Jodi's Shower ***pictures added

Sunday was the day of Jodi's Bridal Shower. Tom's sisters Dina and Laura jumped at the opportunity to host a shower for T.J.'s bride. Jen pitched in to handle invitations and games; it was all just wonderful. The party was held at Dina's house. When I arrived at 2:00pm, Jodi was already there, as was Dina, Laura, Tom's Mom Carolyn and his niece Sarah; my sisters Janet and Cathy arrived at the same time we did, with Mom in tow. Dina and Laura had the food all ready: shrimp salad and chicken salad sandwiches, two different pasta salads, a selection of cheeses, and oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. There was also a killer trifle-style cake with strawberries and whipped cream. In the living room, hors oeuvres included veggies and dip and fresh strawberries. Everyone greeted one another, I met Jodi's Mom Mary Ann, who feels like a friend because we have emailed back and forth about the wedding. Jodi's youngest sister Mary Lou was there, too. Jenny organized us all in a game of "Guess What's in the Bags." She put twenty kitchen gadgets into twenty individual paper bags, stapled them shut and had us try to figure out what was inside. She chose twenty because that is the date of the wedding--December 20. It was interesting to try to figure it out, and listening to everyone else try to do it was fun, too. Jen was terrifically organized and handled the chaos of all those women and all those bags with great aplomb. Michelle, my niece-by-marriage won the game with a perfect score! Go Michelle! Mom came in second, which was pretty darn good, too.

The next game was "Gift Bingo." We all got blank bingo cards and got to fill them out with the different gifts we thought Jodi might receive. Then we played Bingo as Jodi opened her gifts. Before she started ripping off gift wrap, Jodi asked if she could say something. It was her shower, so of course she could do whatever she wanted--she said some lovely words about being happy to become a member of both families present, and of course she cried while she said it. Jen handed her a tissue, then looked at me and I got one, too. Then we were into gift mode and bingo. Janet had the first bingo and won a prize from a basket of stuff from Williams Sonoma. Nice stuff, too.

After all the gifts were opened, we all visited a while. It was so nice to be able to participate in a family shower again! Laura and Dina and Jen did such a good job--it was a lovely way to welcome Jodi to our family.

Jodi opening a gift with the 'signature' wrapping from Williams Sonoma. That's her Mom, Mary Ann, to Jodi's left.

My sister Cathy. I forget what she was doing...I was so disappointed that my digital camera delay missed her smile. This is NOT the photo I was going for!

Jodi with her sisgter Mary Lou and a partial view of her Mom. See what I mean about the camera delay? Mary Lou is a lovely girl, but this photo does not do her justice. I hope it was the camera delay and not my lack of skill!

Jodi had a good time at her shower. I think you can tell from this shot, but I gave up taking candid pics. My camera just isn't made for it.