A Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France

Lourdes, France has been on our travel "bucket list" and we made it happen Memorial Day Weekend.  It was also the weekend of the International Military Pilgrimage and we were joined by over 15,000 military personnel from all over the world!

Friday's Opening Ceremony   

The U.S. Coalition 

Our Military Archbishop, Timothy Broglio 

The view from the top of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

The grotto where Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette

The Lourdes water flows from a spring at the same spot where it was discovered by Saint Bernadette

Saturday morning at the entrance to the sanctuary

It was so neat to see all of the military groups joined by priests and bishops

Stations of the Cross walk up in the hills near the basilica 

Another visit to the grotto

A statue of Saint Bernadette across the river 

Every night there is a Rosary procession. On Saturday, the participants in the Military Pilgrimage walked in the procession.

Chris enjoying his book beside the river on Sunday afternoon

A gorgeous background for a picture!

Then it was our turn to walk in the Rosary procession 

Camden's 19th Birthday

 Camden is 19!  He began his last year as a teenager at the Kasparek's in Tiffin. 

Birthday Donut

A double birthday celebration dinner

Life Lately: Early May 2026 Edition

 Emma had fun on Dam Proud Day, raising money for the Oregon State University Foundation

Celebrating Gabriella's 11th birthday at a Sunday afternoon Tea Party

Amy and I cheered on Wildcat softball at Carney Park

Francesca's First Holy Communion

Emma and her friends went to Portland for Opening Day of the WNBA Season and got to support the newest expansion team: The Portland Fire.  They went to the Sports Bra Bar before the game to make signs

Camden's first day at his new part time job at Walmart.  If you  place any Walmart To-Go orders at the Ames location in the afternoons, he may be your personal shopper! 

Feeling the Mother's Day love! 💕

Mother's Day lunch at the beach with Sherri, Ron, Mel, and Chris

Camden got to celebrate Mother's Day with Nana

Emma produced her first OSU baseball game

So proud of the first EVER female president of Sports Business Club

5th grade field trip to Caserta Palace

Will and Camden on move out day. They will be back together in this same room in August!

Life Lately: April 2026 Edition

 Oregon State hosted a NCAA Regional Gymnastics Championship Meet. Look what team Emma got to escort one of the days... 

A blessed Easter Sunday

Celebrating with our Naples Fra-mly

Me, Madds, and Zach

A few friendly games of croquet 

We celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary!💓

Vicenza came to Naples to play soccer so we got to spend the weekend hosting our favorite Sparling family.

Sinaia made pizza with Dom

Month of the Military Child Celebration - Chris, Sabrina, and Louisa

Eggstravaganza 2026

The Olsens hosted a lovely Sunday wine tasting

I spy Camden in class...

Emma in a little promotional ad for baseball last week

Chris reading in one of his favorite spots 

Emma had a beautiful weekend working at baseball

Camden is ready for his AFROTC Spring Dining Out 

Morning (for Camden)/Evening (for Chris) catch up on Facetime

Wednesday Trivia Night with friends