Tournament Time

 The regular basketball season has come to an end.

Both Cory and Blake's team finished in the top.

We're now playing in the area tournament against all the nearby city teams.

We're two games in. Cory's team is moving on to the semi-finals.

Blake's team just barely lost in over-time.

*bummer*

Blake's been on fire! He scored four 3's during his last game.

These tournament games have been intense, super close games. I've already bitten off all my nails.

Cuatro

We've added another driver to our "staff". This makes 4. It's really really nice to have 4 people to run all your errands and taxi all the non-drivers around. I love it!

Sweet 16!

  My baby boy is 16 today. He is such a delight to have around. 

 He's always smiling.

 He's almost always in a good mood.

 He is so kind to all of his siblings.

 He loves to have fun.

And he has the cutest freckles ever!

Happy Birthday Blake!

Birthday Week 2016 - Pit Stop

Wordless Wednesday:

 

Exodus 2016

Last week #2, #3, and #4 had the opportunity to go on an Exodus.

What the heck is an EXODUS?

Exodus - a departure from, exiting from or a journey...

We are leaving behind the piece of our heart that distanced us from God and giving Him our new heart. A heart that loves God above all and places Him first in our lives. One heart, one mind - Zion

 Exodus is similar to a Trek, but without the pioneer theme.

Each child was assigned a Ma and Pa.

Here is #3 with his family

and #4 with his. 

#2 (Can you find her- hint she's on the left side) was on a special team they called the Delta Team.

It was comprised of those who had graduated from high school this past May. 

The Delta group was assigned as helpers along the trial. They served meals, unpacked trailers, help to pull handcarts, and befriended the friendless.

Months and months of preparation were involved, as you can imagine when you take 780  people on a 4 day hike over the mountain. Not to mention feeding them all?

 Here #3 and #4 are practicing setting up and taking down their tents.

 Exodus started up Ephraim Canyon

(Can you find #3?  - He's pulling the handcart on the left)

23 miles over the mountain where they ended their Exodus at

the Manti Utah Temple.

As they walked they thought about what things, things they were holding them back and distancing them from God, that they wanted to leave behind in the mountain.  When they reached the temple each of them made a commitment to be a new better person, to serve God more fully and love Him with all their heart.

 Pulling a handcart for four days in the mountains surrounded by God's creations and His presence, what a truly remarkable, spiritual experience, and I am so grateful my children were able to take part.

Star-Spangled 4th

Happy 4th of July!

It's kind of fun celebrating Independence Day on a Monday. It seems the celebration spans throughout the entire weekend. If you include tonight, we've been able to sit on our patio and watch fireworks three nights in a row.

My mom started a tradition years ago of making homemade ice cream each Fourth of July to eat during the fireworks show. We're keeping the tradition alive! It wouldn't be the 4th without homemade vanilla ice cream and fireworks -oh and family!

Spring Break 2016

Last week was Spring Break in our neck-of-the-woods.

While most everyone was getting tan on a tropical beach or camping in the mountains, we were having the most fun of all. . . .

 going for daily walks,

 playing around on snapchat

(username: watchmewhisk)

and enjoying the much needed break from getting up early, schedules, and homework!

The Family that Plays Together, Stays Together!

Wordless Wednesday:

Winning Streak!

Last night was the district championship game for #4.  All week, they have been playing teams from all over the valley in a single elimination tournament.  They had to beat out 4 other teams in order to get to this point.

These games have been close, which make me nervous and give me anxiety so bad my hands shake, and I want to throw up!

Tuesday's game, was the worst!  We were down by half, but came back to win it with a last second shot! 

Talk about intense and wanting to throw up!

It also didn't help to calm my nerves that my normally passive, calm, quiet husband suddenly became one of "those" loud- calling out plays, reminding the referees (very nicely) to call it both ways, and doing a little refereeing of his own from the stands. 

Luckily that's all behind us.  All the games are over!

We came

We saw

We played

We yelled (mostly at the ref's)

AND

We came out Victorious.

You're looking at the 2016 Champions right here, baby!

End of the OTHER Season!

