Who is attending the 2009 San Antonio Conference?

[DanielleKessner]

I would love to see who exactly will be attending this year (including all family members).

Danielle and Julian Kessner from Australia.

Julian is my husband and our children are getting left back in Australia with their grandparents (who apparently need constant assistance with the TV remotes and drive their grandchildren insane with their incompetency, lol)

[Chris and TracyMeats]

We will be there!!

Tracy and Chris Meats from Wyoming. Along with our children, Cole (6), Ian (my cherub who is 5), and Shane (3).

[karahess]

I will be there. Just me this year.

[KarlaHolt]

I will be there with my husband Dave and my two kids, Brooke (age 5) and Braden (he'll be 16 months by the time the conferene comes around). We can't wait to meet everyone!

[Corin Nava]

I will be there alone this year.

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

I am also coming alone.

[KimberlySwitzer]

My sister and I are coming, Amy and Kim Switzer from Canada!!

I am so very excited to meet everyone!

[KateC]

Kate, Steve, Gracie and Lily Crawford plus my younger sister Megan, who will be turning 24 at the conference ; )

[FernandaArce]

I will be there, alone.

[JenniferBrown]

I will be coming with my mom and Adrian who will be 13 months !!!!!!!!!!

[JenniferBrown]

Very Very excited to meet you all :)

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

I will probably be coming by myself.

[JennHall]

When is the conference?

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Jenn - http://www.cherubsconference.org

All the details are there and the registration form (it's free to attend).

We hope to see you there!

[JennHall]

Would my mother be able to attend as well? She has been as perplexed as we are about this condition! Thanks!

[karahess]

Jenn - YES!!! Mom can come, too : )

[FernandaArce]

Jenn, would LOVE to see you there!

[JennHall]

Trying to work it out, I'm excited! If hubby can't get off of work, my mom and I may go and bring the kids instead. :D

[FernandaArce]

That's be wonderful!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

We'd love to see you there, Jenn!! :)

[JennHall]

Thank you!! My hubby is and has been out of town since Monday and in meetings ALL day to boot. I've only gotton a chance to bring it up to him and he sounded like it may be doable! :D I really hope he and I, and my 3 kids, with my mom, will be able to go!

I definitely want to go and meet you guys and many more!! :D

[StephanieOlivarez]

I am coming with Shane (husband), Morgan, Taylor and Shelby.

I am looking so forward to this years conference!!!!

[KimberlyRichards]

Just found out I am able to get the days off of work so me and my 2 rug rats are planning on coming.

Kim, Alyssa and Carsen Richards

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Yeah!!!!! So glad you will all be able to come!!! I am so excite to meet some of you and to see others again!

[JennHall]

How far in advance do we need to book hotel rooms or do you need a definite head count first to be able to notify the hotel how many rooms you will need?

Thanks!!

[JennHall]

Oh and Dawn, I sent you a PM. :D At least I think I sent you one? lol, I'm still trying to get use to the forums.

[JennHall]

OK, add me, my husband David, and 3 kids- Michael, Bethany, and Christopher "Chris" and my mother Lynnette will be in attendance at the conference as well. :D

[JenniferBrown]

jenn im glad you are coming. :)

[DanielleKessner]

Can't wait to meet you all :-) We have booked all of our internal flights and have our itinerary worked out - it has changed heaps from what we first thought we would be doing but we are very excited with our plans.

[MelissaKelly]

Just FYI for those of you going, there's a large group of zoos and aquariums nationwide that participate in this reciprocal membership program; I found out about it when I bought a membership to the Texas State Aquarium last week. Basically, when you buy a membership at one, you get free or discounted admission to all of them (and it's quite a list!) Definitely worth a look, the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium are part of it (not Sea World, but Sea World is overcrowded and overrated IMO).

http://www.sazoo-aq.org/support/files/2009Reciprocal.pdf

[JennHall]

Did I read on one of the postings that CHERUBs members may get discounts for local attractions. Is this the case? If so, how do we go about getting discounted tickets? Thanks! I'm planning out our trip! :D

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

I'm working on getting discount tickets, Jenn! :)

[JenniferBrown]

Hi ladies
My mom may not come to the conference due to her job so if any one is looking to shared rooms with me and Adrian. Pm me please ....
Jenn

[Scott Lab]

The Scott Lab from Baylor will be in attendance. At least 2 or 3 of us. Dr. Scott will be one of the speakers. The rest of us will come to socialize...

