We have a family reunion every year. We usually have games for the kids, but we also have some activities for the older family members. One year, we have everyone bring a baby picture. We mounted them on a display board and had a "guess who" contest. We usually have bingo, because that is popular with our crowd. Probably the most popular thing that we have done is to have everyone bring two or three of their favorite recipes to the reunion with a short (1-2 sentences) explination of why the recipe is a favorite. Then, I took all of them and typed them and put them in 3 ring binders so that everyone would have a "family" cookbook. The grossest thing we ever did was when my 80+ grandmother started a guess-how-many-flies-will-land-on-the-flystrip contest. She charged everyone $1 per guess with the winner getting the money. My family is full of gamblers who will be on ANYTHHING. I would not suggest this, but it is a funny memory that I have of my grandmother.

Thanks, Lowspark - we'll get lots of ice the morning of the picnic and our house is already baby-proofed (hooray!). I've been doing lots of laundry so there's lots of fresh towels, too - nothing like a soggy towel - yuck! Dottie - great idea about washing pot holders! They're soaking in Oxyclean right now, but I wouldn't have thought of that! I also took out a bunch of serving spoons to polish up. Yes, Lindac, I've stocked up on TP and paper towels, lol! Good reminder about the music; we have satellite radio but I need to research a couple of music types so we're not fumbling at the last minute. Time for me to find some post-its! Thanks you guys!

Here's some of my tricks from the cottage where I often have 15 or more ! Number one rule , keep it simple and try and minimize actvity in the kitchen or it will be bedlam! Breakfast: For each breakfast put out a selection of fresh fruit and cereal for the light eaters. A choice of juices and of course fresh coffee! Day 1 - Make ahead breakfast strata or overnight french toast served with sausages you have cooked previously and then reheat in the microwave. Make the strata/french toast the day before your company arrives. Day 2 - Assortment of sweet breads (like banana nut loaf), coffeecake and muffins. Make the breads and muffins ahead and freeze them. Or buy them at a good bakery. Day 3 - Baked ham slices and scrambled eggs with toasted English muffins. Bake the ham ahead , slice and wrap in foil. Warm in the oven when ready to serve. To make a bunch of English muffins at once, split them and do them under the broiler...watch them! Do the eggs in big batches in the microwave. Serve with salsa or chile sauce and preserves. Lunch Day 1- Assorted cold cuts and large rolls. Plates of sliced onions, lettuce, sliced tomatoes. Lots of assorted pickles, a few different mustards and of course mayo. Let them build their own sandwiches. Cole slaw purchased from the deli on the side. Day 2- BBQ burgers and Sausages, buy good frozen ones and make up for it by having lots of condiments! In addition to the mustard, relish and pickles have, roasted peppers,sliced tomatoes, onions, sauerkraut, hot peppers etc. Day 3- Chilled soup (can be made a few days ahead) an assorment of cheeses and a salad made from mesclun (a mixture of baby greens that comes pre mixed and can be bought in most grocery stores) drizzeled with your favourite vinagrette. Dinner: Stick with buffet!! If you have a BBQ try and do the meat outside. Day 1: Baked Ham (used the leftovers for breakfast), baked beans (I have an easy make ahead recipe), cheesy scalloped potatoes( this recipe can be frozen and reheated)served with a mixed vegetable salad. Day 2: Lasagna and a Ceasar salad with some great fresh breads. Make the Lasagna's ahead and freeze. Make a meat one and a vegatarian one for variety. Day 3: BBQ or roasted pork tenderloins. Marinate them in soy sauce, garlic, honey and ginger for a few hours. Really easy on the grill but works just as well in the oven. Oven roasted new potatoes that have been quartered, drizzeled with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary. Serve with grilled mixed vegtables....red and green peppers, onions, beans..whatever. Cut them up in advance and bag them, on the day you want to serve them marinade them in olive oil and balsamic for a few hours. Throw on the grill while the pork tenderloin is resting, they only take a few minutes. This meal is a great outdoor meal. Serve some nibblies and drinks while everyone mingles around the grill. Lots of fun! Day 4.....make reservations!! Most of all relax and enjot the family! Hope it works out! Sharon

Some stories are more ass-inine than others! I think I'll pass this on to the folks who plan our family reunion. Remember the story about the game played at our family reunion where a few teams where chosen, who then wrapped one person in toilet paper, with applause for which did the best job? And how o j claimed to be recycling ... but was really re-using, the discarded residue? Till fall. ole joyful