Our Deterding family reunion at the Lake of the Ozarks never disappoints! We usually go the first weekend in August, but the resort was already booked during that time, so we moved it up a couple weeks. Thankfully we still had a fantastic turn out and we all had a fantastic time! In fact we had 53 of a possible 71 in attendance for the weekend. We arrived at the Lazy Dayz Resort early Friday afternoon and the kids found the pool in no time.
We once again were able to rent the entire "Lodge" to sleep our whole family. It's really a sweet set up with plenty of beds and bathrooms for everyone.
Evie and Kyla were especially excited to see so many babies! Little Austyn is the first in the next generation of our family (my cousin Rachael's adorable grandbaby)!
As more and more family arrived, we supervised as Nathan and Toney got the potatoes ready for the fryer.
Nathan's fish fry is an event we look forward to all year long! We are a bunch of piranhas as the fish and chips come out of the fryer.
After dinner the boys played a few rounds of corn hole, a lake necessity.
Last year was our first year at this resort in many years (and the first time with new ownership). We were very pleasantly surprised by the night-time fun to be had at BoonDockz (the bar and grill on site). The first night was karaoke and we had a blast singing and dancing. Our family was not only the life of the party, we were actually the only people on the dance floor.
Our family sang some classic country. Calvin Brooks and Syd Dunn did an awesome duet to "Neon Moon" and Jack convinced me to back him up on "Sold" by John Michael Montgomery.
Saturday was a full day of relaxation and catching up with family. The beach chairs started on the beach, but it didn't take long for them to be in the water. It was VERY hot out!
The huge mat got plenty of use, especially with the littles.
Violet wasn't sure about getting in the lake, but once she was in, she loved it. (She is easy to spot in the bright blue life jacket.)
At one point, she was right in the middle of the big kids' circle.
Ryan is always so sweet with my girls. I love that my kids get to know my cousins' kids so well during this lake vacation each summer!
Little Dean LOVED to fish, and my boys love sweet little kids, so they were happy to fish with him.
There were plenty of crazy Deterdings in the water, but I caught a few of the original crazy Deterdings on the dock together. And then Zach and Anna came with some of their friends in a boat and the dock REALLY filled up!
When we weren't in the lake, we were usually hanging out at the pool.
Grandma Cheryl got a special bucket of cherry limeade drink for the girls to share.
The boys also enjoyed playing lots of pool. It's great that the resort lets us play as much as we want for free!
And Violet loved hanging out with the "big girls" Kristen and Danielle.
It's so crazy that these girls will be a senior and junior in another month. I still see them like little Audrey, Austyn, and Andi. . .
Just a quick throwback to our Ozarks reunion in 2008. Here's Grandma Ruth with 2-year old Calvin & Danielle, and 3-year old Kristen. Seriously, where does the time go?!?
Nathan spoils us so much. Not only does he provide the delicious fish fry on Friday night, he hauls his humongous smoker to smoke a TON of meat for our crew on Saturday night! We had the most amazing pulled pork, brisket, beans, sausages, and even smoked queso!
We definitely eat well on this vacation!
Hanging out by the pool on Saturday after dinner, it looks like Gene, Scott, Grandpa Kermit and Jack were having some good discussion.
The sun began to set and the BoonDockz light came on. We watched some more cornhole while listening to the band.
The band was really good and we danced the night away! Christina was looking ahead to all of the fun we'll have at wedding receptions in the next decade or so with our crew.
I love that my boys will get out on the dance floor! Oliver was 2-stepping with Aunt Joy and Calvin was doing some swing dancing with Syd.
When the music got too loud outside to talk, some of our crew moved inside to the bar. Evelyn thought it was funny that Aunt Joy was sitting in a seat "reserved for Miss Sue."
We had such a wonderful weekend with the big Deterding family. I don't for one second take for granted what we have in this family. We all genuinely like each other and make it a priority to make it to our Ozarks reunion in the summer. I LOVE hanging out with my extended family.
I'm so thankful that all of my aunts and uncles (who are still with us) were able to make it this year. We still miss Aunt Gloria and Grandma so much when we get together, but I know they'd love that we are still getting together!
