It's almost time.....

We are less than 48 hours from the start of the family reunion!  We are all getting excited around our house (or maybe that was a sugar rush that caused the kids to run around like wild children tonight).  It sounds like we are going to be eating well and playing lots which will be so much fun.

Here are a few last minute things to remember:

- There is access to the lake for swimming so make sure to bring your swimsuit if you desire to swim.  Dawn and I will be holding the shore down so if you don't want to swim feel free to view from a distance with us!

- I will be heading out to Dixie's tomorrow so that I can get a few last minute preparations completed on Friday morning.  If anyone has any questions or needs anything at all feel free to give me a call (512)775-7878.

- Don't forget our optional bunco hat contest and talent show on Saturday.

Can't wait to see everyone soon!

Directions

Just in case Meema and Jeana's GPS units start arguing again as they did on our recent Missouri trip I will post some directions here for your safe arrival at the camp.  

North Directions:

From the north take I35 from Oklahoma City to loop 635 in Dallas.  From Dallas you take state hwy 175 east.  This comes off loop 635 south or I20 coming from Fort Worth.  Take Hwy 175 east to Frankston and turn north on state hwy 155, then 2 miles north you turn right on FM 2215 by the liquor store, then left when you come to the T intersection in Berryville and stay on the right past the lakeside grocery.  Come past the No Outlet sign, straight to the white vinyl fence on the right with the flag poles and SKYTRAQs on the fence.

East Directions:

From Shreveport you take I20 west to Tyler, then take HWY 271 southwest to loop 323, take it sound and then west until you see state Hwy 155 south to Lake Palestine.  Procede south about 25 miles, over 3 bridges (over the lake) to FM 2215 and take a left by the liquor store, then left when you come to the T intersection in Berryville and stay on the right past the lakeside grocery.  Come past the No Outlet sign, straight to the white vinyl fence on the right with the flag poles and SKYTRAQs on the fence.

West Directions:

From Dallas you take state hwy 175 east.  This comes off loop 635 south or I20 coming from Fort Worth.  Take Hwy 175 east to Frankston and turn north on state hwy 155, then 2 miles north you turn right on FM 2215 by the liquor store, then left when you come to the T intersection in Berryville and stay on the right past the lakeside grocery.  Come past the No Outlet sign, straight to the white vinyl fence on the right with the flag poles and SKYTRAQs on the fence.

The address of the cabins is:

23202 Gatlin Rd
P.O. Box 534
Frankston, TX 75763

Christmas in September

While we are all together we can draw names for our Christmas Gift Exchange.  We will have the drawing at some point on Saturday.  We usually put all of the men's names in one bowl and the women's names in another bowl.  Anyone who would like to participate is more than welcome- the more the merrier.   (this is generally for the adults)

Here are a few loose suggestions for the gift exchange:

- If you draw a name for someone that is out of town just mail their gift as close to Christmas as you can.

- Gifts should be in the $20-$30 range

HOHOHOHO

ONE WEEK AND COUNTING !!!

Hooray!  We are getting close to the family reunion!

Here are a few final details to keep in mind:

- Please let me know as soon as your schedule is finalized.  I would like to let the cabins know right away if we are going to need to cancel any portion of our stay if people have to leave early.

- We are still on target for $15-16 per night per person.  Please bring money with you for this.  We will probably have one person charge the cost and then everyone reimburse them.  Still working out all of the details for that.

- I have updated the meal listing so that you can be planning during this week.  Also, don't forget paper goods, etc. for your meal.  

- I will post directions in a couple of days so that everyone knows how to get to the camp.

- Be prepared to play games, games, and more games!!

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions this week!  Can't wait to see everyone!

Fun optional activities

We are going to have a couple of extra things going on this time that should be lots of fun:

Anyone who would like is encouraged to enter our Bunco Hat competition.  Decorate any type of hat for us to use during bunco games and we will have a competition.  We will have a silent ballot vote and the one chosen will win the highest honor of "First Ever Brown Family Reunion Bunko Hat Maker Extraordinaire"!! Now isn't that a title that you can't live without?

We will also have a very informal Talent Show on Saturday evening.  This should be tons of fun and prove to be quite entertaining.  Be planning now to show off your finest skills.  Ok, Ok, I promise not to show everyone how I can touch my nose with my tongue!  

Paper Goods

I will be making a Sam's run right before so if anyone would like for me to purchase the paper goods for their meal so that you don't have to pack them with you I will be happy to do that.  Just let me know what you would like and you can send me the money and I'll be happy to pick up anything that you need.  I plan on going up to Dixie's Thursday night or Friday morning to get things all arranged so let me know if there is anything I can do to help make it easier for you to get there.

Meal List

Updated 8/28/09- 3:30 pm****Update: No one seemed set on a certain time so I have assigned meals at random. Let me know if something doesn't work for you. I have currently left all the spots there and we can remove a meal towards the end if we see that everyone is going to be gone by lunch on Monday. Mostly I don't want to send everyone down the road on an empty stomach.****

Please remember that it is all about keeping it simple so that we have more family time. No gourmet meals are expected or required!!

If we divide up the meals below we should be able to feed everyone with fairly equal cost and work load. The cabins have fully functional kitchens with pots, pans, dishes, refrigerators, etc.

Feel free to bring frozen casseroles that we can pop in the oven or whatever works best for you.

Each family will also be responsible for the paper plates, napkins, cups, silverware, etc. for their meal. (See next post also) Dixie is going to provide tea and lemonade for all of the meals so you won't need to worry about that.

Then each family can also bring snacks for game time (which is pretty much 24/7) and any additional drinks that they would like to have. We'll just set up a snack and dessert table in the game room.

Friday night- everyone on their own while traveling

Saturday morning- Rileys (yes, I will be awake before noon!)

Saturday lunch- Mifflins

Saturday supper-Mifflins/ Jordan and Jessica

Sunday breakfast- Browns and Briggles

Sunday lunch- Meema, Jeana

Sunday supper- Deidra and Doris

Monday breakfast- (and tea and lemonade for all meals)- Roses

Monday lunch- leftovers