In Summer: Aspen Grove

I was always a fall or spring kind of girl.
Then I became a teacher and summer became my favorite season!

We kicked things off with a fun weekend in Aspen Grove.  Just the kids and me.

SO FUN.

(And pretty much the only kind of "camping" I'm willing to brave alone as a single mom.  Maybe I'll get more adventurous over time.)

We had a fun Saturday morning hike.

Spencer periodically claimed exhaustion and since there weren't many benches or boulders to sit on, I would bend down so he could sit on my knee for a minute or two.

When he came over to sit down the second or third third time, he hugged my neck and said with sweet enthusiasm, "You're my rock!" 

His comment (meant more as silliness than anything else) made my eyes water just a bit, and triggered a few sober thoughts as we kept hiking.  

I do want to be a rock for my children.  The way my parents have always been for me.  Realizing, of course, that we're more like stepping stones.  I hope that I can talk and rejoice and preach and prophesy and write enough about the Savior, that my children will know, ultimately: "He is the Rock" (Deut. 32: 4), the only "sure foundation... whereon if men build they cannot fall. (Hel. 5:12)"  I hope I'll be an adequate jumping off point on their journey to know Him - or a resting spot as needed.
  
Halfway through our hike, Spencer found a friend.  

"Tickley" came down the mountain with us on Spencer's arm.  Occasionally Lucy or I held him, but always under Spencer's close supervision.  "Two hands Mom."

We spent the afternoon swimming, crafting, and golfing, with a little BYU Creamery ice cream thrown somewhere in the middle.  

(After several minutes of mini golf, Spencer tossed his club to the side.  "I don't need this thing!" he realized.  Lots of holes-in-one after that.  =)

The evenings were beautiful.  

We played outside until dark and then came into the cabin for board games and treats and baths.  

 On Sunday, we attended Aspen Grove's outdoor Sacrament meeting which was beautiful (and so novel for the kids).  

We're super grateful that our Bishop extended this little opportunity to us.
We loved it!!!