Our whole family had been looking forward to going back to Aspen Grove for our 2023 Thomas Family Reunion. We had so much fun there two years ago. Everyone agreed it would be a great place to go again this year.
Aspen Grove is a family camp located in Provo Canyon not far from Sundance Resort.
We arrived at the camp by the 3:00 arrival time. Each family checked in to get their room keys and to sign waivers.
This year we chose to stay in the lodge instead of in a family cabin. The lodge is like a hotel where each family had their individual living space. There was a big open space outside the rooms for us to congregate.
We had a beautiful view of Mt. Timpanogos from our third floor balcony. There was still snow up on the mountain.
We were very thankful we had not planned to attend any earlier in June, because the weeks prior to our week had been canceled due to the rough winter and all the snow.
Our family would have been devastated if we had been told we would be unable to go to Aspen Grove after all of us anticipating it for well over a year.
The back side of the lodge had a rushing river flowing by. We were informed there would be no young children's activities in that part of the camp this year due to the swift river runoff from all the snowmelt.
Further down the river is the craft and pen turning building.
The bridge over the river is where the pottery classes were held.
Beyond the pool is the playground with the big open field that would be used for various activities throughout the week. The road above the playground leads to the tennis/pickleball courts, archery and gun shooting.
The children played in the water while their older siblings and parents sat nearby and visited. The reunion had officially begun!!!!!
We all loved having the newest member of the family--our 20th grandchild--in our midst. He is so adorable!!
Let the show begin! Each group took their short turn on stage. The little ones from our family in this group are Magnus (far left); Kade (behind the boy in green) and Jonah (second from right).
This group has Lincoln (kneeling down) and Wynne (in front wearing white shirt).
Here we have Carson (gray shirt) standing next to Newland (blue hat).
Claire and Madison were standing on the back row of that same group and we caught a glimpse of them when they were exiting the stage (the two girls in white shirts).
Caroline (third from the right).
Emma and Luke (third and fourth from the left) and Brooke (white and blue shirt third from right).
We all donned our new Thomas Family Reunion sweatshirts, designed by Dallas, and headed over to the playground area.
But, first things first! The children were excited to get in the pool!! They pretty much had the pool to themselves that first day.
We were so happy to have Ben's whole family at Aspen Grove with us. Because baby Maverick came seven weeks early, Haley was recovered enough to feel like she and the baby could join us for the week of family fun.
I am sure Ben was happy to have his whole family there with him instead of taking just the two older boys as had been the plan prior to the premature delivery.
We joined in with some of the other families at camp for dinner in the dining hall. There are two meal shifts. We had the late shift the first half of the week and then switched to the early meal times the second half.
After dinner, all the children and youth met their counselors and went off with their age groups to practice for their parts on the program later that evening. It was fun to see the cousins together in their various age groups.
Abe, Wynne and Monty decided to take advantage of the dance party as everyone was gathering for the opening show campfire program at the amphitheater.
Eli (red shorts) with Spencer (right behind him) and Logan (fourth from the right).
Once we had all gathered, we were ready for the big unveiling of the new t-shirts.
We have been wearing matching t-shirts on every family reunion we have had. It is so fun to see the designs submitted by each of the families with Sarah adding the finishing touches and ordering the shirts.
She keeps the shirts a secret until we are gathered and all of us can get a look at the shirts at the same time.
Last Aspen Grove reunion, the kids thought it would be funny if Glen put on all the shirts and peeled them off one at a time. That system was voted upon for this year as well.
Madison appears to be the most anxious grandchild to see the new shirt designs and colors. Let the unveiling begin!!
Cute idea Ben and Haley came up with. A play on the movie Top Gun. "TOP FUN THOMAS." Clever. I like that. It's the faces on it I'm not too fond of.
Sarah scoured our past blog entries to find the photo of Glen and me wearing headsets when we were flying in a small aircraft over one of the Hawaiian islands. That was clever, too.
But, SERIOUSLY!! Who wants to walk around all day with your own faces plastered on your chest??!!??
Apparently we did, because we did just that. The family loved that shirt. It made for some good laughs. Thanks, darling children, for your efforts in coming up with yet another year's worth of great family reunion t-shirt souvenirs.
We checked out the game room before turning in for the night.
