posted: August 17, 2008 (from Judy's email)

O.K., so start thinking about Naples, Florida!!!!!! Kevin and I have chosen the weekend of November 7th, 8th and 9th for the One-Year Anniversary Celebration of our Shop here in Naples (we never had a Grand Opening). In addition, we are having a house party at our home to celebrate my Mom's (Aunt Nickie's) 80th Birthday Celebration (her birthday is December 21st and Ricky's 51st B-Day Celebration. This weekend seems to work for most, as the holiday's will begin the last part of November, thus giving folks time to regroup from the trip to Naples, and focus back on their home town holiday celebrations. Most everyone we spoke with wants to be near their grandchildren and home for the holidays this year. The tickets will be less expensive in early November and hotel rates will be a lot less - our tourist season doesn't "kick-in " here until the second weekend in November. I will forward future information regarding hotel accommodations. It won't be expensive - I promise - and hopefully, right on the beach! We are working at securing the rooms this week, and we will be hosting (our treat) a great eating celebration at Pincher's Crab Shack, located next door to our shop. The entire event will be casual and lots of fun! Mom's celebration Birthday party - along with Rick's and others - will be at our house in Naples. It will take place on Saturday evening. We have a single family home on a canal with Bay and Gulf access. We also have a boat for all to enjoy. There is dock space for one or two additional boats if anyone would like to tow one over....just let me know. Hopefully, we will have a live musician at our party, and Kevin and I will offer a place to stay for Ken, Troy, Kelly (those families with extra tiny children) on the evenings of Friday and Saturday night, and Sunday if necessary. Just wanted to give everyone a heads-up and enough time to check on tickets. The closest airport is Ft. Myers (RSW), Florida. The next best choice, an hour and 1/2 from here, is Ft. Lauderdale (FLL). Miami (MIA), of course would be the next closest. Also, please know that you can visit longer if you have choose to - we'd love it! The sooner I receive confirmations, the better. It will enable me to change dates if enough of us can't make that weekend. But, for now - we are going with these dates! Hope you can all attend. As of now, our list is at 70 people, including not only family, but friends and business associates as well. The weather will be perfect this time of year - warm and sunny, and we hope you can all make it!!!!!

posted: May 4, 2008

The first post is Judy is planning a combination Family Reunion/New Business One Year Anniversary Party/Aunt Nicki's 80th Birthday Party in November of 2008. It will be in south Florida, Gulf Coast side, near Naples (NOT Tampa, like I originally posted - if anyone flew into Tampa they would be driving 5 hours to get to it!). Exact dates will be posted soon. The airport for this trip would be Ft. Myers, Florida, or Ft. Lauderdale.