Nashville Visit

Recently we traveled to Nashville for a visit with Hunter's family. It was wonderful- relaxing and fun!

Hunter played on this train when he was little!

We had the opportunity to visit Hunter's Aunt Rachel and her horse, Buddy and donkey, Honk! Marilyn loves "Neighs" and was very intrigued with the chance to see one up close. She was a bit intimidated with their size but continues to talk about them.

We were also able to visit with Hunter's Step-Brother Josh and his family, wife Stephanie and their daughter Emma. Marilyn did pretty well with a little friend and was eager to share her toys and books.

Pappaw Don and Grandmommie Jane filled our visit with loads of fun and great times. Here we are after our picnic lunch, playing at the park.

Marilyn has the best time with them. It is so wonderful to see Grandparents in action- they make her the center of their universe and spoil her rotten!

Marilyn had a blast blowing bubbles with Pappaw. They played for hours and Pappaw indulged her "more" over and over. He even taught her how to blow her own.

Marilyn found this Barbie car in the garage and decided to take it for a ride... too cute!

We had a fantastic time in Tennessee and are already looking forward our next trip.

Merom

On Thursday, Kate, Marilyn and I traveled to Merom, IN for a walk down memory lane. Kate and I attended church camp at Merom for many, many years, and the camp we attended was in session this week. I thought it would be fun to introduce Marilyn to Merom as I am sure she will love it as much as I do. Having met my dearest friends at camp nearly 15 years ago, it holds a very special place in my heart.

Marilyn at the Merom entrance sign

Mommy and Marilyn with College Hall in the background

Marilyn, our future camper

Aunt Kate chasing Marilyn down the drive.

Marilyn exhausted after the fun

On our way back through Terre Haute, we spotted a familiar symbol, the RE/MAX Balloon. Kate took this great picture from the car as we traveled through town. Too bad Marilyn was snoozing- she loves the RE/MAX Balloon. She calls it "Pappaw's Balloon" and gets excited when she sees it. It is too cute!

Fun in the Tent

Aunt Kate and Uncle Brett made their way back to Indy this week. Marilyn was beyond overjoyed to see them. I just cannot get over how much she loves her Aunt Kate and Uncle Brett. Just hearing their names gets her excited, so you can imagine how thrilled she was to see them in person. She even got to play in their tent. Here is a cute one Brett snapped of Kate and Marilyn in the tent.

Fourth of July!

We went with Pappaw and Grandma to see the downtown fireworks on July 5th. The rain had delayed the festivities a day. Thankfully it did because Hunter was off and able to come too! Marilyn enjoyed the fireworks but was even more excited by the train and planes we saw during the fireworks. She does love the various modes of transportation.

Marilyn watching the fireworks and clapping!

Daddy and Marilyn

Mommy and Marilyn

Marilyn perched on her Pappaw enjoying the blasts.

Voyage to Egypt

Hunter, Marilyn and I headed on a voyage to Egypt thanks to the Children's Museum. Marilyn loved the plane ride and looking out the window. If only real plane rides were this enjoyable.

Petting the stuffed Donkey

Riding the Carousel- on a neigh

We love making good use of our family memberships!

The Zoo!

A few weeks ago, we took advantage of beautiful weather and headed to the zoo. Marilyn loves birds, geese, ducks- pretty much all water animals, so she was delighted to see the flamingos. Yet another bird to search for in our various ponds.

Waving to the quacks.

Petting the donkey!

Enjoying the beautiful butterfly garden.

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!