Fassit Mansion

I can't believe we've been home a month!

This picture brings back memories - like - we drove past this place at least 3 times before parking up in the church opposite, and I'll never forgot Gordon and Mike laughing themselves silly when they escorted us across the road to the house!!!! We actually turned around once in the drive!

And what a welcome when we got there!!! It was so exciting, looking over the place and who had what room and tea and cake downstairs in the dining room, everyone talking - nearly at once!!! It was such a great atmosphere! Like it said over the mantel piece - but we weren't exactly strangers when we entered!

Sunday evening was magic too - was it not!!! All those coming up from Country View (we all expected you to be at Bala - and didn't Mike pull a fast one there too!!! )

I never remembered the "We're here because we're here, because we're here!" tune! I remember at Bongondza, calling out 'howdy' as we entered the houses!

Kerri always had a special greeting for me - not that I can remember it now! Mama Kerrigan was very disapproving of mum who turned up on the Mission Field pregnant! (What else do young marrieds do on a six week voyage!) Unfortunately, Mum lost that baby at Yakusu- it was too big for the birth canal and they were lucky not to have lost Mum as well. Anyway, Ma Kerri softened after that and when I came along, everything was sweetness and light! They were my surrogate grandparents all the time we were at Maganga!!! (and Vov's too of course!)

Thank goodness Dr Becker came to Oicha - several of us came into this world under his supervision! But I digress from Fassit Mansion and Sunday evening! Alan did a great job on the tea run - not sure who mixed sugar in with salt! Thank goodness Barbara bought Cheese and crackers and Ray bought popcorn!

And Mike - isn't he Mr Memory Man!!!! I used to sing the trout song but I think I forgot all the words by the time I was 13!!!!!

It was such a wonderful evening - watching the Mac boys relaxed enough to engage in their banter, learning more about the Mac girls and how they cope with all the male testosterone - you girls are great!!!

Baz remembers the fireflies - they made the grass sparkle and added to the magic!

Grandsons!

These two cousins are always so pleased to see each other and play well together but Ben is never pleased to pose for photos even with Louie encouraging him! I just love them so much!!!!

Mothers!!!

Jeanette (Catherine's Mum) and I got to ride in this old car! Fortunately no one has published pictures of us getting in or out of this vehicle! Lady like it wasn't!!!! No wonder corsage took a nose dive! Although it was spitting with rain, we didn't get too wet - a bit wind blown for the six mile drive to the reception! At least I could kick off the shoes for a bit!

The Bride and Groom

Presenting Adam and Catherine Hemming! They were married in a Catholic Church in a tiny village called Brewood, and are now in Thailand on honeymoon! It was a lovely ceremony and the priest spent along time talking to them so that his sermon had a personal touch - he talked about not falling out over a game of scrabble! Apparently Adam never wins a game of scrabble!!! If Catherine is losing, she abandons the game as they have run out of time!!!!

Boys and girls wishing

Ray and Baz with Naomi and Sarah (Vov and Ray's two daughter's) posing by the wedding car! i don't think they want to marry each other - just wishing they could own and drive a car like this!!!! I have started using spell checker - which will be a relief for all

Reunion photos - deep and meaningful conversations

Don't you just wonder what is being said when these pictures were taken!!! Bill has obviously given Gordon something to think about and John seems to be in agreement!!! And what would psychologists make of Ray and Barbara's body language? David is in parent mode and humouring Mimi! No words needed from Mike!!!! Laastly - are Mike and Allan discussing the merits of Aussie tea over US or UK concept of tea?????

Veronicas Party!!!! Ray did well with the Barbie and Wilf took the pictures! Veronica cxooked an amazing array of curries!

