Aspen Grove 2021

Aspen Grove

The whole family (minus Andy, sadly)

All 21 grandchildren (and two daughters).  You can't see Dojin very well, but he's there.  We had a 
student photographer take our picture.  It was a nice perk since it was free.
Back: Crista, Bridget, Elise with Harvey, Hyeji, Doyeon, Gunnar
Front: Ila, Finn, Beverly (In front of Elise), Dojin, Ruby with Todd, Maverick, Yuli and Yuna, Max, 
Ori with Camden, Gunnar, Avie, Effie and Greta

I remembered how much fun we had fun at Aspen Grove when we went with my parents and our young family.  The last time we attended was 2001, so it has been 20 years.  What I didn't remember is how many things there were to do.  We didn't have time to fit in everything that we wanted.  It was a great time to reconnect, get to know our two new sons in-law, and allow everyone to take some time for themselves as well.  I may have been exhausted 20 years ago at the end of the Aspen Grove week, but 20 years definitely adds a new measure of what exhaustion means :)

The Rasband family finally made it to Aspen Grove.  We prepared to go in 2020, and I even embroidered sweatshirts for everyone.  Alas, COVID changed our plans as well as everybody elses.  We were blessed however, because last year we would have had two very sick pregnant women.  This year, we added 4 people to the count--Dallin Anderson, Camden and Yuli Rasband, and Todd Vance.  I have been sitting here overwhelmed, wondering how to write a letter about a week's worth of constant activity.  I have over 200 pictures on just mine and dad's cameras alone, and I know that all of you took a lot that I will want to have access to. 

We had church on Sunday.  It was certainly something to try and keep 21 kids contained.  Some of them would ABSOLUTELY not be contained!

Jordan, Jennie, Matt, Todd, Sara Camden, Nick, Elise and Harvey

Bevy and Avie.  Avie went to her class willingly every day--she hadn't previously done this at home.  Hopefully it's a trend!

Ropes Course

I think one of the favorite activities of the week was the Ropes Course.  It's new since 2001.  The old one is still used, but not in the same way.  I think most of the adults spent some time climbing around on it.  I'll share just a few pictures:

I believe that Gunnar and Hyeji were the youngest of our group that were allowed on the course.  They did great.  They had a size advantage as well as a size disadvantage.  They hardly weigh anything, so they don't have much to lift, but they also really had to stretch to reach some of the equipment.  

          In order: Jieun, Sara, Caitlyn, Nick, Crista & Matt, Roy, Elise, Jennie, Adrienne, Dallin

Yuna wanted to try the course badly, but she was too little.  The climbing wall that was there in 2001 is now used for the younger kids.  Yuna climbed it in 30 seconds.  Her leaders couldn't even keep up.  Yuna wants to go back to Aspen Grove, but not until she's old enough to try the big course.

Even Ruby and Mav's group attempted the climbing wall.  Apparently Mav loved it, but

he wanted his leader to just push him up!

Cafeteria Food 

The food hasn't changed much since 2001.  The food is still just passable, but the kids loved choosing their own meals, and the adults loved not cooking and cleaning up.  The kids choices were interesting.  For example, Mav wanted the raspberry butter for his roll, then he pointed to the regular butter (done in small balls)--I put it on top of his roll and said, "Wait until this gets softer, then you can spread it around."  He said, "I just want to eat it," (and he did--several balls).

One thing they did have was BYU ice cream.  It was delicious, but of course you had to buy it at the store.

Dojin and Jennie in the background--
Catharine getting lots of love from Ila

                    Adrienne with Todd                                          Harvey

Left: Bevy, Harvey and Elise; 

               Dojin, Bevy                                                                  

We got smart and took a break from the Aspen Grove fare and ate lunch at Sundance. Someone else's camera has the picture of the other table. 

Present: Doyeon (she wasn't feeling great and didn't really want to hike), Jieun, Dan, Roy, Nick, Sara, Roy, Catharine, Jennie and Jordan.

Life in the Lodge

We had one lodge for almost everyone.  There were 36 of us (Andy was the only one who couldn't make it).  32 of the 36 shared the lodge.  I'm sure it was pretty cosy.  I had remembered it being a lot bigger than it actually was.  Below are pictures from lodge living:

AJ, with Dojin, Oli, Bev and Elise.  We played so hard!
Everyone probably felt like AJ and Dojin in this picture.

        

Above: Dojin.  I think the snacks and candy were plentiful; Jordan with Yuli.  Apparently he was great with all the kids.  They love him.  Jennie shared her talents--in this case cutting Ila's hair.  Nick found a place for his hammock.  Nick with Effie, Camden, Ori and Avie.

Ori, Dojin, Ila, Hyeji, Doyeon, Yuna.  These kids were usually the last
to be put to bed because most of them slept in the loft.  There was too much activity
for them to get to bed early.

      Jordan and Oli.  Looks like Oli had had it.                        Hyeji, Gunnar and Matt

Other Activities

Avie (and Greta) loved the fountain.  Avie would put her
finger in it's mouth and talk to it.

Camden was a good sport.  The girls in the nursery loved him
and were sad when he was asleep because he was so happy
just to sit on their laps.

Aspen Follies

The object of this game was to have someone (AJ first picture) two kids, second picture: Ori and ?) sit in a big barrel with holes.  All the kids on the outside are trying to patch the holes.  Then buckets of water were quickly dumped in until the water reached a certain level.  We did not win.

Dan, air rifle activity

Bevy and Dojin

Hike to Stuart Falls

We started this hike with just Roy and me--Caitlyn and Dallin

.                                  Telani (the adult activities director) was taking our  picture

                                    and threw herself into the last couple of shots.

At the end of the trail, we met up with AJ, Adrienne, Gunnar, Crista and Matt, Hyeji, and Dan.

Frontier Night

Hyeji, Bridget, Greta and Matt

Ori, Effie, Avie,and Doyeon and Ruby in back

Gunnar--pie eating contest

Yuna, Oli, and Finn

Hyeji

Greta, Ruby and Ori

                   Finn                                                                  Air Rifle activity.  That's me 2nd from the                                                                                             end.   I didn't hit the target once.  I don't think

                                                                                      I knew what I was doing.

Closing Night Show

Crista holding Todd

Crista with Todd, Catharine with Harvey (I spent quite a bit of time following this little guy around).  Matt with Bridget--it looks like she didn't want to sit still either.

Avi and Nick

Roy, Catharine, Dan Jieun, and Yuli behind us

Jordan and Yuna

Bridget

Miscellaneous

Nick and Camden

                         Roy with Yuli                                           Oli, Doyeon, Hyeji, Gunnar, Ori and Yuna

Finn.  A little paint to decorate.  I'm not sure who painted him.

                                            Ruby was also painted.  The 2nd time with ice cream!

                                                        Jordan and Jennie

Dojin and Camden--So happy
Dojin (and some of the other kids) said, "I
want to live here forever."

I don't want to live there forever, but it was a fun week full of activities.  

This letter was put together with pictures either sent to me or taken by dad or me.  We can add some other pictures to this as we go along.  I didn't have many from the closing program with the kids dancing.  That'd be fun to add.  Also, any other stories you may have from the week you can send to me so I can add them.