Shelly, I was raised in south Louisiana and Dh was raised in Jacksonville, Fl. We lived in Jax for many years, outside of D.C. for 2 years, and have been in Illinois for almost 6 years now. We left Jax due to Dh being out of work for 6 months, and while there are a lot more jobs in his field up here we miss the south real bad. Looks like he will be out of work again shortly, so he is applying all over right now. We would take Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida (of course), and all the way up to Virginia. We are not picky! Right now he is one the phone with someone about a job in San Antonio. BUT, he has also been interviewing up here so we will see. Our families would love to have us at least come back closer......No, we have never eaten at Biergarten, but Dh is German and we love buffets! Our oldest is a size 2 vegetarian, our baby is 7 and eats like a bird, and even our 2 good eaters are often full after the appetizer, so we wanted to go a cheaply as possible. Have no idea what I will be wearing, but we are staying at VWL too so maybe we can all meet at the get-together! Dh really wanted to see Gary Sinise, but of course the kids have no idea who he is. They would love LeVar Burton, we still watch old Reading Rainbow tapes from the library!! Have a great day

I am really getting excited about our trip as we are making plans, scheduling meals, and such!! Dh has family in Winter Park and we will spend Christmas Day with them, something we haven't been able to do since moving away....