Egg Hunt Flashback

While we were eating lunch today, I pulled out some photo albums of Easter Egg Hunts past.  I loved that Emma's outfit today was so similar to the one she wore 6 years ago in Yokosuka! 

I had her go put on this hat and snapped this picture.  Still as cute as ever!

Eggstravaganza

We celebrated Easter in La Maddalena last year, so this was our first Eggstravaganza.  Despite the chilly weather, we had an awesome time!

Before the candy hunting began, we cheered on the Naples High School softball team.  Here are Emma and Camden right up next to the action.

Our friend, Deacon Mike, is here celebrating the Easter Triduum with our parish. He was cheering on the Wildcats this morning, too!

 Miss Teeth

 My sloth babies :)

 A great picture with the Easter Bunny

 Train ride

 Playing one of the games hosted by the USO (and our favorite Nicki Price). Camden was a pro at this game!

 Camden was off and running in his candy hunt!

Look at all that candy!

 Emma's turn!

I was not strategically placed very well for Emma's hunt, hence the super zoomed pictures.

Pocahontas at the Living Museum

Emma has been working very hard on a research project.  On Wednesday and Friday she joined the entire second grade to put on a Living Museum. Pocahontas did a wonderful job writing her speech and creating her poster.  She was right by the front office-a perfect spot for visitors to stop by and see her.

 Listening to her speech...

 Emma and her classmate, Emily, shared the role of Pocahontas.  

Independent, Creative, Problem-Solvers

Naples Elementary School will foster a safe and nurturing environment that provides rigorous learning opportunities to empower all students to become independent, creative, problem-solvers who will demonstrate exemplary character in a global society

This is what we hear and see everyday. It is the essences of what I teach and what Emma and Camden learn at our wonderful school. 

There are 3 displays of pictures throughout the school (created by our favorite first grade teacher, Lara Fletcher). Each word of the vision statement is held by a student. Last spring, Emma was one of the model students and this winter, Camden was chosen. I love walking down the hallways and seeing these smiles!

Cheerleader Emma

This winter season, Emma participated in cheerleading twice a week.  On Wednesday she put on a performance for us.  She did a great job cheering, dancing, and tumbling! I tried posting a video clip of her, but there were some technical difficulties. :(

Lemoncello

One of Chris' co-workers gave him a bottle of her homemade lemoncello for Christmas. It was so good he decided we needed to learn how to make it.  We hosted some of the CYP staff last Saturday morning for our first lemoncello lesson.

Friday after school, Emma and Camden were tasked with picking lemons.

 Back at it early Saturday morning.

 Dad's up in the tree and we're catching the lemons he throws to us!

 #1: clean all the lemons and oranges

#2: start peeling

 Chatting and peeling

Chatting and peeling

 #3: eat a few oranges

 Herky's #1-5 bask in the sunshine on top of all our visitors' cars...

Emma adds a few lemon peels...

 Camden adds a few lemon peels...

#4: add the alcohol

 #5: seal the top and wait a few weeks...

(then we'll add some sugar water and enjoy!)

This is what we call staff development! :)

Waiting for the White Smoke...

When history is playing out a few hours away from where you live, you want to be a part of it.  Chris decided on Wednesday morning (first full day of the Papal Conclave), that he was going to Rome. He packed a backpack and loaded up his rain gear.  We weren't sure when we'd see him again, and he was hopeful at least one hostel in Rome still had a room if the conclave went on for a few days.  

As fate would have it, this was the day to be in St. Peter's Square.

He made it to the Vatican City shortly after noon, missing the morning votes' black smoke.

The most famous chimney in the world!

 Chris' front row spot for the next 7 (wet and cold) hours.

 WHITE SMOKE!!!!!!!

 Waiting to see who is our new Pope...

 Now that's an impressive crowd!

 Pope Francis

 Chris found out that this was the Cardinal from Argentina from some English speaking journalists, but he did not know that Cardinal Bergoglio had chosen the name Francis until he was on the train back home.  Grandpa Francis Friedl would be so proud to know that his grandson was there!

Host Family

One of the great opportunities we have living here in Naples is hosting seminarians and deacons from the Pontifical North American College

Each year, some of the 3rd and 4th year students come down to our parish. We had a wonderful time hosting Deacon Matt & Seminarian John last year, and Deacon Mike & Seminarian Mark this year.  I am bummed that I don't have pictures with all our guests, but I finally got some pictures when Mark stayed with us 2 weekends earlier this month.  We have a special connection with Mark because he's from the Archdiocese of Dubuque and grew up in Marion.

Here's Emma teaching Mark about her favorite band,  One Direction.

 Chris has found a kindred spirit here in Italy - Mark loves the Iowa Hawkeyes as much as he does! They got to watch the Hawks play basketball both weekends.

When Mark came back for his second stay, we put him to work making gyoza :)

My 2 Favorite Kiddos

Here are a few pictures of my favorite boy and girl from this week...

Big sister reading a story

 Wishing it was already warm enough to swim

 Working on an invention in the yard