Celebrating Christmas With Friends

The Christmas joy and surprises continued at the Zimmermann's house last night.  

Here is a little peek at Camden's reaction when he found out he is going to the Rose Bowl (I wish I didn't have issues uploading videos on Blogger). Chris is just as excited as Camden is to cheer on the Hawkeyes in Pasadena next week. 

 Carly, Lindsey, Camden, and Emma playing Bounce Off

 Kasparek family picture

 Ron, Sherri, and Zane

 Jenna & Steve

 Thea checking out Camden in his puppy Janimal

Sweet girls

 It's 5 Seconds game time!

 Jenna, Thea, and Sherri

 Zane & Camden waiting for an answer during the game

 Ron and Chris entertained by someone's answer

 Love these ladies! 

 Cheers to a terrific Christmas!

Christmas Morning 2015

Their alarm went off as planned and we had 2 excited kids waiting to see what Santa left for them

 Priceless!

 Reading the note Frosty the Elf left for them and realizing he gave them an Hawkeye Mini Christmas Tree

 Santa's presents

 A video camera!

 Autographed pictures of some of the Hawkeye football team!

Contagious smiles all around :)

 

 

 Sporting their Janimals

 Putting together some of their Legos

  Monopoly Junior was fun with this cute puppy

 Playing catch with Dad

Christmas Eve 2015

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  

Wednesday morning the kids were up bright and early (as usual) to make Christmas Cookies.  I don't know why I haven't thought about setting up the folding table in the middle of the kitchen before.  It worked out great! 

The kids just needed a little guidance from me this year. It was fun watching them work away :)

Flash forward to  Christmas Eve.  Emma, Camden, and I  had a quiet day at home watching movies and playing games while Chris worked.

Here are the kids playing Battleship while enjoying our traditional pizza dinner.

 Opening their new Christmas jammies

 Dressed in our Christmas finest for Mass

 Cookies & milk for Santa; a carrot for Rudolph

 The Night Before Christmas

 Setting an alarm for a 5:55 wake up  :)

Capodimonte Walk

Today we joined the Zimmermanns and Rices for a little outdoor adventure.  We had planned on walking the gardens at Caserta Palace, but it was closed today.  Plan B took us downtown to Capodimonte Park.

Camden has Laila, his 3rd grade class' traveling companion, with him over Winter Break

 Thea and Emma hanging out after lunch

 The dudes

 Fabulous Festive Friends!

 My favorite kiddos

 Which trail should we take?

A walk requires some sticks

15 Year Engagement Anniversary

On December 19, 2000 Chris asked me to marry him. On December 19, 2015 we went back to where he popped the question: St. Peter's Square.  

 The Nativity in the square

 Trying to figure out the exact location of the proposal

 

 Relaxing on the balcony of our apartment with a glass of Prosecco

 Happy Hour at a little cafe next to the Pantheon

 Trevi Fountain

 St. Peter's Square at night is even more amazing!

 Sunday morning stroll along the Tiber River

 We toured St. Angelo's Castle and took in some of the best views of the city from the top of the castle

 What an incredible weekend!  No better way to kick of Winter Break!