Josh Turns Four

Four years ago today July 30th, Joshua Mark Collins was born. Happy Birthday to an adorable little boy!! What a treat it is to have Josh run in the house and jump into your arms for a big hug! Josh is so full of energy and has so much happiness to share. I love his smile and his infectious giggle. Josh is great at sports and will take anyone on....watch out for Josh on the soccer field, he never gives up. For a little boy Josh has big expectations, a big heart and a great big smile!! He is ready to take on the world. I love you Josh, Happy Birthday

A New Calling

Sunday Mark was sustained as a Bishopric Member. He is the 1st Counselor in the YSA Ward in our Stake. We had quite a nice visit with the Stake President when he was called....He told Mark that he was a "champion" among the Youth!
Mark has been in the Youth programs for about 17 years working with the youth one way or another. That kind of ages us Yikes!! I am sure our lives will change somewhat. They didn't give him alot of time to hesitate, gear up or plan. Monday night was Family Night and we left home at 6:30 for the activity and did not get home until after 10:00. We recieved a calendar Sunday during our training and we just kind of looked at each other knowing that this job would fill our time. However, Family Night was so much fun! The adults are darling and it will be so much fun to get to know them. Megan is a little hesitant as she will attend alot of the activities with us. I will have 2 blocks of church to go to each Sunday so Megan won't be alone at church. Mark will do a great job....I guess you just jump in head first!

A Piece Of Heaven

For me, it is always an overwhelming feeling pulling through the gate into Wits End.....a mix of emotions, I guess I realize I am somewhere that Dad built and cherished, so many fun memories. I feel Dad's presence as though he might spend all of his free time there....if he has any. It has been a few years since I have been to Bear Lake and it was a treat!! We had such little time to spend there I had to hurry and do all the things I love. Motorcycle up to Cow Valley......not any cows up there these days and not nearly as many pot guts.....guess all the boys have had too many target practices. I had to drive the roads of Lake Town on a four wheeler making sure the candy store was really gone. Alot has changed. Visiting the Lake....Nicole and Nate took us out for a few hours boating, the water was cold but still clear blue and beautiful. Sitting on the front porch with good food and great company is what Bear Lake is all about. We missed the Bear Lake bonfire and roasting marshmellows and not enough people around to have a wild game of volleyball maybe next time! We could not go home without a fresh raspberry shake. YUMMY!!! Bear Lake will always have a special place in my heart.


I'm not sure why all the kids always congrigate to where Mark is. I guess either you got it or you don't!

Quickwater Camp

Mark was asked to be a Wrangler for the Quickwater camp. The camp is nestled in the mountains of Victor Idaho which is 20 miles out of Jackson Hole, it is a beautiful place. Everyone donates their time and energy to 25 girls for 2 weeks. Mark's job was to help the girls become framiliar with horses...taking them for a 2 hour ride in the morning and then he had a 2 hour time slot in the afternoon where he had an obstacle course and other activities for the girls. He took three of our horses and the camp had 12 of their own.




Well needless to say they picked a great wrangler.....Mark's class was a favorite!! Each girl could hardly wait for their turn in his class. With this many girls and horses Mark needed an assistant wrangler. Thanks to Sara for stepping in....she took time off work to go help Mark and all the girls loved her!! Megan and I filled in at the end of the week so Sara could get back to work. I was amazed to find out that this camp is absolutely free to all the participants. 2 weeks of all kinds of classes, good food and a beautiful setting all free!! Sign us all up

Happy Birthday Jake

Today is Jake's 6th Birthday!! He knew just exactly what kind of party he wanted...a Cowboy Party which was no surprise!! Jake wanted all his friends to be able to ride a horse so Grandpa brought down our tamest horse and took the kids for rides. Nicole had planned a very fun party with some Cowboy grub (lunch), games and a pinata. The kids kicked up their heels and had a great time.



A few thing I love about Jake..........
*He is a great helper.....Jake is always willing to help no matter what the chore is.
*He takes care of his brothers...Jake looks out for Josh and Sam when Nicole is not around, he is a great big brother!
*He is very athletic....Jake is competitive and this makes him one of the best players on his team whether its soccer or baseball. He is a great water skier too!
*He is a super reader and is more than ready for kindergarten
*He has a tender heart and is very kind to others
*He is fun to hang out with....he never runs out of ideas for fun things to do
*He says amazing prayers....Jake puts alot of thought into his prayers and you feel his sweet spirit when he prays.
Jake is the oldest Grandchild and has brought so much happiness into our family!! I love you Jake

Canoeing

I have a husband who can't sit around and do nothing on a Saturday! Come Thursday night the question always arises..."What are we doing this weekend?" My usual answer is .... umm I don't know what would you like to do. That leaves the door wide open for Mark....he always seems to come up with some off the wall idea. Actually, this last Saturday we went along with his plan......Canoeing in the high country of the Unintahs. I will give him credit...it was a fun day, a really fun day!







