Eight Isn't Enough: Ely Reunion at Aspen Grove

My parents organized our 4th Ely gathering at Aspen Grove Family Camp. It is one of the best vacation spots ever! The kids love it because they have a lot of freedom to roam and play with each other and the adults can relax and have fun too without the stress of cooking and cleaning and worrying about the kids.

My parents, siblings and spouses and all the grandkids were there, probably for the last time since Sam is leaving on his mission and there are so many to soon follow. The best part is being together; the conversations, the cousins all running around as best friends and watching all the relationships as aunts and uncles, grandparents etc growing into eternal bonds.

And now our wonderful retreat in many, many pictures and a few words here and there.

Pretty girls, Jessi, Cadie and Sara

Nellie and Tim

Aaron and Dandi

Nan and Ella

Nellie and Tori making their own gang signs

Tim and Papa

Blue Eyes! Sam and Grammy

Emmett and Auntie Steph

Sara and Mom

Ah... Susanna

Justin, Heidi, Laney and Wilson were in the same group.

The paintballers

Aaron, Ben, Gav, Steph, Sam, Jessi, Richard, Nan, Josh and Dandi

The ladies with Aaron, who made sure we all participated even if we weren't sure it sounded like fun to be pelted and bruised. Love that guy!

Nan, Dandi, Aaron, Jessi and Steph

It WAS fun! Although, I was not one of the ones who ended up with bruises and welts. This is Richard's arms. Jessi got a huge welt on her backside. I will not be posting that pic. hee hee

Nate and Tyson

Nate, Wilson, and Tyson

Ready... Set... Go!

Andrew, Tyson, Nathan and Lilli

Susie conquering the mountain!

Drew and Nate

They have a high ropes course for adults and kids 11 and over. It is pretty scary looking, but the kids did awesome.

Drew's first attempt

Nate

Laney

Tori and Jessi

Frontier Night at the cowboy town

Heidi, Susanna, Laney and Daniel

Rich, Heidi, Daniel and Laney

Steph and Lucas

Sara, Vivian, Stephanie and Tim (new friends from Savannah, GA)

Ryan

Ben and Papa

Papa and Gram

Gram, Nate and Papa

Our church friends, the Watkins, happened to be there the same week as us.

Brianna and Nate

Drew

Daniel

Tim

Marian and Steph

Susanna and Papa

The mountain view are AMAZING!

Tyson, Papa and Drew

Susanna and Tyson

Steph and Ben

Gavin, Peter, Cadie and Freddy

♫ Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters. ♫

Steph, Jessi and Dandi

Drew, Lilli and Brianna

Tyson and Jessi

Look out Daddy, Laney is going to get you!

Nate, Rich and Laney

The snow cone eating contest winners! They got a little frostbite on their lips.

Lilli and Drew

There was a common area outside our rooms that we were able to gather in for the evenings.

Look out world Susanna knows how to shuffle and deal cards!

Susie and Jonah

Pottery fun
Cadie

Drew conquered his fears and did the whole high ropes course. He got his BYU Aspen Grove hat as a badge of honor for his bravery.

Papa had his birthday while we were there. Nan brought lots of fun decorations for his door.

We got everyone gathered together for when Papa woke up so we could sing to him and we all wore our matching orange shirts (Papa's favorite color) in his honor.