Family Reunion Silent Auction

This was a BRILLIANT idea for our family reunion this year.  Everyone brought a silent auction item from the city they came from.  We set up a silent auction for each item.  All of the family members had about 3 hours to bid on fun baskets and items that their relatives brought . 

Several relatives brought nostalgic, sentimental items.  My favorite item that was donated by cousin Tina, was Grandma Herman's cookie jar.  All the kids and grandkids remembered the cookies that Grandma Herman used to make and keep in her cookie jar.  My sister-in-law, Sondra, won the bid on the cookie jar.  The only stipulation was that she would have to bring it back for the next reunion.

We won the bid on an apron that one of my husband's aunts made.  It was made with embroidered tea towel that were embroidered by Grandma Herman.

The silent auction made over $1200.  We were only about $100 short of paying for the food and activities.  We passed a basket, and the whole event was paid for.  So, if you are planning your next family reunion, consider a silent auction.  It might pay for the entire event.

Family Reunion Crafts

This year I was put in charge of coming up with a craft table for the kids at the reunion. 

My kids are really into duct tape so we decided to go that direction.  Kids young and old really got into this project.  I purchased clip boards and mini notebooks at the dollar store and the kids covered them. 

My son, Jake, masterd the art of making duct tape wallets.

But, the most amazing duct tape project, was cousin Mike's duct tape baseball cap.

We also had water balloons that we tied on to barrettes to make balloony bows. 

Other activities included a playdough, volleyball and badminton, family conversations rings, bubbles, scoop ball games, and more.

Family Reunion Month The Hat Tree- July

The Herman Family Reunion was recently held in Atchison, Kansas.  There were about 80 family members present.  There were even four generations in our family.  This is my husband's family.  He comes from a family of 7 kids and tons of very entertaining Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. 

My mom is an only child, and my cousins on my dad's side were about 15 years younger than me.  I really enjoyed the Herman Family Reunion, because I never got to appreciate all of that family.

In honor of Family Reunion Month, I wanted to share a few fun ideas that we did at our reunion.  So this week I will be sharing a fun idea every day.

The Hat Tree
  Everyone brought a hat, or made a hat, to wear.  We hung them on a tree, wore them around, swapped hats, just had fun.

Cousin, Mike, even created his hat out of duct tape!

This is a picture of my children and all of their cousins and second cousins.  The Hat Tree came in very handy.