Mancl Family Campout | Volume 4

Hello Everybody!

Top Row: Uncle Jerry, & Bacon
Middle Row: Dad, Uncle Ron, Aunt Linda, Jordan, Grandpa, Grandma, Aubrey, Leah, Aunt Nancy, Tyler & Rayden.
Bottom Row: Nate, Jess & Sawyer, Mom, Me, Allison & Natalie
Photo credit: Leah

So far, this month has been all about family. The weekend before last was spent with my Dad's side of my family and this past weekend was spent with my Mom's side. 

Every year, the Mancl's have a family campout at North Wood County Park towards the end of the summer or beginning of fall. For the past three years the weather hasn't been too kind to us but it was tolerable. This year was ungodly hot. And humid. 

I think Tyler said it got to about 104!? Yuck. This year I only went for Saturday, which is the day that counts as we have our potluck and the annual bean bag corn hole tournament!

I think I've been on Uncle Ron's team every year, and we never win (mostly my fault). 

For those of you who do not reside within the beautiful Mid-West or the rest of the U.S. and do not know what corn hole is, it is a game where two teams throw bags of beans (or corn) at a board about 30 feet away and try to get it in a hole at the far end of the board.

 Here's a diagram.

(Not my photo)

You get it, right? Cool.

Uncle Ron and I were one of the first teams out, so naturally, we could sit and relax as one does on vacation.

To be honest, I don't know who won as I was making dessert when the last few games were being played. And you know what, it doesn't matter because we're all winners. 

*rainbow shoots across sky*

Food was great as always. Sorry not sorry to the unattractive photo.

It was ungodly hot and humid out, so why on earth did we all huddle together around warm food? Because we're family, that's why.
About an hour later, it began to sprinkle a bit and then turn into, as Forrest Gump says, 'big 'ol fat rain'. Leah, Allison, and I took a walk around the park in the rain and it felt amazing.
We walked across the swinging bridge all fast n' junk to make it bounce up and down because we all live to be children once again.

Later, we sat around the fire and discussed how Leah and Tyler now live (and sleep) where some guy we (kind of, not really) knew, OD'd.
So, there's that information.
Once everybody began to leave for the night or go to bed or shower, I decided it was time to go as well. I said my goodbyes and on my drive home I had the same thought as always, 'I should've stayed, I love my family'. Can't wait till next summer!
And, hopefully I'll see you all soon!

Photo credit: Leah (of course)

Enjoy all of your end of the summer trips!
Especially the ones with family, you never know when it could be the last time you're all together. Cherish every moment!

xoxo

(Almost) The whole Fam-Damily | Devil's Lake

Hello Everybody!

For about six months now, my Dad's side of my family has planned on taking a family camping trip to Devil's Lake State Park and since we only get together about once a year, I was super excited! I love my family!

It's pretty difficult for us to all get together since theres about 55 of us total! 

Three of Dad's brothers and one of his sisters live out of state (along with various cousins) so for some it is more difficult to find time to travel, especially for just one weekend.

Pretty much what we were surrounded by all weekend. Definitely not complaining. 

Using Grandpa's original Coleman lantern. Took a bit to get it working, and man did it work!

But, for those of us who could get together, we had a fantastic time! Friday evening we all compared stories on how difficult it was to find the camp and our sites. Mom, Dad, and I ate dinner pretty much last as our grill wasn't heating up the fastest. But, we all got together afterwards around the fire. Once almost everyone got to sleep, a few of us were left and my cousin, Cody, couldn't grasp the concept of 'quiet hour'. We also heard coyotes, and had a good laugh as Ralph tried to find the bathroom, with Cody's help, of course.

Although, the weather didn't cooperate like we wanted on Saturday, so we didn't get to go swimming or kayaking. 

Total Bummer.

We did, however, go hiking on the bluffs along the lake. Which, was a bit more of a work out than I had expected, but totally worth it!

It was quite foggy/hazy out (as you can tell) but still a beautiful sight. 

Anyway, check out our hike!

 Me, Aunt Ann, Uncle Paul, Brook, Veronica, Tim, Aunt Mary, Erica, & Ralph

My fave.

Demi rock formations doe.

After our adventure, it was dinner time! 

We had a pot luck which consisted of a competition for two groups, smoked meats, and some sort of chocolate dessert. There were ribs, meatballs, bacon wrapped dates (which were surprisingly delicious), fajitas, and a plethora of salads. For dessert there was lemon bars, and rice krispy bars with chocolate on top (with or without peanut butter). Everything tasted great. I just wished I had pictures of everything!

We celebrated Stella's (Brook's daughter) Birthday. She was definitely a princess for the day; tiara and all. 

Couldn't put her balloons down.

Saturday night, we sat around the fire rhyming names. Aunt Mary's was the most successful. Veronica and I checked out people getting kicked out around quiet hour, and were called guys by some foreign men. We used hashtags in front of every sentence and played Sequence until we got too tired and started to hear weird noises in the woods.

 

It was a fantastic weekend, and I loved seeing everyone! I can't wait until we can all get together again. 

I love you all!

Hope you are all enjoying your August so far and are really enjoying the end of summer. It's one of the best times of the season, so enjoy it while you can!
Fall is right around the corner (oh boy).

xoxo

Monthly Favorites | July

Hello Everybody!

It's that time of the month again........time to show my monthly favorites!

July seems to have gone way too fast, like every month so far. 

Oh my gosh. 

