Admiring the "blue moon"

Admiring the "blue moon" and imagining what it was like for Neil Armstong to take that first step.

That's quite a smile!

Salt and Chalk Art---also called--A Very Big Mess with great results

 I have seen this around the internet and was finally ready to face the mess and let the kids have fun.

Items needed:

salt

chalk

glass jar with lid

paper

 Dump about a 1/2 cup of salt onto a piece of paper.

At this point the kids liked writing things and making designs in the salt.  At this point the salt also began falling onto the bench and the floor.

Take your choice of colored chalk, and rub it onto the salt.

 This seemed to work the best by laying the chalk sideways and using a lot of pressure onto the salt. 

 Keep rubbing until you have the desired intensity of colors.

 Bend the paper and pour the salt into the jar....this is the first layer....this is also the point you realize you shouldn't go barefoot during a salt craft.

I believe we will be walking in salt for a long, long time.

 Continue adding colored salt until you reach the tippy top of the jar.

Cover the jar tightly and do not shake.

Luke's masterpiece.

Kimmy is proud of her accomplishment!

 Gracie worked the longest and hardest on her creation.

 It turned out lovely.

These jars now adorn my window sill above my sink....the perfect place for a splash of color!

We saw Alaska!

 Here is central New York we spotted an Alaskan license plate.  In this house that means the great Collins' family license plate hunt has begun.

When we find all the states' license plates, (excluding Hawaii), we get to all pack into the van and get ice cream!

Amy made it...

to Christendom College!!

Another Day, Another Party!

 Today we celebrated Amy!!

We take her to college on Friday and wanted to have a cookout before she left.

As it turned out, all ten kids and assorted boyfriends and girlfriends were able to be with us--including Grandma and Grandpa that made 17 all together.

Laura was happy to make a very festive chocolate cake with M&M decorations. 

Matt-Mark-and Dad

 Last week, at Grandpa's party I took only photos of small children, today I was determined to get a few grown ups in the pictures.

 4 of my beautiful daughters.

Amy-Becky-Laura and Grace

 Dan-Luke and Steve

 Kimberly and Alexis

 Matt and Luke playing washer toss.

 Becky

 Pat Jr.was the chief cook---everything was delicious!

 Amy and Steve

 Alexis and Kimmy

 Alexis and Matt

 Wes and Becky

 Becky and Luke

Good Luck, Amy!!!

You are sure to go far!!

We have visitors!

 Boy cat

and Girl cat.

Amy's afghan is complete

Amy can head off to Christendom College...I have completed her "going to college" afghan!

A Cousin Kind of Day

 Today we celebrated my Dad's 84th birthday.  About half of the family was able to gather for a wonderful celebration.  (half the family was about 50 people).

It was a great day for cousins to play together...and cousins seem to be what I take the most photos of....not many grown-ups, but lots of kids!

Enjoy!