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