THE REASE REUNION

The Eunice (Rease) Lawrence Family Photo

(can you pick out Pat and George)

We made it to the Rease reunion in Columbia, South Carolina.  As always the party starts a couple days before the reunion and this year was no exception.  Most of the out of towners arrived on Friday and the party started upon arrival.  Pat's brothers Charlie and Cloyd pulled their 5th wheels down from Ohio and we drove in on Thursday from Augusta, Georgia.  We all pulled into  their cousin Arthur Wells Rease's 5 acre yard and it looked like a campground sprung up overnight.

Poolside accommodations at Arthur Wells

David accompanied us from Augusta and we drove to Atlanta to pick up Nikki on Friday so the Cannode's were well represented at the gathering of the clans.

Nikki, David, and Pat at Atlanta Airport

The party really starts on Friday night as all the out of towners and most of the 2nd/3rd generation Rease's get together to renew the family bonds over a few drinks and a lot of food.  Melanie and Arthur Wells have been are our gracious hosts for at least the last 10 reunions and this one was the best ever.

 

Party started at Arthur Wells house

Pictured are Pat's nieces - Kendra White (facing camera)and Tami Harris (across table), Nikki (back to camera), Ruby Rease (sitting -Pat's aunt), Charlie, Pam (standing) and Arthur Wells (standing with drink), Pat's aunt Toots in the wheelchair. 

The elder Reases - l to r

Toots, Marie (leaning over), Wilbur, and Betty

(not pictured is Ruby, Arthur's wife and the real hostess of the reunion)

One of many mini get togethers at the reunion

l-r  Tony Harris, "Too Tall" Laura Rease with baby, David (side shot),  Evan Rease (with sunglasses and too tall's husband),

The official reunion was Sunday, June 27th and it was a very hot and muggy day, but we did get a few minutes of respite when a rainstorm passed over the the reunion.  It was immediately followed by hot and humid weather though.  We think it was the best reunion with cousins Wayne Rease cooking pig and chicken, Melanie and Tracy cooking the sides and everyone chipping in to put up the bouncy gym and tent for the enjoyment of all.  These people know how to throw a party --- a great big thank you to Ruby Rease's family, who continue to plan, organized, and put on a wonderful reunion every other year.

After the reunion, we decided to stay an extra couple of days to visit and relax before heading to Atlanta to take David and Nikki to the airport for their flight back to Colorado and for us to drive north to Ohio.   The Ohio trip has some surprises for us but that is the story for the next blog. 

We hope you all are enjoying friends and family this summer.  Our next blog will be posted in a few days because we need to rest from the little bit of work we discovered in Ohio!  Live life to the fullest and than add a little extra to make it special....