Favorite Childhood Vacation - Revisited

When I was 8 years old, my family went on the BEST. VACATION. EVER.  It was my favorite vacation of all time!
Including Marriott's Great America (although that's right up there, too.)
Including countless trips to Lake Powell.
Including Yellowstone.
Including rafting the Snake River and Jackson Hole.
Including DISNEYLAND.
Including Lake Mead.
Including camping trips to various places.
Including California.

We went to Aspen Grove Family Camp!

The name of my "kid's club" back then was called the "CUBS" and we had our very own "Cub Den!"  (I felt very special about this because my bros & sisters DID NOT have a "clubhouse" for their age groups!
This is the place where we met before we'd go PLAY, and hike, and create art, and sing, and cheer, and explore, and enjoy the great outdoors, and hang out with other cool 8 yr. olds and fantastic college-student counselors!  I scoured the property and had a talk with the current Camp Director-Elect and found out where my old "cub den" was - it's currently being used as staff housing, but I snuck up and took a picture anyway!  Creepy?  I like to call it "sentimental."

{I look a little different from when I stood by it at 8 yrs. old.  There's a photo of that somewhere in my mom's albums, I believe.  I should find it and compare!  ;)}

WELL, a couple of years ago when I discovered that we only had 3 summers left (ONLY 3 SUMMERS LEFT?!?) before Ryan goes on his LDS mission, I made a "bucket list" of our last three yearly family vacations I wanted to go on with our family before they started to "leave the nest."  (LEAVE THE NEST?!?)

And Aspen Grove was on that list!

We crossed the first one off the list in 2012 when we went on our Disney Cruise.  I can't believe I didn't even do a big blog post about it (I must not have been able to cope with reality at home after being surrounded by people whose only job was to clean up after me and make me happy!) that I can even LINK to right now, but I did include some photos here.

AND THEN, this year, just a couple of weeks ago, we made it Aspen Grove!

It's a Bona Fide Family Camp.
Think Cheaper By the Dozen 2
Think The Great Outdoors

There's not many Family Camps around here, in fact, I don't even know where any REAL (non-movie) ones are in the U.S. so Aspen Grove is a real gem of a place!  And we got to be there on a big milestone.

It looks a little different - many of the facilities have been updated, rebuilt, or refurbished - and much more has been added since I was here last, as a child.....BUT the feeling is the same!

WONDERFUL.

We literally took HUNDREDS of photos while we were there, but to make this post somewhat readable, I'll just run a "highlight reel." 

Brookelle's FAVORITE:

Her "Kittens" Club.

{When they went places, they had them all hang on to a rope, 

so no one would get "lost."  It was so cute!}

I happened to see her (I wasn't spying, I just "happened to be in the area!") out with her group one day, swinging high on the swings, and she blurted out, without even being aware I was there, "THIS IS MY BEST. DAY. EVER."

And for as shy and hesitant as Miss B was on the first day she met her counselors, (she didn't want me to leave her side - she didn't want to go) she FELL IN LOVE with them - and cuddled right up to them - in no time at all!  Just look at the pics:

A close 2nd:

These Bear statues.
She HAD to climb on them EVERY. TIME. WE. PASSED. BY.

Katelyn's FAVORITE:

Aspen Follies
{a camp wide family "friendly competition" with various games on the big ball field}

Haylee's FAVORITE:

Performing her Karate "kata" in the Talent Show.

I was so proud of her for being so brave!  (No one else in our family dared!) She didn't even have to be talked into it or "bribed."  It was a decision all on her own.....while she was packing, I just mentioned to her she could bring her Karate "Gi" if she wanted to be in the talent show - that was it!

I think it was her favorite because it feels so good to accomplish something!  Yea!  She's adapted her mom's

mantra, "I Can Do Hard Things!"  

She ALSO liked it because the whole rest of the week, she was somewhat of a "celebrity" amongst the other guests - she got all kinds of compliments & comments from them.....

"Great Job"

"Hey Karate Girl"

"Aaaah  YA" (trying to imitate the Karate sounds)

"Those were some high kicks!"

"Wow, I've never seen a girl do that."

"You were awesome!"

"I could never do that!"

"There's the Karate Girl!"

"Alright Haylee!"

Kyle's FAVORITE:

 Alyse, Emileigh, Kate, Olivia, Lauren, and Rio.

