Home for the Holidays: Iowa City Part 1

Here we go...FINALLY!!!  After over 2 weeks in Iowa, then getting back to Italy and jumping back into school, it is about time I begin updating this blog! 

As many of you faithful readers know, we thought it was high time the kids celebrated their first Christmas in Iowa. We took a few extra days off school to get a jumpstart on our vacation.  After a long travel day on December 17, we were so happy to be in the great state!

Here are the Kasparek cousins reunited at last

On Friday we walked around the Old Capitol area in Iowa City.  I wanted to recreate Camden's infamous picture from July of 2011 when he was oh-so-excited to see the Old Capitol (one of my all time favorite pictures of him!)

    

Here's Miss Emma near the capitol

What a great sign!

Friday evening was Cole's preschool holiday concert.  Bailey was so excited to see her big brother up on stage

An adorable performance

Uncle Tim gave Camden a few tips on riding a bike and he took off!
Cole can proudly say that both of his older cousins learned to ride on his bike!

Cole's 5th birthday party

Emma with Grandma Rose & Babi

Bailey and Emma are ready for some cake!

Making a wish

The Kasparek brothers compare hairlines... 

Emma and her HUGE Grandma Rosie Bar

Story time with Uncle Chris

Soccer End-of-Season Tournament

The 2014 Youth Sports Season has come to an end. After 2 weeks off because of the Thanksgiving holiday and the monsoon rain we've had lately, it was nice to get back on the field for one last day of games.

Hawkeye Nation proud!

 Camden and the Tigfernos warming up

 Camden assisting Coach Paul on the sidelines

 Going for the block

 Nice corner kick

Emma played goalie the entire tournament and did a great job!

Coach Kasparek gives an intense pep talk

Emma's loud voice comes in very handy as goalie.  When she decides to go get the ball, she yells, "KEEPER!" and falls on that ball!

 Hawkeyes on 3...

1, 2, 3, HAWKEYES!

Best buddies and teammates

Deck the Halls: 2014 Edition

Here are some highlights of last Saturday's fun. We set up our Christmas tree and pulled out all our ornaments.  The kids especially loved getting their ornaments out of boxes and hanging them on the tree.

 Emma's annual Santa's Little Helper picture

 Baby's First Christmas ornaments

 Ta-Da!

Saturday evening, the Zimmermanns and Mel came over for dinner and some Friends Scene It

 Cheers with Mel and Sherri

The guys enthralled with the football game

Herky cuddles with Ron :)

Happy Thanksgiving 2014

Gobble Gobble! 
Thanksgiving 2014 was a wonderful day with great friends and delicious food

My sous chefs peeling potatoes. They were a big help all day long! :) 

Emma meets 2 week-old Fiona :)

Chris carving our big bird, Bob

Emma and Arianna at their "kids table"

Oscar is ready to FEAST!

Cheese!

Post dinner dance party

Ron and Chris

 Oscar, Laura, and Matt

 Emma's ready to baby sit :)

 Silly boys

 We thought there might be 2 new babies at our feast, but Baby Boy Neal is still happy in his mom's tummy.

 Kasparek family picture 

Camden went for the stoic look

 The Kolls and Grandpa John

 The Neals and Grandma Ginger

 Time to kick back and relax

Apparently Ron's leg is a comfy pillow for Camden

 Friendsgiving tradition

The One With the Football

 Oh Camden Lee

 Arianna hanging out with Chris