Winter Break 2018 Adventures

We are enjoying our Winter Break from school with some lazy days at home and fun day trips.

Tuesday we went to Montevirgine with the Oropallos.  It is a gorgeous church at the top of a mountain.  We attended Mass in this stunning chapel

Maria and me in the church courtyard

Giovanni, Emma, Camden, and Antonia posed for one photo op. It was so cold and windy up on that mountain!

We went back down the mountain to find some lunch
Camden, Giovanni, and Emma

We found the best tratoria and feasted for lunch!

Wednesday we went to Rome in honor of our 18th Engagement Anniversary
This year's Nativity in St. Peter's square is a sand sculpture.  It is incredible!

The Holy Family

Emma, Chris, and Camden in front of the Nativity

2000 

2018

What a beautiful day in the Eternal City!

Walking to St. Peter's Cathedral

I am in awe every time I visit!

Just outside the square

Pantheon 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We can always count on December to be jam packed with fun. Here are a few highlights...

Chris had one of his best festive suits to date at the base tree lighting!

 Caitlyn and Emma with Philip Phillips

Chris and Armed Forces Entertainment worked their magic to have him in concert at the tree lighting

Camden, Madds, and Frankie

Mel, Madds, Frankie, and Chris

 TJ's last night in Naples was a memorable one!

A bird's-eye view of the event

Someone was so excited to see it "snow"!

 This girl loves to dance with her Zia V

Gabriella and Chris enjoying the concert

Chris and Philip Phillips

We just happen to coordinate our outfits for the school Christmas party

 Emma's holiday band concert

 Saying "see you later" to sweet friends is the hardest!

Emma and Tatum after their band performance

Chris was Santa at the NMHS PTSA Holiday Bazaar

Frankie and Gabri LOVED him!

 Emma took Keller's place in the Schutt family for a picture with Campbell, Kenzie, and Santa

Winter Break kick-off cocktail hour with Mel and Lamar

 Murder at the Juice Joint 40th birthday celebration for Debbie

I was Dina Diva and Chris was Bernie Booze

Mel, Madds, and I make the Roaring 20's look good!

Rosie, the Juice Joint owner, and her Bootlegger, Bernie

 Lovely ladies

 Dapper gentlemen

 Molly (Mel) and Nick (Dave) after the murder! 

A photo op with Santa after dinner at Dom's 

Hawkeye Soccer Finale

A chapter in the Kasparek family history has come to an end.  The Hawkeyes MWR Youth Soccer Team, with this dynamic duo, had its final game on December 8th. I am in awe at how much they have grown up!

2015

 2016

2017

2018

Emma has had an awesome season, playing stopper most games.  She did score her first leftie goal the previous week. 

Here's our tough girl in action

 I didn't get any pictures of Camden on the field (scoring 4 goals in the first game!) because it was pouring rain.  During the second game, he hurt his ankle and spent the rest of the morning cheering on his teammates.  

Tough defense by the Hawkeyes

Excitement at the final whistle!

 The famous Chris Kasparek victory fist pump

 2018 Champions

The Hawkeye "seniors" Chance, Kirby, Emma, and Jazz

Proudest coach/dad in the universe!

Tatum and Elyssa with Emma after the game