Aspen Grove

July 11- 17th was the Andersen family reunion with Glen's mom's side of the family. It was held at BYU's Aspen Grove family Camp which is just above Sundance up Provo canyon. It is a beautiful place, full of fun things to do, one of the greatest places on earth for families... I promise! Last year we went to Aspen Grove with Glen's siblings and parents but this year it was with all of his extended family... aunts, uncles, cousins- there were about 150 of us total! It was fun to reconnect with family some of whom we haven't seen in a long time. the best part was being able to spend some time with Grandma Andersen who made the reunion possible! We love her so much and although we don't get to see her very often, we are influenced by her example and blessed by her love everyday! We are so proud to have such a wonderful lady as our grandma. I am grateful for the good choices she has made in her life that have rippled down and in turn blessed my life. Her life and example will continue to bless many generations to come.

our family with Grandma Andersen

There are 8 children in Glen's family. he has 5 sisters and 2 brothers... I love them all and I'm not just saying that because his mom reads my blog :) they are an incredible family and I am so blessed to be a part of it! Just read our shirts....Together really is our favorite place to be!!

We were able to get a few pictures the first couple of days that we were at Aspen Grove but then our camera broke and wouldn't focus. It was stuck on some weird setting so I had other people take pictures for me the rest of week... below are just a few...

the Huber grand kids...

with that many kids your bound to have a few homely or naughty ones right?? Well, not so! these are the cutest, most polite bunch of kids you'll ever find! We love our nieces and nephews so much and couldn't ask for better influences for our boys... they love their cousins!!

Maddie, Evan and Avery

Gabe was a little apprehensive at first to join his group, the Rompers but towards the end of the week he decided it was pretty fun. He went to his class for the first part of the day and then after lunch Gabe, Oliver and I went back to our room in the Beckham Lodge for a little nap everyday...

Eli with his group the Cubs...

and below is Evan preforming with his group the Panthers. He is a good sport and doesn't mind that all of the cousins his age are girls! Harmony, Avery and Maddie.

On Wednesday the kids do not meet back with their families for lunch, but stay in groups all day. Evan's group packed a sack lunch and went on a hike to Stuart Falls. On the hike Evan slid on a pile of gravel and hit his knee on a big boulder. His knee split open, but he was able to make it back thanks to his calm counselors and a pretty hefty bandage. When he got back to the grounds I was in our room with sleeping babies and Glen was in a Basketball tournament. Thanks to our 2 way radios we learned Evan had fallen and that he was heading straight to first aid. Aunt Stacie accompanied him and helped him to be brave until Glen could get there. I figured it was no big deal and his scrape just needed to be cleaned up a bit... The doctor on site did clean it up but said it would most likely need stitches... even after that I was not prepared for what a huge gash it was... Evan and Glen stopped by our room on the way to insta care and when I peeled back the bandage my stomach flip flopped a little and my heart went out to my little boy... he was so brave! The rest of the week Evan had a pretty severe limp and had to sit out on most of the activities at Aspen Grove.... knee's are hard to heal because they are always bending... he split the stitches out once and then even after they were gone and it seemed healed... the scar popped open again a few weeks later when he was playing... so he has a pretty big scar on his knee
and he hopes to never have stitches again!:)

There are so many fun activities to do at Aspen Grove. Swimming, mini gold, badminton, wallyball, basketball, shuffle board, paintball, tennis, air hockey, racquetball, hiking, pedal carts, archery, rifle shooting. there are parks and a little store, arts and crafts, board games to rent, Frontier land, family follies, water frolics, movies etc.... not to mention delicious meals, amazing seminars for the adults and competition sign ups. Seriously it is so fun!!!
I didn't get enough pictures but you should check it out!

Here is Evan on the climbing wall

and Glen (third one in on the left) just after winning his paintball game

Evan and beautiful aunt Sarah

The week at Aspen Grove is so busy filled with much to do and lots of ways to strengthen family ties. We can't wait until the next time we go!
Thank you so much Grandma Andersen we love you!