[KimberlySwitzer]

It turns out my sister and I are unable to attend as I need to move August 1st and wont have time to do both... so hopefully next year :|

[Corin Nava]

oh no Kim! I was looking forward to meeting you!

[KimberlySwitzer]

I was very much looking forward to meeting all of you too!!! But I think getting back to school is what I need to do right now, and that means moving at the end of july/beginning of august and there is no way I can swing it to do both of them...

[Chris and TracyMeats]

That is great the Scott Lab from Baylor will be in attendance...looking forward to hearing what you have to talk about!!!

[MelissaKelly]

The Scott Lab from Baylor will be in attendance. At least 2 or 3 of us. Dr. Scott will be one of the speakers. The rest of us will come to socialize...

That's fantastic, thank you all for taking the time.

[FernandaArce]

Oh Kim! I'm sorry you are not going! :(

[DanielleKessner]

Wish you were going Kim :-( You are going to miss out on trying some vegemite toast (and you may have been the only game one, lol).

I can't believe how close it is now. We have all flights for our trip booked, all accomodation booked and now just need to book some shows etc. Very exciting but a little scary as well :-)

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Oh No Kim!! I know that you are disappointed! Us yoo! We wanted to meet you darn it! Next year! Congrats on taking the leap on going back to school!

[KimberlySwitzer]

Next year for sure!!! Danielle...I will just have to try some Vegemite toast some other time LOL...

I hope you guys all have a blast, take lots of pics for me and make me insanely jelous I didnt make it

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

REMINDER: In order to get the CHERUBS discount on your room rate and help us to get the HUGE savings on the conference hall, you *HAVE* to book your room by July 1st!

Also, please do not forget to register on our conference site - we're trying to get a head count of who is coming!! :)

Room booking info and registration is at http://www.cdhconference.org

[KarlaHolt]

Does anyone have any plans to do any of the local attractions? Just trying to plan and hoping to connect with some other families that might want to see / do the same things!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

I know I want to, but have no ideas what to do yet. I'm waiting for the tourist bureau to give me details on our discounts and will post them to you all soon as I know!

My mom is being wishy-washy about going so I may come alone. She doesn't want to drive to TX with 3 kids (honestly, I don't either!). So I might be flying out myself... I am making definite plans this weekend either way.. running out of time to book a flight!

[PennyCampsey]

I SO wish I could go :(

[karahess]

Karla, I think Fer and I would both like to hit up Sea World and definately do some shopping!

[JenniferBrown]

Kara
im in for shopping......

[karahess]

Anyone planning on renting a car?

[KarlaHolt]

we are renting a car

Sea world is a must for us and I'm always in for shopping!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

Penny, you and I can carpool to TX! ;)

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

So far, we have 23 families attending + 6 doctors!!! :)

I'm getting so excited to meet so many of you!!! :)

Don't forget to book your rooms by the 30th!!!

[PennyCampsey]

JENNIFER ******** shopping ***********
Ya'll we cant leave san antonio without seeing the ALAMO!
I am coming yipee ..
we bought plane tickets today (dawn & I ) cole isnt coming

[PennyCampsey]

oh .......... I mean to add to that Jennifer that I am ALL OVER some shopping !!! LOL!

[DanielleKessner]

Fantastic Penny!!!! Can't wait to meet you - sorry that I won't get to meet Cole though. I can't believe we fly out of Australia in 2.5 weeks time - very excited.

[KarlaHolt]

Is anyone bringing their kids? I feel like Brooke and Braden will be the only kids! Brooke will be so bored without any other kids. Our involvement with CDH and CHERUBS is hard for her to understand. She feels a bit excluded. She got very angry in Pittsburgh when she couldn't be in the photo of the cherubs.

