Camden's Oath of Enlistment

 That smile says it all! Camden's hard work earned him an Air Force ROTC In-College Scholarship. He took the Oath of Enlistment on April 9 and were are officially a United States Air Force family.

Lieutenant Colonel Cacic administering the Oath of Enlistment

Signing all the paperwork

Melissa joined us in Naples and Emma watched from Corvallis. One proud family!

Kaspareks in Krakow

 During spring break, we traveled to Krakow, Poland. On our first full day, Chris visited Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was a powerful and humbling experience to say the least!

Palm Sunday

 We got up extra early to attend Mass at St. Mary's Basilica before our planned tour for the day. We came back the following day and took some pictures.

We had a driver arranged to take us to the birthplace of Saint John Paul II, Wadovice. 

He grew up in an apartment above a general store. The building has been restored into a wonderful museum dedicated to his life.  As a child, he would look out his apartment window and see the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Here we are in front of the Basilica and his childhood home (museum).

As we traveled back to Krakow, we stopped at the Sanctuary of Saint John Paul II. We saw some precious relics, including some of his blood that is in an altar in the lower chapel.  

Lovely Sunday evening walk on our way to dinner

On Monday we explored more of the Old Town in Krakow.  When Saint John Paul II was a young priest, he was assigned to St. Florian's Church.

Our next stop was Wawel Castle and Cathedral

We hoofed it up to the bell tower and it was definitely sketchy in a few parts! I snapped this quick picture of Chris as we climbed through beams and down some rickety wooden steps.

Easter Market

On our final day, we walked around the historic Jewish Quarter.

 I had read about the dragon statues located throughout the city, but this was the only little guy I spotted.

Jewish Ghetto Memorial

Our last dinner at a fantastic English Pub 

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!