Saturday Night Lights

The Naples Wildcat football team had their home opener of the season Saturday night.  This was the first game they've played under the lights at Carney Park (there are no lights on the field at the school). I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get some friends together to tailgate before the game.  Tailgating is something foreign to our European children, so we were excited to introduce this fun American tradition to them.

Jenna, Steve, Dirk, Chris, Ron, and Sherri

 Proud Wildcat Kaspareks

 You better believe the  Corn hole boards were out there.  Ron and Chris skunked Bill and me.  This is NOT my game!

 Meanwhile, Steve and Camden tossed around the pigskin

 NES crew!

Jenna, Sherri, Louise, Nina, Coleen, and me

 The bus forgot to go back to the base to pick up the opposing team, so our party was extended another hour.  We rounded up some more friends to join the festivities

 Loudest and Proudest cheering section at the end of the end zone

 The Wildcat stopped by for a picture with Chris and Dirk

Opening Day of Soccer Season 2015

Our 5th soccer season here in Naples started today.  Camden moved up to the U11 league, so he and Emma get to be on the same team, coached by Chris ;)

Early morning at Carney Park

 Goalie Camden warming up

 Let's go Hawkeyes!

 Emma starts the game playing Sweeper

 Boy it stinks when coach Dad has to get after you for a mistake...

  

 Pep talk by big sis after a ball got by him

After getting scored on twice, Camden is proud of his great save!

 Emma's surge to score

I was too excited watching her, I didn't get any pictures of her goal

Hawkeye Victory!!!

 Maddie & Emma

 Opening Ceremonies

 Proud Hawkeyes!

Color It Up Run 2015

Last month was the Mud Run, this month was the Color It Up Run. 

Emma and Camden had a great morning at Carney Park!

Camden about a half mile into the race

 Emma, Maddie, and VaNae

 Half way point

 Camden getting colored

 Emma coming towards the finish line

 

 

 Camden ran the full 5K like a CHAMP!

 Happy Colorful Runners!

First Day of 3rd and 5th Grade

After 11 weeks of summer fun, we headed back to school on the last day of August. I am beginning a new adventure teaching 6th grade social studies.  Camden is in 3rd grade and Emma is in 5th grade.  Here are a few photo moments from Monday morning...

Venice and a Sparling Reunion

Milestone 900th post :)
The final stop of our European Road Trip was Vicenza, Italy.  Chris and I loved Venice when we visited in November of 2011 and wanted to take the kids there.  It's just a short drive from Vicenza, so we braved the heat (and August crowds) on Thursday.

St. Mark's Square

Setting sail on a gondola ride

Make a wish and seal it with a kiss going under the Bridge of Sighs

Grand Canal

Family photo with St. Mark's in the background

The Rialto Bride under scaffolding :(

A big reason we made our final stop in Vicenza was to see the Sparling family.  They just transferred to Vicenza and we were very excited to have a reunion with them.  Here are some flashback pics of the summer of 2007, the last time we saw each other.

Emma with baby Camden & Avonlea

Chris & Jeff enjoying a beer at a local summer festival

Me & Jessica at a Yokohama Bay Stars game trying to keep cool with our snoozing babies :)

Here we are now!
Camden, Emma, Avonlea, and Seren hanging out at the pool

Cheers to making more memories in Italy!