Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Girls' MLK Weekend in Paris: Part Un

A weekend away with friends is a guarantee good time. 
 A weekend away with friends in Paris is a guarantee wonderful, amazing, incredible time!


Back in September we found a great deal on a flight to Paris leaving Friday afternoon.  Thanks to a little Italian air traffic controller strike, that flight was cancelled. We were able to get on the next flight out Saturday morning.  
Kelli, Angelia, Melissa, Maddalena, Sherri, and I ready to board the plane.
In Paris we met up with Tiffiney and Michelle (who traveled from Germany). We found a little cafe near our hotel in Saint-Germain to grab lunch.
Beer for me; champagne for Mel
Sherri and I were camel colored coat twins for the weekend
Tiffiney wrote down all the things she wanted to see on her first trip to Paris on these blue notecards. They came out of her pocket often and we happily checked off things as we saw them. :)
Laudree's famous macaroons were a little piece of heaven
What was I thinking only getting 3?!?!
The Delta Girls, Angelia & Melissa, in front of the Louvre 
Sherri, Mel, and Madds enjoying Angelina's famous hot chocolate
Angelia really did want to get her picture with me ;)
Strolling down Champs Elysees
After doing some shopping along Champs Elysees, we caught a pedicab ride to the Eiffel Tower

 I quickly snapped a picture of the Arc de Triomphe from our pedicab as we navigated around the crazy traffic circle where 12 roads converge!
Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night was at the top of my Paris wish list.  We got there right as the the light show began and it did not disappoint!





Sunday, January 11, 2015

Emma's Birthday Celebrations

When there is a birthday to celebrate, Dom's is the place to go. Emma invited her friends, Meagan, Katie, and Maddie. Here they are making pizzas with Dom.



Ready to eat!
The birthday girl made a special heart shaped pizza for us
Sprite cheers!
Chris & Arianna hanging out
Our wonderful friends who helped Emma celebrate
Funny reactions while opening presents

Dom made Emma a special Nutella birthday pizza. He came out singing at the top of his lungs. :)
Making a wish
I think Arianna is enjoying it
4 slumber party girls watching cartoons before breakfast
The birthday girl was the first person up today, so she got her special birthday cinnamon roll on the couch (rather than a donut in bed)
The official birthday portrait
Opening some Littlest Pet Shop animals from Aunt Mandy
 Ever After High doll from Nana & Grandpa
 Camden was in charge of wrapping Emma's present from us.  He loaded up a cereal box with rocks to throw her off. She was over the moon excited when she pulled out an iPod touch.


 10 candles to make a wish on!



A Decade of Emma

As I sit and write this at 2:58 p.m. on January 11, 2015, it is hard to believe that a decade has passed since Emma Louise Kasparek came into this world at 2:58 p.m. on January 11, 2005.
A decade of smiles, laughter, imagination, determination, and most of all, love!


Here are 10 pictures of 10 years of Emma 










Saturday, January 10, 2015

Home for the Holidays: A Few Week 2 Highlights

A cold and sinus infection slowed this blogger down BIG TIME after Christmas.  I'm sad to say the camera stayed in its case most of our last week in Iowa.  

Emma in front of the Iowa State Capitol
Nana, Emma, Camden, and Grandpa
We surprised the kids with some special dinner guests: 6 of their fabulous Camp Adventure counselors from last summer
While hanging out at Grandma Rose's house, Camden, Cole, and Emma raided the candy jars
 This little lady is ready to ring in the New Year!
Our New Year's Eve fiesta dinner in Iowa City