Aspen Grove 2012

My dear grandmother, Nanny, went through chemotherapy last fall. One of the things they helped her plan to get through it was a big family reunion the next summer, with all the cousins, at Aspen Grove, a family resort up Provo Canyon, right next to Sundance. Nanny pulled through, and to celebrate her awesome strength and determination, almost all the 22 grandchildren, with their spouses and kids in tow, gathered at that beautiful place for a week of family-focused heaven. No cooking, no cleaning, kids off doing crafts, trying ropes courses and climbing walls, and swimming during the day with their groups, and adults free to chat, sleep, read, hike, play tennis, swim, play games, eat ice cream, do Zumba or yoga (with me or Hills :-) ).... all in one of the most beautiful places on earth. This is our third time to Aspen Grove, and it keeps on getting better and better!

Our favorite things about Aspen Grove this year included: cousin and extended-extended family time; the amazing, wonderful, caring group leaders who absolutely showed our kids the best time; the family talent show (did we really get up and sing "Corner of the Sky" in Clayton 6 part harmony??  That takes me back...); the beautiful weather; the always-stunning scenery; painting a Christus statue at the craft hut for us and one for Grandpa, who's sister just died; badminton; the metal bear and turtle statues; the family dance on the last night; watching Spence get up with his group and actually sing and dance on stage (a first! "Kookooburra sits in the old gum tree, being as happy as he can be..."), sitting and chatting by the pool with all the cousins while the dads played the water games with the kids; watching Uncle Josh and Uncle Spencer Holt busta move at the dance party the last night; and the ice cream! Oh the ice cream! Graham Canyon and Coconut Joy and the chocolate one whatever it was called... mmmm.

 Me and my Nanny (and Aunt Diana, sporting the official 2012 Hunter family reunion t-shirt). Note the ice cream in my hand.

We all loved painting at the craft hut this year, even Spencer!

 Oh my gosh I loved our kids' counselors. Not even kidding, I was kind of weepy when it was time to say goodbye. They are amazing young people and really took care of our kids!

And best of all... family time. I love my family!

Spring Stuff

This spring was pleasant and busy and full of good things. The Footworks Spring concert was our best yet. Maggie graduated from 5th grade and is now officially a 6th grader (yikes)! She worked hard to earn some horseback riding lessons on the side from our neighbors, the Hines. Sophie, below had a BANNER year, due in part to her fabulous 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Perkes. Sophie bloomed this year. Don't know if it was the teacher, the Ireland experience, just getting more mature, or a combination of the three, but all of a sudden Soph went from the middle to the top of the class, got all sorts of writing and citizenship awards, and had half the boys in her class madly in first-grade love with her. (Trust me, I was there, I saw it when I took treats in for Soph's half birthday. One boy shocked my socks off when he said, when he thought I couldn't hear him, "I just REALLY want to kiss Sophie right now!" umm, what??? Her favorite boy was Carter, shhh don't tell, but he didn't try to kiss her. That I know of.)

Spence graduated from Miss Kari's awesome Kinderready Kids Preschool. He did so well! Last year at his preschool graduation he could barely look at me, never mind sing all the songs and do all the actions (too shy). This year he sang right along with the other kids and even posed for pictures! sort of. He knows all his letters and their sounds, and can sound out simple words. Very ready for kindergarten indeed! I'm so proud of my little buddy!

Then Sophie and Spencer played AYSO spring soccer. Look at my handsome little dude, with his best buds Ben and Ammon. This was our first foray -ever - into team sports and Spence LOVED it! Soph not so much, she's more of a dancer, but Spence ate it up. He scored four goals in one game, and then scored none in another, but ususally he averaged one or two goals per game. I just loved the unbridled joy all over his face at every game and practice, and I've already signed him up for Fall and Spring of next year.

Spence likes wearing his soccer socks all the way up. Way to focus on the ball, buddy!

Then we took our first summer jaunt down to Gram and Grandpa's house - always a favorite! Dogs, four wheelers, no chores, and it's the only place in the world where they get to watch Spongebob Squarepants - a Gram's house ritual. Maggie got to try her hand at actually steering the four wheeler this year, which was slightly terrifying, but at least Gram and Liesl were there to set her straight!

 We went to the Fremont Indian Museum just south of Richfield about 20 minutes - so cool. Petroglyphs and hiking and an awesome kids' museum and good company = great times!
 

 Gram helping Spence get all decked out

 They have these great, paved, marked hikes easy enough for the kids to take, with markers pointing out all the different markings on the walls from about 1,000 years ago.

We had tired, busy, happy kids!