Danielson Family Reunion at Aspen Grove 2025

 

Weeks 31, 32, and 33!

 Dear Gracie,

No excuses left--here's a recap of the last three weeks, mostly for my records, but you get to hear it all, too!

Caytie, Tessa, and I left for Girls Camp on Tuesday the 3rd.  There were 21 girls and six leaders attending, plus our rotation of Priesthood leaders.  We had a mostly uneventful four hour drive up to the giant cabin in Arkansas.  (About five minutes after we left the church, Dad's trailer, which had everyone's gear in it, popped off the hitch of the truck after crossing the railroad tracks, since Bro. M. had not put it on properly. [Dad's nightmare when he lends out the trailer!]  Thankfully it didn't hit the truck, and some really nice people helped put it back on the hitch, and it made it all the way to camp.  Dad walked Bro. M. through how to hook it up properly on a video call later in the week.  There was some damage to the trailer, but it's fixable.)  My carload of girls was pretty quiet and didn't want to stop anywhere (as opposed to a few other carloads), so we made it there first.  The cabin was really nice, and along a river at the back of the property.  Once everyone else got there, we carried all our gear inside and chose beds and settled in.  There were a lot more beds than expected, so everyone could sleep indoors if they wanted to, and most chose to do that.  (Except the men--they had a tent set up at the back of the property.)  We explored the river and had a campfire and roasted hot dogs and smores that night.  Tessa started her job of braiding everyone's hair.   We tried to have a star watching class, but the clouds rolled in and we could only see two stars.  It was still nice to sit outside and stare at the night sky (and watch the fireflies!).

On Wednesday, we were able to go to another spot on the river for a kayaking trip.  We all had double kayaks, and since the youth wanted to be together, I got to be with Sister Hicken.  She thankfully has kayaking experience and was able to coach us through some of the rough patches!  We stayed around the middle back of the pack, as others (including Caytie and Tessa) were way up ahead of us, and others (including most of the youngest girls, who had no experience and no muscles, and Bishop Brewington and Bro. M.) were at the back.  The river was really nice, with some challenging spots and some really shallow spots.  The fastest girls completed the run in about an hour, and the last ones about 45 minutes later.  We had our lunch on the shore and then headed back to the cabin, as rain was predicted--and it came!  We had a relaxed afternoon cleaning up and playing games, and Tessa started her second job of decorating everyone's hands with henna.  The rain ended after an hour or two.  We had chili for dinner, learned camp songs, had dutch oven peach cobbler, and then the girls watched The Lion King, as our camp theme was "Remember Who You Are."

Thursday was our hike day.  It was a good little hike up a "mountain" and just challenging enough for our group of girls.  Again, there were some really fast ones and some really slow ones, but everyone but one girl who got heat exhaustion made it.  (She also is a picky eater and hadn't been eating much of the food for the last few days...)  It was mostly shady and really pretty.  After the hike and lunch at the cars, we returned to the cabin and many of the girls went to the river behind it and played for a while.  Then I presented a gospel lesson I'd been asked to do about remembering your divine nature.  It was an hour long, and the girls were tired, so my expectations of participation were low, but I think it went pretty well!  We played a game and did some coloring and they listened and answered thoughtfully.  Then the girls had some personal journal/study time, and then painted flower pots, then planned and presented skits!  Busy, fun afternoon!  The girls made mini pizzas for dinner, and we also had a campfire with leftover smores stuff.  Night games and a glow dance were on the schedule, but most everyone just wanted to talk at the fire, or play card games or do more flower pot painting.  Benson arrived that evening!  He had been at his YM high adventure hike, about 45 minutes away from us, and one of the dads and his sons generously drove him to our cabin.  He set up his little tent by the other men, and we all went to bed.

Bonus--a couple pictures sent from Benson's High Adventure:

They hiked and camped in a new place each night, even in the rain.  They seemed to have a good time!