Home again

Just to say we are back home safely!!! Flew in at 9.45am today, Baz has already had the washing machine going and we are gearing up for Veronica's 60th Birthday party on Saturday! I have had a quick look at some of the reunion pictures and will put them up soon! Looking forward to seeing some all the other photographers took! Love Laureen

URGHHHHH!!! VIRGIN ATLANTIC and i wish i could spell!!!

we will be on our way in a few hours!!! The last few have been very stressful - trying to get seats so that Baz and I can sit together! Computers are so impersonal and I get easily frustrated I think!!!! ONE OF MY PROBLEMS IS NOT HAVING PATIENCE WHEN IT TAKES AGES TO LOAD UP! see - i accidentally touched Caps lock and now can't get it to lower case unless I start again!

No wonder I have high blood pressure problems!

School Christamsa show

Remember the school shows!!! Veronica centre stage!!!

Remeber the Carte Blanc and the Carte Rose!!! Not sure why after all these years I still have mine! I must have worked hard - or maybe all the Belgians were leaving ahead of independence and I got lucky!!! It obviously meant alot 'cos I brought it out of Africa with me!!! The things we keep and treasure!!!

Hector's inventions

Who remembers this mode of transport????

If I remeber rightly - someone got their finger trapped on the wheel - which is just out of shot!!!

and to get a ride, you had to drag the seat back up to the start!

We did have fun amongst all the ups and downs!

It was when we were living at this place that the money hadn't come through! I'm not sure how Hector and Ione managed it but we were down to our last branch of bananas - they were the little red ones - so the 'barrel' was nearly quite empty and then the post arrived with money and they could stock up with food again! I dont recall going hungry ever!

family round up

I thought when I started Blogging I would get all the family introduced - well that was the plan!!! With just days to go - here are the last two - Tom and Nunciatina. Nunci's parents came over to England from Italy when they were children nad settled in Bedford - about an hours drive north of where we live! Tom and Nunci met on holiday - who says holiday romances don't last! They have a little boy called William, who is 1 year old - just born a few weeks after Meg and David had Katie; which is quite nice to have cousins a similar age! Tom works in London - which makes him a commuter!

So just to summarise - I had three boys - Eddie, Adam and Peter, and Baz had Jenny, Meg and Tom! We met after our respective spouses sought pastures new and left us minding the children! Baz's divorce was very acrimonious - it was a difficult time and we started out by commiserating and supporting each other and all our children! That was 23 years ago - mutual help turned into friendship and then love! Jon came along to complete the picture.

Baz and I were married by Dad in 2000 and we celebrate 10 years of marriage whilst we are in the States!! We got married in the little chapel in Derbyshire that Mum and Dad reopened and where Mum is buried.

So we have a big family and they are all grown up and having children and we are getting even larger! Some clouds are lined with silver, my cloud has lots of children!!! So now I have told you all about me and next week when we meet- I can do alot of listening! Can't wait!

I've started sorting out clothes - its a girl thing and I'm sure most of you boys think we're weird! I have also been watering the garden in the hopes that everything will be so saturated it will survive without me! To be honest, Jon is good at keeping everything ticking over - however, he doesn't eat the veg so the courgettes will be marrows when we get back. The jasmine is out in flower - I can't convey the smell - i wish i could - it makes watering the garden relaxation rather than a chore!

Wimbledon

I love tennis! My love affair started inthe 1960's when I was supposed to be revising for exams; I loved Chris Drsydale asnd Marty Reissen, not becausethey were fantastic tennis players you understand! Then along came John Newcombe, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe was fun at times! I appreciate John McEnroe much more now he is a commentator - his observations are so acute! Bjorn Borg and Boris Becker were fun to watch, Pete Sampras became an acquired taste! By now of course the tennis is much more important that the other factors that drew me to the sport!

Today saw the end of an epic match - Isner (american) against Mahut (french)! Did it get television news country anywhere else inthe world besides here? We spent more time watching them than any of the top seeds or football!

I have been very disciplined today - I have been working at home tryingto finish a book chapter I am writing, and I worked solidly on the computer until 7pm despite the tennis being available! I can now bore for England on Rheumatoid Arthrits! Did you know - there are over 200 different types of arthrits! No!!!! Nor did I! I haven't written about all of them - needless to say!

