Alpena

We made the quick trip up to Alpena last weekend for my Dad's family reunion.  It's about a 4.5 hour drive for the normal person, but for us of course it's longer.  Gabrielle did SO well in the car.  It was unbelievable.  She rode three hours in the back by herself without one whine, then we stopped for lunch in the park and let her play for about an hour.  After that we got back in the car for about another hour and half, and Gabrielle slept the rest of the way there.  Perfect!  She did equally as amazing on the way back home, which was so nice.

Score 1 for mom - the magnadoodle was a hit...

 At the park for our picnic lunch on the road

The first night there, all of Alpena (haha) met up for my Aunt Joyce's 77th birthday dinner.  Gabrielle blessed us again with being very good at a very long and late dinner.  She really took to my cousin's daughter, Carley, who is 13 so that was sweet.  She took to pretty much everyone, which was nice.  She definitely has had some severe "mommy's girl" streaks, but she was our sweet and spunky girl this weekend.   

A family picture I kind of like.  Too bad I'm out of focus, but I guess that is what I get for putting my camera on auto mode :/


Mom and Dad!




Kim and JJ


Mary and Uncle Doug


Jim and Joelyn


Carley and Beth


Uncle Rex and Aunt Wanda


Carely and Gabrielle.  Gabs was obsessed with Carely....which was fine with us :)


Aunt Joyce and Greg


Uncle Doug, Nick, and Gabrielle Sophia!


Me, Aunt Joyce, and Gabi.....and Nick in the background


Greg, Uncle Doug, and my Dad


Some of the party...




Gabrielle also loved Aunt Joyce's birthday balloons!

Then the next day we headed across the road to the beach and playground.  We stayed in a questionable hotel, but it was right across the street from the lake and a huge playground which was GREAT with a one year old.












Nick was on the phone with work....




























We hired Carley for a few hours (with my mom's help) to babysit Gabrielle so Nick and I could go with some family on a boat tour looking for shipwrecks.  It was a pretty cool tour, and Gabs enjoyed her time with family too.  When Nick and I got back we heard the fastest "mommydaddymamadadmommydada!!"  She tried to talk very fast. 

We left early Saturday morning and drove straight down to Nick's family reunion at his parents.  We are happy to be home now!