Friday morning started out early.  I wanted to do the sunrise yoga with the others that woke up, but we (Caytie, Tessa, Benson, Ani Shahan [who had a soccer tournament to get to], and I) had to pack up to get on the road.  Benson's eye and cheek were swollen, and it looked like he had poison ivy.  We got him some Benadryl which helped a lot.  He also had blisters from hiking in his water shoes, since his other shoes and lots of clothes were wet from rain earlier in the week.  We drove for a while and stopped at the first Walmart we came to, to grab some breakfast and road snacks, along with more poison ivy medicine (which thankfully he didn't end up needing--the swelling went down and stayed down).  We drove some more until we got to Paris, TX, and decided to take a small detour to see the "Eiffel Tower" with the cowboy hat on top, which none of us had done before.  It's--cute and small and quirky.  One more hour driving and we were home!  Hooray!  Now to get to work.  We unloaded our dirty laundry to wash it, got Benson's tent set out to dry, took showers, took short naps, took out trash, did dishes, cleaned, and got everything but our clothes packed up for our trip to Utah.  After the second load of laundry had washed, I checked the first in the dryer to see when it would be done, but it was still cold after an hour!  I put the heat up and let it go a bit longer, but that didn't help--still cold.  So we took the two wet loads of laundry, picked out what we needed and put it in garbage bags in our suitcases, hung the rest of it around the house to dry, and loaded up to go to the airport!  By this point I was getting a bit cranky, and needed to apologize to everyone for my mood, as they really did work hard to get ready in the time that we had.  We made it to the airport with enough time to relax for a minute (especially since our flight was delayed), and then enjoyed a two hour flight to the Provo airport, arriving at about 10:30 pm.  I really enjoyed coming in that way, and seeing Utah Valley all lit up at night.  Scott and Kaitlyn were waiting for us and drove us to Orem in their two cars.  I can assure you I was READY FOR BED by the end of that day!

We were able to sleep in on Saturday morning.  It was heavenly!  We visited with Shaelyn and her family (and Shauna, who came for a bit to help Shaelyn with the booth she was preparing for the Springville fair).  Then it was time to head to Aspen Grove!  My parents had booked everyone in the main lodge, so we all had rooms that were like hotel rooms, with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a little sitting area, and then larger lounges on each floor where we could gather together.  There were about 75 of us who came (though not all stayed the whole time), and it was so great to see everyone as they were arriving!  The scenery of the mountains was almost like a movie backdrop, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was real!  We did a little exploring of the resort, and played a round of mini golf before dinner.  (The dining hall brings back lots of memories for Dad, who worked there in 1995--30 years ago!  He was a waiter, but now everything is buffet style.)  Then the kids got to meet the groups they'd be with for the week, and we had a little show all together where the age groups presented cheers.

(I'm going to do a separate post with pictures from Aspen Grove...)

Sunday morning started with church--outdoors!  We had a lovely Sacrament Meeting in the amphitheater, and it was nice to see lots of our family represented in helping with the blessing and passing of the Sacrament.  There's an organized Aspen Grove Branch, for all the workers who live there (though I think it only is organized for the summer), and they let us join with them.   I couldn't help but think of the hymns "I Stand All Amazed" and "How Great Thou Art" while looking around at our surroundings during the meeting.  We broke into groups inside for our classes, then we had family group pictures outside.  (We got a picture of Grandma and Grandpa and all the grandkids holding the quillows Grandma had made for them!  We missed you, Regan, and Mason on your missions, and the few others who couldn't come.)  After lunch, they had some family jeopardy and bingo games we participated in, and then after dinner we had a family meeting where Grandma and Grandpa showed a slideshow of all the reunions we've had.  The "theme" was love, and they gave everyone a little heart to keep in their pocket.  (I have one for you, which I need to get to you!)  They also gave out blue silicone reunion bracelets, which you may remember from years past!  After that, at the amphitheater there was a speaker/singer, which was a nice way to end the day.

On Monday morning, the real schedule started.  The kids (including Benson, Tessa, and Caytie--all in different age groups) went with their counselors for a large part of the day to do activities, and the adults (including Emma, Scott, Kaitlyn, me, and Dad) got to choose what activities we wanted to do.  We started with little RC trucks that were pretty rugged and drove them on a rocky course.  Then we went to the ropes course, which was REALLY high up in the trees!  The obstacles were pretty physically challenging, but we all made it around several and back.  (Emma left with a giant bruise and I got a cut on my shin, and all of our muscles were aching, but we were proud of our war wounds.)  After lunch, we got back with our families and participated in "Aspen Follies," which was lots of group games on the big field.  We had to have a team cheer, and Scott proposed "Ropers, Ropers, Rope 'em in!  Yee-haw!"  while he ran around as a bull and we pretended to rope him in.  (We had to do it before each game and got judged for it.)  We had a small family join in our group, but they were willing to be Ropers, too, so it was fun.  It was really, really hot, and we were happy that our last game was to fill a plastic trash can with holes in it up with water using small buckets.  Scott got inside to help it fill faster, and the water was super cold. He got drenched--but so did most of the people surrounding the trash can trying to plug the holes.  They had water balloon launching and rocket making, too.  That evening was a camp-wide talent show.  Our whole family sang the "As Sisters in Zion/Armies of Helaman" medley, and I couldn't help but think of you serving far away.  My brother Steve did his Fig Newton song, Scott played "All of Me,"  Alissa Dorman Ruff played a piece she composed that she'll be performing in Poland (I think), Austin Dorman did some amazing jump rope tricks, Annica sang, and other families did some other fun things.

