Farewell to Summer 2021

 It has been a busy 3 weeks since we returned to Italy. We tried to squeeze in some fun between work, prepping a classroom for the new school year, football pre-season conditioning/practice, and volleyball workouts.

Madds, Gabri, Sherri, Emma, Frankie, and I enjoying a Saturday afternoon in the pool

We had a MISERABLE heat wave our first week back.  Herky stayed in his favorite spot to keep cool.

Delicious seafood dinner with Madds, Mel, and Bridget

Friday night Dom's take out at Mel's apartment

Camden's first Color Guard of the year.  The Naples school administrators welcomed Captain Stewart 

Celebrating Ron's birthday (Sherri was in Turkey) with a fun fiesta dinner!

Prosecco reunion with Colleen

Darci, Shelley, Colleen, Mel, and I at Mary's 

Back to School Block Party 2021 was a hit! 

6th grade team pool party.  I'm very excited to work with Troy, Lacey, Zach, and Maddalena this year!

Mel and Emma hanging out

I-O-W-A 2021 Edition: Week #4 GRAND FINALE

We packed in a TON of family time during our last 4 days in Iowa... 

Thursday evening we had a Friedl Cousin Reunion at Big Grove. I really wanted to meet the baby cousins while we were home and their cuteness did not disappoint! :) Macie & Sadie joined us for a quick pic.

Aunt Jeanne & Chris

Camden, Pops, & Emma

Lots of Friedl cousin love!

Kelly, Jennifer, Claire, Chris, Amy, & Emily

Speaking of cousin love...

We had to get in our annual Kasparek cousin photoshoot 

Chris, Casey, Butch, & Tim chatting on the porch

Kasparek family pictures

One of many Bailey & Sally cuddles on the couch

Kevin organized an awesome Kasparek family golf outing on Saturday morning

One happy Babi! 

(Cole was at a football tournament)

Rosie, Bailey, Emma, Violet, & Anna are ready to roll!

I had a blast riding around the course with Casey. Nothing says Iowa like a Michelob Ultra & PBR at 10 am! 

My favorite golfers

Our baby cousin mission is complete! Chris & Nora

Do you think these girls are related? Megan holding Emma and Emma holding Megan's daughter :) 

Grandma Rose and (some of) her grandkids

Chris, Kevin, Amanda, Casey, Grace, Megan, Josh

Grandma Rose and (some of) her great grandkids

Violet, Nora, Emma, Camden, Lily, Bailey, Rosie

Sunday morning we all piled into the car and headed to Oskaloosa for day #2 of Cole's football tournament 

Emma's Sunday afternoon spa services...

Emma teaching Lori how to braid Bailey's hair

27 days later...we were flying back to Italy.  After a "Home Alone" run through O'Hare airport, we were very thankful to catch our flight to Brussels.

I-O-W-A 2021 Edition: Week #4

 We said "see you later" to mom & dad in Des Moines Saturday morning and headed to Waverly to pick up Emma from Snow Valley Basketball Camp. 

We stopped in Cedar Falls for a reunion with Katie!  The last time we were in Iowa, she had just made the decision to move Hatchlings & Hens to Main Street.  It was so great to see her amazing store in person!

Cheers to Pam & Katie!

Back in Tiffin... Camden got in some Sally snuggles

We enjoyed a ton of laughs Sunday evening during dinner with the Pisariks 

Lunch in Cedar Rapids with Sue, Holly, and Jim Berger

Chris had a late night meet up with Jeremy & Paul

Tuesday afternoon swimming a Uncle Joel & Aunt Nancy's house

Our wedding flower girls 

Kasparek cousins 

Grandma Rosie's oldest and youngest grandchildren 

The Ms. Kasparek teachers!  Macie is starting her first year of teaching :)  

Thank you, Nancy and Joel ,for a fantastic afternoon/evening!

Late night showing of the scary movie, Old

The Hamburg Inn is closed on Wednesdays, so we enjoyed breakfast around the corner at the Bluebird Diner.