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

Opening Day of Spring Sports

April 18th was a big sports day for Naples! Not only did Emma & Camden have their first baseball/softball games of the season, but the high school soccer, baseball, and softball teams were playing at home.

 Camden at opening ceremonies with Zane

 Wildcat soccer team

 Emma the goof ball :)

 Smashing Pumpkins are ready to play

 I couldn't zoom out far enough to get all the youth sports and high school visiting teams.  It was an unforgettable opening ceremonies!

 MC Chris

 Camden at bat

Playing catcher

Oscar (and the rest of the Koll family) came to cheer on Camden for a little while

Emma at bat

 Coming in to score a run

 An amazing catch at first base

 Wildcat seniors before the game

Coach K pacing on the sidelines during the game

 Celebrating a victory over Aviano 

(Camden got to join the team pic, too!)

 After the soccer game, we headed over to the baseball diamond to cheer on the Wildcats.

Mike, Jen, Mel, and me enjoying the game

 

Coach Z and Coach K

The loudest and proudest!

Rome with Dave and Mary Ann

One of the things I love most about teaching for DoDDS is the friendships I've made.  It's not everyday that you get to hang out in Rome with some great friends you made in Japan.  Dave and Mary Ann are enjoying retired life to the fullest. When they told me a stop in Rome was on their spring European vacation itinerary, I took the day off school to go see them.

The 17th was Melissa's birthday, so she decided to join in on the trip. :)

Where do people meet up in Rome? The obelisk in St. Peter's Square!

Mary Ann, Me, Melissa, and Marian enjoying a glass of Prosecco at cafe in front of the Pantheon

One of Mel's birthday surprises: postcards with special messages from friends.

Selfie in the Pantheon with MAC :)

Gelato stop in Piazza Navona

Amanda, Mel's cousin, is an architecture student studying in Rome this semester.  We were all treated with a history lesson about the Fountain of Four Rivers in Piazza Navona.

Amanda and Melissa on the bridge over the Tiber River

Another vino stop at one of the oldest Enotecas in Rome

I'm so glad I got to help make this birthday girl's day a fantastic one!