Omaha Family Reunion!
We met at a halfway point in Gulf Shores Alabama. We rented a beach out with this whole crew. We had a blast and made so many memories. Our two families have grown in height and numbers since we finished dental school so it was fun to catch up and see how our kids have grown-up.
We feel so blessed to have the Van de Graaffs as such close friends. Derek was telling his staff, "What are the odds that Steve and I were best friends, Mindy and Jenny were best friends, and our kids are all best friends- plus we lived right next door to each other!"
Best Buds
We got about a day and half together with just our family before our friends arrived. It was an 8 1/2 hr drive and as soon as possible we were out on the beach!
As I was looking out on the beach I was thinking how cool it is that God created an entertainment for all ages. The beach is a perfect place to go that all ages will enjoy.
Jumping the waves
Perfect "little ocean" for the youngers
Mermaid Brinley
Finding seashells
Beach boy is a happy boy
We thought of Grandma Martinson when we saw this at our beach house. Grandma Martinson always says to the grandkids, "Love you to the moon and back."
Around and around and around...
Ash loved doing cartwheels on the beach
Beach bunch
The beach house was right across the street. Perfect walk with all these kids.
Steve and Mindy had a canopy where all the kids gathered to build their sand creations.
There was a girls only room where there was 2 bunk beds. The girls had a blast! It was fun to hear Ashlyn perspective of being with our friends. She said that they were all shy at the beginning because they had to get to know each other again. It was a fun perspective because Mindy and I talk, and Derek and Steve talk on the phone so I didn't realize that the kids have to reconnect. But it happened very quickly!
We went to dinner as a family before our friends came and the restaurant that we went to called Tacky Jacks has a tradition that you write your name on a duct tape and stick it on the wall.
Ashlyn had crab for the first time and she loved it!
Art time
Ice cream at our fav: Chick-fil-a
Halfway point in the drive.
Our girls have become excellent travelers since our road trips to Utah during Dental School.
Ashlyn and Hailey digging themselves holes to fit in.
While Derek and Steve where with the olders playing in the ocean, Mindy and I took care of the youngers on the beach.
Penny and Brinley spent a lot of their time boogie boarding
One morning we went to explore a park in the area
The highlight was playing tag
Pool Time with popsicles
Playing Categories and judging who had the best dives.
Pizza for dinner
Our little crew watching a movie
We hate to say goodbye, but we might have to do this next year.
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