Sin City.

LOVE going to Deak's conference...and so do they...

LOVE reconnecting with our friends.

LOVE spending time with my family, especially time which included drinking frozen margaritas poolside.

LOVE rooms that include jacuzzi tubs and tvs in the bathroom.

LOVE going to dinner and for drinks with all the "Moms" and being told I was drinking the HARD stuff. (Diet Red Bull) Still haven't figured that one out...

LOVE finding out that Deak is in a Ford commercial and on billboards in Texas...(Ford supports a Golf Tournament for the Chromosome 18 Research Center.)

Love that I got to tell Deak's story to a film crew producing a documentary on this photographer who spends hours photographing our kids. They spoke to Deak and I for nearly an hour and a half...and were in tears by the end. That kid does it for everyone.

LOVE being around our people.

People we never knew we'd need.

People that weren't part of our blanket plan when we decided to have children.

People I could not live without.

They help me feel normal, and okay, and loved.

We swam every day, and seriously could not get enough of the beautiful pools. Each day, new people (not associated with our conference) would come and ask about Deakon. I am pretty used to this, and never mind letting people play with him...as long as they're tactful. Some of the next pictures include a guy from some country in Europe (I'm assuming) swimming with Deak. He had spent some time watching him, and then asked sweetly if he could swim with him for a minute. Much to Blair's protective dismay, I said..."Sure." I quickly learned that when he said "swim" he meant "swim." He had Deak kicking and fully submerged...and Deak LOVED it. It was an interesting experience though:)...

Another mom who wasn't affiliated with the conference and I hadn't met before then. She was having some difficulties with her own son, and when she saw Deak, she was prompted to come and talk.

Abs and one of her two bestest buddies from the Day Program, Kayla. We will be visiting her hometown area next year for the conference.

Some Friends...

Julia: A Chromosome 18 Conference is not a conference with out her.

This is Deak with the oldest living adult I have met with Ring 18...Ashley, 28. Her parents trail blazed alone with her as a child, and now she has restored and increased hope for our son. It was amazing to meet and speak with her.

Deak with Lindsey and Keona...his other two Ring 18 buddies. Yes...only four of us. I told you...Deak's a rare one.

Deak taking part (tentatively) with the group picture of all our sweet kids.

With Emarie, our friend from Utah with 18q deletion. Isn't she a doll?

Abs and Gwen...other bestest buddy.

Remy, Kayla's sister.

The strip was our least favorite part of the trip by far. We did LOVE In and Out, and getting presents at the M&M store...but we only lasted a couple of hours there. The strip is just gross - especially with kids.

So, our trip to Sin City was not filled with a whole lot of corruption - just an overall good time. I treasure this conference and these people. It is always full of helpful information, but more importantly...full of memories and hope I can make it another year.

Thank you infinity to our families for helping us have this experience this year.