We rented a canoe from REI, packed a lunch and we were on our way. When it is 100 degrees in the valley it was refreshing to be in 75 degree weather, rowing on a beautiful lake with mountains all around, blue sky and sunshine, not to mention catching over 20 fish. Yes, I am married to Jerameiah Monsen!!!! For the girls it was a little fishing, a little rowing, a little laying in the sun at our leasure. For Mark.... well, he did alot of rowing and a little fishing, taking care of fixing the poles, taking off fish and making sure we kept moving fast enough for the fish to bite. That's what you get when you take a bunch of women canoeing. He is always a great sport and makes it so much fun for his girls. This could be a trip that we do frequently. It was a ton of fun!!

Addicted

Ok, it is true, I am totally addicted to this blogging thing! The only problem is I am a dummie, sad but true. When Megan can't find me she knows exactly where to look... yes sitting at my computer. I am possessed with finding out new techniques and ways to blog. I find myself late at night sneaking into my computer to learn about this or that or early in the morning to start uploading pitures. Sometimes I will do a post 3-4 times to get it just right. This is crazyness... but so much fun!! Guess if you are addicted to something it just might as well be this right? So my next big learning curve is to try and change my blog title to something with a little more pazazz to it . For some this is a breeze, but I am working on it, we'll see how long it takes. Happy blogging everyone.

San Diego Sunshine

The past few years Kathy has been a great host, inviting all the sisters to her condo in Coronado. This year we went the week of April 6th. This is always a blast!! We are pretty much shopping fools the whole time. The Fashion Valley Mall sees us coming......With bags galore and jewels to behold we are happy shoppers. Does anyone wonder who spent the most moola? There is a winner hands down, but I will never tell! This year Debbie spent a long night in the hospital with a twisted intestine. Maybe just to much excitment!! Somehow Katie made it in with the group this year....it was fun to have her along. She actually met a boy on the plane and went out with him a few times. Kathy & Debbie had a great time grilling her, someone besides me for a change! Katie fit right in with the group.....she is definitely a shopping fool herself. We miss all the other sisters who could not make it this year. Hats off to Kathy for a great trip..hope this is an annual one!!

A Quilting Bee

Ok, I am blogging in catch up mode.... The first part of June we did our traditional SISTER SEW IN. Instead of going to our cabin in Kamas we sewed at my house. I always look so forward to this tradition, three days of sewing straight, good food, late nights, movies, treats, great company and hopefully a finished quilt; who could ask for more! It is usually Mom, Kathy, Debbie and I. Once in awhile Cari will come and sew with us, Shelly tries to drop by to visit and Alice the corporate guru....well maybe someday she will conform. The pattern we chose this time was called Flutterby. The finished product is always well worth the tedious times. Love, love, love it!! I am already looking forward to the next SISTER SEW IN!! Ok I know this jumps around on this slide show so I am working on it...any help or ideas anyone? I have emailed them so I will see if i can solve the problem

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Celebrating the 4th Going Country

Our 4th of July celebration was in Kamas which is no surprise! : )  There are so many fun things to do.  Thursday night we went to the Oakley Rodeo.... everyone had to cowboy up....Hats and Boots were a must.  A horse ride is always on the schedule especially after being at the Rodeo the night before.  The only difference is... our horses don't buck!!!

The little boys always seem to migrate to Grandpa's lap!  

The parade was hot hot!!!  It was well worth the wait for the little boys... they filled their bags with lots of candy and were sure to catch the freezy pops and bottle water

After catching bugs and butterflys in dad's homemade bug catcher, Jake and Josh were ready to cool off on the water slide.  

Hoyt's peak is one of our favorite 4 wheel trail rides.  We can take off right from our cabin and be to the top of the mountain in no time.  Ok, well maybe 45 minutes. It is well worth the ride, a beautiful site.... you feel like you are on top of the world.  

Friends Fun & Disneyland

Megan went to California with her friends for a week and had a blast! She has a great group of friends that are awesome.

They were picked up from the airport in a limo...first class service!!

Laguna Beach

The mad hatters