Youth Sports Basketball 2017

Emma and Camden have joined forces again this year for youth sports basketball.  The Orange Peels are having a great season.

Gabriela and Emma before the game

Point guard, Emma, making a fast break down the court

Shooting a free throw

Camden's turn to take the ball down the court

Free throw concentration

Emma and her pal, Caitlyn, trying to block each other out without laughing

Great game, ladies!

Emma's friend, Jillian, was there cheering

Montepulciano Fun

The parade in Viareggio this year was on Saturday evening.  We all decided a stop in Tuscany in Sunday would be the perfect ending to the weekend.  Chris has named Montepulciano as "his Swisher" of Italy. In fact, on a run Monday morning, he found our retirement villa :)

Ron, Sherri, Mel, me, and Chris when we got to town

Camden taking a little rest in the main piazza

This smile says it all.  So happy to lead the way to De'Ricci

Wine tasting at De'Ricci

Casey, Ryan, Heather, Ron, and Chad enjoying some Contucci

Autumn, Camden, Andrew, and Emma were such good sports!

Touring Gatavecchia

Wine tasting at Gatavecchia

We had a great hotel about 20 minutes from Montepulciano. This isn't the most flattering pic of everyone, but we sure had fun chatting and playing games in this lobby area.

 Taylor and Dave

 Emma, Gabriella, and Madds at dinner

Carnevale di Viareggio 2017

We made our second annual trip to Viareggio for their amazing Carnevale parade over the long Presidents' Day Weekend.  This year's theme: Birds of a Feather Flock Together

My favorite birds in the whole wide world!

This adorable little chicken is not quite sure what to make of all the craziness

Kasparek Family

Camilleri-Leigh Family

Haughenbury Family

Gire Family

Voll Family

Zimmermann & Young Family

Ron & I make quite the parrot posse

Our flock walking to our perch along the parade route

Um, I don't think they are a fan of our new president...

Chris & Ryan

Gabriella + Emma = pals for life!

NES teachers representing!

Chris & Chad

Gabriella, Emma, & Camden collecting confetti

The floats were even more amazing all lit up at night!

Cotton Candy bliss!

February Birthday Fun

And just like that, we are another year older...
Chris celebrated his 42nd birthday with 3 of his favorite things:
Friends, Cornhole, and Beer :)

The birthday boy and his biggest fans

Emma and Thea playing inside

Let the  backyard cornhole tournament begin!

Moving ahead to the following weekend, it was my turn to celebrate my 38th birthday.
Birthday Bunco Luau at the Zimmermann's

 

 Mel and Emma

Casey, Madds, Jenna, and Mel

 

Cheers to a happy birthday and great friends!

 

Bunco time

Look who the big winner was!

Making a wish 

60+ degrees on my birthday! The perfect day to enjoy some vino outside in my new birthday wine glass. :)