The 45th Annual Phosie-Gertie Picnic

Here it is folks, the annual Labor Day Sunday Reeder/Foster/Fuller Family Picnic, named for the two Grandmothers from whom many of these folks are descended. 

We start, of course, with the raising of the Phosie-Gertie flag, 

and the singing of the Phosie-Gertie song. We have printed words, since we don't remember it from year to year, but we all know the tune, On Top of Old Smokey. 

Next is the official family photo. 

Then we honored the oldest generation of Direct Descendants. We don't make them were silly hats like the previous generation had to, those we honor who have passed on, by continuing the traditions. This year's theme was The Sun and Solar System, so they wore stary crowns. 

 The presenters were the grandchildren.

Then it is time for games. Jill had her hands full getting everyone to count off and get into their teams, but that done, we were off to the beach. 

The first game was the water bucket game. The water in a small cup had to be passed over the head to the person behind and poured into the next cup. The goal was to fill the sand pail at the end of the line. 

 There was a bit of water down the necks of more that a few contestants. 

 Following the water bucket game was the sand castle contest. Each team had two minutes to plan, based on the theme, and ten minutes to create. 

 There was quite a bit of science involved, impressively. This example was an explanation of the relative sizes of the sun and the moon, as a child would see it - big moon, little sun, and as an adult would understand it, big sun, little moon. 

 When time was up, each group explained their creation. 

 I have to say we are all impressed at how the sand bucket moon moved over the sun and it's shadow eclipsed it. 

 Some wanted to bring back Pluto as a planet. 

 More eclipsing.

 And a sun dial, telling solar time, not Daylight Saving time. 

Back at the cabin it was time for the water balloon toss. At this point Isaac and I were out, so I could take photos of the finish. 

 Wow. Down to two teams, and Jill against Irene!

 And the winners! Jill and Carson. 

 Then there was an all out war with the extra balloons. 
 The wet kids were sent to the beach while candy was hidden for the candy hunt. Then they all gathered to swap and trade candy and suddenly they were all settled down around this table. 

 Adults were visiting. That red cloth on the wall is the family tree descending from Phosie and Gertie. 

Food appeared. Salads, a big platter of pulled pork, hot dogs, 

 and fresh caught crab!

There were desserts too: black berry pie from berries picked that day, apple pie Tom and i picked from a tree on the beach road, cobbler, plum cake, s'mores brownies. Yum. 

The kids ran off to play and the adults settled in to eat and talk. 
As the sun went down, we realized there was a hotly contested game of dodge ball going in in the front yard. 

And from the decks, when we weren't watching the kids, we were watching this. 

 To the west the sun was setting and to the east the moon was rising. 

 And the kids played on. 

And now another successful Phosie-Gertie Picnic is in the record books. It was a good one!