Christmas Plans...

I'm just forging ahead writing things on this blog that I hope are of general interest to the Packard Family. I know that Grandma has requested that we not interpret her feelings or talk about her responses to treatments but to let her speak for herself. I think that's fair and hope she will continue to do that. But I also think this blog can be a great communication tool for the entire family if we will all use it, contribute to it and benefit from it.

So, the plans are for the Packard Family Christmas Party on Sunday, December 23 and I understand that at Thanksgiving Dinner at Penni's the decision was made to begin the gift rotation again, different from what we've done the past couple of years. And we will begin this year with the person just beneath us which means Robert and I have Stephen and Stephen has Marla, etc. Sounds great. I also think what I understand is that all the cousins will participate again in a White Elephant exchange. There will be no white elephant exchange among the adults, just the cousins, and all the cousins no matter what age will participate in that. If they want to participate as couples they bring one gift and receive one gift and if they want to participate at individuals they bring two gifts and receive two gifts. Is that accurate? And that's it. Should make things easier. I suspect there will also be some exchanging of small gifts among all the siblings as there usually has been in the past.

Has there been any decision-making as to what time we're beginning, what we are eating and who's bringing it, and whether there is any program? Dad has usually asked someone to oversee the program and I assume he is doing whatever he wants done with that again. Are Sheila, John and girls coming? We hope so! Our kids from out of town will be arriving that morning and I'm trying to decide what I need to feed them after church at our house depending on what time we're starting the Packard party and how full a meal we expect that to be. Is there any help needed with set-up of tables or chairs? I know my need for organization and planning probably drives everyone in the family crazy, but it helps me to know what to expect. So, again, if anyone is reading this, please comment and let's make some decisions.

Thanks, gang.

Thanks to All Our Pie Bakers

Thanksgiving Pie Night was a great success - so many yummy pies. Thanks to everyone who came, who baked and who ate. We had a great time - hope you did too!



I think the final count was 13 pies - pumpkin, pecan, lemon meringue, cherry, peach, jumbleberry...pretty darn good stuff.

Hope you all have leftovers to enjoy!

Thanksgiving Pie Night

Well, judging from my last post, Shellie, Stacie and I are the only people still reading this blog. I hope that's not true...and Marla assures me she looks at it, but no one responded with a comment to my last post so I don't know whether anyone else will see this.

Robert and I would like to invite you all to Thanksgiving Pie and Game Night on Thursday, Thanksgiving night. By then you'll all have digested your turkey and your first round of pie and you'll undoubtedly be ready for the second round. We'll start about 7 p.m. Bring your favorite (or leftover) pie and your gaming spirit. We'll have whipped cream, cool whip and ice cream to decorate the pie and whatever games people want to play.

Please let us know if you're coming so we're sure to be prepared with all we need. Again, it's 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Night and all the Packard family is invited. Please RSVP. I know Judy and Roger are coming. And Grandma and Grandpa are going to try to come. Anyone else??? We'd love to see you. Hope you can make it.