You see we traveled to Lansing, Iowa last week for the 9th triannual Monat family reunion. We were fortunate to be able to take the two grandsons with us.
The drive up got a little scary when the national weather service had us under a severe storm watch. 70 MPH winds and quarter size hail was predicted. Luckily, we stayed about 4 miles ahead of the storm. The radio station we were listening to was very good about telling us what mile marker the storm was at.
Friday evening, we were treated to grilled brats, hot dogs and all the trimming at cousin Tony and his wife Gertie's house. A lot of eating, drinking and visiting took place. The rain did not put a damper on that!
On Saturday morning we all met on the riverfront for a 2 hour boat ride. (Insert the theme song from Gilligan's island here).
Captain Jack took us through the backwaters of the Mighty Mississippi River. The entire boat was filled with family members.
Some sat out front and enjoyed the sun.
This Captain Jack's boat. In his previous occupation he was a tug boat captain on the Mississippi. Now this is his life.
Before launching, some of the cousins took pictures of us, and we took pictures of them, taking pictures of us. Oh those crazy cousins!
Speaking of crazy cousins, here is Mike the realtor from Colorado, at the buffet table. Did I mention there was food? Even Jello jigglers!
Sisters Mandy and Callie finish, let me rephrase that, work on some embroidery work for the auction later in the evening. Cousin Amber looks on.
The blacksmith and grandsons sit back and enjoy the view. Cousin Larry is almost cut off on the left side.
Here you can see part of the route we took.
Later we drove up the side of a bluff to a beautiful park. Three hours of enjoyment, playing games and visiting. Oh, and a little liquid refreshment and food. Did I mention food again?
More visiting.
More games.
It was then time for the group pictures. Here we are with the grandsons.
These are the first cousins whose parents started this reunion 24 years ago.
Most of the group made it for this picture. Sorry Linda, Richard, and Larry that you missed the photo session.
At 5 PM we headed in to town to the Community Center for a catered meal. Did I mention more food?
Our host and hostess, Tony and Gertie give out awards before the auction. I got an award for being the quickest to respond to an email (a beach ball) . Imagine that? There were awards for the furthest traveled (a travel cup), the oldest family member (a box of prunes) , getting lost on the way (an Iowa map), and for having trouble with the law (an Iowa's drivers code book). Sorry Darlene.
And while the adults played, the kids watch movies on the portable DVD player.
Here's Mike again. Did I mention he works for ReMax? He was our auctioneer for the evening. Family members donate items, usually hand crafted or hand created. The funds raised help to off set the cost of the next reunion.
Two family members have passed since our last reunion. In their memory were small remembrance items for us to take. RIP Aunt Mary and Cousin Tom.
For the auction, Ted made his highly desired butterfly houses.
The blacksmith made a bottle opener, a steak turner, garden tools and a Fredrich cross. Altogether, they brought $190.00. There were also fireworks (Illegal in Iowa, but what the heck, we were leaving the next day), t-shirts, Aunt Mary's cookbooks and lighted wine bottles. Plus lots of wine and beer too.
The last item was the quilt that I made. I had the cousins, who attended the last reunion in Colorado in 2007, sign individual blocks at that reunion. I then set it together and hand quilted it. It went for $375. Thank you very much Tony and Gertie. You guys made me cry! In the end we made over $2100.Thank you to all the cousins for your hard work in making the reunion a success. It was the food, the company, the auction, the family bonding and down right good time that made it so much fun.
Until next time in Show Me Missouri 2013!
10:52 PM 82 degrees.
