NES Procida Scavenger Hunt

When it comes to a staff end of the school year celebration, no one does it like Naples Elementary School! My talented colleague, Jeff, organized a scavenger hunt around the nearby island of Procida.  We all hopped on water taxis in Monte di Procida this morning and met up on the island.

Sherri and Zane at the main port in Procida

 Jen, Carly, Katie, and Lindsay enjoying a cafe break before the hunt started

My favorite teammates 

Chris was on the bus with the soccer team on his way to the European Championship Tournament in Germany 

Having fun in the piazza near the port

 It's time to get our game faces on!  

Kelly, Melissa, and Sherri are working on our strategy

Pictures with the humongo lemons

check!

 Mel, Kelly, Sherri, me, and Jenna

 Our awesome team!

 Camden and his big buddy, Zane :)

 

 Picture in the entrance to the smallest road on the island

check!

 Group picture at one of the scenic overlooks

check!

 We were in a strong second place as we made it to the highest point on the island. Who were we trailing? Why the Sharp family. :)

 Dave and I must have thought it was twin day today

 

 Teachers and their wonderful students:

Darla, Me, Emma, and Edna

 Picture "swimming" at the beach

check!

 Jen & Mike

 The whole NES crew met up at a restaurant for lunch

 Mike, Jen, Lindsay, and Carly 

With Emma & Camden

The fabulous Gina, who I will miss terribly next year!

 

A picture with the scavenger hunt champions 

America’s Armed Forces Kids' Run 2015

A little rain didn't stop Emma and Camden this morning as they participated in the 1 mile event of America's Armed Forces Kids' Run

Here they are 200 meters into the race

Who was the leader of the pack coming towards the finish line?

Those workouts with the Wildcat Soccer Team are definitely paying off!

As soon as Camden crossed the finish line, I turned around to see Emma finishing in a strong second place! Way to go, Skeeter!

Camden's First Holy Communion

Our extra special boy celebrated an extra special day: his First Holy Communion

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our photo shoot earlier in the week.

We stopped by soccer practice so we could get some pictures with some of Camden's favorite guys.

A handshake from Matteo

Team picture

One of Camden's favorites:  Stacks

The mighty Wildcat defense: Nate, Jin, Stacks, & Matteo

Flash forward to Saturday afternoon. Here is Camden in the chapel with the banner he made

Camden and Father Tran

 

 Silly boy when Mom zooms in on him

Emma sang beautifully in the choir during Mass

Nick, Camden, and Jack

One happy boy with Father Tran

Proud of her little bro

Blessed family!

You may have noted that Chris is dressed like a soccer coach and not in his fancy church clothes like the rest of us. When the high school soccer schedule came out a few months ago, Naples was traveling to Sicily on May 9. Chris asked if the boys game could go first at 9:00 and he booked a flight back to Naples at 1:30. After a great victory, he headed to the Catania, Sicily airport only to find out his fight had been delayed until 4:30. He landed just as Mass was ending and felt awful for missing Camden's big day.  

As a memento of his love of soccer on his special day, the NHS soccer team all signed the game ball and gave it to Camden. :) 

Zias Meet Gabriella

I have been so blessed to be a part of some HUGE milestones in my friend, Maddalena's, life.
On April 28, we anxiously awaited the news of her sweet baby's arrival.  As soon as school was out, we Zias (Italian for aunts) jetted over to the hospital to meet Gabriella.

Zia Jen

 Zia Sherri

 Zia Melissa

 Zia Kelli

 Zia V

 A whole lot of love in this room

The happy family: Madds, Gabriella, Dave, and Fifa