The other day I discovered Charles V of Habsburg - back in the 1550's abdicated (I think he was an Emporer in Europe - well most of it) because he had a severe bout of gout!!!!

I don't think our Queen has ever had gout and she doesn't look like abdicating - thank goodness! Old though she may be, she is certainly more astute than her sons or grandsons!

The purpose of this ramble??? Well I'm not sure! Baz is in bed - snoring and i'm still awake! I guess you are now all convinced I'm nuts! Night Night XXXX Be seeing you all soon - how exciting!

World Cup Football Fever

Wow - time is flying by!!! I stared introducing various members of the family but seem to have gone off the boil for a while!!! I can't believe I last put anything up back in May!!!

Well its world cup season - which pleases our youngest son Jon!!! For those of you interested in football - his team is Liverpool and in the picture he is actually sitting in the players changing room
at Anfiled! Jon has been a fan since he was a tiny tot and has a collectin of football shirts going back years! When we were in Australia, Gordon sent Jon an Australian shirt - which thrilled him to bits!

In the other picture Jon is with his girlfriend Clare. They have been dating for a year now. Clare is a teacher! Jon and Clare have known each other since school days.

Back to football- aren't England playing badly!!! and fancy America being in the same group!

Not only is football taking up so much time on television but its competing with Wimbledon!!! I became a tennis fan back inthe 60's - never could play it - my eye to hand co-ordination was never good enough! But I love watching it! My money is on Federa again but who knows!!!

Summer has come!!!

Today has been HOT!!!!! It was time to clean down the old Barbie!!! Get out the patio stuff and behave like this is the weather that lasts all summer - but heh!!! this is England and showers are forecast for Tuesday! Never the less - I did put on my sun screen! most Brits only put on sun screen when they go on holiday - which is why skin cancer is a growing problem in this country, and we have the fastest growing incidence of skin cancer!
Jon and Clare (Jon is our youngest son) were home after a week in Spain - Clare's parents have a small house out there! Eddie (son no 1), his partner Carla and son Louie are off to Cyprus on Tuesday also came round! We are really praying that Ed, Carla and Louie make the flight this time! They were due to fly last September, but Louie was very ill so they had to cancel! At least the volcano in Iceland has stopped spewing ash and is just belching steam! So it is quite hopeful that they make this trip! Ed says he wont believe it until they are on the plane!
We also had Jenny, Richard and the girls around and Baz's Mum Florrie also came - so we had quite a gathering for our first summer Barbie!!!
Baz's mum is 96 years old! She is the last surviving parent and all her siblings have died! She gets quite lonely as she has few visitors - mainly her carers, who call four times a day! Florrie has severe osteoarthritis, she can barely hold anything in her hands; tinnitus, which is very troublesome and she is very wobbly on her legs - but her mind is acute as ever and she has a wicked sense of mischief! The children love her!
The garden is not looking too bad! I managed to get some tomato plants in pots and the broad beans are looking good! Unfortunately, the cold this winter has killed off some of the agapanthus ( African lilies!!) ; I had some unusual species that I had picked up at Hampton Court Flower show! Gardening is about winners and losers! this year, the alliums, with their purple pompom flower heads are looking great! I have some sweet corn to plant out and some celariac - so the next few days will be busy!!!! Gardening is my sanity!
At work - marking is coming in; so I am quite busy on that front! The next chapter of the adaptation of the Lemone and Burke textbook on medical and surgical nursing is due at the publishers by the 15th June - so I'm brushing up on orthopaedic nursing care in the hopes that I come up with an up to date chapter!

