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Birthday Bliss
“I used to try to bend it to my will: Speed it up, squeeze more into it, short cut it. Or panic at its passing. Or just ignore it altogether,” he wrote. “But recently, I’ve found myself happier the more I’m in touch with reverence, and deference to time.”
Swipe the accompanying pics to see the Van Der Beek kids go from posed, to pranky to downright, well, kid-like!
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Hunting for Treasure
“Whatever you’re searching for… even if the pathway there has yet to reveal itself… happy hunting. ❤️” he captioned the classic snap.
03of 23Nice One, Dad!It’s a 10! The actor showed off his best back flip from a tree branch during a stop in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on the family’s August road trip.
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Nice One, Dad!
It’s a 10! The actor showed off his best back flip from a tree branch during a stop in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on the family’s August road trip.
04of 23Lake DaysLights, camera, life jackets, smile! Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Olivia snuggled up to their pops during a picture-perfect day at Missouri’s Table Rock Lake – rainbow included.
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Lake Days
Lights, camera, life jackets, smile! Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Olivia snuggled up to their pops during a picture-perfect day at Missouri’s Table Rock Lake – rainbow included.
05of 23Tree Climbing ChatsPerhaps chatting about being the only men in the family – or who would jump in the water next – James and Joshua caught up on a tree branch during their adventure in Arkansas.“Who knew Arkansas was SO SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL?!! Diving into nature with the kids has been incredibly healing and invigorating,” Kimberly wrote of the photo.
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Tree Climbing Chats
Perhaps chatting about being the only men in the family – or who would jump in the water next – James and Joshua caught up on a tree branch during their adventure in Arkansas.
“Who knew Arkansas was SO SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL?!! Diving into nature with the kids has been incredibly healing and invigorating,” Kimberly wrote of the photo.
06of 23She’s the Captain NowJames Van Der Beek/InstagramThe actor kicked back and relaxed while Annabel drove a pontoon boat in Lake Hamilton, Arkansas.“These dammed-up rivers are so much fun, I’ve even stopped minding that y’all call them ‘lakes,’ " James teased.
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She’s the Captain Now
James Van Der Beek/Instagram

The actor kicked back and relaxed while Annabel drove a pontoon boat in Lake Hamilton, Arkansas.
“These dammed-up rivers are so much fun, I’ve even stopped minding that y’all call them ‘lakes,’ " James teased.
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You, Me and the RV
Sharing a shot of Joshua toeing the Gulf of Mexico with a bucket in hand, Kimberly summed up all the fun the family was having on their late summer road trip.
08of 23Amateur CarpentryPlaying gentleman farmer, the actor announced plans for a “MOBILE chicken coop” that he was building himself.“Never mind that I’ve never raised chickens before, or attempted a build this complex. But when you launch into the unknown with your eyes wide open, the lessons are yours to keep,” James explained.
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Amateur Carpentry
Playing gentleman farmer, the actor announced plans for a “MOBILE chicken coop” that he was building himself.
“Never mind that I’ve never raised chickens before, or attempted a build this complex. But when you launch into the unknown with your eyes wide open, the lessons are yours to keep,” James explained.
09of 23Playing in a Local LeagueGo Dad! The star’s five children formed their own cheering section to root for their pops at bat in a local baseball league.
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Playing in a Local League
Go Dad! The star’s five children formed their own cheering section to root for their pops at bat in a local baseball league.
10of 23Enjoying Community TheaterEncore! James, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel and Emilia watched a local production ofLittle Shop of Horrorsfrom the lawn seats.
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Enjoying Community Theater
Encore! James, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel and Emilia watched a local production ofLittle Shop of Horrorsfrom the lawn seats.
11of 23Swimming in the Ol' Watering HoleCowabunga! Dad proved that he’s still got it with a bold back flip from a rope swing into a swimming hole.“Don’t you dare do it!” one his young daughters screamed before the flip, before awarding the stunt a high score of “a million thousand twenty point seven.”
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Swimming in the Ol' Watering Hole
Cowabunga! Dad proved that he’s still got it with a bold back flip from a rope swing into a swimming hole.
“Don’t you dare do it!” one his young daughters screamed before the flip, before awarding the stunt a high score of “a million thousand twenty point seven.”
12of 23Celebrating a WeddingHere come the Van Der Beeks! The family of seven got all dressed up to attend an outdoor wedding in Austin.
