. Josh kept saying - maybe I should just go down and hang out down in Provo/Lindon-
But - instead-
Cosi was super thoughtful and came up to hike with him.
Thanks Deb and Cosi- that was such a fun memory to be with you guys!
Who can deny a chance to go under the falls?!?!? It was awesome!!
After a ride one day, we raced back to see the kids climb. Zack rocked the ropes course- and did it speedy fast. So fun to watch!
Allie is amazing too- you should see that girl climb!! Woohoo!
And then of course-- the adults got their chance. Always a kick in the pants!
Like I said- Aspen Grove is full of memories, fun times- and running into old friends! Here is Julianne Muhlstein from our good old UCLA days. We couldnt' believe it- Cary (her husband) was the 2nd part of the weeks guest speaker. It was so fun to see them and their six kids! We hadn't seen them since we lived in the UCLA apartments together.
WATER FROLICS
It seemed we were always racing back from one event to get to the next! We barely got there in time after our hike, to go wild with these games!! Allie loved having Keith throw her through the air!
Mark's water polo skills came in handy- he pulled our team to Victory!!
Another dandy thing was seeing Glev and Ben and Mark Longhurst- still working hard. Mark still made all the programming announcements- and it was fun to see it all running just like clockwork. I guess there's no reason it woudn't be- it was just fun to see it all again!
Here we are at the closing show-- The staff was awesome!
Love getting to know the other campers too! This guy (can't remember his name,) jumped right in the picture! We ALL became family! :)
The Cougar's singing "Waka Waka- South Africa!" Zack's got some moves!
THE DANCE
A good old Dance- is amongst the TOPS in almost any camp, activity etc. Josh broke right in- and showed us his groove!
Jason- took the bull by the horns, and DJ'd the dance- breaking out all the line dances-
and keeping the Dance hoppin'!
Kim- couldn't contain herself! :)
These boys served their missions together- and wore their nifty Brazil shirts to spice things up!
FINALLY-- it wouldn't be an AG dance without the Bee Gee's "TRAGEDY!" Started back in the day-- and still going STRONG!! We all LOVE IT!!! It needs to be incorporated into our family dances now. Richard and Brian...... didn't you help make up that dance?
It's the shiggidy bomb dizzle that's for sure!
I've got it all on camera- so we can remember the sweet moves. The kids loved it!
Man-- the week went way too fast! Before we knew it, it was time to pack up- and head home. :( Here we are outside our little cabin #6. The girls were off galavanting, but we just had to get a shot instead. We LOVE this place. It was so awesome to go back- and be in the Mountains again-
surrounded by awesome people, super fun activities, and most of all - the best feeling of safety and kindness toward everyone. LOVE IT! I am so grateful Mom and Dad worked so hard to make it happen. With no money- and trying to get the camp going, it seemed impossible. But now it's a legacy for us all!!! It will always hold a special little spot in our hearts!!
It was actually amazingly cool. The Sunday night we were there, there was a family- that came to camp after several years of not being able to. They finally brought back all of their kids etc. Anyway- Sunday night- they came to Mark Longhurst and said- "We have a letter for Carol Doxey that was written to us by her husband Doug Doxey just before he passed away. Is she here- so we can give it to her?" Amazingly- that was the very night Mom decided to come up (she hadn't been up in years.) Mark didn't know she was there- because we were all over hanging out on the ball field, but when he saw us walk up- he let me know of their letter. Later on in the week- They found me again- and gave me a copy of the letters. They had been cleaning out their basement, and happened to come upon a random box the day before they left for Aspen Grove. She didn't know what the box was- but she stuck her hand in to pull out some papers- and these letters came out very first. She was so surprised- since they were leaving for Aspen the next day. One was a letter from my Dad-thanking them for opening their home in California- and allowing him to do a promotion meeting to raise money for the camp, and get the camp going-- The next letter was a thank you note written one month after my dad died thanking them for being so thoughtful to welcome him in their home- and letting them know- he had died in California, and her new baby "Doug" was born just a few days ago!
Impressive- and I don't think that was-- "just by chance!" The tender mercies along the way- just keep coming! Also- impressive Mom that you wrote a Thankyou note- just after Doug was born- and after losing Dad. I love thank you notes- but I'm not sure what my problem is- it always takes me forever to actually get them in the mail. In fact- it seems we always write them- and then my hang up is addressing them and taking them to the post office. I even have 4 on my counter right now-- I am going to send them tomorrow! I am promising to do better- for all those I know who I owe--sorry!!
Just thought I'd share that cool story for the books- I thought that the letters were so cool- and never wanted to forget it! It's cool to actually have a copy of them now. AG kept the others for their 50th anniversary display next year.
Just after we drove home from Aspen Grove, 2 hours later Mark and Josh left to hike Long's Peak (a fourteener) all night with the Young Men.
Nice--Let the craziness keep on.....keep on.....keep on going!
I was stressed- and worried they would be too tired- but of course all went well.
I'll post those pictures next time! Have a great day!