He discovered GIRLS! ;)

Ryan's FAVORITE:

The Sports Tournaments

He entered us into as many tournaments as possible:  ping pong, badminton, walleyball, raquetball (below), basketball, and sand volleyball.  Matt couldn't do much with his lingering knee injury, so Kyle & I got roped into most events!  But, one family we played (& lost to) was so impressed with Ryan, that they asked him to join their team as they moved on in the tournament since they were down one player anyway!  (He enjoyed the fact that THEY had skills AND a chance at winning!  ;))

{"Mixed Doubles" raquetball photo taken through the scratched up window in the door:  Ryan & I vs. some young 20's boyfriend/girlfriend duo.  We lost, of course.}

My FAVORITE:

 Water Frolics

{team races and relays for the whole family that even nonswimmers can win}
NEWS FLASH:  Our team won the overall competition!  Of course, it included more guests than just the Brenchley Brood.

The reason that THIS was my fave MIGHT have had something to do with the fact 

that it was the week we had 100+ degree temps down in the valley - 

we were a little cooler up in the mountains, but still HOT, hot!

We had a few minutes to make up a "synchronized swimming" routine to perform to music.

Then "Paula," "Randy" and "Simon" stood at the top of the water slide and judged us.

Matt's FAVORITE:

 The Family Dance

So, Matt & I got excited when a great 80's tune by [Matt's favorite] JOURNEY came on, "Don't Stop Believin'" - and MUCH to our surprise ALL the teens were singing and jammin' out to it just as much as WE were!  Huh?  I thought teenagers were suppose to despise and make fun of their parents' music!??  I guess we can thank Bedtime Stories for that.

At 9:30 p.m., they "excused" the adults and children - and the teens and young adults got to enjoy their OWN dance the rest of the evening....with the lights dimmed down! :)

It was sad to leave (NO cooking or cleaning up for me!) - all the kids thought it went too fast - they all want to come back AGAIN & again!  Does someone want to give us an "Aspen Grove scholarship?"  ;)

Aspen Grove kept true on their promise:  "Creating Family Memories"

Two down, one to go.....we've only got ONE SUMMER left before Ryan leaves on his mission!  {GASP!}

Phone Fast

The first evening we arrived at Aspen Grove (our family vacation this summer) we had a few children asking for electronics.

"Dad, can I play on your phone?"

"I want to use your iPad."

I was disgusted.  After all, we were on vacation at an "all-inclusive" Family Camp with a TON of things to do, and all they could think of was electronics?  In fact, they seemed a bit lost in the cabin that 1st night, since there was no T.V. and we said NO to their gadget requests.  (Apparently they didn't bring toys or books or artwork to do, either.  And, what?  The don't know how to TALK to anyone else who was there?!?).......well, here's an idea: why don't you GO TO BED and actually sleep when it's after 9 or 10 at night?!?

I was kind of shocked, too.  It was an eye opener to me that it had become so routine for them to use/play with the electronics daily that 1) they were MAD when they couldn't (there was MUCH complaining/crying/whining when we said NO) - it was like the end of the world for them and 2) they acted like there was NOTHING TO DO instead, like no alternative to those [sometimes dumb] machines!!  Has it been so long since the time when they DIDN'T rely on that for entertainment?  AND it was my girls -- what do little children "need" with those things?!?  It made me sad.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, this week was a time to be with our family - away from all that distracts us!

AND, SECONDLY, no way do I want anyone to miss out on God's BEAUTY that surrounded us!

I ended up turning off my cell phone, (it was VERY spotty reception anyway) left it in the cabin, and didn't even carry it with me all week.......it was SO nice!

Reality Bites

I was in an airport recently and I saw someone who looked familiar......but I couldn't immediately place the source of where I knew her from.

Was it College?  (one of the THREE I attended)

My Mission?

My job?

An old job?

My old neighborhood?

I couldn't quite come up with a name....but I kept seeing her.....and as a result I kept looking at her, too.

I first saw her when her group and my group (my daughter & I) were both converging onto the escalator.  And I took a double-take.

Then she was right behind me in the security line.  I looked at her again - and she saw me doing so, but she said nothing, so then I thought maybe I didn't know her.  Except I was pretty sure I did!

Then when I was standing in line at the airport Cafe Rio, I saw her enter the food court.  By this time, I was sneaking in more glances - pretty much staring - until our eyes would meet again while I was doing so.

