A Saturday in Montepulciano

Where are the gals at today...Montepulciano! 

 Madds is the Queen of the selfie and managed to get all 8 of us in a picture as we were walking into town.

Our first of many wine tastings was at Fattoria Pulcino

Donita, Kelli, Madds, and Sherri hearing all about different pecorino cheeses

  Jen's camera has some cool effects. Here is a picture of me in the main piazza in Montepulciano

Wine tasting at de Ricci

 We came, we tasted, we bought

 Hanging out in the wine cellar at Cantine Contucci

 This sweet old guy was featured in Rick Steve's Italy book.  He took good care of us!

 One of my favorite pictures of the weekend: Madds sweet talking our new friend into throwing in some free wine openers. :)

   

Girls' Weekend in Tuscany

During the long Martin Luther King Day Weekend, I enjoyed a trip to Tuscany with 7 lovely ladies. We found a wonderful agriturismo outside the little town of Pienza.

Here is the cypress lined drive leading up to the agriturismo 

Our home for the weekend: Il Macchione

The delicious homemade breakfast and cappuccinos each morning were perfect!

 Sherri got us all goodies bags for the trip.  This is my favorite item: a travel wine cup!

Friday evening's dinner at Latte di Luna in Pienza. The truffle lasagna I ate was beyond delicious!

 Donita, Sherri, Jen, Me, Maddalena, Kelli, Melissa, and Kim

Happy 9th Birthday, Emma!

Our beautiful girl is 9!

January 11 fell on a Saturday this year, so the lucky birthday girl got to enjoy her special day at home hanging out and having a ton of fun.

Here she is waking up...

 Birthday donut in bed

Afternoon Skype time with Nana and opening some presents she and Grandpa sent

 Skype time with Aunt Jessi

 Opening up some cool One Direction gear from Aunt Mandy

 Chris got the 1D movie poster from the theater

 The birthday girl is ready for her guests to arrive!

 Opening presents

 Camden and Arianna are ready to help out

 We gave Emma a little story to read

 Where is she going in June?

Paris!

 What is she going to do there?

GO TO A ONE DIRECTION CONCERT!!!

Sheer joy and excitement! 

 She was so happy she cried! :)  

 Singing to the birthday girl

 Blowing out the candles

Ciao 2013!

We enjoyed a fun evening at home with a few friends to say Ciao to 2013. Pajamas were the wardrobe of choice and we kicked off the night with some games.

Silly Jack and Orion

 Me and Savannah having fun during Scattegories

Yes, this is is Herky sleeping in the middle of the floor while we played games (not running around like  he usually does!)

 

Here's the gang ready to shoot off some fireworks

 In honor of the Harry Potter Movie Marathon I've had over break, I cast a few spells with my Roman Candle wand

Emma didn't like the smell of the smoke

 Terry gave Camden a hand with his

and then there's Chris...

 Jordan and Andy lighting "The Big One"

 Our impressive addition to the neighborhood show

 Just before midnight we headed up to the roof.  Here are the kids setting up the 7up bar for their New Year's toast

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!! 

First picture of me and my love in 2014

Happy Kasparek family

 Terry and Judi

Jack, Nick, Andy, and Jordan 

Terry and Chris

 Camden and Jack enjoying the view.  You will never find a fireworks show like the Neapolitans put on to ring in a new year!