Tuesday!  The kids went with their groups again.  (They did things like games, hikes, swimming in the pool, crafts, mini golf, etc.)  Scott and Kaitlyn had left at 2 in the morning to hike Mt. Timpanogos with my brothers Jeff and Joe, but they turned back early and were home in time for breakfast.  We shot pellet guns (or something like that) and did axe throwing, which I had never done, but ended up with a couple bulls-eyes!, and laser tag (though I opted for a nap).  We also made our first trip to the arts and crafts cabin, and began some projects.  (Me--Christmas plate, Dad--eagle head, Emma--waffle cone bowl, Scott--cow skull, Kaitlyn--salt and pepper shakers.)  We tried out the pool in the afternoon, and it was icy!  We got in eventually, but the warm sun felt really good.  That night was a big Frontier type party, with a live band (Dad knew the banjo player from junior high!), snow cones, train rides, line dancing, panning for "gold", pie eating contests, piñata, and tug-o-war.  Fun night.

Wednesday-- while the kids were in their groups, the adults of our family met up to hike to Stewart Falls.  Remember when we did that years ago?  It was a great hike to stretch out our sore muscles (and add a few new ones), and the water at the falls was so cool and refreshing.  I might have brushed up against some stinging nettle, since my leg was a bit bumpy and itchy for the next couple of days.  Dad and Scott went under the falls (of course!) while the rest of us just enjoyed the spray.  My mom and dad made it for all but the last climb down to the water, which I thought was pretty impressive!  We later did archery and also went back to the craft cabin in the afternoon to work on our projects, and Dad, Scott, and Kaitlyn and I played pickleball.  That night we did an escape room.  There were two old cabins set up with identical challenges, so Scott, Kaitlyn, Emma, Caytie, Tessa, and Benson did one of them while Dad and I, along with my sister Laurie and her daughter Taelyn and Steve and Angi, did the other.  We beat the younger group by about 5 minutes, but both of our groups got plenty of help from the guy running the rooms!  

Thursday was our last full day.  Scott went on an early hike to Emerald Lake on Timpanogos with my brother Jeff.  The kids were with their groups for the last time.  I was surprised by how much they enjoyed being with the groups.  (Benson was hard to read--he looked a little grumpy, but said he was having fun.  Maybe he was just tired from playing games with Scott late into the night.)  Several of us adults from the family met up for laser tag, which was pretty fun.  We finished up our ceramic projects.  Mine had been fired, which was fun to see.  They set up a giant water slide on a hill, which Dad, Scott, and Kaitlyn (and the kids in their groups) enjoyed.  The afternoon had a big family water games time, which Benson participated in and I watched from above.  (Everyone else was at the arts and crafts cabin.)  Benson got to be thrown into the air for their synchronized swimming routine.   That evening was a final show at the amphitheater.  All the kids' groups performed a choreographed dance they had been practicing.  (These groups went down to kids who were three years old--their dances were so cute!)  Benson somehow got persuaded to be in the front of his group, and they used those sticks with ribbons on them to swirl around--and he did a great job!  Tessa's group did a song from "Teen Beach " and Caytie's did one from "High School Musical," so you know they enjoyed those!  They also gave out awards for the week, and our Roper group won 3rd place overall for the games we played on Monday--yee haw!  A lot of the adults in my family gathered in the lodge's lobby that evening to talk and share memories.

Friday morning we had to pack up and say goodbye to everyone.  Dad had been playing disc golf in the mornings with some family members each day, and enjoyed this last one (and left with all his dics!).  I am so grateful for our family, and for my parents for making this event happen.  The only better thing that could have happened was to have you there, too, but I'm still so grateful you are where you are, doing what you are doing.  (I remember the reunion my Stay family had while I was on my mission--and I felt pretty left out.  Know that we were thinking of you the whole time!)  We had to pick up some medication for Caytie, so we dropped off our things in Orem and went to the BYU bookstore for a while until it was ready.  Then we went to Springville to visit Shaelyn at her booth, and Christina had her soap booth set up right next to it.  (Shaelyn was selling her pressed flowers.)  It was super hot, so we got some good drinks before heading back to Orem.

On Saturday we girls went to Jadyn Danielson Neu's baby shower, and the boys went to Salt Lake to watch a soapbox derby sponsored by Red Bull.  (This was the kind of derby where the drivers dress up in crazy costumes to match their crazy car designs.)  After the baby shower, I took the girls to the Creamery for some lunch and then to Kohls for some shopping.  I think we all had a good time doing our chosen activities.  That evening we went to Devan's house, where Dad made crepes for everyone (us, Devan's family, Gina's family, and Jessica's family).  Soooo good, as always!  Then we went to the Springville fair to help Shaelyn take down her booth.  The weather had been extra warm, so it was nice to work in the cooler darkness.  There were lots of people helping, so it got done fast.

