MLK Weekend Girls' Trip 2026

For the 13th year, some of my favorite ladies and I set out on a long weekend trip. This year's destination: Milan. Saturday morning we explored the Navigli neighborhood.

We had so much fun popping into all the shops!

Rachel and Amy really should have bought these coats...

This city is ready to host the Winter Olympics

Aperitvo beside the Duomo 

The Adidas store right next to our hotel drew us in

Sunday we had a fantastic tour and coffee tasting at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Mel and Maria outside a tiramisu cafe

Delicious Chinese cuisine for dinner

Happy 21st Birthday, Emma Louise

Emma Louise is 21! 

Birthday morning donut tradition continues in Corvallis

First legal drink at dinner

May all your wishes come true! 💖

Winter Break Wrap-Up

Here are a few more highlights of our wonderful Winter Break...

Afternoon a Donnarumma getting our haircut

Tombola at the Oropallo's 

Welcoming in 2026 on our roof

Lots of Herky cuddles

Mel, Ed, Meg, Maggie, Chris, and I had a wonderful wine tasting and lunch at Tenuta di San Francesco

Our "see you soon" before Emma headed back

A week later, it was Camden's turn

A Very Merry Christmas 2025

On Christmas Eve morning, the Kasparek cookie bakers were hard at work!

We had a few hours between watching It's a Wonderful Life at the theater and going to Mass.  An  impromptu game party with the Camilleri Leighs in my classroom was the perfect way to pass the time!

Family photo after Mass

Opening up their Christmas pajamas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The past few years, this has turned into a giggle fest between these 3...🤣

Christmas morning

After a low-key and restful day watching movies, we enjoyed some games with Mel.

Rome Jubilee 2025

As the 2025 Jubilee comes to an end, we got to spend a special day in Rome going through three Holy Doors that are open this year. 

Basilica of St. John the Lateran 

Waiting for Dad while he takes a work call - lol

There is something extra special about the streets of Rome at Christmastime 🎄

Trevi Fountain

Pantheon 

Piazza Navona

The pilgrims' procession to St. Peter's Basilica 

25 years and 3 days earlier, we got engaged right here! 💖

The 2025 Nativity 

Our final stop of the day was the Basilica of St. Mary Major.  Not only did we get to walk through the Holy Doors, we also saw the tomb of Pope Francis.