REUNION September 13th

I have emailed reunion information to everyone, but I thought I would also post it on the blog in case I am missing anyones email addresses. Please contact me if you did not get the email.

Now about the reunion. I can not believe the trip is over and planning for the reunion has begun. The reunion will be held at the Accord Firehouse located on Main Street in Accord, N.Y. 12404 at 6 PM September 13th. At the last meeting people signed up for different things so I am listing what you signed up to bring. If you wish to change what your bringing that is fine just please let me know, this way we are sure we have enough.

Sign up sheet below:

Sherry Ellsworth/Debi Greene Location/ Decorations and anything else not signed up for
Augustina Haynes Curry Chicken
Kelley DeGuisto Macaroni Salad
Liza Akirtava Fruits
Jean Stevens Chicken Cashew
Deanne Illenberger Potato Salad
Vernae Johnson Chicken Wings
Chelaine Jones Juice/Soda
Kathy Bolstad-Fernandez Taco Dip
Anne Meore Chocolate Fondue & Fruit
Joni Buzhholz Ambrosia Salad
Cindy Asala Meatballs
Charles Paris Edible Arrangement
John & Jennifer Cox Dessert
Adarella Deylii Baked Ziti
Jennifer Palmentiero Taco Salad
Jackie Seils Hot Dogs
Gary Graham Chicken/Rice & Beans
Maria Mekeel Antipasta Platter
Walter & Felicia Johnson Macaroni & Cheese
Jen Oppenheim Cups & Silverware
Alisa Palmerone Paper Plates & Napkins
Tricia Martin Ignaffo Drink / Punch
Kathy Morris Macaroni & Cheese (a different kind)
Cheryl Corbin Brownies
Ellen Caruso Dessert

* If you did not sign up to bring anything or missed the meeting please contact me to what you will be bringing. We will also need a count of people that will be attending. Parents, Siblings and even Grandparents are welcome. Come one come all and enjoy the memories, laughs and slide show of events

Some Pictures I Took On the Trip

I’d like to post a few pictures I took on the trip.

Thanks.

- Austin Fernandez

Welcome home.

I would like to thank Krysta, Holly and Jacob for taking such wonderful care of our children. For making sure they each had the time of their lives while learning diversity, culture and making friends that will last forever.

Friends forever

Day 20

They left as 39 strangers. They came home as 39 best friends.

The Eagle Has Landed!

I just heard from Joe, and they are on the ground in Newark! He was surprised we weren't on the way to Goshen already, but I told him we're waiting for the call from Krysta once they get through customs. He said he watched three movies in a row, and after going to bed at midnight and getting up at 4:30, I think he'll be in Tanner's camp of coming right home and going to bed! See you all soon.

Flight Info

For those of you asking, here is the return flight info; Continental Flight 0029 scheduled to leave London Heathrow at 10:25 and arrive Newark at 1:15 The flight is scheduled to be 6hr and 53 min long. According to flight tracker they may arrive a little earlier than planned....but we all know that could change. Here is the link to track the flight

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/COA29

Humor while we wait..

I heard from Tanner tonight. Not because he missed me, or that he was anxious to come home, but because he needed to be sure that his VisaBuxx had enough money to get his suitcase home with him. It's OVER weight - I guess I can't wait to see what he bought and is bringing home. The second thing he wanted to be sure of was that we would not Dilly-Dally with anything, and would just be sure to feed him and get him home to shower and BED. Wow babe, can't wait to give you a hug and kiss too! Then he very quickly got off the phone. I suspect that he and others did not want to miss a minute of what was left of the trip.
Till tomorrow,

Pick up time Thursday

The last email I received from Krysta stated that she will be calling me when they get through customs. At that point I am suppose to call the four parents I call and begin the phone tree. The plane lands at 115pm so Krysta was assuming they would be to Goshen 330 - 4 ish but the flight could be delayed or things happen so please do not consider that the actual time. I will call the minute I hear from Krysta.

On another note, I can not believe that the time is coming to an end. I am very proud of all of our children. They have encountered a journey that will bring them life time friendships. I know my son was extremely homesick in the beginning of the tripe but has since grown to build incredible friendships. He told me last night that although he misses home he doesnt want this journey to end. I told him the journey with his new friends will never end it will only cherish and bloom. My daughter cried while talking to me at the though of the trip coming to an end. She also stated she is ready to come home because she misses her little sister but she loves spending time with her friends.

I know even though I havent spoken to many of you on the phone or face to face, I have grown to know you through emails and the blog and feel a special connection to all of you. I am thankful to you for supporting me through the beginning of the homesick non sleeping nights.