#4 is wrapping up his basketball season. This year he played on a city ball team, AND on an accelerated league team. He played his last accelerated game on Saturday night, and will play one, maybe two more city league games.

This year he played point guard.  I think that's right- the player who brings the ball down the court?

Ha!  You can tell that even after 4 kids who have played ball, I still have a lot to learn.

It has been so fun to watch his confidence grow (and let's not even talk about his height) and his ball handling skills improve.  He is very much into the sport and loves to play. He loves it so much that he spends his free time watching YouTube videos, and then hour learning and practicing the new moves- maybe they're called skills? . 

Please forgive the layman terms, this is his non-athletic mom speaking.

What I'm trying to say is it's been a great season, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say, we've had a blast watching him play.

#4's Birthday #14

 Gosh I love this kid!  I'm so glad to be his mama.

Monday we celebrated his 14th birthday!

 We celebrated in our typical way with a birthday dinner followed by cake and presents.
(More about our Family's Birthday Traditions HERE)

He chose Turkey and Stuffing Rollups for his dinner of choice, and BTS cake for his birthday cake.

This cake has become the unofficial/official birthday cake of the Collins' Family.

#2 was in charge of wrapping presents this year.  She did an awesome job wrapping this hockey stick.

She also got creative and wrapped a clue that send #4 on a scavenger hunt for his "BIG" gift.

It took him quite a while to find his gift which he wasn't very excited about, but we were sure entertained!

Look at that smile!  It's contagious. You can't help but smile too.

The BIG 1-4!

This baby-loving guy is celebrating his 14th birthday today.

Here he is 9 years ago holding baby #5.

Here he is today (well yesterday) holding his baby cousin with #5.

Besides being a baby whisperer, he loves to try new things. He always tries to do what is right. He seldom gets mad, and has a really easy-going manner that helps to keep the peace in our home.  He is super funny, and he loves to tease (it's how he says I loves you). We are so blessed to have him in our lives. 

Early Morning Adventures

Good morning! It 6:26 am my time. Since I have nothing else to do I thought I'd blog to you live from location. 

Where am I?

Yep, I'm sitting at the scary local laundromat in the wee hours of the morning praying that no creepy person notices I'm here. 

Our dryer broke again. Yes we fixed it back in August after a week of hanging our clothes out on the patio, the front porch, and the cement driveway to dry (I'm sure the neighbors loved it). Fingers crossed we can fix it again (when I say we, I mean Clint) and STAT. It's way too cold to hang our underwear outside to dry.  Plus, what kind of mother would I be making my kids wear frozen underwear to school? 

Last night at dinner, we discussed the broken dryer. However, there was one certain 13 year old that somehow didn't get the message.  He got up early, and 

Oh crap. . . I hear something. Quick! HIDE ME!!!

Phew! It was just the heater banging on.

Don't panic. I'm okay. 

Where was I? Oh yes, he woke up early and washed the clothes he needed/wanted/had his heart set on wearing today, only to realize the dryer wouldn't work, and he was left with wet clothes to wear today.  If only he'd paid attention at dinner last night.- DUH!

So his nice, kind, "Momma of the Year" mother dug through her piggy bank for quarters, and took his sopping wet clothes, risking her life in the process, to dry them at the laundromat.

And here I sit. Waiting for clothes to dry, and watching for creepers.
If you don't see a blog post from me tomorrow, better tune in to the news - there might have been a stabbing at the local laundromat!

p.s. I sent Clint this photo.  His reply - "Wow! They have free Wi-Fi."
I didn't find that very amusing. 

WISHbone

Wordless Wednesday:

I'm in LOVE!

I recently found this picture as I was transferring files from my computer to an external hard drive.

It's a selfie taken by #2 at the Independence Day parade last year.

To say I'm in love with it would be an understatement.

This picture sums up these three's photo-taking personalities to a tee.

#2- happy to have her photo taken, and will pose for you.

#3- doens't love it, doesn't hate it. He will look at you, but not pose.

#4- plays tough, but secretly adores having his picture taken.

I ADORE this photo.  It's getting printed, framed, and hung up STAT!

p.s.- I just ordered #2's cap and gown for graduation. She's applied to several colleges all with the school colors blue and white.  Any guesses?