July Part 2: Camp Chadwick

After getting home from Europe, we all said, "We never want to go anywhere again!" but 9 days later, we headed north to Wyoming for Camp Chadwick. Thankfully, by the time the trip arrived, we were mostly ready to pack a suitcase again. On our way, we stopped at Pat's Dancewear in Bountiful so Rachel could be fitted for new pointe shoes. 

We met up with Chelsea's crew in Farr West, and caravanned together to Star Valley, swinging up through Idaho this time. The adults all had cabins or camp trailers, but we set up a couple of tents for some of the kids. Chelsea, Cal, and I are basically professionals at setting up tents, even if we don't do it often anymore. 

Most of us arrived on Wednesday afternoon, but Ethan and Erika came up on Thursday, so we took family pictures Thursday night. I have a few regrets about where I set everyone up, but I think they still turned out okay, even if I was kicking myself through the entire editing process. 

It feels like a miracle that we got all the grandkids there! It's amazing to see how much they've all grown. 

We needed an updated in-law photo. 

And then the originals. 

I always make sure that everyone gets a picture with Mom. We know all too well that having her here is a gift. 

Somewhere in the shoot, things got quite silly. My mom took a super silly picture with everyone, and we were all laughing so hard. Here's my silly ones. Titanic: 

And her "Struggling" to pick me up. 

The next day, there was lots of chilling, relaxing, reading, hugging, wrestling?, and four square. There were trips into Thayne for a food run and boredom busting. 

We played Tenzi with big foam dice that I got at the dollar store years ago and never used. This kind of Tenzi really needs to be played with teams. 

We got the teens/young adults to participate (always feels like a major victory) 

And even the adults. 

We also had a piñata--well, actually I got two this year. (There were some complaints that the last piñata didn't last to the oldest kids.) Taking an idea from our Saville trip in 2024, we used a pool noodle to break the piñata, and it DID last through everybody--twice, or at least nearly twice. 

We let them be more agressive with the second piñata. And in a strange twist, I ended up running the ropes. Usually, it's someone else. Next time, it will be someone else. 

Sarah had some fun with the piñata carcass when we were done. 

There was more 4 square volleyball. 

Games. 

There was drama that I don't really want to remember or get into, but the drama lead to Pete telling his side of the story of when he woke up from brain surgery and Emily was the only one that could calm him down. He likes to put off this really rough, ornery image (and at one time, I think he was for sure more ornery), but there he was, being all sweet and mushy about his wife, and I was reminded that we should never write anyone off. I once thought that Emily and Pete getting married was a terrible thing and that Emily would never be happy with someone like him, and I am so so grateful to be wrong. The Lord never gives up on any of us, and even the most hopeless of situations can be made right by him.

Also, here's me holding Gracie in Mom's camper while Pete was reminiscing with the teens who don't remember all the stories from their early days. 

The next morning, it was time to head home, but not before some farewell selfies: 

(Emily and Pete left before I could get selfies with them. So did Ethan and Erika. And Taryn was not around and I guess I was too distracted to realize that before I left). 

We took a few cousin pictures. Here's Aaron, Rachel, and Amber, all born within a year of each other (Henry had already left). 

Here's Abby, Rachel, Amber, Evie, and Starla, our summer friend. 

Gabe really liked hanging out with Starla, and was sad to learn we'd probably never see her again since Chelsea is no longer dating her dad. Still, it was fun having her with us. 

Finally, we bid farewell to Ruby. 

Then we were headed back home, via Bountiful so we could pick up Rachel's pointe shoes, now with her ribbons sewn on. 

Here's my prayer/wish for my kids and their cousins:

May you always be friends. 

May you always support each other.

May you always believe that your relationship with each other is worth fighting for, worth swallowing any pride for. 

May your love always be stronger than any anger or annoyance. 

May you always recognize the importance of family ties.

May you find spouses who are all in with our crazy group. 

May you learn from our mistakes and be better than we are. 

May you always know how much I love you and am proud of you.