Heather Arton

I have been thinking about Heather a lot today! Do you remember her strange eating habits - especially at breakfast?? Heather and I were due to be born at the same time; John and Betty agreed to travel to Oicha with Mum and Dad, but on the way up, John lost control of the truck and they ended up in a ditch. The got to Boyulu and Chester Burke straightened out the axle so they could continue the journey! They arrived at Oicha and Mum went into labour almost immediately - so I arrived within 24 hours of getting there - under weight!!! (who would think it now!!!) So Mum and Dad sat and waited until Betty went into labour and Heather took another 3 and half weeks to emerge! Any way, I digress!
Heather and Breakfast! - Heather hated porridge - she would sit at the table with a tumbler (remember those metal coloured tumblers - I loved the colours, almost iridescent), anyway, she would have tumbler of water in one hand and spoon of porridge in the other. She take a spoon of porridge and a gulp of water, and instead of eating the porridge, she would gulp it down as if she were swallowing a tablet. She used to pray that the Lord would call her to heaven before she had to eat the whole plateful! She was very often still there when the bus came to take us to school and it was always a mad rush to get her to the bus!
I often wondered how she managed in captivity - it seemed very wrong that she had to bear that! She had always been such a weak child - health wise, small for her age! We weren't in the same year at school - because she had gone to Reithy, she didn't have the French, so I think she was in Vov's year at school but Vov doesn't remember that! I may be wrong of course- about which year she was in, I just know I was the only english speaking girl in my class, which iguess is why I was more fleunt in French in those days!
We were always going to be nurses - Heather and I - I made it and always felt that I nursed for two, she always knew more than me about nursing - I guess Betty influenced that! And I have enjoyed my nursing career - so thank you Heather!! We are still soul mates!

New parliament

We have a new parliament!!! All change- good I think! I remember reading Testament of Youth years ago! It was written by Vera Britten and was all about World War 1 and the sacrifices that the young people had to make. Vera Britten lost her brother and all his friends, including the one she became engaged to in that awful war. i only mention this because she was the mother of one of the politicians - Shirley Williams, who was one of the four people founding the Liberal democrat party. I heard Shirley speak and for a time was a party member! My brief flirtation with politics! So years later, we get Liberal Democrats in power because of a coalition. i have had some interesting discussions at work!! What times we live in!!!

The way we were

This picture was taken not long after we got back to the UK in 1960!!!! Mum looks so thin! She was incredible when I think about it! Congo wasn't the best place for her health wise, but undeterred, she worked on and what a fantastic job she did too! Not saying Dad didn't do a good job - he did, but he wasn't poorly like she was at times! We discovered that Mum and Dad were on the first boat to leave Southampton post war without a naval convoy when we were going through things after Dad died. How long did letters take back then? And just think of all the changes since then!

I was puzzling over in my mind what my favourite children's home was! I think it was the house by the bakery! The smell of fresh bread still turns me on! I think I was always lucky with bedrooms and room mates because a) I was a girl and b) not many girls my age- except for Heather Arton. Heather and I shared the room that led off from the lounge /diner at Km 8! Just behind the veranda! That was a neat room!!!

I was wondering who slept out in the barn! I can't believe we used that for habitation! In the UK Social Services would have been out in force!!! Cruelty to children no less! Hey - we all survived one way or another!

I think my favourite spot at Km 8 was the steps - those red ones leading to the front door; I used to sit on them and read books - mainly boys books! (that's all that was available i think). Did any of you boys ever read any of them - they were American, and I can't remember who the main character was, I think he was a sportsman - a team player and the stories were often about dilemmas that challenged his beliefs and tested his commitment to Christ! Can any one help me out with this?

I do remember Ione not letting me play on the swings in case I showed my knickers and corrupted any of the boys - she didn't use those words of course but that was the essence of it!

Life was a challenge for a girl - being female seemed a distinct disadvantage at times, especially when all my peers were boys! I did so want to join in - I remember Billy often aribtrating for me - and I was always grateful - may not have told you so at the time Billy and apologies for that! You were my hero on those occaissions! Perhaps we should prepare the three best bits of life in the childrens home and the three worst bits!!! One of my best bits would be the games on Saturday night and of course the films - David Livingstone!!!!

Wow - Ist May!!!

I have recovered from illness!!!! Back to work with a vengence- when I am off sick or on holiday, no one picks up - so its all to do when I get back! I have eventually found an external examiner - so my students scripts can now be moderated! I have rescheduled the day session I had to cancel - so getting back up to speed.