Sunday (the 15th) was Father's Day!  Our Wylie ward had gotten matching ties for all the men in the ward, and we were all supposed to give them to the men without letting them know that everyone else had the same tie.  Since we weren't there, we didn't get to see the reactions of the men when they realized they all matched, which was kind of a bummer.  They gave us a tie to take to Utah, though, so Dad got to wear one, and we posted his picture on the ward Facebook page.  It was nice to go to church with Scott and Kaitlyn.  That evening we went to Amanda's house for dinner, and Gina's family, Shauna's family, and Devan's family came, too.  It was a potluck, and Kaitlyn made a delicious chicken chili.  Tessa made friends with their chickens (none of whom seemed offended by the chili).  We brought Remi and Collin home with us so they could sleep on the trampoline with Benson that night.

On Monday, we went out to a small reservoir (with icy cold snow melt water).  Shauna's family, Christina's family, some of Amanda's family, and some of Liz's family were able to come, too.  They had some paddle boards which were really fun to take out into the water.  Scott was able to do a headstand on one!  Someone randomly gave us their extra Jimmy John's sandwiches, which was so nice.  We enjoyed time with Shaelyn's Willow and Anders, who are two of the cutest little kids.  That night we got some pizza for dinner, and then went to see the live-action/CGI "How to Train Your Dragon" with Gina's family, Shaelyn, and Willow.  It was really well done, we thought.  Funny story for the night--we got to the theater, and Tessa realized she DIDN'T HAVE ANY SHOES, so their car full of people went to the Target right by the theater to quickly buy some.  Fun times.

Our flight on Tuesday was mid-day, so we were able to take time to pack up.  Scott and Kaitlyn had to get back to work, so Amanda drove us to the airport.  Again I appreciated flying out of Provo.  There are 5 gates in the whole airport.  Security had no line.  Everything is new and shiny.  We got a little to eat at the bistro there, and then we were on our way!  Flying in a smaller airplane over the lake was a little bumpy, but we made it out just fine in the end.  I watched our route for most of the flight on my GPS, and imagined where we would be in comparison if we were driving.  I'm so grateful we were able to find these flights!  Two hours of flying vs. 20 hours of driving for roughly the same cost (renting a car and hotel rooms and gas and food)=no contest.  It was so good to get home and see our pets again and finally sleep in our own beds.

Wednesday was a "get things done" day.  Dad had ordered a heating element for the dryer, but after turning it on, the dryer was miraculously working, so we were able to do our laundry.  We went food shopping, took Caytie to an allergy appointment, got Tessa's replacement retainers (since she threw hers away in a napkin at Aspen Grove!), did some piano lessons, made a belated Father's Day dinner for Dad (chicken broccoli casserole and yellow cake with chocolate frosting!), and went to our youth activities.  Dad actually had to work late to catch up, so he opened his gifts (the big one was a disc golf basket) after the activities.  We are all so grateful to have him as the dad in our family!

Thursday and Friday were quieter days.  Benson made a 3-D Stormtrooper printed cookie cutter for Dad, and decided to make cookies to test it, and they turned out great.  I took the girls shopping to get ready for FSY next week.  I built a Lego set Scott and Kaitlyn gave me for Mother's Day.  I taught several piano lessons.  We trimmed our bushes in the front yard. 

Saturday was a day we were waiting for--we got to go see The Lion King at the Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas!  We got tickets for everyone for their birthdays.  Our seats were pretty high up, but the puppet props for the show were large, and we could see everything just fine--except for the facial expressions of the actors, but as Benson said, that helped with the illusion of their animal costumes.  The show was really well done--good sets, good singing, good acting, and amazing costumes--even the people who were plants.  We all loved it.

It was nice to be back in our ward for church on Sunday.  Henry Walker and Maryn McMurdie spoke, as they'll be leaving soon on their missions.  The choir sang, and I got to sing instead of play the piano, due to our vacation!  I taught my young women's class with help from Lucy, and Emma came with me, as our other leader was sick.  Through small and simple things, great things are brought to pass!  We just need to give our willing hearts and minds--and be willing to forgive.

Monday was the first day of FSY for Caytie and Tessa at UNT.  I'm excited for them, and they're so excited, too!  I haven't heard from them yet, but I'm sure it's going well.  Benson gets to hang out with me, and Emma's here a lot too, since there are not many kids at the summer camp she's working at and she often gets sent home early.  She may look for another job.

WE MADE IT!!!  Congratulations if you read all of this.  There will probably be much more boring letters for the next few weeks, and I'm looking forward to that!  I do love our adventures, but it's time to get some things checked off of my "do this summer" list.

I love you, Gracie!  I look forward each week to talking with you.  Keep that little light of yours shining bright!

Love,

Mom