I am asking that everyone email me their addresses, phone numbers and email address for both the parents and the children. I will email this to everyone so the children will always have a way to stay in contact with one another. I hope that this journey will open the door to many joys and oppurtunities for all of our children. See you all tomorrow

Pickup Time Thursday?

Hi parents --

Are we ready to get our kids back? I know I am! Sherry mentioned in an earlier post that Krysta thought they would be in Goshen at 3:30 or 4 p.m. tomorrow. Has anyone heard any updates on this?

Tuesday Aug 5th

I spoke to Alex today. He said they went to a celebration 2 days ago and he got to raise the American flag. He was so tired (11pm his time) that he couldn't remember the exact details. I hope that someone took a picture. I'm thinking it was at the anniversary of the Normandy American Cemetery. Does anyone know? He said they are staying in a beautiful 5 star hotel in the Parliament and went downstairs to meet "Patrick" a British Parliament official. I asked him if he had any complaints about the overall trip and he said "none". They are going to see all the places on the itinerary except the musical is now going to be "The sound of Music" instead of "West End". On another note, Ron has been able to borrow a projector for the September 13th reunion and I was hoping that everyone could email a few pictures so that we can put a presentation together for that day. Our email address is " rbuchholz@hvc.rr.com . I can also make this memory stick into a disc for a walmart price of around $2.50 per disc. Joni

Tuesday Night

Amanda called and today they went to Henry the eights palace and toured that. She said it was haunted and scarey. After that they had lunch which was some kind of chicken and rice thing. After that they went to the hotel and shopping and to get ready to go meet the parlament. She said he spoke to them for about 2 hours. She is exhausted and loving every minute of the trip. She doesnt want it to end but is ready to see her sister. Tomorrow they go to the london eye.

Sunday Evening

I just hung up with JC and he said today they climed to the top of the Effeil Tower. He said stopping and waiting to go all the way up he felt himself get a little sick with the height but once he was at the top he was fine. The view was incredible. They also went to the Kings castle and that was incredible he said as well as the gardens. They were able to see a fountain show which was cool but the gardens were "just" flowers. Boys you gotta love em. Anyway tomorrow he said is going to be an extremely busy day and they need to pack two days worth of clothes in their back packs. They do the cruise, and have a meet and great in England.

Amanda called and informed me that alot of the girls were either crying or had white knuckles from holding on with fear from the heights. She said it was AWSOME but the delegate leaders made them look over. She did say it was beautiful though. She said it was an experience of a life time.

More Photos

More Photos

As promised, here are the photos from their dinner in Switzerland. I'll add more to another post.

John

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Tomorrow im goan 2 the

Tomorrow im goan 2 the eiffel tower yay joe m

Saturday Afternoon

Amanda just called me and said they toured the city. She said it was beautiful. They were able to stop and take pictrues of the Eiffel tower and tomorrow they are going there. I asked her about taking pictures and sending them to the blog and she informed me they are not allowed to take their cell phones out during the day but she will take pictures at night at the hotel and send them.

Saturday 8/2/08

Hi to all, Alex called yesterday and was in great spirits. He was munching on chocolates that they got while in Belgium. He informed me to tell his brothers, "sorry there won't be any left for them when he gets home". He said Amsterdam was really interesting and he bought a pair of blue painted clogs at the Clog Shop that they visited. He said he has become close to everyone in the delegation because they were rotated alot within the group. He has especially bonded with Skyler, Mike Hill and Austin. He had no complaints and said everyone was fairing well. He said the best part of the trip so far was his homestay and the river raft ride, and that he really misses his homestay family. Wow! I guess I,m going to have to invite them to America. Joni

I spoke with Evan last night and he also said the Eiffel tower is beautiful. He says their hotel is really nice too. He loved the Flanders Field Museum. He informs me that he has enough clean clothes to last the rest of the trip.(Lord only knows)I am sure I will have a suitcase full of laundry when he gets home.

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doing laundry in the tub. Marie is a french maid. - Amanda E.

Friday Night

Amanda just called me to tell me they are having a wonderful time. They went on a horse drawn carriage ride this morning and to two different Museums. She said they were very intetesting. They are now in Paris and she said it is beautiful. They are doing laundry so i had to walk them through the process of laundry in the tub. My fear is this being the FIRST time they needed help so apparently this is the first time they have done laundry. PEWWWWWW

JC called and said the same things as Amanda. He said they drove by the Eiffel tower and it was beautiful he tried to take pictures through the bus window. He also stated that the delegate leaders asked all of the children to do their laundry tonight because the bus is beginning to stink. He and his roommate were also doing the mass tub laundry and again I walked them through the process. At lease I know JCs laundry was done at the homestay so he wasnt all that bad.