I thought I'd start a new thread......it seems like it's going to be hard to get everyone in one place, our downsyn family has gotten so big!

Maybe we should just plan on having two separate gatherings?

Pittsburgh would be closer for those in Western PA and OH, but Hershey or Baltimore would be closer for those up North, etc. Of course we'd love to have you all here in the 'Burgh, but we totally understand what it's like to spend "quality time" in the car with kids!!!!!

So, if we had one in Pittsburgh and one in Baltimore or Hershey, who would go where? Maybe this way we can get a better idea.

I'll start.... since I live in Pittsburgh, I'd be thrilled to have you come here!

Count me in for the 'burgh!!!!!

I would love to do both if it works out!

I can do Maryland?

we would love to come a meet you all this yr since we missed last yr, but on one stip! I will have to be wearing black & orange GO BENGALS!!! HEHE have you thought about any dates yet! the middle of the month would be best for me

I can do Baltimore

huskies, your more than welcome to wear black and orange, just getting the chance to meet you and lil Brooke will help us to look past the orange!!

Glad your interested, I think it'll be lots of fun.

Okay, since MD is going to be the third weekend of November, how about if we do Pittsburgh the second weekend? Does that work for everyone with Pittsburgh interest? I'd like to visit with the MD group, too.

Marlene, that works fine for me!

See here is my quandry...I would LOVE to do Pittsburgh but I cannot do it the 2nd weekend in November (due to a wedding) and the 3rd weekend is MD. And I DO NOT WANT TO MISS EVERYONE !...so maybe we could do Pittsburgh later and do MD now....what do you all think...not that you have to do anything on my watch( ), I would just love to be apart of both get togethers w/ as many as possible!!!!!

either nov or dec should be fine as long as its the 2nd or 3rd weekend stephanie we will wear our blk & orange hehe you guys decided & let me know chris ohhhh I cant wait!!!

I would love to see you guys again but alas, my c-section is scheduled for 11/2 & I will be in no shape to go anywhere.

Maybe next time?

Oh Val! How exciting....keep in touch, let us know how it goes and we want to see the pics! I will PM you my #.

Okay, I was waiting for the 'hosts' to reply - but here's my opinion on the date . . . The second and third weekends of November seem to be the only ones that will work before Christmas. The weekend of Thanksgiving is a busy shopping, decorating and visiting weekend. The weekends in December are just to crazy with shopping and parties. After the holidays, we chance bad weather and Beth already said she doesn't want to do any 'white-knuckle' driving. I'm with her!! We have to go through Somerset, PA to get to Pittsburgh and they ALWAYS have snow! So . . . it's either the second weekend of November OR a spring fling. Do we want to wait . . . ?

Steph, I was thinking the same thing...I really want to meet with everyone. I haven't seen our friends in the Pgh/Ohio area in a few years and I also want to meet new friends from MD/NJ/NC. I can not financially do both back to back in the same month with Christmas around the corner and DH is out of work (long story). Which is the reason I thought Hershey would work for everyone. This way everyone has to drive some distance (3-7 hours depending on where you live) and it is kinda of a central Location. They also have many things to do without being outside when its Chilly out. And it was fairly cheap the prior year! And PLUS, I secretly want to see Christmas in Hershey because I heard it was beautiful. I know everyone would have a good time. I am even willing provide most of the food for Saturday dinner! ! ! ! So what do you guys think? Hershey? I know that our Family has gotten so big, but I thought it would be nice if we could get most of us together in one place!

Obviously it is hard to accomodate everyone, I wish it was easier! My take on all this is, if your able to make it to Pgh. great!!! If not we'll catch up with ya another time! We could always do this again in the spring or plan for a new place in the spring! More than 1 get together is a good thing, lots of new people to meet, and a new place to see! Unfortunately, right now, MD is not necessarily convenient for some of us further west in PA, or the Ohio folks. For those of you who it is more convenient for thats understandable, we'll anxiously be waiting to see your pics!! . Due to my husbands work schedule unfortunately I am not able to make MD or Hershey and Im not taking a road trip with 3 little ones alone.

My take on all this is, the options are out there, if anyone can and wants to visit Pittsburgh the second weekend of November, April and I are willing to host.

So far it looks like:

Myself
April
Eli
Alexmom
chris (huskies)
pookeymom (possibly)
Marlene

I plan on emailing ginnym, to see if she can meet up with us at some point also.

looks good to me I just got a email from elisha & she may hitch a ride with us also!!! so weekend of 11-10 right? where around there is a good place to stay & not to expensive?

Chris, gimme a chance to look around on the internet for hotel prices. Obviously outside the city is cheaper. April lives about 10 minutes East outide the city and I live about 5 minutes South outside the city. BUt whats nice is we're close enough so if we wanted to do something in the city at some point that weekend we could do that. If you've never been here its a gorgeous city to see. I'll talk with April, see what kind of things we could plan to do, and look around for hotel prices and I'll keep ya updated.

Has a location for the meet and the weekend been picked? I'm having a hard time following the posts. Count us in........can someone just keep me posted on where and when..I don't get to come to the site that often and sometimes miss some posts.

Also my father in law was just diagnosed with skin cancer and he will need to have surgery....he sees the surgeon on Thursday so we will know more then, please keep him in your prayers. So depending on what happens with him might alter whether we can attend!

I would so love to see everyone again and meet the ones I haven't.

Keep in touch!