Christmas Eve 2016

It's the most wonderful time of the year! On Christmas Eve Eve, we made a batch of Granny's Christmas Cookies. 

On Christmas Eve Afternoon, Chris set up a showing of It's a Wonderful Life at the base theater.  We had trivia questions to answer, a sing along at the end, and bells to ring every time we heard the word, angel.  I had never seen this classic movie on the big screen and it was perfect!

We had a few hours between the movie and church. Rather than going home, we got to use Casa Rice for the evening while they are in Connecticut for the holidays.  Thea left a clue to a gift the kids had to find. :)

Making pizza

Christmas Eve Dinner

Opening their Christmas pajamas

While playing Scattegories, Camden had some help from Sirius

Ready for Christmas Eve Mass

When we got home, they quickly got into their jammies and set out cookies & milk for Santa

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Winter Break Trip to Rome

We made it to Winter Break! Hip Hip Hooray! :)
Monday was the anniversary of our engagement. We decided to take a family trip to Rome for the day because the kids have never seen Rome at Christmastime. 

So much for sleeping in on the first day of break. Here are the kids at the train station waiting for our 7:30 train.

First stop: St. Peter's Square

I cannot believe it's been 16 years since Chris popped the big question!  What an awesome adventure we've been on since then!  

Please note Emma in the background trying to be the old lady from the original picture. :)

LOVE these people!!!!!!

In front of the Nativity

Walking down the road towards the river

These 2 are quite the pair touring around St. Angelo's Castle

Guard Emma

Guard Camden

Happy boy with a great view of St. Peter's behind him

We love this city!

 Walking through little streets between the Tiber River and Piazza Navona

In front of the Pantheon

Attempt at a family selfie under the circle in the Pantheon

Me and my favorite guy

Tossing coins into Trevi Fountain

Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe

Artsy reflection picture

At the top of the Spanish Steps

Silliness in front of the Arch of Constantine 

The day's finale: The Colosseum

NSA Naples Tree Lighting 2016

We officially kicked off the holiday season on base Friday afternoon.  Chris has been bubbling with excitement the past few weeks keeping a big surprise about the tree lighting top secret.

Camden and I are ready for the Ugly Sweater 3K Race

Bunny, Heather, and me

Race selfie

Waving to the race paparazzi 

Emma is ready to sing and Noah isn't quite sure what to make of her :)

Thea and Jenna kicked BOOTY in the 3K race!

Love this guy!

Mel, Sherri, and Gabriella

Emma singing with the elementary school choir

Emma singing with the church choir

Selfie with some of my favorite ladies in the whole wide world!

As a few sprinkles of rain fell, this guy was looking to the heavens and saying a few prayers!

Let's go, Mom!

Soon it was time to light the tree.
Chris thinks he hears Santa talking to him...

Santa is here!

Santa, are you ready to hit the lights?

I have to give credit to AFN for this awesome picture. Only Chris Kasparek could figure out a way to make it snow in Naples at the exact moment the tree was lit. :)

Mel and me :)

One happy boy covered with snow suds