October Update

It's been a few weeks since we've posted.  The school year is going well and Jakob is doing great in his classes.  Life has settled into mostly school/football/homework/sleep.  And the occasional meal. 

We went out to eat in Rhode Island a couple weeks back at Marchetti's.  Prime Rib was the specialty and Jakob and I both got the King Cut.  HUGE!  Roughly 60 ounces and delicious (yes, we both finished it).

Jakob attended one of the required AFS retreats the weekend of October 2nd.  They spent the night and got to know many of the other exchange students. 

This Saturday we went to Six Flags with Lori's brother Frank and his family.  Caitlin took Jakob on all of the big rollercoasters.  Jakob did his first loop and loved it.

Jakob has also done some cooking, and treated us to a few Austrian specialties.  We had Schnitzel and Austrian potato salad last night.  Yumm!  Of course, he's enjoyed experimenting with some good old American classics too. 

Enjoy the pictures below...

Six Flags rollercoaster

Someone in town raises Clydesdales that they bring to parades.  Caitlin and Jakob petting one.

Jakob's favorite dog, who was sleeping outside the Clydesdales stalls

Jakob and Mooshi Pig

Jakob on our steps to the upstairs hall

Trip to Boston - Jakob and Caitlin in front of a big macaroni & cheese noodle

Boston - Outside "Dad's" office building

Boston Common - Caitlin and Jakob

Jakob at the game - 99

Football huddle - Jakob 99

Jakob in play

Football action

Six Flags - Mind Eraser rollercoaster

Six FLags - Batman rollercoaster - was Jakob's favorite

Six Flags - With Scooby Doo and Scrappy - Caitlin, Jillian, Kacie, and Jakob



More Six Flags - Flashback coaster



Jakob's American creation - Cheeseburger with chicken patty, more cheese, and Doritos!

A Few More Photos

Caitlin's friend Phoebe slept over and they played a few fun games of Twister

Jakob's favorite outdoor activity - driving the lawn mower

Jakob and Caitlin's creation for breakfast - Waffles, ice cream, whipped cream and blueberries

Another night of tubing on the lake - Jakob, Caitlin, and Phoebe

Jakob

Jakob

Caitlin and Phoebe

Caitlin and Phoebe eating water

Caitlin and Phoebe

Captain Dad

Sunset on the lake

Air-Oar

Memorial Day cookout with our friends Rick, Michelle and their daughter Sydney

Bubble blower winner!

Waiting for the food to cook

Backyard volleyball

School has started

With the start of the school year on Wednesday, Sept 1, life is settling into more of a routine in the house.  Jakob has had no problem getting used to the school and finding his way around.  He's also been enjoying the football practices.

Last weekend we attended an ice cream social at Jay and Donna's house for the AFS students.  All the families were there as well, and everyone had a great time.  

The rest of the time has been pretty mellow, getting ready for school.  The weather has been HOT again, in the 90s.  

Tonight we are waiting to see what Hurricane Earl brings us, or at least what's left of it.  Being about 20 miles inland from the coast, it shouldn't get too bad.  Expecting probably just a lot of rain, with some high winds, maybe gusting to 50MPH.

Stay tuned....

End of Week One

It's been a great week.  Jakob is feeling more comfortable at the house and we're all enjoying his company!  

Some of the things we did last week:

Sunday morning tennis
The family cookout at our house where he got to meet his extended 'host' family
Emerald Square Mall for some shopping
Walking on the Cape Cod Canal, followed by some time in the pool
Wrentham Outlets for more shopping, including a fun time at Bass Pro Shops
Checked out Patriots Place and Gillette Stadium, home of New England Patriots FOOTBALL
Went to Newport RI and did the Cliff Walk to see the mansions
Toured the Basketball Hall of Fame, since our Six Flags tripped was rained out

Some pictures from the week:

Our First Couple of Days

Friday, August 13th, just after 3:00pm - We met Jakob at Mt. Ida College, the pickup spot, along with eleven other families picking up their students.  The drive home was long due to rush hour traffic. 

Once home, we got him unpacked, then made spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread for supper.  We spent some time talking about Austria and some of the differences there.  We topped off the night with a trip to Peaceful Meadows for some ice cream.

Saturday, August 14th - Went to Tony's Bakery in Fall River for some Portuguese breads to have for breakfast.  Went to Wareham for school supply shopping. 

Drove out to Plymouth and had lunch at Panera Bread, then took a walk out on the harbour rock jetty to look at the water and boats.  That night, grabbed Baldies Pizza for dinner, then took the boat out on the lake for a night of tubing.

Tomorrow if the family cookout at our house.

Welcome, Jakob!

Now that we are a week away, the excitement of having our very first foreign exchange student is taking hold.  Jakob will be coming to our home on August (yes, Friday) the 13th, and staying for the entire Sophmore school year.


This will be his first trip to the USA from Austria.  We're hoping he'll enjoy small town life.  The last couple of weeks have been spent getting his room ready, and setting up some of the things he'll need here.


We are taking the first week off that he is here to show him around.  Newport RI, Boston MA, Plymouth, the beaches, boating (can he waterski?)...  guess no matter what we do, it will be new to him.


Does he like seafood?  Ethnic?  What should his first American meal be? Mac & Cheese? (kidding).  Maybe a full blown outdoor New England Clam Boil, or a Souther Style Pig Pickin'...


WELCOME!!!