Then when I had sat down to eat, it came to me!  It was a girl from High School.  Not just a girl, but a friend - like I had hung out at her house before!  We didn't do everything together, not like BEST FRIENDS, but we were "medium friends".....I think we might have group dated to a Girls' Dance?  (But, don't quote me on that - those years' activities are getting foggier and more distant!)  But, I don't think I have seen her since then.

So, THEN, having now recalled who she was, I decided to acknowledge and greet her.
So, when she & her husband started walking right towards my table, carrying their food tray, to get to their table, I kind of reached out my hand in a wave, to get her attention, and said, "You look familiar to me."

To which she reacted with an absolute. BLANK. look. on her face.
It was almost a skeptical look like why-the-heck-is-a-complete-[flipped-out]-stranger-making-advances-at-me? look.  (Her body Language: she stopped in her tracks and leaned back away from me.)

I then asked, "Are you (insert her name)?"

She seriously had NO sign of recognition on her face.

She said nothing.  She just stared back at me.

(I started to wonder if I had gotten it all wrong.  That she wasn't really who I had thought.)
When her facial expression did not change, I was about to say, "Nevermind." 

But, then her husband answered for her (since, apparently, my greeting had rendered her mute).  He said, "Yes.  Yes she is."

I could tell she still couldn't identify ME, so I said, "I'm Suzanne."

[Still no "A-ha" moment.]

So, I continued by saying my maiden name, too.

And then she [unconvincingly] said, "Oh.....yah...."
(and then we chit chatted for a few minutes.)


But, afterwards, as I reviewed the scenario in my mind, I knew what had happened.

What a slap in the face, but it was true.  She could not even tell a resemblance from my High School self that she had known to my Present day self  who'd "stalked" her at the airport.

It means I have changed too much!

And that is alarming!

It's stupefying what 25 years can do to a person.
{and depressing.}  

REALITY:  I can't pass as a 17 yr. old anymore!!! 

What d'ya think?  Would YOU have been able to even recognize me?

High School Senior

[feeling like a] Senior Citizen

It was probably just because I'm not using a tight curling iron and ratting my hair these days, right?!?

RIGHT?!?

Okay....good.

The Writing on the Wall......or Mirror

I have been listening to General Conference talks while I get ready in my bathroom for the day. When I hear a line or phrase that REALLY strikes a chord with me, I have been writing it down......with a dry erase marker, in large-ish letters, on my bathroom mirror.

This way, I can see and read it again and again - like EVERY TIME I walk into the bathroom. While I'm brushing my teeth. While I'm washing my hands. While I'm putting in my contacts.......No wait, let's be honest - I can't see, let alone read, ANYTHING real if my contacts aren't in. Soooo, every other time besides then, it's a good reminder!

Here's my latest:

"There is no substitute for love."

It's taken from President Thomas S. Monson's talk titled, "Come, All Ye Sons of God"

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/come-all-ye-sons-of-god?lang=eng)

This one hit me because I have my children and my Young Women (12-18 yr. old girls at church, who I feel like are numbered among my children) on my mind SO MUCH - particularly while listening to the words of our church leaders.  There HAS TO BE love.  They need to know I love them.  Even - and especially - for the ones who make me super, uber frustrated sometimes!!!

I checked this book out from the library to give my more inspiration on the subject:

The other ones that have "made the mirror" so far are:

"...A still voice of perfect mildness..."

This one is taken from Sister Rosemary M. Wixom's talk (General Primary President) titled, "The Words We Speak"

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-words-we-speak?lang=eng)

It is also a quote from scripture, Helaman 5: 30.

I don't need to holler around the house like a maniac when I'm trying to find someone.  I could, like, actually get up and go to another floor or walk down the hall and speak to that person NORMALLY and calmly!!  

I can learn from that voice from heaven - it gave firm direction while giving hope.  It was not loud, scolding, or demeaning.   This is SO hard!  Even 3+ years after I first wrote on this blog about it, I don't have it perfected!  I AM practicing at it though - and I've found that when I speak even quieter than my "normal" voice, my husband ALWAYS says, "What?"  Uh Oh, he can't even tell what I said - his hearing is going!  But, my vision is going - SO WE MAKE A GREAT [disabled] PAIR!  ;)

Here's another one:

"Recognize the good in others, not their stains....always build on his or her virtues."