It's August already! 

Nooo! Summer has gone way too fast. 

Well, let's try to enjoy it as best as we can!

This past month I haven't been loving too many new things as I've been sticking to the same 'ol stuff for traveling and I haven't ventured out for new products at home. 

Maroon Floppy Hat

I bought this hat from, you guessed it, Target. For some reason I cannot find it online, but it was about $20. As soon as I saw it, I had to have it. First of all, it's my favorite color, and I can definitely see myself sporting this at school. And I will. Also, my mom always tells me I have a face for hats, and well, I can't argue with that!

Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn

A few weeks ago, I got a super craving for kettle corn as it is the summer, and for me, it's a definite staple at any festival. When I think of sweet and salty, I think, kettle corn. I didn't know at the time that I had bought the single serve bags, but that was perfect so I could have them for a snack. And I have every day. Sometimes I've had two. How scandalous. Anyway, I have to run to the store today, and I'll be getting more!

Benefit's -They're Real- Mascara

I bought this product last winter, actually, which is kind of bad, but I've only used it a few times as I was kind of disappointed in it. And my usual mascara has run out so I thought I'd try it again and for some reason, I love it! It makes my lashes look super long and super full and dark, like falsies. Usually I don't like plastic applicators, but this one seems to work well!

A definite recommend to all. 

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Crayon

I've had a few of these products for a while now, and of course I always think I need another one! I found this color and thought it would be a really close neutral color to my lips, and it is. Its just slightly more mauve than my natural lips and I wear it almost everyday. Everyday that I put on makeup, that is. It is in the color Honey or 001. I love it!

The Sims 3: Ambitions; Expansion Pack

I've had this for years now and for some reason, I've decided to pop it back into my computer and give it a whirl. I know that The Sims 4 is out, but I've heard mixed reviews on it and I think I'll stick with this for now. I can spend all day playing this, but for some reason, my laptop doesn't like running the fan when I play so I have to call it quits after about an hour. Oh well. 

My Dream Journal and Sketch-A-Day Journal

I've had a Dream Journal for a few years now and I always seem to write them down for maybe a couple of months and then I either move the book so I forget to keep writing in it or I just forget to write them down all together. Same goes with my Sketch-A-Day journal. So, I've decided to combine them and write down my dreams from the night before, and then sometime throughout the day I'll add a little sketch. So far, it's been going well. I just hope that I can keep it up!

I hope your July hasn't gone too fast and I hope that your August stays nice and slow for you as well! 

Enjoy the rest of your Summer!

xoxo

Donnie's Little Friend's Weekend | Waupaca 2015

Hello Everybody!

If you have been over to my old blog, you may have seen my post that I have made about my summer weekend trip to Waupaca, Wisconsin with Maggie, Christine, their parents, Don & Ruth, and friends of the family.

This year our friend Hannah came too!

Saturday we drove up to Rhinelander (where I was for the Hodag) to pick up Christine at her summer job at Camp Tesomas. 

She was getting so excited and anxious on the ride home, a bit rubbed off on me as well, even though I've only been there three times, I always have such a great time-it keeps me coming back!

Christine had only forgotten her towel this year (We're proud of her). 

We ran down to the (new) boat, named Leslie, and checked out her sweetness. 

She's definitely a party boat!

Maggie and Hannah left for a canoe ride and Christine and I jumped in the water with her mom. Family friends, George and Rick, followed shortly. 

The water is so clear and the sky was as well. I was soooooo happy the water was warm. 

(With 82 degree weather, it can't get any better than that!)

View ft. Leslie

Dunvegan (named after the Scottish family castle).

Shortly after, we dried off and Christine and I took a kayak ride to Marl Lake (Green Lake)

I made sure to take some form of photo taking device with me this year because it is so beautiful!

I now know that Christine has the bladder of a squirrel and should always make a rest stop for her, as she needs to pee every half hour. It made our trip a bit longer, but less rushed.

You can see how clear the water is; thank you, Wisconsin.

It was absolutely beautiful!

And finally we got to Marl Lake!

The reason why we call it Green Lake.

 No, it's not algae, the lyme in the sediment makes the water this beautiful blue-green color. 

Christine says it is about 80' deep!

I'm so arty.

We spent about a half hour there until, you guessed it, Christine had to "go". 

We were on our way back, almost half way home, when she felt her sun glasses slip off her head and fall into the water. She reached over to grab them and fell right in. It seemed much more frightening to us than to everyone else we had told later that day...

She walked waist deep in muck to the boat landing to drain the kayak and get back inside. It was an experience, and I'm glad that I was with her. Who knows what could've happened.

Later that night we went to Clearwater Harbor for dinner, which could've been a lot better if the live band that they had playing there wasn't inside and so VERY loud. I feel like I sound like an old lady complaining about it but honestly, we had to yell at each other just to have a conversation. Ugh! The food was pretty good, but it seemed like all of our orders had something missing or wrong with them and I partially blame the noise that the waitress had to filter out while taking them.
In the end, Maggie won best meal choice with the avocado burger (also, thank you again for footing the bill Don&Ruth!)
Afterwards, we played a few board games until the early morning and went to bed.
Sunday, we were woken up with pancakes and sausage (which I was super grateful for, as I haven't had breakfast made for me at home in years).

It was a great weekend with friends that I look forward to each summer and I absolutely cannot wait to get invited back next year!
Thank you to the McClure's for having me!

xoxo