Sweet Home Alabama - Gulf Shores - July 4, 2009

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What a wonderful family reunion we had this year. All my siblings, except for sister Stephanie, were there with most of the kids and grandkids. We stayed at the Crystal Tower condos on West Beach next door to the Daugherty cabin. My sister, Leah and her boys, Ben and Jack and Ben's girlfriend, the beautiful Becca; brother, Ward, his wife Theresa and their daughter, Audrey; brother, Harding and his son, Thomas and my sister, Lyn. Daddy and Robin drove down from Demopolis. We had the traditional Howard Daugherty Fourth of July BBQ at the cabin. The Daughertys, Johnsons and Patricks were there - except for Jordan - who is in the Marine Corps stationed at Parris Island and could not be with us. We missed him but are so proud! The grandchildren - Molly, Leah and Dylan Sullivan - enjoyed playing with their cousins. Ray and Stephanie flew into Pensacola from Los Angeles and Jake and Juan Malave drove in from Houston. All the older cousins played board games and partied every night at Leah's condo. It was great seeing them all together again. It may be a while before we can get this many of us together for one week again. Everyone is so busy with college, work and families - but what a blessing and what a joy it was to be together. We have much to be thankful for.

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