Reagan in Hamburg

Reagan' host parents hosted a barbecue in her honor and then took her on the grand tour of Hamburg.  They reportedly had a fantastic time! 

A Paddle on the Sturgeon

 

The lake was glass this morning, which emboldened Galina and I to cross the bay to Sturgeon River.  This is new territory for us on a paddle board.  It was absolutely beautiful.  A bald eagle also decided to pose for us, which was very fun.  

A yacht from Detroit was moored in the bay.  Something we don't see every day!

She Made It TO Deutschland

 

Quinn's New Job

 

A YouTube Interview of Quinn's new place of work.  If you look closely, you can catch him behind the Founder a few minutes in.  

Off and Away, for Realsies

 I'm kind of glad we had a do-over with the send-off.  The second time, it was just Rob and I with her.  We'd had a few days to get used to the idea.  That didn't stop Rob from wearing sunglasses the entire day, even indoors, so no one could see him crying.  But this time, Rob and I could grieve alone, as we watched our baby girl go through security and slip away.  A year will be a really long time.  She is so excited, so ready to start this adventure.  She will do great, I have not the slightest doubt.  But there is a whole lot of adjusting for Rob and I to do without her, and we weren't quite ready for her to go.  But go she did.

Goodbye, little girl who's not so little anymore!  God be with you!

Colby had to work, so said his goodbye at home. 

Rob and I went outside and watched the plane take off.

Reagan caught a glimpse of us from her window.  We don't look pathetic at all, hanging on the fence, right?

You can't see her, but she's staring at us through the window, just above the wing.

Goodbye with Grandpa, Take Two

 On our way to the airport yesterday, Grandpa Al called in a panic.  He hadn't realized Reagan's visit on Monday was to say GOODBYE!  He thought we had just stopped by for fun!  And now she was gone and he'd never see her again!  

"Yes, you will!" I told him.  "She's only gone a year!"  

" I have to stay alive a whole year, so I can see her again?" says he.  YES.  Yes, you do.

He was distraught.  Poor Grandpa.  It broke my heart, hearing him tear up on the phone like that, worried that he wouldn't see his youngest grandchild again this side of the veil. Well, luckily, little Miss' flight had been cancelled, so she COULD go out to eat with Grandpa and say a proper goodbye.

This pup is also going to miss his girl.

Bon Voyage Day, With An Unexpected Twist

 Reagan had a 2 pm flight scheduled out of Marquette, which gave us plenty of time to travel early for breakfast at Donker's first.  She was taking a backpack, a carry on bag, and a single checked bag (full of gifts for her future host families) as her entire luggage for a year abroad.  That was pretty darned impressive to me.

Last pic with the house for awhile!  Goodbye, grape vines!

Reagan, as is her Modus Operandi, was a stimulating conversationalist on the ride over.  She never slept this well in the car while traveling as a baby.  Just sayin'.

All her friends decided to tag along as well, to see the girl off.  We got a parking ticket at breakfast and then found that my car had a flat tire.  Neither of these things boded well for the day.

After a quick tire change, it was off to the airport.  We got there in plenty of time. 

Plenty of time for a photo shoot with friends.

Reagan is not a hugger, even with people she loves.  This was hard for her!

Trying SO HARD not too cry.

The long goodbye.

Then all of her friends left, and...... Reagan's flight got cancelled.  What the WHAT????  After all that emotion???

So we got back in the car and went home!  We get to keep her for two more days!  YAY!!!!