March 2026 Adventures

We had some unexpected visitors and were thrilled to enjoy dinner with them at Dom's. Geoff, Renee, and the kids made it safely from Bahrain to Naples!❤ 

The next day, our other favorite Renee made it safely to Naples!

While I was in Assisi, Chris and Zach headed to London for the weekend

Ted Lasso Bar in Richmond

Enjoying a sunny Saturday walking around London

Camden spent his spring break in Tiffin.  In typical Iowa fashion, it started off with a blizzard and ended in 80 degree sunshine!  He had fun hanging out with Cole and Bailey, who were also on their spring break.

The plane Camden flies during his Sunday afternoon lessons

All dressed up for the St. Thomas Aquinas Spring Formal

Emma's spring break was the following week. She went to Poulsbo for some R&R with Bunny and the 🐶🐶

Lenten Retreat in Assisi

 I was very excited to join the Catholic Women of the Chapel Lenten Retreat this year. I had not been on the Lenten Retreat since 2013 and it was such a special weekend. It is the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis' death and his remains were on display for one month.  Assisi was full of faithful pilgrims!

Saturday morning we had Mass in one of the small side chapels at Saint Mary Major

Waiting to get into the Basilica of Saint Clare

The famous San Damiano Cross that spoke to Saint Francis

The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels

Our group after a delicious dinner with some of the Franciscan Sisters

On our way to see the remains of Saint Francis early Sunday morning

The Papal Basilica of Saint Francis

It was such a blessing to have Sister Mary Mercy and Sister Angela Marie with us the entire weekend!

Life Lately: February/March 2026

 A few life updates and highlights from the last month 

Everyone went to Ash Wednesday Mass 

OG Book Club reunion dinner with Cathy, Kelly, and Megan

There is nothing like a Friday night pizza dinner with dear friends to wrap up your week!

Celebrating International Women's Day lunching with Amy & Sherri

In Corvallis.... Emma has enjoyed some great speakers at their weekly Sports Business Cub Meetings

Baseball opening weekend was a huge success!

Boss Ladies: Malina and Emma 

In Ames...Camden has been taking flight lessons on Sunday afternoons

Florence Getaway

On our first open weekend after winter sports wrapped up, we hopped on the train and headed to Florence. 

Saturday morning stroll through Palazzo Vecchio

Herbal tea for a Lenten Starbucks treat

Wandering through the Uffizi

Botticelli's The Birth of Venus 

View of the Ponte Vecchio bridge from the Uffizi

Lunch along the river

Another photo stop near the Palazzo Vecchio

The magnificent Duomo

Taking in the view from the top of the Duomo

We found a wine window!

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole"

 

On February 19, Herky crossed the 🌈 Bridge

He joined our family 2 months after we moved to Naples and lived his BEST life for over 14 years.

Walking down memory lane, looking at all the pictures, filled my heart!

He had been struggling walking since October. When the kids were home for Winter Break, they got in lots of extra cuddles and their good-byes to him were 💔