Life Lately: December Edition

The kids continued remote learning, and I transitioned back to "brick and mortar" on December 4th.  They have perfected a few party tricks being at home together all day!

 

This cuddly pup is the best!

Camden received a special gift: Iowa Hawkeye Advent mini stockings. He starts each day finding out what surprise Aunt Jessie has sent him. 

The NSA Naples Tree Lighting look a lot different this year...

Camden, Emma, and I helped Melissa put up her Christmas Tree

Angel Herky

One afternoon, Camden sent me a message saying he made a Christmas card with Dylan and Jake.  I laughed out loud when this picture popped up on my phone.  Whenever somebody's computer freezes, one of the other guys takes a screen shot.  Then they made a collage of all the pictures. This is such an 8th grade boy thing to do! 

Gabriella and I hanging out one morning before school

Making cinnamon rolls from scratch

Saturday morning out on the golf course

Hanging out with these ladies is always a great time!

Emma, Gabriella, and Francesca made cookies

Camden got fitted for his suit for Confirmation

Chris knows a lot of people, but having a direct line to Santa is the best! Chris organized 4 night event connecting over 100 families to Santa.

Camden made the Naples Middle High School Instagram page. He competed in a NJROTC physical fitness competition and placed 5th out of 159 cadets!

My amazing 6th grade team celebrated Festive Friday. 

Lacey, Maddalena, Ivette, Troy, and I are definitely ready for Winter Break!

Chris hosted his final Operation Get Down Tonight of 2020 last night.

A Very Thankful Thanksgiving Week

We have so many things to be thankful for during this year - one unlike any other!

We kicked off Thanksgiving week helping Amy celebrate her birthday virtually

Chris made a stop at AFN Radio to do a publicity spot about MWR events

Enjoying a socially distanced lunch with Mel, Madds, Bridget, and Sherri at school on Tuesday

The boys got in an afternoon round of golf

Remote learning at home on Wednesday

Baking a pumpkin cheesecake

Chris welcoming everyone to the Thanksgiving Festivities for the single sailors 

Austin, Chris, and John 

Thankful family

Saturday afternoon naps

A close game of Battleship before dinner

Ready for Mass on the 1st Sunday of Advent

Decking the Halls 2020

I am a card carrying member of the "Thanksgiving first, then Christmas" club.  We always wait until after Thanksgiving to pull out the Christmas decorations.  As we transitioned to remote learning, Emma forewarned us that we might come home one day to find she's decorated. Sure enough, on Tuesday afternoon we got this picture:

This afternoon we put on Elf and decorated the Christmas tree

Life Lately: November Edition

Here are a few highlights of the past month...

Camden has added some new shoes to his Iowa Football watching attire, thanks to Aunt Jessi!

Melissa and I were thrilled to rock our voting shirts on Election Day. 

Camden was named NJROTC Junior Cadet of the Month for October

A little afternoon soccer and golf practice in the backyard

Unfortunately, the COVID cases keep rising in Italy and we had to make the transition to remote learning on November 12.  I am missing these desks filled with students! 

We went into a major lockdown in the region of Campania on the 15th. The day before (while the guys were golfing), Melissa, Emma, and I headed out to Monte di Procida for an afternoon of fun and laughs with the Camilleri-Leigh girls

 

Emma was a terrific TikTok director and our dance was a huge hit!

Troy, Lacey, and I all showed up to school on Monday in our plaid shirts!

Sibling push up challenge

I have been working out of my classroom, but decided to work from home on Friday. Here's a little peak at Camden and Emma's remote learning life

Peppermint tea and a puppy helping me get through the day!