Sorry to ramble .... just hoping there are some other kids there!

[karahess]

Karla, to the best of my knowledge, there will be other children there :) I'm counting approximately 4-5 others that are in the age 4-7 year old range.

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

There will definitely be more kids there! : )

[KarlaHolt]

Great! One less thing to worry about!

[Barbara and KevinWagner]

Oh there willbe more there Karla! I wish that I was bringing Log now darn it!

Can you believe how quick the conference is approaching?!?! I am so excited!!

Penny I am SOOOOO glad that you are coming!! But not happy about Cole not coming! LOL

[PennyCampsey]

Ya'll I know, I wanted to bring Cole too but seems best for him to stay if it bumps back to east coast ?
I am still concerned with him flying .. paranoid me ............... ask Dawn ..went through this with her on the phone

[PennyCampsey]

Danielle .. i cannot WAIT to meet you either , all of you that I havent met in person! This is going to be just great ! ! I'll bring some extra pics of cole for all to see !! I can even do a speaker phone call so ya'll can hear his cute little voice and southern accent :0)

[DanielleKessner]

We take a photo of the cherubs, a photo of the cherubs showing their scars and a photo of all the kids (and one of everyone!) at our oz forums. We have had siblings a little upset a couple of times when there were not in the cherubs photos - because to them it is just a bunch of kids so why can't they be in it! When this happened one time I took the upset sibling to the side and got a special photo of just them all by themselves and the tears soon dried up :-).

I can't believe how quickly this is all coming up!

[karahess]

I understand, Penny. We're not coming as a family this year, because we're still skeptical of Adam flying. I know he did awesome on his simulation test, but yikes a 5 hour flight might be a bit much for a first time flying.

[PennyCampsey]

Thank you Kara :) Well, Cole's surgeon said he didnt need the simulation test - that it would be ok for him to fly, so without KNOWING for sure .. i am parania city !! LOL!

[JenniferBrown]

Hi Penny im glad you are coming ... Can't wait to meet everyone .... :)

[PennyCampsey]

THanks Jennifer !!
It's so much fun meeting each other in person after we talk on here so much !

[FernandaArce]

I am SOOOOOOOO excited! Less than a week and we'll meet!!!!

Ok, shopping, we need to go to San Marcos wich is a huge outlet but we do need a car to get there :)

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

I am sooooo excited too, Fer!!!!!! : ) Just a few more days, yeah!!!!! : )

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

http://www.visitsanantonio.com/city-pass/index.aspx

San Antonio tourist site info!

They STILL have not sent us any coupons or group discount info! :(

[PennyCampsey]

FER ~~ I'm willing to pitch in & get a car, I can even get it and if others want to pitch in that's fine :) I AM SO EXCITED & DEFINITLY NEED TO DO SOME SHOPPING !!!

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

1 more day!!!! I am excited to see so many of you in person tomorrow!!!! I hope everyone has safe travels! : )

[JenniferBrown]

Im very Sad i wont be able to make it ...
Have a wounderful and Save trip to everyone and hope to see you guys
next year .... :(

[Chris and TracyMeats]

Wish everybody safe travels and if you are driving, pay attention to the signs and have an idea of your directions. Our GPS came in handy!

[KarlaHolt]

We are leaving very early tomorrow! We are bringing our GPS for sure! I'm sure the kids will be tired. I hope they make it to the introductions!

[DanielleKessner]

We are here - tired but we are here :-) Hopefully after a quiet night I will be able to make it to the Pizza Party - I may be in bed at the same time as Braden and Brooke, lol.

Dawn, where do we meet tomorrow night and at what time?

[Dawn Torrence Ireland]

6:00 tomorrow night, 2nd floor, there will be signs. :) Can't wait to see you!!!!!

Penny and I will be there around 11:00. Penny will probably sleep for a while though - she's leaving her house at 2 am and driving here for our 6 am flight. I tried to get her to stay the night at my house but she's stubborn! ; ) I may be dragging her through the hotel lobby on top of my suitcase. LOL

See in just a few hours!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

[DarleneSilverman]

Hope you all have a great time and have a safe trip.