The First Day of School

Georgia and Macie's first day of school.  Georgia started 6th grade which is middle school, lockers and switching teachers for each class.  Macie started the 4th grade. 

Hiking and Mt. Timpanogos

Every Wednesday at Aspen Grove the adults have the entire day to themselves.  This year Dallin, Brett, Jennifer, Gordon, LeeAnn and I decided to take the day and hike to the top of Mt Timpanogos.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  This was one of the most challenging, most amazing, most building things I have done.  Here we are right before the hike began. 

 Jenn and Gordon.  There were numerous and beautiful waterfalls the first half of the hike. 

 The views were breathe taking!!

 It was so funny because half way felt that we had been challenged and that we were quite the hikers.  we made it all the way to the only glacier in all of Utah and it was awsome. 

 The wild flowers were scattered everywhere and next to the snow it was so pretty. 

 We took our picture next to this little hut we thought was the end, but little did we know we had only finished the first half of the hike (and definatley the easy half too). 

 We looked up and saw the back side of this big cliff/mountain with a small white box on the top and realized that was our real destination...off we went.  I didnt realize how afraid of heights I am and how steep, rocky and slippery a mountain really gets when you get close to the top!  We had to walk across big vast of snow and ice.

Once we rounded to the other side of the mountian you could look down and see the Uath valley - WOW!!  One side was Provo and the other Salt Lake and the huge Utah Lake!

 We were a littel nervous when we saw these big wild mountain goats grazing along the trail and down the mountain side.  We sat and ate liunch at the top and they came so close...I think they wanted some of our lunch.  Luckily Gord had the force with him and was able to move them away. 

 This is the little white box we saw from the glacier.  The tip top it was windy and cold yet breathe taking.

 I felt very uneasy up top.  I have great brothers who held my hand when needed. 

 They way back down was almost more beautiful than the way up. 

 And we made it back!  (hours and hours later). 

Jamie and Jared opt for mountain biking instead of the hike, and I know they had a blast! 

 Jamie did feel a little jipped I think though - because we really didnt know what a cool experience the hike would be so we hiked up and a bit the next day to see some of the falls with Jared and Harrison. 

It was a great trip to Utah!!  I cant wait until we get to go back again!

Aspen Grove 3

This year we won the Water Frolics!!  An amazing water dance!

 Harrison, Sawyer, and Jared

 Everyone loves th big blue ball

Rachel, Ellie, Ava and Caroline chillin on the swing

 The last night they have each kids group perform and this year all the kids were brave enough to get and and show us their moves!!  Ava...

 MAcie...

 Georgia...

Then that night they have a family dance - almost everyones favorite. 

Aspen Grove #2

Ava, Bekah, and Caroline were in class together everyday swimming, outside at the playground, hiking, crafting, you name it they loved it!

 Shuffleboard and walleyball were two sports we loved this year!

 Aspen Follies!!  We had a great cheer this year "No charge for Awsomeness!"

 I was the lucky one inside the bucket with the girls with freezing cold water being dumped dwon my backside!

Another night is Frontier Night.  The train ride and snow scones are what the kids remember. 

 And those great horses!!

Aspen Grove 2012

This is a trip I have Tons of pictures from and want to save them all.  It is the highlight of vacations for my kids - we go every other year and this year seemed to top them all. So there will be lots of pictures, and multiple posts...hope it doesnt bore you. 

 

 We found ourselves hanging out by the swings in between events because everyone could have fun there. 

Ellie

Macie

Me and Jamie

Emily, Abigail, and Bekah

Lydia, Anna, Gord, and Dallin

Linnae and Jared

Georgia and Zack

These crazy girls started some serious climbing competions, and uncle Dan showed us some crazy sideways climbing too. 

 

Here is the one picture we have inside our small cabin where our family all cuddled for the week.  One queen bed and two sets of bunk beds...nice and cozy, and an outside bathroom to share. 

Paintball with all the guys (and LeeAnn).  I honestly cant remember which team won but there was lots of fireing!

The ropes course - I must admit im getting a little better at each year, but my stomach still gets all knotted up before I have to climb that rock wall and then that wooden pole before we even begin to get across the ropes. 

Jamie

LeeAnn and Dan 

Georgia and Jacob were old enough to do the ropes course!! 

And yes she made the course look pretty easy!

Macie and Richie were the pros on the rock wall!

 To the tip top every time (and Richie were you sneaking in a few extra turns? :) I love it!