This was taken from Richard G. Scott's talk titled, "For Peace at Home"

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng)

This may be very beneficial to the "Love" one above.  It could lower my disappointment in others and prevent me from becoming upset or discouraged about others and what they are doing with their Free Agency!  This one is hard, too - it's against my natural tendencies (and the part of me that is "Realistic"!)

Because I erase the previous one when I write down a new one, I wanted to record them here! :)

But, I am thankful for the EASE of which we have to listen to the words of God.  It's right there on my iPad in the comfort of my own bathroom - with just a few touches!  So great!

School's Out for Summer!

So, WHY do I feel like it's kicking my butt?
Like everyone in this house is on vacation, but ME?

WHO came up with the phrase, "Lazy Days of Summer"???

After just one week, my car drives itself to Cherry Hill, Ryan's place of employment for the summer - that I have to take him to and pick him up from practically every day!

It's true.  Yesterday, I was [supposedly] taking Kyle to pick up the newspapers he delivers once a week, when he finally asks me, "Where are we going?"  I came to, and realized I was about 5 blocks past the turn off for the newspapers.  To his question, I answered, "Cherry Hill.  This car KNOWS the way now."   And then I turned around and got him to the right place.  ;)

We started out the week with only two baseball games on our calendar -- which eventually turned into A GAME EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, with possibly TWO tonight!  And the boys have both been umpiring at the ball park a few nights this week.
{ALL of which need a ride from ME!}

Kyle made this observation about our "What's for Dinner?" chart:

"So, pretty much -- this planned menu sign is meaningless?!?"

(Since we haven't been around at dinnertime to ever have a real dinner!)

AND.....Here's a question:

WHY is it so freakin' hard for *some people* to pick up the otter pop wrappers and throw them in the garbage can?

It's not.  It's NOT!  It REALLY isn't people!  It's so easy!!  I don't get it!!!


AND...my excuse very good reason for not having a garden in the past was because we did not have enough yard for one.  Well, NOW we do.
As Ryan's "family project" for his Family Life merit badge, our family cleared away a plot of land in our [otherwise unfinished, weed fest] yard and made a garden.  The "project" only required 4 hrs. of work, and that was accomplished two months ago, so he's less than enthusiastic about doing anything with it anymore...

But, I'm out there every day.....always something to do!  I'm sweatin' up a storm in the morning, or getting eaten by bugs in the evening.
Our corn, pumpkins, watermelon, and cantaloupe are coming up!
The onions, green onions, and tomatoes ARE NOT!
Like NO SIGN of them (not that us lame-o's would even know what the plant was suppose to look like!)....and it's been enough time to sprout.....so I think we must've made some ROOKIE mistakes!   

Planted the seeds too deep?  Too many seeds too close together?  Too much water?  Not enough water?  Too many people stepping on them?  Too many weeds?  Bad seeds?  Too many rocks in the soil? (DEFINITELY in these parts!)  


I got me a nice, lobster-red chest - a combination of it being our1st time out this year, faulty sunscreen(?) and a new swimsuit whose designer did not have my size in mind when manufacturing it - from taking the kids to Seven Peaks water park one day.  And it DID turn into a whole day once we drive to & from.

I am even down one child since I drove Haylee out to my sister's for a few days of "cousin play" but I still feel like I am not having a relaxing summer, yet.

Maybe next week?

That's when I'm going to start my summer exercise/training schedule, too.  ;)

I

Only One Casuality for a Klutz Like Me!

Our Young Women group at church is going to have a "RED HOT SUMMER!" 

"Red" as in "READ."  

Meaning, starting now and by the end of the Summer, we'll all have READ the entire Book of Mormon!

We're using an all-things-red theme to carry out this project.

(I dressed in a red outfit with red shoes to present it to the girls, we'll have red treat rewards,
handouts on red paper, red scripture marking pencils, a "red hot retreat" in the middle of it, etc.)

So, to get ready for this project, I had a "few" books to cover in red fleece with a red ribbon book mark.....
using a Glue Gun.

Which "attacked" badly enough ONLY ONCE to leave a battle wound - pretty good, revolutionary really,  
considering it was......ME involved!  ;)

***********

If you want to have a "Read Hot Summer" also, THIS is the reading schedule we are following:

http://ldsscripturetools.com/