Collins Reunion

The Collins reunion is at Six Lakes this year! Yay! I love this place! They have added some things since we were here two years ago. They have built some cabins that we rented this year instead of the lodges, there is a big room for cooking and eating, and there is a swimming pool. We had so much fun two years ago that we are staying for an extra day this year. We got here on Thursday at 1 pm and are staying until Sunday.

Everyone got in the pool first thing. Justin had his hands full with two babies, Raigen and Daycen, so

Britta took cute Raigen.

Maybe this is the swimming instructor coming out in Britta, she wanted to see if Raigen could learn to float. She laid right down and loved the water.

Some of the adults started a game of water volleyball, the boys

against the girls. They had a lot of fun with that big ball.

The spectators watching the game.

There is always good food at this reunion!

Ready to dig in! Playing in the water always makes us hungry.

Another thing they have added is paddleboards! My favorite thing! 

Britta is a pro!

Troy takes a canoe around one of the lakes.

There is a dock in the middle of one of the lakes. Britta and Justin turned on some music and had a party.

Ryan comes to join the fun.

More canoe fun!

Glenda has a new grandson! Parker is only a couple of days old! Greyson has strep throat (That's awful! And in the middle of the summer!), so they aren't coming. It was so nice of Vanessa to come for a couple of hours so we could all meet sweet little Parker.

Clay and Layce have a new boat! Sand Wash Reservoir is about ten minutes away, and so they would take 4 or 5 people at a time out on the water. They have this really fun couch tube to pull people around. Britta and Tanner are ready to go!

Britta and Ryan had the best time! I am not surprised, because my kids are water babies. Clay starts out slow and gives you a nice leisurely ride first. Then, when you are ready, he turns up the speed and goes over the wake to try and dump you off. It was a blast!

Tanner and Charley take the no hands approach! I think they are ready to get dumped off.



I wanted to have a try and so Gordon was giving me the low down on how to lean with the couch so you wouldn't get thrown off.



Clay was really nice to take it easy and slow. After I got used to it a bit, I decided it would be fun to go fast, so we gave Clay the thumbs up, which meant faster! And then I decided to just go for it and told Clay I didn't care if I got thrown off, so he zigzagged around the wake until we lost our balance. It was crazy fun!!

Britta bought this hammock earlier this summer. She knew there would be some good spots to hang it up, so she brought it. Not to sleep in, but just to relax and have fun.

Evenings mean game time! Morgan, Ryan, Britta, and Evan play Apples to Apples. I heard lots of laughing, so it must have been really fun.

Someone had this new game called Speak Out. You put this dental device in your mouth and then have to say common phrases while your team tries to guess what you are saying. It was hilarious! And we looked rather goofy with our lips so stretched out.

Troy and his family tried out the fishing. Nobody caught anything, or if they did I didn't see it. But isn't trying most of the fun when it comes fishing anyway?

Denya came to the reunion Friday night after work, so on Saturday we went paddleboarding again.

I'm in heaven!

Girls time on the lake! Tara tries out the paddleboard,

and Aleice paddles around the pond.

Day two at Sand Wash. Those who wanted to try water skiing could have a go at it. Clay gave some instructions on how to hold the rope and how to bend your knees and lean back. It's hard!! Britta couldn't quite do it, almost though!

Ryan couldn't quite make it up either. They both gave it a good try several times, but it wears you out fast. It takes a lot of muscle! And balance.

But look at Denya!! Woo Hoo! What a blast!

We went back to tubing since it doesn't require quite as much muscle. Britta and Justin taking it slow and easy to get started.

The wake doesn't look that big, but it doesn't take much to throw you into the other person.

 Or maybe Britta can see what's coming and she's getting prepared by leaning into Justin in the hopes that she won't go flying off the side!

Ryan and Denya hold up their hands to say go faster! We dare you to throw us off!

You'll notice they are hanging on now!

Justin is back in the pool again. He's so sweet to the the little ones and is always willing to take them in the pool.

Aleice and Daycen. The Collins family loves the water!

Tara, just relaxing and floating.

Denya floats around and soaks up some sun. This swan was so big and so fun, lots of people loved it.

More fun in the pool in with a chicken fight! Justin and Britta against Ryan and Zane.

Some of my favorite people! We have had the best time this weekend!

Trust Steven to find some crawdads! And of course Wayden thought they were the coolest things ever!

The June Birthday kids! Grandma had a little bag of treats and surprises to celebrate these June birthdays. Kylee, Zane, and Denya.

Denya's birthday is tomorrow, so we had a little party with presents in our cabin.

She will be 24!! Happy Birthday!

Britta found these socks with guitars on them! Denya was so excited!

A fold out make-up bag made of fabric that can hang up. Awesome!

Denya's ward is going on a campout and she wanted me to bring her one of our sleeping bags to use. Surprise! She now has her own! Hope you have an awesome day tomorrow, Denya! We love you!