What does your family do for your reunion?

I attended the family reunion on my mom's side of the family this weekend.  It had been a long time since I had seen most everyone there, and I had a great time with the whole bunch of them. 

Of course, we ate like maniacs and then ate some more.  There are some really good cooks in our gang.

I remember in my younger years, when all of us cousins would get together and play ball.  I think we are just getting older, but our activities are way more subdued.   There were some walks taken, some bike riding, but mostly just visiting.  Then later in the afternoon, some of the family sang karaoke.  There are some talented folks . . . 

not  the laughable off key stuff, so I didn't dare try.

What I liked, so much more than the karaoke, was when the guys turned off the canned music and played their acoustic guitars and sang in their natural, lovely voices . . .  moving and poignant.

 To raise money for the pavilion and supplies, each family is supposed to bring something for the auction.  In recent years, family talent has raised the most money.  One year, a print of one of Don's paintings was autioned off.  The last few years, my dad, who is a pretty accomplished and experienced photographer, Henry D., has developed 8 x 10, family candids to auction off. 

Here's a shot of my uncles looking over this year's auction picks.

 This year, I think he chose about 12 and raised several hundred dollars to rent the pavilion for next year's reunion. 

Here's a pic of Uncle Don, our resident artist, auctioneer, preacher at times, and storyteller (see his work at doncochran.com)

I know some families sell cookbooks and other things.  The auction is working well for us.  How does your family finance your reunions?

 We took a zillion pics, a big group one, all the brothers and sisters, then all the cousins, on down the line until we got to individual family pics like this one of my Uncle Tommy, Aunt Tracy, and cousin, Cameron.

Then, of course, there are the individual candids, that are just irresistable, like this one of my Uncle Steve and his grandbaby, having way too much fun together . . .

. . . and this one of my cousins, who are sisters who haven't seen each other in a while and are having a grand time catching up . . .

. . . and finally, my young second cousin, who proves, the Irish and Scottish blood is still showing in that flaming hair (Isn't she a cutey?).

Anyway, at the end of the day, I had learned more about them all.  We have artists, photographers, writers, and musicians a-plenty in the family . . . along with high tech and blue collar workers.  We are a hodge podge, motley bunch; we are loud, and we are loved.   I felt happy to have made the trip, even with gas prices making us cringe.  I also felt fat and satisfied.

 Last year, on my husband's side of the family, the reunion was much the same, including the karaoke, minus the auction.  The big difference was, at the end of the day, we went on a river cruise . . .  which was tons of fun, peaceful, and lovely at sunset.

So, tell me, what does your family do at its reunions?