Splashing Success!

300 water balloons launched from giant slingshots can't lie ~ the UTAH Reunion was a HIT! Or Bulls-eye, depending upon your physical location at the time. No one was complaining about getting wet since Saturday was the hottest day of the year at nearly 100 degrees. (AZ is laughing at you, by the way . . .)
Chairwoman Extraordinaire Cathy Street (LOD: Virginia Ivins, Almira Peel) and other reliable sources report a head-count of around 98 people for the big day. A pot luck feast of plenty in satisfying variety greeted hungry, hot Peels - and they actually counted the sloppy joe buns: 90.
Cathy's "Angel" committee worked feverishly providing site arrangements, shade awnings, tables & chairs, ice, more ice, punch, and an olympianesque array of fun games & prizes, including frisbies, soft pellet guns and a clearly intellectual challenge in the proverbial 'guess how many candies in the jar' competition. Treats were on hand for all the children.

Our illustrious leader Jim "Bud" Rose, Jr. brought tables, chairs, boxes of genealogical papers, the Peel History Books, vintage photos and the 100% custom watercolor illustrated Peel Family History card set. The brief adult meeting hosted a word from Berniece Peel to explain personally about the research and creation of their Peel book, and an introduction of the Foundation Board.
Many family members arrived having no clue beforehand how many kinsmen were living nearby. Cousins introduced are now happily aware of each other. Young mothers with children attended whose husbands had to work, and other family members offered their sincere regrets at not being able to attend this time.

Well done! A great time was had by all. The posterity of Virginia Ivins (LOD:Almira Peel) in particular has set the standard for a very quality, organized experience indeed! CALIFORNIA: YOU ARE NEXT ~ the challenge is ON!

UTAH Kudos Count-Down:
300 Water Balloons filled & transported without incident ~ brother Tony, Becky, Colton & Jessica Ivins
Site prep & Super Games Guy ~ brother Tony Ivins
90 Savory Sloppy Joes ~ mom Virginia Ivins & Cathy Street
Shade awnings, love & moral support ~ brother Jeff Ivins
Church arrangements, signs, games, chairs & tables ~ daughter Liz (Street) & Randy Parker & road crew (children) Chris, Missy, Abby, Grace and Sam
Containers for food table, punch-maker, transportation ~ sister Leslie (Ivins) Chapman
Ice Man, water, site prep ~ Bestest Hubby Stan Street
Event Photography ~ niece Sarah (Ivins) Sorenson