Wright family camp out

I was in charge of the Collings family camp out this summer, and as I was looking into places to go with Steve's family, I started to think how fun it would be to get my family together. They are scattered all over the world, but I just thought I'd reserve a group site at a camp ground, and invite whoever wanted to come. I was really surprised! Jamie's family came from Nauvoo, and mom and dad came from Washington state to camp with us!! David tried, but their kids didn't get out of school until late, and it just wouldn't work with their schedule. Tera's family is still in Germany, and Thad's family is in Massachusetts, which is definitely a long way to travel with the family for a camping trip.

 

We camped in the mountains above the town of Ephriam, Utah. Which was only a few miles away from Manti. During June, there is a pageant in Manti, on the temple grounds. Our first night, all of the family members who wanted to, went to the Manti Pageant. It's been many years since most of us have seen the pageant, and they have changed things up a bit. It was really nice.

 

Lee's family didn't get there until a few days later, so he took his family to the Pageant on Tuesday.

We spent our days just enjoying each other.

 Playing horse shoes.

Playing badminton.

 Going on hikes with the cousins.

 And the men practiced their hatchet throwing skills!

 The kids enjoyed the first hike so much, they wanted to take their cousins who just arrived on the same hike. So Conner and I hiked the mountain twice with the younger cousins.

 Even Maizey enjoyed the great outdoors.

 Conner spent quality time learning the art of splitting logs. He was tentative at first, but ended up getting pretty good at it.

 This is my buddy Ed. We got along pretty well!

On the last day we had a treasure hunt for the kids. The girls got a special fairy treasure hunt, and the boys got a stinky, dragon treasure hunt. All of them ended up with a treasure chest full of sweet treats. Conner was the only one of my own kids that were able to make it. Jessica was traveling to Oregon with her little family, Steve is working back East doing sales, and Kaylea is in Alaska working at a fish plant to save money for her mission.  It was really fun to spend time with my brothers and sisters and their families. I really missed those who were unable to attend, but it was fun to hang out, and play games with those who were able to make it. It was sad to see it end.

Changes for Kaylea

June 5, 2013 was a very exciting day for Kaylea. After 8 months of working, saving, and preparing, she finally got her mission call!!

 

We posted this picture on Facebook, and invited any friends or family who wanted to come see her open it that night.

 

We ended up having quite a houseful of guests, along with a few who joined us via Face-time and Skype.

 

 Sister Collings, you are hereby called to serve in the California, Ventura mission. Entering the MTC in Provo, Utah on October 9, 2013.

 

That was definitely a surprise to all of us. We all had tried to guess where she would serve, and California had not been chosen by anyone! She's very excited, especially to know she'll have electricity, and pretty normal food, etc.

 

After Kaylea received her mission call, she had to leave the next week to go to Alaska. She will be working there at a fish plant to save money for her mission. It should be interesting. They will not have any phone or internet service, except for a pay phone. So we bought a calling card for her, and told her to call us every Sunday.

 

Before she left for this new adventure, I took her and Conner out to lunch at Casa Del Rey here in Grantsville. Just a small goodbye lunch.

It's pretty weird, my kids are leaving one by one. Kaylea now, and Conner next month. I know this is going to be hard work for Kaylea, she says they work 16 hour days, but it should help her to earn the money she needs for her mission in just a few short months.