Virginia Beach

We just got back from a family reunion on my mom's side. Here are the three original siblings, who sadly, have been the oldest generation for many, many years:

Mark, Linda (my mom) and Bonnie...each 13 months apart

Here are all of the first cousins (just missing my brother, Tim):

L to R: top: Amy, Johnny, Melody, Joy, bottom: Bethany, Charity, me--just 10 years separates the oldest from the youngest)

And here is the entire group, except Shaun who is taking the picture, my girls who were sleeping soundly and my brother and his family who were unable to come from CO. There were 24 of us in total. I wish my grandmother, their mom was here to see the heritage that she left...her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all love the Lord.

We hadn't all been together since my wedding in 1994, although Uncle Mark and his family came for a few days in 1998 and saw many of us. We figured it was time to reunite and since we were coming from CT, NY, PA and TN, it just made sense to meet in the middle at Virginia Beach. What a great place...especially for families!


For Avery and Amanda, it doesn't get any better than being with their family. Their cousins have celebrity status in their eyes and grandparents, aunts and uncles are treasured.


We chilled at the beach, swam in the pool, walked the boardwalk, ate ice-cream, talked, laughed and just enjoyed being together.

This was the view from our suite, not too shabby:

This is how Uncle Lee and I started our days. See the lifeguard chair over on the right? Yeah, that's our spot. We are kindred-spirit morning people, who get up before 6 AM just for the pure enjoyment, just 'cause its the very best part of the day. We watched the dolphins jumping in the water just off shore, the birds fishing and the waves crashing.

I'm so thankful for family, I have a very special one. I'm also grateful that we got to go on vacation and stimulate the economy...yes, we did our part with our tax check. :)