The Volcanic ash thing had me terrified! What if I couldn't fly to the states! I'm OK if I was stranded in the States - I figure some kind person will put me up - I do so want to getthere for the reunion!

My daughter in law - Carla - slipped whilst trying to paint the bathroom ceiling! Unfortunately, she was balancing precariously on a small step ladder that she had put in the tub and when she fell she dislocated her knee!!! The trauma had lots of consequences - she couldn't do much for Louie's birthday party but direct operations - fortunately, the family all rallied round! Iguess its the blessing of a large family! Anyway - alltraumas are forgotten and Carla is now recovered and back at work1 Since then - our little Katie had her first Birthday party! She is our youngest grand daughter - I haven't introduced this family yet! The picture is off Meg and David on their wedding day! Meg and David have two children - Ben aged 3 and katie aged 1. Meg is studying counselling at Uni and works at a childrens nursery part time. David has a fascinating job - he is a dog handler, and he works at a large airport - his dog finds money - counterfit!

Meg is younger than Jenny and older than Pete - and she is our middle child!!! Pivotal really!!!

Just two more boys to introduce to you and then that is our family complete!

I seem to be the only one blogging on here! Have I bored you all to death? Are you dreading meeting me now!!! Just wondering!

Bit more from Laureen

Today, our eldest granddaughter, Danielle, celebrated her 13th. Birthday!!!!! Danielle is at secondary school - the same one that her mummy and daddy and all her uncles and aunt went to! Two teachers are still there who knew them all and can still remember all the family!
Danielle is a very bright young girl, she does a lot of dancing - ballet, tap and modern; goes to Girl Guides; loves handicrafts - sewing, knitting etc and studies hard. Danielle is the eldest of three girls - Aimee came next - she is 8 years old and the tom boy of the family - she plays soccer, does gymnastics as well as dancing. The girl has no fear!!!! You would never have caught me jumping about on a narrow beam like she does at her age!!!
Last but not least is Ruby aged 5! Ruby is the quite shy one, she loves her books and reads very well for her age! Like the others, she loves handicrafts and she also does ballet lessons after school.
Mummy and Daddy are Jenny and Richard, Jen is our eldest daughter and she comes after Adam in birth order! We have known Richard since he was 14 years old, when his family moved to St Albans and he joined the school. Theirs is a teenage romance that has stood the test of time. From finishing school, Jenny went to University and became a teacher - she is now a deputy head of Primary school that takes children from nursery age(3 years old) up to 11 years of age. She is studying for her Masters degree in Education - so has a lot on her plate - what with family and full time work and study!
Richard became a postman, it is a job that has fitted in well with family life because he tends to finish work by lunch time and is able to pick up the girls from school and look after them until Jenny gets home. He supplements his income by buying and selling cars and doing carpentry! A man of many talents - would be ace as a missionary in tropical Africa!!!!
Fortunately, they are only a five minute drive away so we get to see a lot of them.
Jenny worries about social networking sites on the Internet and doesn't like the fact that with some sites people seem to be able to access them with ease and view pictures, so no pictures of the girls but I will bring some to the reunion!
I am about half way through introducing you to the family - you will be releaved to know!
I said it was large!!!
I am so glad I was brought up in the Children's home - it taught me a lot that I have found useful in my life!!!! Especially when dealing with lots of children!

Rain in Perth Australia

I have just watched the news - has anyone else seen the rain in Perth!!!! A months rainfall in seven minutes - hailstones bigger than golf balls and thousands of people left with out power!!! I just hope Mike and family are safe and well! The video clip on BBC news is amazing.

My last bit today - I think!!!

Having talked about Peter and Marika's wedding, it is only fair to introduce them properly with a picture! Peter works in publishing for a company called HVS International and Marika works for the University of East London in programme administration! Marika gets to see the development taking place for the olympic games on a daily basis. I couldn't operate without my programme administrators at University, they do so much to ease student life!!! Behind Peter and Marika is a boy playing with a camera - that is Wilf and Kathy's youngest son Isaac! That's all for to day folks!

