We started the day with Starbucks Breakfast, then to the Lincoln Zoo. We met Donald and Steven and walked around enjoying the animals and the children's climbing center. [View Full Entry]

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After the field, we stopped at the Palmer House for cocktails in the beautiful historic lounge. Then we returned to the hotel to freshen up. We ate dinner at the Alahambra Palace. Fantastic food and entertainment. We packed a lot into the day. [View Full Entry]

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We walked through Grant Park on our way to the Field Museum. The lines were sooooooooo long, but we had fun anyway. [View Full Entry]

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We arrived in Chicago with a special ride waiting to take us to the hotel. [View Full Entry]

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Cristiana here! Were going to Chicago! What fun! I'm going for my birthday party this year, with Regina! We had to wake up at 6:00, but that's just for us kids! All we have to do now is wait, and wait, and wait! I'm so exited! I hardly got any sleep. I just want to run to the plane and fly away. We stayed in this awesome lounge and this is where I'm writing this! Regina [View Full Entry]

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November 27, 2008 Happy Thanksgiving! We made it to Palermo after an exhilarating day at the Valley of the Greek Temples in Agrigento yesterday. We were able to explore several Greek temples overlooking the Mediterranean outside of the city. It was spectacular! It is truly amazing that such structures could remain fairly intact after 2000+ years! After hiking around the ruins, we were able to take a nice cappuccino/gelato break down by the lido. After snacking, the kids put on their swimsuits and went for a dip in the sea! There is a real advantage of touring this time of year [View Full Entry]

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We are in Taormina, Sicily. We spent the morning traveling from Rome, picking up the rental van and waiting for the Frictons. We all piled into the Ford Transport (9 passanger van- like the van from paris) and headed up Etna, the mountain known to the Greeks as the home of Vulcan, God of Fire and the one eyed Cyclops. After a long windy and drive up the Volcano, we were turned away from the summit because the Funicular was closed for the season. We enjoyed the views of the craters and collected some lava rock. On the way down we [View Full Entry]

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Sunday, November 23, 2008 Day 3….Spoleto to Rome We arrived on Friday morning and have packed an entire vacation into 3 days. After arriving in Rome at 8:00 am we hopped into our rental car and drove towards Spoleto…typically an hour and a half trip. Unfortunately, we missed our turn and routed ourselves through Orvieto and Todi. Not a bad alternative to trip taken many times! It afforded us the opportunity to see a few new sights. Upon arriving in Spoleto we were shocked to discover the main corso in total disarray…torn from end to end. Hopefully by December the r [View Full Entry]

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Français/French: Nous avons ariver a Rome est on a partie dans un rental car a Spoleto dans la region de Umbria. Il y a des olive sur des arbre. Nous avons vue baucoup de nos amis de Italy ici aussi. Il n y a pas plus a dire, donc avoir pour maitenemp, Cristiana P.S. Papa et sur son quatrième capuccino aujourd hui! English/Anglais: We arived at Rome and left in a rental car to Spoleto in the region of Umbria. There are olives on the trees. We saw lots of our Italy friends. Theres not much more to say, so bye [View Full Entry]

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French/Francais: Nous sommes a l'airoport de New York! Nous allons partire d'ici a 5h30 temp de New York. Dans nos avion qui vas nous voller a Rome, il y a des petit television qui a des video et jeu de su. Je suis teres eciter, mais sa vas etre une vremon long jour! Je suis trist que je n'est pas a l'ecole, et je veux parler a mes amies. Je spre que j'ai pas TROP de traville quand je retourn! Quand nous etons dans la premire avion, on a vu le Statue du Libarte par la fenetre! Quand je vais sur [View Full Entry]

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