We got up and relaxed for a bit and eventually got ready to leave.  We had to don our yellow shirts... (there were 9 brothers and sisters including my fiancee's late grandfather... so, each brother/sister and their respective families wore a uniform color.
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="491" caption="5 of the 9 brothers and sisters and spouces"]<img class="  " src="http://gallery.me.com/webpoet73/100217/EllingFamilyReunion2009_048/web.jpg?ver=12498764810001" alt="7 of the 9 brothers and sisters" width="491" height="369" />[/caption]

There was pink, purple, yellow, red, blue, orange, green, etc. and we drew yellow...).  Those of you who know me... know that I am not really fond of yellow shirts.  (Turns out, most of us "yellow shirts" didn't care for them, either...).

We got to the hall a bit earlier than most folks.  In fact we were like only the 2nd and 3rd yellow shirt there... (Dana's Aunt Diane was the other and she was an organizer...).  Soon enough, people started coming and coming and coming... there were upwards of like 80 to 90 people at this gathering.  Pretty impressive to me.  Some came from AZ, WA, GA, OH... pretty spread out, I'd say.

It was well organized.  There was a list of acitivities and times on a card in front of each table...

First was meet and greet... well, did quite a bit of greeting.  It was a little overwhelming for me.  But they all welcomed me with open arms, so that is a good feeling.

Then, we had a prayer (both in German and English.  The Ellings are of German heritage.  The Molendas are Polish.  What a match! ;))
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="491" caption="Mike gives us a welcome and family history"]<img class="  " title="Greeting" src="http://gallery.me.com/webpoet73/100217/EllingFamilyReunion2009_002/web.jpg?ver=12498754490001" alt="Mike gives us a welcome and family history" width="491" height="369" />[/caption]

Next, some family history and happy birhday to Aunt Alma who will turn 90 soon...
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="491" caption="Dana&#39;s Aunt Alma - 90 years old"]<img class="  " title="Alma" src="http://gallery.me.com/webpoet73/100217/EllingFamilyReunion2009_024/web.jpg?ver=12498758970001" alt="Danas Aunt Alma - 90 years old" width="491" height="369" />[/caption]

then a little family trivia for bragging rights and the right to eat first, which was quickly revoked to go in order by the tables... either way, we were going to eat.  It was a big "pot luck" style buffet.  It was highlighted by some "beef barbeque" minus any barbeque sauce!  Anyway, I had plenty to eat including many deserts.  Can you say, "sugar high?"  I knew you could.

After lunch, we headed outside for some family group pics.  Lots of people in similar colored shirts... :)
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="491" caption="The Yellow Shirts... Family of Dana&#39;s Grandfather, Rudy"]<img class="  " src="http://gallery.me.com/webpoet73/100217/EllingFamilyReunion2009_033/web.jpg?ver=12498761130001" alt="The Yellow Shirts... Family of Danas Grandfather, Rudy" width="491" height="369" />[/caption]

Then, more socializing and games for the kids... we probably spent about 2 hours just chit-chatting.  Until it really was time to go.
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="491" caption="Chit-Chat"]<img class="  " src="http://gallery.me.com/webpoet73/100217/EllingFamilyReunion2009_074/web.jpg?ver=12498770950001" alt="Chit-Chat" width="491" height="369" />[/caption]

We went back to Dana's Aunt Jill's house (where we stayed) and got ready to go visiting... we went to visit her Uncle Dennis, who is pretty funny.  Then to visit her great Aunt Wilma, who I liked very much.

After going to visit her family (and one day, my extended family, too), we went to Pizza Hut and ate before heading home.

All of the pictures that I took are on my <a href="http://gallery.me.com/webpoet73#100217" target="_blank">MobileMe Gallery</a>.

This was a day late, so part 3 will be a day late as well.