25 years

I looked at my schedule for July, and was completely surprised that I was scheduled to be off on the 23-25 of July. That's a state holiday, and I really haven't had any holidays off since I started this new job. Steve and I bought a new trailer at the beginning of the summer, and we thought, we'd really like to use it as much as we can this summer, so off we went to go camping for Pioneer day!

 

Steve has work that he does in Wyoming, so this was kind of a work, and play trip. He was able to inspect buildings in Wyoming, and we were able to get some camping in too. We camped in the Uintas, and went on a couple of really pretty hikes. Our first evening we just followed a river that went right by our camp site. We took a self portrait right at a bend in the river, but the problem with selfies is it's really hard to get the background in your picture. It was really beautiful though.

 

 On our second day, we drove to Rock Springs, Evanston, and Green River. Steve inspected buildings, while Maizey and I explored the area. She does really well traveling with us. I think we'll keep her for a while.

 The next morning Steve and I (and Maizey) set out on a hike to Christmas Meadows. Steve has been on that trail before, but he rode horses, this was all on foot. We hiked about 5 miles! It was a great work out, and beautiful scenery!!

 While on our last hike here in the Uintas, I got to thinking, our first real date was in the Uintas too. Steve and I were set up on a blind date almost exactly 25 years ago. (It was in August, not July) We went to a fireside together, then he asked me to go out with him the next day. We drove to the Uintas and went fishing. It was a beautiful day, and at the time, I had no idea I'd marry this young man. It was kind of a nostalgic hike once we thought about it. We've been through a lot in the past 25 years, but wow, I'm glad I married this man!! What an adventure!!

Conner's adventure

Conner was invited to live with Thad and Kim Wright, his aunt and uncle, and my brother and sister-in-law, for the 2013-2014 school year, which will be Conner's junior year. We all thought it would be a really good experience for Conner, and he was willing to give it a try. They told us that if Conner could get to Massachusetts by July 11th, he would be able to go on Trek with their stake, and would be able to get to know the youth in his area a little bit better before school starts. We jumped at the chance for him to go on Trek, he went with our stake last summer, but only for a day because he had a trip to Alaska planned with his dad.

 

This picture is Conner with his new neighbor, and friend Nathaniel.  

 

After his Trek with the youth, Thad and Kim took their family on a trip to upstate New York. They were able to go to Niagra Falls,

 and Palmyra, New York. This is a picture of Thad and Kim's family with Conner in the sacred grove, which is where we believe Joseph Smith, the founder of our church, saw Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I'm so excited Conner is able to see this part of the nation.

 They went to the Hill Cummorah, where Joseph Smith found the gold plates that he translated into what is now called the Book of Mormon.

And they went to the Hill Cummorah Pageant. They have a travel trailer that the whole family fits in, and they really had a great time traveling around and seeing the sights.

Independence Day

Excitement is in the air! I think even this tomato knew it was Independence day and decided to dress in red!

 

 

 Actually, since I started my new job, my holidays are not what they used to be. I had to work on July 3rd and 4th. I work graves, so I was home during the day on the 4th, but I do have to sleep... so, it was kind of a weird holiday. Kaylea is working in Alaska, Steve is working in New Jersey, and Conner likes spending his time with friends, so Steve and I were alone for most of the morning. I slept right through the parade, which was a first.

Jessica and Chris came over in the afternoon and we all went to the city park for festivities. There was a car show and a lot of booths.

 We got Avery's face painted, and tried to get a picture of her with a professional photographer. That was NOT easy. She has way too much energy to be expected to sit down, or stand still for a picture!!

After lunch at the park, we decided it was way too hot, so we came back to the house and put Avery down for a nap, then Jessica and I went to Walmart to buy a swimming pool, because our community pool did not open this year... the county can't afford it... don't get me started...

Avery LOVED the pool!! She had so much fun splashing around and playing with the floaty toys we got for her. The adults actually sat around the pool soaking our feet too. It did help to cool us all off!

 I had to go to work by 7:30, which doesn't work for fireworks. We actually have an amazing view from our front yard, but after I left for work, Steve went to bed, and Conner was still out with friends. Jessica and Chris decided it would be better to drive closer to their home in Provo to watch fireworks, then they would get home more quickly when it was over.

I got to see fireworks from my patient's front window. I could see them going off all over the Tooele valley. It was beautiful, but not nearly as nice as watching them with my family.

Ready to leave

Conner has been very excited to try life away from Grantsville for a year. He is going to live in Massachusetts with my brother and his family. Before he leaves us, he had a few things to accomplish.

 

After 3 years in braces....

 

...they're off!

 

It's amazing how much Conner has changed in just 3 years!! Pretty handsome if I do say so myself!!

 

The next accomplishment is kind of funny. Conner has been 16 for 3 months now, and has had his learner's permit since he turned 15. We had him all signed up for Driver's Ed at the high school, but after the first day he said he knew everything, and this was just a class to help them get a learner's permit. I told him that wasn't the case, he needed Driver's Ed if he wanted to get his license. He didn't believe me, and just went to the Counseling office and dropped out of that class.  I didn't know about it until a few weeks later, I wasn't happy, but thought maybe he needs to deal with the consequences of his actions. When he turned 16, he said he wanted to get his license. I call the Driver's license division and asked what was required, surprise, surprise, you have to have so many hours of in class education!

 

Once school got out, we signed him up for a private driver's ed, and on July 2nd, Conner is finally a licensed driver!!!! A great day!!!

I do have to say, I have gone through the driving process with all 4 of my kids. I let them drive as much as possible with their learner's permit. It has caused me to have a few grey hairs. It is truly SCARY!! But, of all my kids, Conner has been the safest driver. I never worried while I was in the car with him. He has always been very competent, and careful. He is the only one of my kids who did not hit into something, or break or dent my car. I'm so proud of him.

We have accomplished all we need to do to send him away for a year. The only thing left is for mom to shed a few tears.... I'm not ready for him to leave us! Hopefully it will be a really good experience!

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.