Murphy family reunion

It seems weird to call it a "Murphy family reunion," because that's what we call it when we get together with all the Murphys on my dad's side of the family--but I guess that's what this was! Just a Blake and Dana Murphy family reunion. My mom and dad got us some suites at the Newport Beach Marriott Villas, just 1/4 mile up the road from Crystal Cove in Newport Beach. It was fantastic. We all decided it was totally necessary that we get away from the house, so that everyone (mostly my mom) could relax and not think about packing, moving, writing a talk, learning Spanish, or all the other things they had to do. We were at the hotel from Thursday-Tuesday over Memorial Day weekend. The college kids and Tommy all flew in on Thursday night and that meant the party was ready to start. 

This was a HUGE weekend for our family. Bethany turned 18 on Sunday, and had her birthday party on Friday. Cole had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. My parents (and Cole) had their farewell at church, which meant they were all writing talks and getting ready for that--and we had a brunch at the house the morning of the farewell for all the family that came into town. So there was a lot of planning that needed to be done! But it ended up going really smoothly and was a lot of fun for everyone. We spent a lot of time at the beach and swimming at the pool at the hotel, and we did some family volleyball and basketball at the hotel as well. In the evenings we played games and watched old family home videos of Bethany and Dallin as babies. It was a lot of fun to be together.

One thing I really wanted to do was to have a long day at the beach. Dane had never really been to the beach longer than just a few hours, because we were always going home for naptime. But he was at the beach for maybe eight hours on Friday, as we were preparing for Bethany's beach bonfire birthday party. He was a very, very happy and very, very tired boy by the time we got back to the hotel.

This boy LOVED the beach. He didn't care at all that the water was totally freezing--he wanted to walk right out into it. All day long.

This may be our Christmas card! One of those accidentally perfect pictures!

These two babies together--so cute.

Shane and Kiley came and met us at the beach, and stayed for the pizza and bonfire. Jaxon and Dane roasted marshmallows together.

Dane was so tired by this point he almost couldn't keep his eyes open.

Glad we got to see the HB Leiningers a few times while we were there!

The next morning we went to Crystal Cove beach and tried to see the tide pools. They ended up being not very exciting or interesting at all. But it was a nice walk on the beach anyways.

Dane REALLY loves Austin and Bethany. Bethany taught him how to make his hand like Spiderman's and he spent the whole trip doing that.

Then later in the afternoon, we headed back over to the beach to play some more. Graham spent a long time sitting in a pit right by the water, digging in the sand and getting covered in water. He LOVED it.

Then we went and ate at the Shake Shack--which Tommy and I have never done together. How can that be? It was delicious.

Dallin's a buddy too.

Sunday was a good day. Good job for Cole getting his Eagle--surrounded by all the other Eagles in the family.

The Eagle's Nest.

And we tried our best to take some family pictures before people had to start leaving--and we did get some good ones.

This one may also be a Christmas card winner.

We went up to Bethany and Cole's school to say good-bye to them before we took off on Tuesday.

Graham was very sad to say good-bye.

And then we went to the airport and flew home. I don't have pictures of saying good-bye at the airport, but we did take some. It was a really excellent weekend with everyone--not even because of what we did, but because we were all together. I am so grateful to have such a great family! And grateful that we all enjoy spending time together.