Just wanted to thank Todd and Denise for planning such a fun Family Reunion. We went to Island Park and rented a cabin for 3 nights, not nearly long enough. It was fun getting together and having the cousins renew friendships. We had 3 rooms upstairs that had lofts in them. Kaylea and Kenadee are showing us this cool loft.
I had to put this next picture in because several of us spent countless hours working on this puzzle. It's a memory I don't want to forget. I think after 4 days, Sandi was the one to finally put the final piece in the puzzle. (Actually, she said there were about 5 pieces missing, but close enough.)
We spent much of the first evening and second... okay and the third playing rock band. My kids absolutely loved hanging out with their uncles and aunts and jammin to some music. I think everyone who wanted a turn to play got one. I enjoyed watching more than anything. Man can those Collings boys sing!!!
Here's Chloe, Steve, Douglas, Grandma, and Grandpa watching everyone play Rock Band.
Caitlyn, Victoria, and Bailee hanging out on the couch. This cabin had 8 bedrooms, 3 lofts, 2 family rooms, 4 large bathrooms, a large kitchen and dining area. It was amazing.
Molly, Denise, and Grace. Denise cooked all of the dinners while we were up there, we were definitely fed well. The meals were absolutely delicious. I am afraid to cook when my year comes around. Hopefully I can work around that.
Marc, Sandi, John, Brinlee, and the most AMAZING drummer of all time, STEVE!
Kaylea holding our newest cousin, Bailee, she is such a sweet baby. Zoe is in the front of this picture, another new cousin, and just a darling. She had the cutest smiles.
I had to put this next picture in because several of us spent countless hours working on this puzzle. It's a memory I don't want to forget. I think after 4 days, Sandi was the one to finally put the final piece in the puzzle. (Actually, she said there were about 5 pieces missing, but close enough.)
We spent much of the first evening and second... okay and the third playing rock band. My kids absolutely loved hanging out with their uncles and aunts and jammin to some music. I think everyone who wanted a turn to play got one. I enjoyed watching more than anything. Man can those Collings boys sing!!!
Here's Chloe, Steve, Douglas, Grandma, and Grandpa watching everyone play Rock Band.
Caitlyn, Victoria, and Bailee hanging out on the couch. This cabin had 8 bedrooms, 3 lofts, 2 family rooms, 4 large bathrooms, a large kitchen and dining area. It was amazing.
Molly, Denise, and Grace. Denise cooked all of the dinners while we were up there, we were definitely fed well. The meals were absolutely delicious. I am afraid to cook when my year comes around. Hopefully I can work around that.
Marc, Sandi, John, Brinlee, and the most AMAZING drummer of all time, STEVE!
Kaylea holding our newest cousin, Bailee, she is such a sweet baby. Zoe is in the front of this picture, another new cousin, and just a darling. She had the cutest smiles.We decided float down the river on tubes, so a group of us went to rent them, the only problem was it was late in the day, and they were sold out. We decided to just go play in the river instead. The water was FREEZING cold, and it took some getting used to. Uncle Steve decided to help get us used to the water by splashing anyone close to him... thanks?
We found a small dock, with a couple of old row boats attached, and decided to adopt it as our area. It was a warm dry place to sit and watch other rafts, canoes, and tubes go by.
We had a couple of kids decide they needed to chase the fish. Brinlee was the bravest, she'd follow a fish to the ends of the earth if you let her. Conner, Kelton, Cameron, Chloe, Jake, and Kenadee joined in. They all waded to the middle of the river, right through the sea weed. I thought the sea weed felt gross, so I didn't get too far into the water. The middle was a lot warmer than the shoreline so I did go out a ways.
We found a small dock, with a couple of old row boats attached, and decided to adopt it as our area. It was a warm dry place to sit and watch other rafts, canoes, and tubes go by.
We had a couple of kids decide they needed to chase the fish. Brinlee was the bravest, she'd follow a fish to the ends of the earth if you let her. Conner, Kelton, Cameron, Chloe, Jake, and Kenadee joined in. They all waded to the middle of the river, right through the sea weed. I thought the sea weed felt gross, so I didn't get too far into the water. The middle was a lot warmer than the shoreline so I did go out a ways.I also found out that if I stayed close enough to Steve, I wouldn't get splashed. He aimed for those a little further away from him.
What's a day at the river without some hot bodies and muscle flexing? Kaylea and Steve.
After the river, the kids decided to warm up in the hot tub... they were chilled to the bones! We kept saying the adults would go out later, but never had a chance. So much to do, so little time.
What's a day at the river without some hot bodies and muscle flexing? Kaylea and Steve.
After the river, the kids decided to warm up in the hot tub... they were chilled to the bones! We kept saying the adults would go out later, but never had a chance. So much to do, so little time. We spent a day at Yellowstone Park, our first stop was Old Faithful. We showed up a little bit early, or late... whatever. We had a 40 minute wait to see it, but it was a nice break from the car, and it was worth the wait. My kids really loved hanging out with their younger cousins. Conner loves the babies, he spent a lot of time holding them and loved pushing Douglas in the stroller.
Here's my family, Jessica had to stay home and work, it's not the same without her here. Conner and Kaylea are showing off the amazing tie dyed shirts they made. We had everyone that made a tie dyed shirt wear it to Yellowstone Park. Not only did it look cool, but you didn't have to guess which family they were from. Here is a picture of all the cousins with their cool shirts at Old Faithful.
Our main goal for the day was to search for bears. We found elk, and buffalo, and a coyote. I was one of the lucky ones to catch a glimpse of a rare chipmunk! But no bear. I was able to take one final picture of Conner before my camera died. So I missed pictures of Grandma's closet, or the cool hat craft that the kids made. And one more memory I'd hate to forget. Chloe got sick on the way back from Yellowstone. I was so impressed with how organized Molly was. She has a bin in the back of her van that holds everything you could want for just such an emergency. Chloe threw up in Kenney's car. We all pulled over, and while the dad's were dry heaving, we were all trying to clean it up. Meanwhile other cars passing by were pulling over to see the wild animals that we surely must be seeing, why else would we be pulled over. Thanks to Sandi for directing traffic, "there are no bears here" "there's nothing to see" "just sick kids" "move along people".
All in all, it was a great family reunion, we had a great time. I didn't want to go home. My kids start school tomorrow, I can't believe how this summer has flown by.
Here's my family, Jessica had to stay home and work, it's not the same without her here. Conner and Kaylea are showing off the amazing tie dyed shirts they made. We had everyone that made a tie dyed shirt wear it to Yellowstone Park. Not only did it look cool, but you didn't have to guess which family they were from. Here is a picture of all the cousins with their cool shirts at Old Faithful.
Our main goal for the day was to search for bears. We found elk, and buffalo, and a coyote. I was one of the lucky ones to catch a glimpse of a rare chipmunk! But no bear. I was able to take one final picture of Conner before my camera died. So I missed pictures of Grandma's closet, or the cool hat craft that the kids made. And one more memory I'd hate to forget. Chloe got sick on the way back from Yellowstone. I was so impressed with how organized Molly was. She has a bin in the back of her van that holds everything you could want for just such an emergency. Chloe threw up in Kenney's car. We all pulled over, and while the dad's were dry heaving, we were all trying to clean it up. Meanwhile other cars passing by were pulling over to see the wild animals that we surely must be seeing, why else would we be pulled over. Thanks to Sandi for directing traffic, "there are no bears here" "there's nothing to see" "just sick kids" "move along people".
All in all, it was a great family reunion, we had a great time. I didn't want to go home. My kids start school tomorrow, I can't believe how this summer has flown by. 