Wilfred's family

Having shown you all a picture of Wilfred, I can't leave Wilfred's wife Kathy out of the equation - a pity I didn't get them together! So here is Cathy - with Adam (son number 2) and Wilf and Kathy's eldest son Rueben!

More from Laureen

Weddings are wonderful photo opportunities - eaxactly one year ago, Peter (son number 3)married the delightful Marika! It was a wonderful sunny spring day, very warm and they did better than many who opted for summer weddings - we had a very wet summer last year!

Anyway - here I am with Veronica and Wilfred! Adrian lives in Australia with his wife Debs and couldn't make the trip!

Practice makes perfect

Think I have got to grips with this now!!! This is Veronica and I with our respective husbands - Ray and Baz - and our wonderful Dad a bit before he died!!!Hopefully you will recognise us when we arrive in USA - but - be warned - we won't be in our wedding gear - we'll dress more casual!!!

You'd think I have nothing to do all day but sit and Blog on the computer! Truth is - I have been ill for two weeks - heavy cold and cough - a viral thing that is doing the rounds and I have no energy for anything!!! I have gone into work because I hate letting students down I have had teaching commitments where I have been covering for colleagues and its topics that are my specialist area - so there isn't anyone who could cover it for me! But it has left me exhausted! I hear you all going - 'ahhh'

Laureen trying to get to grips with Blogging again!!!

I have been trying to up load images - and I think I have finally worked it out!!! So as it is this picture that has come up I will introduce you to my second son - Adam and his girlfriend Catherine! Adam and Catherine both live in London and are getting married in August this year! Adam manages a Theatre in the Isle of Dogs (the old London Docklands - not far from where the 2012 Olympics will be held), Catherine works in a book shop.

Friday - end of the week!!

My philosophy is that the more I Blog the better I'll get - not sure if it works out like that!!! I have just spent the day teaching Mental Health nurses that people with dementia deserve a dignified death or end to their life, they feel pain and it needs treating, they have spiritual needs that are not currently being addressed and they have a right to making informed decisions about their end of life care whilst they are still able to articulate those choices!!! Hard work - it generated a lot of debate!
I called in at the supermarket for weekend shopping on the way home!!! Baz usually dooes the heavy stuff - or boring stuff, I get the 'special' - fruit and veg and what we might have for dinner!
Baz is on a late shift this week - bus driving(sometimes red double deckers!!!) - so he wont get in until after midnight!!! So I am off to son number 1 - Eddie, and his partner Carla and son Louie - for dinner - we're having chinese take away - so no cooking for anyone after a long week working!!!! Hope this finds everyone well - love Laureen

My first attempt at Blogging - I think!!!

It is great flicking through everyone's profile and seeing the pictures - and I am really looking forward to meeting up. Ken you have done a great job with the accommodation - Kevin is sooooo helpful!so thanks Ken - you are a star! Laureen

Here is the Cindy Boyes Kewley family on Christmas Day 2009. Dad Boyes joined us for a few days at Christmas--a very special time. Jack and I have 4 kids --2 married girls (Sarah who has 2 kids and Anna), one college age girl (Rachel) and our college age son John.

The back row from left to right is Dad Boyes, Eric (married to Anna), John our son, Jack my husband. The front row is our 2nd daughter Anna, 3rd daughter Rachel with 2 year old Phoebe in front of her, myself, 1st daughter Sarah with husband Levi and 10 month old Max.

Sarah and Levi and 2 kids live in LA, Calif. where he is a graduate student at Rosemeade School of Psychology. Anna and Eric live in Oklahoma City where he is stationed at Tinker Air Force base. Rachel is in her last year at James Madison University. John is a sophomore at Virginia Tech. Jack and I live outside of Washington, D.C. in Virginia.

