Hi Vanessa,

The trip was great!  Kristen had a wonderful time.  It was so nice to have the family together on this trip.  We haven’t had a family vacation in 5 years.  Everyone from the Brickell Transportation drivers, the Hilton employees, and the Carnival Cruise Line were so kind and accommodating.  

We checked into the Hilton, they gave us a room on the top floor overlooking the Miami port.  It was a spectacular view, especially at night.  Kristen and I got a little sea sick the first night on the ship, but on Saturday morning we were good to go.  It was such a wonderful experience to be on a cruise ship.  We have never been on one.  It is like a mini resort floating on the sea.  The activities and food were never ending. Carnival was very generous in giving Kristen 4 complimentary tickets for the Atlantis Resort shore excursion.  Atlantis was beautiful.  We rode the Lazy River, water slides, and relaxed by the pool.  The aquarium they have is incredible.  It is huge!  When we got back to the ship on Saturday night, we were treated by Carnival with a tour of the bridge.  It was interesting seeing how they maneuver the vessel.  The staffs on the bridge were very friendly and detailed explaining how everything operated.  Sunday was relaxing.  Kristen, Dominic and I started at the pool, and then moved up to the water slide.  Bill hung out in the casino.  Then later that day, we enjoyed the karaoke show.  

Overall, it was the nicest experience we could have had.  It definitely makes up for the challenging year and a half when Kristen was going through chemo and radiation.  I want to thank you and Kids Wish Network for coordinating this wish.  Plus Carnival Cruise Line, Hilton, and Brickell Transportation for making the wish come true.  I can’t tell you how great it was seeing Kristen enjoying herself.  When I think back on how sick she was, and now, it is a miracle.

Thank you and God bless.

Patty

Wow! I just had the honor of putting together a wish for the sweetest little boy! Mikey may only be 4 years old, but he has more NASCAR knowledge than most adult fans.

Mikey’s only wish was to meet Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and once again Dale, Jr. didn’t disappoint. Thanks to the Dale Jr. Foundation and Go Daddy.com, Mikey had the best weekend of his life! He not only got to meet his hero and share some time bonding at Dale’s mobile home; Mikey and his mom were VIP guests in the GoDaddy.com / Dale, Jr. Foundation Hospitality tent at the Darlington Raceway Southern 500 Race. As a surprise, Mikey also got to meet Dale’s racing partner, Brad Keselowski and WWE Diva/Go Daddy.com spokesperson, Candice Michelle. GoDaddy even furnished tickets to the race for Mikey and his family.

However, the best part of his wish was undoubtedly the special time that Mikey spent with his hero, Nascar Superstar, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Mikey and Dale bonded with talk about cars and Mikey gave Dale a Guardian Angel coin for luck. The best moment of all came when Dale got up to leave and Mikey hugged him exclaiming “I love you Dale, Jr.”, Dale reached down, patted Mikey on the back and told him, “I love you too, buddy”. Thank you Dale, for caring enough to make Mikey’s dream so special. A true American Hero, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Recently we were able to help make a young girl’s wish of going to “American Idol” come true.  I began working on Elena’s wish in September of ’08.  Elena is from Champaign, Illinois and has a condition known as Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.  When I interviewed her she expressed her love for “American Idol” and especially Paula Abdul.  She told me she wanted to go see the show and too meet Paula.  I began working with American Idol to make her wish come true.

Last week Elena’s wish came true! She and her family were flown to Los Angeles, where they were greeted at the airport by a chauffeur in a stretch limousine and taken to the luxury SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills to begin a three day Hollywood adventure that included being able to attend a live “American Idol” show as members of the audience.  Elena brought a present for Paula and was even able to give it to her and to tell Paula how much she loved her.  Paula responded with a big hug and kiss for Elena and the rest of her family!  After the show was over Elena and her family were escorted up to a room where all the contestants were waiting to meet her.  She and her family were able to converse with all of them and ask lots of questions.  Afterward they all autographed shirts and photos for Elena as well as taking lots of photos with her.  I’m sure this is an experience that Elena will never forget! 

We had the pleasure of granting the wish of a lifetime to a little girl a little while back. Her parents recently sent us a letter telling us what a great time she had on her princess vacation:

Olivia’s Princess Experience

3-year-old Olivia, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, didn’t let her illness stop her from having the time of her life at Disney World! Olivia recently returned from her wish with smiles from ear to ear. She and her family visited many of the theme parks and of course all the princesses. It was such an honor planning this trip for such a precious little girl.

-Vanessa

Wish Coordinator

Here’s a lovely note we received from her parents:

We want to thank you and the Kids Wish Network for the best time of our lives. Olivia enjoyed every part of the trip. Some of the things she liked the most was the escalators at the airport, when the airplanes were landing, the plays and performances at Disney, meeting the princesses and being made into a princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique was the highlight of her trip as well as it was for us. Thank you again for everything.

Tony,Teri,Cameron

and Princess Olivia

As Anthony flew into the beautiful city of New Orleans he was ecstatic with anticipation, as he was about to meet his all time favortite WWE superstar, John Cena!  John Cena autographed many items for Anthony, talked with him for a bit and took numerous photos with the teen.  John Cena is one amazing guy for everything he does for these kids.  After Anthony’s meeting, he stayed and watched Mr. Cena do his “thing in the ring.” 

Meeting John Cena wasn’t the only thing Anthony and his family did in New Orleans: they also experienced a 2-hour lunch cruise along the Misissippi, checked out the Musee Conti and visited the great Mardi Gras World.

I’m glad you had a fabulous time, Anthony!

-Vanessa

Wish Coordinator

Brandon had the time of his life visiting Chuck Norris’s Ranch.  While at his ranch, Chuck took Brandon on a tour of his entire ranch.  Brandon also got to ride Chuck’s horses and eat lunch with him.  Chuck’s kindness was so immense; he even gave Brandon a pair of his cowboy boots.  Giddy up Brandon!

-Vanessa

Wish Coordinator

Caitlyn couldn’t wait for her fantasy to become reality.  While Caitlyn and her family chose to drive to Disney World for her wish, they first they stopped at Cocoa Beach where Caitlyn experienced the ocean for the first time. They relaxed for a bit and Caitlyn was so excited to dip her feet in the water.

Continuing on their journey, she and her family visited many of the Disney World theme parks.  She also met and received many autographs from different Disney Characters.  Furthermore, Caitlyn received her ultimate makeover at her favorite place, the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique in Disney World.    They made her into the princess that she is! 

-Vanessa

Wish Coordinator

Drew couldn’t wait to make some noise on his new drum set!

-Vanessa