Surfside Beach House Family Vacation, July 2018

(Well, one of these days, I'll catch up with things on my blog. So after, a long absence, here goes.) All of our 19 grandkids and grown kids were together for this vacation, in July 2018. The girls found a lovely, large home right on the beach at Surfside.

It was so amazing to have all the grandkids (19) together, something which may not as easily happen in the future, with our oldest, Elayna  just graduating from high school and heading off to college.

 The ocean was unusually clear and blue, due to rare ocean currents. Sunsets and sunrises were spectacular, viewed from the balcony of the beach house.

Cousin time  is always good. They all grow up too quickly!

In the morning, we'd set up the big beach tents, and load the kids in the truck on occasion -- but mostly they just walked right onto the beach from the house.

Everyone enjoyed carefree, exceptional beach days.

Don't know what Grandpa was trying to catch here. But he sure did have fun!

breakfast on the balcony 

Grandpa and Andy loved showing off their barbecue skills

We even got to celebrate Hugh's 2nd birthday!

So many happy memories were created on the Surfside beach. We love our family so much and love being with them! Nothing brings us greater joy or bigger smiles to our faces!

Trip to Disney World (June 2017)

These past two summers, we've been so lucky to have had great vacations where most of us have gotten together. In June 2017, we made a big leap and went to Disney World. We stayed at a very spacious vacation rental in nearby Kissimmee.
Here's the bedroom Carl and I bunked out in, as well as a few of the other rooms in this spacious home.

It was fun "dining in" with so many family members!

Here are some of the girls (Lauren & Jessica) and I picking up groceries at the local market. (Even grocery shopping is fun when you are anywhere near Disney World!)

With  Disney themed rooms, and toys and costumes, the kids enjoyed being here, as much as being in Disney World,

The kids were so excited to find Disney costumes in the bedroom closets!

Emmett decided its O.K. for boys to be princesses. He didn't want to miss a thing!

All of the kids, young and old, enjoyed the Disney themed media room (which also provided extra sleeping space for our large crew).

Everyone enjoyed the swimming pool that came with the house.

Addie was the youngest grandchild to join us -- not quite 16 months  old

The 3 days we spent at Disney World and Epcot Center were so much more relaxing, going with grandkids and their parents, as opposed to the last time Carl and I went, many years ago, when we towed along 7 kids.  Philip was 11 months old, and we had our hands full, keeping track of the kids. Courtney had everything well planned for us, where we were able to get into attractions without much of a wait.  The weather was perfect, cloudy and not too hot.

The whole gang was there, except for Emily and Brian's family. 

It is always so great when our children and their families, who live in Minnesota and Utah, can join us on vacation.

Andy, KayLynn & Addie & Emmett

Mark, Courtney & Colby, Saige,& Luke

The kids, even the little ones, were real troupers!

Even our teenagers had a good time.

Although, maintaining a hair- do can be a challenge in the humidity.

Standing in lines was a bit tiring for big and little kids, and they did have their "moments" and brief melt downs. Luckily, thanks to good planning on the part of Courtney, we had "fast passes" to many attractions, so we didn't have to wait too long in lines.

Too much excitement for one day (Epcot Center)! Lorelei crashed!

After a long day a Disney World, a fella is just too tired to eat!

There is nothing better for a grandparent, than being with grandkids in Disney World, and seeing the joy in their faces.

Most of all, I am so grateful for miracles from heaven, that made it possible for Carl, who was diagnosed just 5 months prior to our trip with CML Leukemia, to be in such good health and  have strength and energy to enjoy this wonderful time in Disney World with the family.