Start

Just getting started in this - seemed strange to be told to include news of "the last 50 years"! Pretty much includes all my existing memory!
I'll get some more info and maybe a couple photos later. Gotta get off to work.

OK, this is my first experience with blogging, other than reading other people's blogs. If we do all our catching up this way, what are we going to do at the reunion. I was wondering if we should have something prepared to share at the reunion, or are we too many to go around and hear from each one?

This is interesting

Just wanted to let all know that I'm finding this Blog stuff interesting. Linda, my wife says it's ok if you have time for it. And I can see why. There's so much you can do with it. So I may be enjoying others more than contrubuting from here.
More later.

Allan & Barbara Nicholls

Barbara and I were married in 1972, and we have 3 children - Veronica, Simon & Christopher

Veronica married Kingsley Box and they are missionaries in Slovenia and have 4 children -Zac 8 years, Sam 6 years, Tim 3 years and Sophia 8 months

Simon is married to Stefanie and they have two boys - Liam 3 years, and James 1 year. Simon works as Mechanical engineer

Chris is married to Vivien and they have one son - Jayden 1 year. Chris is studying at Moore Theological College

When I have more time I will tell you about, and send pictures of my sister Barbara and family. I am in the lighting business. I've mainly been in sales all my working life, and we have been in our own business' for a number of years. They have not always been successful, but God has looked after us, and we are very blessed with our children and grandchildren. We lived in Melbourne after we were married, spent 2 years in New Zealand, and lived in country Victoria for a while. We moved to Sydney in 1994, where we live today.

Blog Links for the Boyes/ Kewley Family

We linked 4 blogs...

Chester County Real Estate Guide and The LaGarde Family are Ken Boyes' oldest daughter and her husband (Chris and April LaGarde) blogs.

The Cole Bin and Miller Time are Cindy Boyes Kewley's two oldest daughters blogs (Sarah and Levi Cole) and (Eric and Anna Miller)

Enjoy blog serfing :)

Congo Reunion New Blog

This Blog is to keep the Congo Reunion Members updated to plans, dates, changes, reunion activities, lodging, etc.

It is also a way for us to provide an opportunity for families to post photos and family history to update us all of the past 50 years; since most of us were last together in the Belgian, Congo, in 1960.

We sent each of you reunion members an invitation to be co-authors of this blog, please sign yourself in and help me with updates... Please feel free to upload pictures of your family and write a short post overviewing what you have been up to in since we were together last and then if you wish, add a longer version following the overview... We would appreciate if you include an an update on your parents, brothers and sisters. If you are not computer savy we would still like to see a picture of you and hear about your last 50 years... Please email Ken Boyes with your story for your post, along with a picture or two of your family and he will make sure it gets up here on the blog for everyone to see.

If you or your children have a blog or a facebook account already in place, please add it so we can view it. Here is how you can add it to this blog:
*log in and go to: the "layout" tab in brown at the top of the page,
*click on "page elements" in blue right below,
*go to the box "my bloglist" its located down on the right side,
*click the blue "edit" button in that box,
*then click the "add to list" button,
*then click on the "enter blog" button
*and enter your full website address... such as: www.congoreunion.blogspot.com.
*MAKE SURE TO HIT THE RED "SAVE" BUTTON

If you are a reunion member, once you add a blog, please write a quick post telling everyone who they are related to so we all know how they fit into your family.

For security purposes we will not be publishing addresses, telephone numbers, flight information or other personal information on this blog... Please be aware that this blog is public, and although this is your blog and you can be as open as you want, please be careful not to write anything too private...

In order to protect our private information, we will be creating a spread sheet, not on this blog page, we will do our best to make it as user friendly as we can. Please watch for an email regarding this spread sheet, in the next few weeks.

We would also like to encourage you to post comments on here about activities you are interested in doing while here in PA for the reunion... You can create a post out lining what you would like to do or you are welcome to just comment when we post the schedule...

Check back here often to see updates on those attending the reunion along with updates to our schedule and any other information we want to get to you all...