[shelbybear62]

My father has remarried twice since my parents split. My first step-mother had 2 children and my current step-mother has 5 children. There were 4 children in my original family including me. My first step-mother passed away at age 43 and the kids have always kept in contact with my dad and are included in all family gatherings as we considered them our siblings. My dad then remarried about 6 years ago to a woman with 5 children of her own. We were all grown and married by this time. Mom #3's children are also grown-the youngest (23) still lives at home. We have been having family get together's at Dad's every holiday (Mom #3 insists, although we have all offered). Mom #3's kids come, eat and then leave to go to a movie or whatever, never stay to visit or help clean up or even ask if anyone else wants to go. (which we wouldn't cause that's just rude). Anyway, we were informed that Dad & Mom #3 are going to take a trip to visit her daughter so they will not be around at Thanksgiving. Nothing was mentioned about having at a different time. Just "sorry, we'll be gone". The general consensus is that while no one seems to be upset that they are taking a vacation, there is general hurt that the vacation is to visit the one daughter and nothing was mentioned about getting together with the rest of the family. My sister and I (I am the oldest of everyone) have decide to offer a family get-together of our own at Thanksgiving. However, I am not sure how to explain this to my kids without them being hurt that grandpa isn't going to be there. Especially if I am not happy about it myself. Any suggestions?