Mennel Family Camping Trip

Last weekend we traveled to Ouabache State Park for our first annual Mennel family camping trip. It was wonderful!!! From my Grandparents, to my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Cousin-in-laws and my cousin's children, we were among nearly 80 members of our immediate Mennel family. (My mom is one of 12, and this was for her siblings and their families.)

We celebrated Father's Day with a big pitch-in and had a great time relaxing and visiting. With such a big family, it doesn't seem to happen very often, but it sure is nice when it does.

We were also delighted with a surprise visit from Kate and Brett! They drove back from the West Coast to be with us for the weekend. Their biggest fan, Miss Marilyn, was ecstatic! It had been two months since we had seen them, and she was really missing them!

This picture shows her extreme level of excitement!

Marilyn lounging with her favorite person, Aunt Kate.

All Smiles!

These are Marilyn's buddies, Keegan & Jameson. My cousin Ryan & Colleen's twins. They are just a few weeks older than Marilyn. Their names are a bit hard for Marilyn, so she calls them her buddies. Too cute!

The family corn-hole tournament. Thanks Brett for the photos!

Makes me Laugh!

This made me chuckle! I walked outside after a rain to notice Marilyn "drinking" the water that had collected on her picnic table. Normally she loves to splash in the water, but on this day she was getting creative. As any good mom would do, I just stood back and smiled.

Here is a link to a very funny video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiHjrdYANpQ

Last weekend while on our Mennel family camping trip, Hunter, Aunt Kate, Uncle Brett, Marilyn and I went into town for some breakfast. While in the truck I captured this very funny moment of a Christmas sing-a-long. Of course, I have no idea who could possible enjoy Christmas music this time of year (ME)! Marilyn and I like to sing and dance in the car to my favorite Christmas compilation. I figure she has to start early if she wants to have her dance moves down for Christmas. hehe

Our Yard!

Hunter has been working really hard the past few weeks on our yard, so I thought I would brag and show off a bit of his work.

Marilyn loves her new playhouse!

Thank you Hunter for all your hard work!

It looks great!!!

Trip to the Zoo

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post... sorry. A few weeks ago, Marilyn, Grandma and I took a trip to the Zoo. The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed a nice stroll around "the Plains".

Here are a few from our day.

Pointing out the Zebras

In awe at the the Baboons

Looking for the Baby Elephant

Sporting her Nalgene and Yankees hat

from Aunt Kate and Uncle Brett

As soon as we got to the parking lot, Marilyn pulled off her sunglasses, placed her Yankees hat over her face, her hands behind her head and promptly went to sleep. She was asleep before we were out of the parking lot...

too cute!