Scott, Greg, Doug, Paul & Ivolene

After a pass through Marion in July, my Great Aunt Ivolene McCree decided to call for a family get together in Marion on October 16th and 17th 2010.

About 20 of us gathered to renew old ties and explore some new ones.

Ivolene played the regal hostess (That is her and her 4 sons on the left.) and entertained us all with family tales, skeletons and adventures for  several hours and I got a bit of revenge on Mary by forcing her to try to remember the names of MY cousins.

Kurby, Ivolene & Trevor

We traded old photos, family information and stories. Ivolene told us of a Great Uncle Otis who died in France in WWI; another who perished in a coal mine and lots of information on extended family members.

We ate too much, talked until we were hoarse and enjoyed a spectacular Fall afternoon in Southern Illinois.  Aunt Ivolene thinks we ought to do it every year. I agree.

Click for more pictures.