The Ott Family Campout

My dad is one of 13 kids and I have 50 something first cousins in our big catholic family. Every year growing up a highlight of our summer was the Ott family campout. This campout has been happening for 37 years, longer than I have been alive and it is so nice to be able to share this experience with my kids. The campout is in Indiana at Pokagan State Park and we always reserve the group camp area which has private cabins with bunk beds and then a group mess hall. It is on a lake and is really a beautiful park. It was really fun to see Abby get so excited about camping. The theme of the campout this year was western and we had a lot of fun dressing up in our western wear. Grandpa even grew out his beard to get into character. Abby liked watching and feeling the progress of the beard! We had a great turnout this year with over 100 people attending. The busiest day is Saturday where my wonderful cousin and Aunt plan all sorts of fun games for the kids(including a pinata), followed by a family softball game and then a big dinner. We also managed to fit in pony rides, a hay ride and a swim at the beach. It was a busy but fun filled day. Abby and Connor both slept so well in the cabins and loved being outside all day playing in the sand and being around cousins. Abby also loved making smores and enjoyed eating them even more!! It was a wonderful weekend spent catching up with family.

Matt's favorite part of the weekend was when he and Abby borrowed a fishing pole from one of my cousins and headed down to the lake. They didn't catch any fish, but had a great time trying. On the way back to the campground Abby said to Matt, "Thanks for taking me on a date Daddy, that was a date wasn't it?" How could that not melt her daddy's heart? This girl is going to be able to get away with anything!