Keepers of the Flame

 I love Girls' Camp!
We couldn't build campfires this year, but our theme was still "Keepers of the Flame."

Makayla, Chynna and I softened our faces with an oatmeal, mud mask.

 In preparation for camp, we enjoyed learning first aid from our own nursing hero, Kari Stone.

 We learned CPR, how to help someone choking...

 How to carry someone on a hike if they're hurt...

 How to be silly...

 and have fun!

At Camp Woodland, we enjoyed floating down the river each day, competing in lawn games, screeching at karaoke night, cheering at talent night, singing silly songs, decorating flags, making crafts, hiking around camp and playing other fun games together.

 We also took part in spiritual activities:  listening to guest speakers challenge us to commit to following each of the Young Women values, choosing a bad habit to throw into the "bad-habit bonfire" (neon glow sticks because of the ban on real fires), devotionals and flag ceremonies each morning, and sharing a beautiful testimony meeting together on the last night of camp.  We talked about striving to always have the spirit with us.  We all learned and sang, "Keeper of the Flame" by Julie de Azevedo.

Bailey and Lauren enjoyed making a mess of Monica's face.
My personal favorite activity was karaoke night.  All of our girls encouraged and cheered for each other.  They rallied around each other and built each other up.  Every leader and girl at camp got up and participated in the performances that night.  I love seeing everyone let loose and feel like a star!

The Collier Clan Reunion

 We had such a fun time at the Collier Family camp out this year!  My Dad reserved his stake Valley View camp with the lodge and grounds.  My Mom and Matt made a bow with arrows for all of the kids.  They loved shooting the sponge-tipped arrows everywhere.

 Hadley and Leia loved shooting the arrows at targets Grandma put up around the lodge.

 We had several fun games of ultimate frizbee.  We had to throw the frizbee to someone in a pool before we could score a goal (or touchdown or whatever).

 Both kids and adults joined in on these fun games.  Watch out Porter!

 We had a little rain on our camp out.  Ammon and several other kids decided to run out in the rainstorm.

 We had a family dance one night.  It was so much fun!  This photo shows the kids dancing to YMCA.

 Happy, cheezy Leia and Peter!

 Our kids had so much fun playing with their cousins!

 Natalie taught us all an embarrassing song she learned at girls camp.  I think it's called "A Toota Tat".

 We all enjoyed contorting our bodies in strange ways.  I later used Natalie's song to embarrass our Bishop at my girls camp the next week.

 Each family performed a silly skit one night.  Our family sang a song and acted out things each member of our family likes to do.  Peter chose playing video games.

 Leia chose swimming.  We all had a great time!

 Gabe, Ammon and Peter performed a sword fight for the audience.

I'm pretty sure Gabe was not injured, it was just part of the performance. 

We played several games and relaxed together.  We played a game we call "Pirate Dice".  The last two people standing were Leia and Matt.  Matt barely ended up winning, but we were all proud of Leia's skill at playing the game.

We absolutely loved this fun trip with the Collier family!

Rollins' Bear Lake Tradition

 We love making our annual trip to Bear Lake each summer.  Leia, Caleb, Ammon, Spencer and Luke worked hard to make a nice sandcastle village.

 We always make the hike up Bloomington canyon to play on the rope swing and look at the beautiful glacier pools.  Dan's leg got caught in the rope while swinging this year...he was lucky not to have fallen head-first into the rocks below.  We're glad he survived with just a scraped and bruised leg.

 The water is soooo cold in Bloomington Lake, but we all got in just to show how tough we were.  We missed watching Talmage on the rope swing this year.  He was at Camp Loll with the scouts while we were at Bear Lake.

 We took everyone to the Paris Canyon ice caves this year.  Leia liked hiking with uncle Clint.

 Spencer and some of the big boys explored deeper into the cave.

We all enjoyed playing together and were exhausted at the end of each fun day.

Don't pass on pass of all passes

 Last fall we bought POAPs for our family.  We have totally taken advantage of those passes.  We have enjoyed so many activities that we probably would not have tried otherwise.

 We've made many fun trips to Trafalga (the one in Lehi is newer).
We've enjoyed the Seven Peaks water parks (the one in Provo is much nicer).

 We took our family skiing and ice skating for the first time.  At the ice rink, Ammon and Peter liked holding on to cones while skating so they wouldn't fall so easily.

Next time we go ice skating, we need to remember to put tall socks on our kids.  They all went home with blisters just above their ankles.

We talked my parents and Spencer's family into getting the passes also.  So we enjoy playing with our families for most of our activities.

We've enjoyed attending many new sporting events:  Utah Grizzlies hockey, Utah Blaze indoor football, etc. We're planning to go to a Bees baseball game and a Real soccer game too.

So, if you're considering buying passes, you should.  Then you can come play with us too!

The Big Twelve

 I can't believe it, but I now have a 12-year-old son!  

The weekend before Talmage's birthday, we took four of his friends to an indoor football Utah Blaze game.

 Talmage had a great time cheering and eating with his friends.

 The weekend after Talmage's birthday, was the Father & Sons campout for our ward.  Spencer and the boys enjoyed a fun night at our stake campground.  

(Leia and I enjoyed our night together by going to a Snow White movie.) 

That next Sunday, Spencer was able to ordain Talmage with the priesthood.  Both sets of grandparents came to support Talmage in this important step of his life.  We are so proud of Talmage for the wonderful example he is to us and for the good choices he is making in his life.

"It's my Easter Birthday"

 Peter's 4th birthday was on Easter this year.  He loudly informed everyone that it was his Easter Birthday.

 We enjoyed a fun game of bowling with just our family.

 Then we headed down to Trafalga to celebrate with the Rollins grandparents and cousins.  Peter loves going up and down on this frog ride...especially while riding with cute Leia and Shaylee.

 Peter, Grandpa and Caleb battling bugs and wild animals.

 Greta, Leia and Talmage flying together.

 We're all excitedly awaiting our turn to play laser tag.

We adore our sweet, darling Peter!

Ski Day

 We enjoyed a fun ski trip to Wolf Mountain this spring.  We were feeling adventurous and took all of our kids for their first time.

 We stayed at the Wolf Creek condos the night before skiing with Ben and Niki's family.

 I was amazed at how well Peter did.  I guess it helps that he is fearless.
My Dad came skiing with us also.  Unfortunately, he hurt his leg early in the day.

 Talmage and Leia picked up on skiing really quickly and were soon ready for the bigger hills.  Talmage even tried a few jumps.

 We had lots of fun with Ben and Niki's family.  Joyce and Anna were so nice to bring us lunch up on the mountain.  Dan and Shaylee came skiing that day too, but we couldn't really keep up with them.

What a fun family adventure!