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Celebrating a Wedding
Here come the Van Der Beeks! The family of seven got all dressed up to attend an outdoor wedding in Austin.
13of 23Epic Easter Egg HuntThe kids got an epic Easter egg hunt, with the youngest Van Der Beeks filling their baskets all over their 36-acre ranch
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Epic Easter Egg Hunt
The kids got an epic Easter egg hunt, with the youngest Van Der Beeks filling their baskets all over their 36-acre ranch
14of 23In the Dog HouseDon’t mess with Texas — or Dad. Theo and Windsor, two of the family’s pack of five pups, made a break for it and gave Van Der Beek a reason to run.“Made Daddy chase them for a mile down the river. In flip flops. Off-leash privileges revoked until further notice,” the dog dad explained.
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In the Dog House
Don’t mess with Texas — or Dad. Theo and Windsor, two of the family’s pack of five pups, made a break for it and gave Van Der Beek a reason to run.
“Made Daddy chase them for a mile down the river. In flip flops. Off-leash privileges revoked until further notice,” the dog dad explained.
15of 23Hay, New FriendBefriending their new neighbors, the elder Van Der Beeks met some gentle local horses. They even brought a little something as a hospitality gift: apples and carrots.
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Hay, New Friend
Befriending their new neighbors, the elder Van Der Beeks met some gentle local horses. They even brought a little something as a hospitality gift: apples and carrots.
16of 23Having Snow Much FunSnowmistaking this for L.A.! The kids played in the snow with their dogs, making snow men and snow angels in the winter wonderland.Grateful for the extra room to roam, James wrote “In the midst of all this man-made chaos… Mother Nature dropped a little bit of magic. 🙏🏻❄️⛄️”
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Having Snow Much Fun
Snowmistaking this for L.A.! The kids played in the snow with their dogs, making snow men and snow angels in the winter wonderland.
Grateful for the extra room to roam, James wrote “In the midst of all this man-made chaos… Mother Nature dropped a little bit of magic. 🙏🏻❄️⛄️”
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Embracing the New Year
The doting dad released the old and celebrated the new on the last day of 2020 in a heartfelt Instagram post. The four-part carousel featured pics of a hike with Gwendolyn and Joshua, James next to his brother Jared, and two stunning sunsets over the open plain.
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19of 23Chopping Logs on ChristmasSanta seemed to forget to bring firewood, so the actor chopped logs himself.“Texas Chainshaw Christmas Dinner,” he joked, felling the firewood and even cooking some drumsticks on it.
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Chopping Logs on Christmas
Santa seemed to forget to bring firewood, so the actor chopped logs himself.
“Texas Chainshaw Christmas Dinner,” he joked, felling the firewood and even cooking some drumsticks on it.
20of 23Queen of the Castle"The OG pups loving their newfound ranch life,” Kimberly wrote in November 2020 – and so was she.Relaxing on the porch, the mom thanked fans and followers fortheir supportthrough the last year then, following two pregnancy losses.
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Queen of the Castle
“The OG pups loving their newfound ranch life,” Kimberly wrote in November 2020 – and so was she.
Relaxing on the porch, the mom thanked fans and followers fortheir supportthrough the last year then, following two pregnancy losses.
21of 23End of the RainbowThey say everything’s bigger in Texas – rainbows included.
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End of the Rainbow
They say everything’s bigger in Texas – rainbows included.
22of 23Geronimo!Joshua fearlessly leapt into an infinity pool during a summer swim, while one of his sisters practiced her best cannonball skills.“Finally ventured off the ranch… Austin continues to impress,” James captioned the November snaps.
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Geronimo!
Joshua fearlessly leapt into an infinity pool during a summer swim, while one of his sisters practiced her best cannonball skills.
“Finally ventured off the ranch… Austin continues to impress,” James captioned the November snaps.
23of 23Home Sweet (New) HomeThe Van Der Beek kids explored their family’s new Austin-area property in pictures that seemed to be from a storybook after their October 2020 move.“Moving to the country is a dream I’ve had for years. Will give you peeks on our journey along the way,” Kimberly wrote.
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Home Sweet (New) Home
The Van Der Beek kids explored their family’s new Austin-area property in pictures that seemed to be from a storybook after their October 2020 move.
“Moving to the country is a dream I’ve had for years. Will give you peeks on our journey along the way,” Kimberly wrote.
source: people.com