Sunday, February 22, 2026

Life Lately: Early February 2026 Edition

 The shortest month of the year continues to be one of the busiest months of the year!

Our favorite Air Force ROTC Cadet was spotted in formation

MWR joined up with Armed Forces Entertainment to bring some of the Atlanta Falcon cheerleaders to NSA Naples

The birthday boy got to enjoy his birthday donut while Facetiming with Emma

Chris shares his birthday with the USO, so he got to celebrate at lunch with them



Birthday love from the kids



Emma went to a Portland Trailblazers game and had a pretty amazing seat


Allison, Hannah, Shelby, and Emma watching the game


Then the girls went out on the town in Portland


Last home basketball game of the season



Hannah and Emma sporting the stylish give away for the student section at the OSU Men's Basketball game


Basketball European Championship Tournament in Wiesbaden. The Wildcats played hard, but didn't advance after pool play.



I work with the BEST paraprofessionals! After hearing about our Kasparek birthday donut tradition, and knowing that Chris was in Germany, they got donuts for our whole class to celebrate with me.💖


Birthday love from the kids



Birthday dinner at A Pummarulella with Mel, Sherri, Colleen, and Madds









Saturday, January 31, 2026

Life Lately: January 2026 Edition

 January means a lot of Coach K on the basketball court...

Emma cheering on OSU Men's Basketball

She is the lead marketing intern captain for wrestling this season

The Sports Business Club went to a Portland Trail Blazers game 



Thanks to the Beaver Wresting Instagram page. If you zoom in, Emma is sitting on the left at the end of the word State
Emma and Hannah went to see the Runarounds in concert in Portland
Selfie with one of the band members after the show
Silly Emma at last week's SBC meeting

Camden got his uniform for ROTC this week

Camden got to watch Cole wrestle in his Conference Meet





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

Thursday, January 22, 2026

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