Krista, Jerrel, Patrick, and I loaded up and headed to Indiana for the week of August 4th through the 10th. We arrived late Monday night and as expected my mother was waiting up for us. Tuesday morning we drove up to Indianapolis and went to the Children's Science Museum. We had a great time and there were lots of thing for the children to do. Can someone say "sensory overload?" We stayed and played and laughed and cried right on through nap time and into dinner time. I joked with my sister-in-laws Rachel and Michelle that this excursion was about the most I'd ever been charged to babysit my own children. (Mom actually paid, thanks Mom) We took lots of pictures.
Thursday the Children cooled down by playing in the water in Dad and Mom's back yard. (Sorry about the destroyed grass, Dad.) They had lots of fun sliding on a slip-n-slide. 
Austin figures out how the thing works and made it all the way to the pool.
Jerrel and I get to ride "Big Bertha."
My brothers and I had to see who could stand up on the tube the longest. I won. They came up with reasons that I somehow was able to do it longer than them. They claim I was standing further back on the tube than they were. Fact remains I stood much much longer than they did.
There was so much more to this reunion than I can post on my blog but one thing that I want to be sure that everyone knows. The fact that my Mom works so hard for us all to be able to do this. She is truly the glue that holds this family together. I was blessed to be a part of family devotions when God's presence came to the Collins family reunion. What a memorable moment!
Mom, if you read this, know that I love you and I am proud to be your son. Your desire for our family to be Godly first and foremost is very important and I know that God will honor your prayers. You are worthy of much more praise than this short blog could hold. I thank God for you and pray that God blesses you in a special way. ~Leonard
(Mom, please note that I did not use my last name to sign off.)
