O'Brien family camping trip

*written 7/7, backdated to 6/28

 

June 23rd we headed for Minnesota for our annual camping trip. I didn't take anywhere near as many pictures as I should have but thankful I got a few. We had great weather and the best time! My kids look forward to this trip all year. They love having their cousins, being outside and getting away.

 

Right before we left home Gracie spotted a MUST HAVE find at a neighbors garage sale. She (and her dad) were sure we needed it. The neighbor was nice enough to deliver it right away. It only took Gracie about 30 seconds to realize she might be able to climb from the top of the climbing wall to the roof of the shed. (we're going to need to move the wall soon!) Gracie didn't want to take off her dress to climb the wall, but she did change into her "climbing shoes", aka, bright pink toms.

 

We hit the road and made it about 40 miles before the Motorhome broke down :( Thankfully it was just a belt and the wonderful mechanic at Norfolk Iron rushed out to fix it for us. We were back on the road within a couple of hours. We really thought our trip was going to be derailed, but it all worked out. The girls (and Wrigley) were all so patient, Arnie and I were really proud of them.

Eric climbing in to fix the belt.

 

 

 

 

 

"Reading time with Wrigley"

 

Who needs a double stroller???

 

 

 

My Grandma is AMAZING, she's 89 years old and still camping with us! Her 7 Great-Grandkids are a lucky
bunch! Gracie- 5, Maggie- 8, Haddie- 9 weeks, Elsie- 3, Connor- 8, Hailie- 11, Reid- 5 months

 

 

 

 

 

Gracie is always up for a manicure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Mike always has the best ideas :)

 

 

 

 

 

The last night Maggie and Hailie decided to sleep in a tent. We were sure they wouldn't make it all night, but
the did! They're getting so grown up!

We were all sorry to pack up and leave. We made it home without any mechanical difficulties and can't wait till next summer!

Jr Golf

*written 7/7 but backdated to 6/17

 

The 2nd and 3rd week of June both girls went to golf camp at the Country Club. Maggie loved playing golf and learning new things and Gracie loved an hour a day to play with her friends and be social. Jr Golf culminates in the Jr Club Championship tournament. Maggie has never played in it before and I assumed this year would be the same. I was surprised when she asked if she could play and I'm embarrassed to admit I tried to talk her out of it. I didn't figure she would do very well and I knew it would be a frustrating and hot couple of days. She stuck to her guns and told us she wanted to play. She signed up for the 9 hole tournament, they played 5 holes the first day and 4 the second. She LOVED it and had a great experience. The girls in her group were both older then her, but she didn't care. She ended up getting 2nd place (and won $30) and was so proud of herself! I was so proud of her too. She's tougher then I give her credit for. I envy her eagerness to try anything and to not be afraid of strangers or impressing anyone. She's a special one! Now she's caught the bug, she's trying to convince her dad to play in a parent/child tournament in a couple of weeks.

 

 

Can you see Haddie? She had lots of help to take her on walks while we waited for the big kids to finish :)

 

 

Chipping to the 18th green.

 

 

All done!

 

Jr Gold 2016

 

You gotta dress the part :) especially if your Gracie!

Haddie's 1st camping trip.

*written July 7th, backdated to June 5th

 

We wanted to take a short camping trip a little closer to home before we headed out for the long trip to Minnesota. So we loaded up the camper (for a little person Haddie needs ALOT of stuff!) and headed for Camp Merrill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haddie survived her first trip in the camper. I think she was a little confused about why we left our comfortable home for the outdoors, but she'll catch on :) Wrigley also made her maiden voyage, while our camper is plenty big, adding a baby and talking 2 dogs certainly makes it feel smaller!