Sunday, July 17, 2022

Our Great Northwest College Tour

4 travelers, 3 colleges, 2 states, 1 week...Our Great Northwest College Tour was a success!

Omaha - Seattle - Portland on Sunday afternoon

Good morning from Eugene!  We enjoyed a walk across the Willamette River

Emma in front of the Ducks' stadium 

Lunch stop in the 5th Street Public Market

Grandpa introduced the kids to Animal House before our trip. Many scenes in the movie were filmed on the University of Oregon campus. No worries, Camden and I did not start a food fight in the student union


After our tour, we found an awesome mini golf course

Dinner at Chris' all time favorite pizza place

On Tuesday morning we drove 40 miles north to Corvallis 
Enjoying some Dutch Brothers Coffee before our OSU tour
Emma in front of the Beavers' stadium

Photo op in the trees at a rest stop 
 Multnomah Falls
Camden and Emma ventured up to the top of the falls and saw nature at its best!
Camden may have taken a tumble...
Mom and I having some fun in downtown Troutdale
As soon as we began planning our trip, Emma said she really wanted to surprise Tatum.  Kirsten helped us with our plan and we definitely shocked Tatum when we rolled up to their front door! These two shared many adventures in Italy during 5th-8th grades.  Tatum took Emma out to show her Poulsbo.
I was so happy to enjoy a beer again with Kirsten
Camden, Me, Tatum, Emma, Kirsten, Genesee, and Savannah
My surprise reunion was with Bunny! I did not know that Team Allen had just moved to Pouslbo a few weeks ago. My heart was extra full catching up with another friend from Italy.
Camden, Bunny, Emma, Jeremy 
Thursday morning we enjoyed breakfast at the Red Apple Diner and saw Lisa and Nancy from Silverwood School
Our Senior in front of her kindergarten school 
Camden, Claire, Emma, and Alison
A HUGE thanks to the Warthens for hosting us for a few days
An incredible Washington sunset
Friday morning on the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle
We stopped by the Ballard Locks for a while
Tour of the University of Washington
Mount Rainier was out in all her glory behind the fountain
Emma in front of the Huskies' stadium



I-O-W-A 2022 Edition Week #3

Our summer adventures moved to Central Iowa for Week #3. As soon as we arrived in Des Moines, we met up with Sarah, Kate, and Katy for lunch

A friendship we've cherished for over 43 years!
Shopping with Nana

After dinner game of Chicken Foot

Back to my old stomping grounds!
Lunch with Abby, Teddy, and Essie
Ice Cream treat at Frostee's is a must anytime we are in Winterset
A quick driving lesson where I first learned how to drive: the Madison County Fairgrounds
Mini golf afternoon

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Celebrating the 4th of July

After dealing with the wildfires in Carney Park, the decision was made to move Festa American to the Support Site. Chris and his team did an incredible job! 

 

Meanwhile, in Iowa, Cole, Camden, and Tim played a round of golf in North Liberty

Then we headed to Hills for their 4th of July festivities. Lori, Emma, Bailey, and I watched the parade

Camden and Cole playing one of many games of "Bags" in the Hills City Park
Tim, Bailey, and Emma
Chilling out with Lori & Tim
Team Kasparek was out the door early Monday morning to get to the Ely Firemen Pancake Breakfast (one of my favorite meals of the year)
Camden and Babi
Playing Cornhole at Julie & Tim's house in Swisher
The weekend finale was watching the fireworks at Casey's house along the river in Cedar Rapids

I-O-W-A 2022 Edition Week #2

Our Week #2 Iowa Adventures continued...
Ladies' Night Out with Dee, Liz, and Lori
Back home in Naples, Chris was dealing with wildfires in Carney Park :( 
Camden, Cole, and Lori played a round of golf in Cedar Rapids

Bailey and Emma went ice skating
Dairy Queen treats with Casey
Emma scored a vintage fashion treasure: Pops' coaching jacket and hat
We stopped by Lori's new school and got a tour from Principal Chris Pisarik
Swinging in downtown Iowa City
Lots of Sally snuggles
Delicious morning treat
We recreated one of Chris' favorite 4th of July pictures from 2011 at Babi and Pops' house
We went down to Stone Wall Brick Oven Pizza near Wellman and had the best evening listening to some live music on the farm
Old ironing boards served as a perfect outside table
Uncle Tim and Emma during a game of Blank Slate on the back porch Saturday night