You know it's been a good family reunion....

.....when it's really, really late and you just don't want to "hang it up". That's just what I felt last night as we had to drag ourselves away from the final craziness that took place in Pine Valley yesterday. Mark and Marian Wells host our George Wells Family Reunion each July 24th and they have just the right place to host this as there is so much for everyone to do. When I saw the movie "Dan in Real Life", I just loved the concept of the family reunion that was portrayed in that movie. So what is it about a family reunion that makes it such a great success. The first thing needed is a planner or planners: I'm pretty sure it's mostly Marian but Mark does a heck-of-a-lot of work as well. These two are amazing when it comes to hosting parties; always have been and always will be the social gurus of the century, in my book anyway. They make everyone feel welcome. This year, I noticed there was a lot of delegating that took place and a lot of very willing participants. I digress....let me go back to Saturday morning at the Pine Valley Church. Mark and Marian's day starts early as Mark is involved with the community breakfast. This year he recruited John to help out.

Marian is in the community band and plays a mean gut-bucket. She's the quintessential instrument specialist and has learned or taught herself to play several interesting intruments throughout the years, including the gut-bucket. (Click to learn more about this instrument).

This is about as "Stars Hollow" as it can get without being there but since Stars Hollow isn't really a place, this is pretty "small town" cool stuff....right here, folks, in our own back yard.

Breakfast for all....free. Can't beat that. (Maybe it really wasn't free...hm....well, I didn't pay so it was free to me.)A great place to beat the heat and meet....with family and friends

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As I was saying; Mark and Marian do a lot of work here then host this huge Wells Family party . Looks like John was in charge of the obstacle course. Here he is taking entries for it and we all know that every good family reunion needs a little competition.....ours started with the obstacle course.....

....here you see John and crew staking it out. In the above picture, you see Jason, also with a list.I think he was in charge of the talent show. Every good family reunion also needs a talent show....and oh, my...ours was actually pretty good.

Here are the Wells girls getting ready for their number. A lot of talent right here. Their voices blended well in their harmonizing of several "dream songs".

Looks like Karlene was delegated the dutch-oven contest duties. She organized it and handed out the awards. Oh, did I mention that every good family reunion needs a dutch-over cooking contest. That way, the food committee doesn't have to work as hard. I actually entered this year for the first time and I don't cook but I wanted to participate. That's what happens when you do this year after year, everyone wants to come on board and eventually participate. Some of the wonderful items included Dr. Pepper Baked Beans, Ultimate Baked Beans, What's On Ya Lasagne, yum...some kind of chicken that Gawain did (at least he took the credit, I actually think Gayle did the cooking and I heard they tried it before they came....no wonder they won!!!!) Gawain's concoctions are always the ones to beat but Gary and Marsha always put on a fine show as well. I think Marsha's dessert won this year....I didn't taste any of the desserts. Didn't get there in time. Here, Karlene awards the top prize to Gawain.

George, Emily and Evan won for their Desserts in the junior division. Way to go....George won last year for his Mac and Cheese.

I didn't get really good pics this year and my camera ran out of battery so I'll get more from JoEllen. I enjoy Mark and Marians giant swing. Miller wasn't too sure he liked it but it relaxed him for a few minutes anyway.

Nothin' like a family reunion to get to know some new friends. Miller had a good ol' time hangin' out with some new cousins.

....and I enjoyed a little chat with a few of the children of the nieces and nephews. Ya just gotta love it.....

....and every good family reunion otta have a zip line....

This one was a hit for young and old alike..

...but the ultimate hit of the day was the Pickle Ball Court. Mark and Marian decided they wanted to take up Pickle Ball (click on it to see what it is) so they decided to build a court. I swear it only took them a week. I think I was there last week when they were telling me about it and then I come and it's ready to go. I loved it....didn't get a chance to play at the reunion because it was so popular but went up the night before and tried it out. I'm hooked as was everyone else at the reunion.

Here you see Mark and Marian schooling Jason and Kyle in the game. I wanted pictures of the talent show and spontaneous dance and a lot more relatives but I wasn't prepared. My camera ran out of battery so look for more to come later when JoEllen ships me her pics. So, you see I've mentioned a lot of things you need for a good family reunion but there's really only 3; A planner, a place and people to come. HOWEVER, for a GREAT family reunion, you really do need a zip line, a Pickle Ball Court, fabulous talent and exquisite food, the best of which comes when prizes are involved. Well done, all who made it happen. Especially Mark and Marian....who, over the years, never cease to amaze me. Next year, you should plan to come....because, as someone said as we pointed out some "not so familiar" faces, "when you're here, you're family".....(or is that at Olive Garden)....whatever, everyone is welcome. It was just a really good time and I hope to entice even more family to make the effort next year and keep this thing goin'.