Raspberry T-shirt Wednesday - Caroline's 14th Birthday and Activity Day at ASPEN GROVE

 Look at this birthday girl celebrating her 14th birthday with the whole family at Aspen Grove!

Caroline just can't ever seem to get enough holding of "her" newest baby. She is so loving and takes such good care of all three of Ben and Haley's boys. 

Time to go to breakfast.

Wednesday was a full day of activities for both the youngsters and the adults. The counselors kept the children all day long this day (including lunch time) so the adults could have the day to themselves to do whatever they wanted to do. 

The kids went to the common area and met up with their classmates for their day of fun.

First activity for teens and adults was an adult vs. teens dodgeball game on the basketball court.

Luke and Brooke were representing the teen team.

The teens soon learned to fear Jeff's throws.

After dodgeball, our family went up to the 9-square court and played for a while up there.

Our family was anxious to do the escape room and wondered how it would be different from two years ago. 

Last year those of us who were not that into winning were on one team and the die-hard, must-be-the-first-ones-to-escape family members were on the other team.

Surprisingly the bumbling, not-so-determined bunch beat the very determined team. It was a victorious moment for us weaklings!!

Once again we divided into teams with the dedicated-to-beating-the-best-time-ever members grouped in the same grouping. 

Well, well, well... Imagine their dismay when they excitedly escaped and walked out to instantly be deflated when they saw this sight.

Oh yes! Once again the expert escapers had to accept finishing in second place in the contest. 

And, yes, we took in the adulation of being able to claim first place over our competitors. 

Back to the lodge for some game playing. The children were eating their lunch during this time and our turn at the dining hall would be right after they were finished.

Looks like Jeff happened upon this group eating their lunch together.

After lunch we were off to do more activities. We were trying our hand at archery. 

Look at Rebecca with her lefty bow.

It was a little disheartening when an arrow needed to be retrieved from the tarp behind the targets.

Look at me feeling so good about getting an arrow in the red circle and two others at least hitting the target (while Glen is pointing to one of my arrows that had been shot into the tarp). 

There were some pretty flowers in that part of the camp.

As we were walking back to the lodge, we spied this cute group of rope-holders. They always bring a smile to my face when I see them obediently holding onto their rope. Great way to keep track of what could be very busy, wandering little ones.

Haley brought Kade back with us when she found out he had not been able to eat much for lunch due to his special diet. She had food for him in the lodge.

He is a gamer just like his parents, so he fit right in with our activities.

Kade challenged his grandpa to an arm wrestle.

Our family was scheduled to play a wallyball game with another family. We looked pretty competitive in our matching t-shirts.

Kade was lifting weights and trying out all the exercise equipment in the room overlooking the wallyball court.

Family cheering section needed at the pickleball court where Jacob and Laurie were playing a competition game with another couple.

Such a beautiful view of the field, trees and clouds walking back from that area to the lodge.

Glen had brought his new accordion and took a few minutes each day to practice the Happy Birthday song for later that evening. 

We spent time around the campfire this evening. 

When Caroline and Luke went off to play night games with the teen group, Glen practiced the song with Abe on the guitar and Eli on the ukelele. 

As it was pretty dark and we wouldn't be able to tell when Caroline was coming back for the night, a plan was devised. 

Jeff practiced up a bird call and then was sent out a ways to be the scout looking for the first sign of the teens returning. 

Once Jeff spotted the birthday girl, he cawed out his bird call and then the rest of us knew Caroline would be at the fire pit shortly.

The song was played, then played again while we all sang Happy Birthday to Caroline. There were questions asked wondering if she had been embarrassed when other teens heard all the birthday commotion.

Caroline came over and wanted to see how the accordion works.

Caroline might have been embarrassed, but deep down we knew she had to appreciate all the effort her grandpa, uncle and cousin had gone to in putting together this little band number honoring her on her special day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Caroline!! It will always be a birthday to remember spent at Aspen Grove!