Random June Happenings

Sometimes Megan sends me a text asking for pictures of the kids because she misses them while she's at work. Dagny has the best smile and the prettiest eyes! She has so much enthusiasm and excitement for life. She brings so much joy to me.

Megan bought this miniature tea party set when Austin's girls spent the night in April. One day Dagny wanted to use it to eat real food.

Playing princess!

Dagny wanted to feed Lincoln some yogurt. She's such a good helper! 

Goin' for a ride on my little green tractor!

Loving the trampoline.

Everytime we go in the backyard to play, the kids want to see the chickens.

Giving the chickens a little bit of sass!

Nothing like a popsicle after playing outside in the hot summer sun!

Picnic time! Food always tastes better outside.

The kids LOVE to feed grass to the chickens. The chickens LOVE it too! Sometimes they even jump up so they reach it.

Who knew chickens could be so entertaining? These kids love to watch them and feed them grass and watermelon rinds.

Making strawberry jam! Last month I got called to be the Relief Society President! Gulp! I do kids, not adults. I got this wild idea to take a small bottle of jam to each sister on her birthday. Strawberries have been quite cheap, $1.99 for the big 2 lb. container, so I'm making jam like crazy! Good thing I have such a good helper!

Mashing up the berries! At the first of the month Dagny got a summer hair cut. Short and sassy and cute!

We traded swing sets with Austin. We had one that was quite large in the garage that we had never set up. I wanted one for my backyard, but I didn't want one that big. Austin has a big backyard, so we traded! I thought the swings were a little low, but Dagny can get herself in and push off with her feet, so I guess we'll leave it like thata for now. She would swing the day away if she could.

Grandpa and his princessses! He makes a great mountain to climb and sit on.

Maddie loves this little fire engine! She's not quite big enough to ride it herself, but she loves to be pushed around on it.

One day Dagny was playing with the potato heads. She took them to the kitchen and cooked them some food.

She put them to bed in the doll cradle. She played with them all afternoon like they were dolls. This girl has a great imagination.

One day Claire and Camille set up a lemonade stand! I got this picture from Austin because I thought it was so cute! I didn't know about it or I would have driven out and bought some!

Denya's Birthday

Denya's birthday is this week, and so we like to celebrate at the Collins reunion. We had a present opening party in our cabin. No cake and no candles, but there is no shortage of treats at this reunion, so all is good!

When you're a kid, clothes are such a boring birthday gift, but when you are a grown-up, they are the best!

One peek as the paper was coming off and Denya got pretty excited!

These Chi hair straighteners are the best! It was quite a surprise!

More clothes! Yay! A girl can never have too many things to wear!

Jewelry is a girl's best friend! Happy 25th Birthday beautiful Denya!! So glad you are my daughter and one of my best friends! I love spending time with you! Here's to your best year yet!

Collins Reunion

Collins Family Reunion time at Six Lakes! We love this place! Wade and KImberlea came with me and Denya is coming too! That's it for my family this year.

As soon as we get settled in our cabins, everyone heads for the pool. Tara and Raigen enjoy the water.

Parker is so happy to float around in this little boat.

"Now this is the life!" says Ellie.

Greyson was too excited to wait for his Mom to get his swimsuit!

Harper and Greyson are ready to splash!

Wade never gets a chance to relax, so he takes advantage now.

Wade and Kimberlea play with Greyson.

Fun times soaking up the sun and lounging by the pool.

Denya and Parker having some fun!

Steven and Susan watch the kids swim, or at least Susan does. Keldon and Demmie are having a baby in January and Susan is already making blankets. She is so on the ball!

When it was time to choose what meals we wanted to be in charge of, Wade wanted me to pick a breakfast. He is a pro and can make 4 omelets at a time! People could choose what they wanted on theirs: ham, cheese, mushrooms, onions, and bell pepper. Wade did all the cooking and all I did was take orders! Wow! That was an easy meal!

Clay and Layce are so nice to take us all out on their boat! Sand Wash Reservior is just a few miles down the road from Six Lakes.

Denya was so excited to try water skiing again! And she remembered from last year how to do it and got up on her first try! Woo Hoo!

Go Denya!

She made it around the whole lake! She even learned to sit down slowly when you are done instead of just falling over!

Denya was the flagger while Tanner tried to water ski, but he wasn't able to get up.

Denya and I had a great time on the couch!

Wade brought this giant sized Yahtzee game that he made. Denya won!

A game of Mexican Train! The train was broken and wouldn't choo choo, so Wade made his own side effects.

Scott found this lizard and carried it around all afternoon. It just hung on his shirt like it belonged there. He kept it all night, much to Tara's horror.He let it go the next morning. 

Watch out and be warned! That little squirt gun shoots farther than you might think!

Zane and his hammock! Hammocks are a big thing right now. Britta and Ryan each have one and go hang out with their friends quite often.

Good morning Zane!

Late night reunion games are the best!! This bunch was playing Headbandz. You take turns acting out the word on someone's forehead. It gets so funny and we laughed so hard my stomach was hurting and my eyes were watering.

I don't know what kind of a boat this is, but Wayden was all over the pond with it. 

There is a dock in the middle of the pond, and it makes a great place to hangout.

Wade goes for a spin around the lake.

Syrett can take this kayak out all by himself! I was amazed at how well he can row. He's the same age as Claire! I wonder if she could do it??

We all love to paddleboard! Denya gives it a go!

Kimberlea kayaks while Denya paddleboards.

Zane's turn to paddleboard!

This is my happy place!! I love the water and I love to paddleboard!

This was Wade's first time to paddleboard. Kimberlea's first time too. It takes a little getting used to, then you can stand up. And they both loved it, especially Kimberlea!

Fun on the water.

Troy and his famous dutch oven dinner! Chicken, potatoes, and cobbler! 

Serving up that tasty dutch oven dinner!

Ellie and Raigen are so cute together!  These two girls and Lincoln were all born within 6 weeks of each other. They made me homesick for my grandkids. Next year, I'm going to try and bring a couple of them, with or without their parents!

Two of my favorite things! Biking and a daughter! Denya and I went on a bike ride just as the sun was setting. It was beautiful! 

Someone had the idea that the 5 brothers and sisters should take a picture. My goodness!

Apparently only the youngest and the oldest know how to behave.

Things got somewhat better when Mom decided to join us.

Then someone said we needed a better background so we moved over to the wall and the silliness started all over again.I saw a whole new side of Steven. I guess I had forgotten what a character he was as a kid. He can make more faces than anyone I know! Once again, the oldest and the youngest are the only ones behaving.

Troy finally decided if you can beat them, join them!

Not too bad!! The best we can get!

One more with our fabulous Mom!

That was a fast three days! Heavenly Father gave me the greatest family! I love these reunions! Here's to many, many more!