This month we headed down to my parents' house in Florida for our annual pilgrimage to the beach. This year was unique in that it was also a family reunion for my dad's side of the family. All in all it ended up being almost 40 adults and kids converging on my parents' neighborhood. Folks came from Virginia, Florida, Kansas, California, Alaska, and New Zealand! We spent over a week on the beach and hanging out with each other. The last time we had a reunion was exactly 20 years ago in Garden City, Kansas at my Great Grandma Esther's home!
The first weekend, we all spent getting to know each other again, going to the beach, and celebrating Father's Day.
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| Dad and his sisters: Jennifer, Kathie and Bunnie |
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| My adorable nephew, Tyler |
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| And his adorable big brother, Carter |
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| Tyler napping on the beach |
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| Dad, my siblings and I |
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| Tyler |
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| Carter |
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| My big sis, Nicole and I |
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| The Andersons |
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| Cousins |
Monday, we all headed down to the harbor and went on a pirate cruise. It was a great family function that adults and kids enjoyed. This was also one of the hottest days we were there, with temperatures passing 90 and very little breezes on the ship itself.
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| Tyler, Nicole, and Dad |
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| Pirate Ethan |
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| Anderson Cousins |
That evening we celebrated all the June birthdays and anniversaries, and surprised my Grandpa Andy with an early 90th birthday celebration (his birthday is in September) while we were all together.
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| Tyler |
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| Grandpa Andy and Nicole |
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| Grandpa Andy and Dustin |
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| Connor and Dustin |
Tuesday entailed more time at the beach and that evening was the official reunion dinner. After dinner, we walked out to the beach and took
family photos. Then we all walked through a thunderstorm for frozen yogurt!
Wednesday folks started heading out, but we had a great time with those that remained on the beach soaking up the sun and family.
Thursday night many of us headed to HarborWalk Village for their Red, White, and Blue celebration which entailed a great fireworks show over the harbor.
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| Jayhawk family! |
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| How many Andersons can you fit in a phone booth? |
Most of the Kansas relatives left Friday morning, so the rest of us relaxed (and we enjoyed our last day on the beach), before heading to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for dinner that evening.
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| Anderson sisters |
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| Cousins Ethan and Connor at Baytowne |
Saturday we had to head home. It was nice to head back to "normal" temperatures for us, but it was so sad to say goodbye again to our family. We all hope we do not wait another 20 years before getting together again!
