NSA Naples Tree Lighting 2016

We officially kicked off the holiday season on base Friday afternoon.  Chris has been bubbling with excitement the past few weeks keeping a big surprise about the tree lighting top secret.

Camden and I are ready for the Ugly Sweater 3K Race

Bunny, Heather, and me

Race selfie

Waving to the race paparazzi 

Emma is ready to sing and Noah isn't quite sure what to make of her :)

Thea and Jenna kicked BOOTY in the 3K race!

Love this guy!

Mel, Sherri, and Gabriella

Emma singing with the elementary school choir

Emma singing with the church choir

Selfie with some of my favorite ladies in the whole wide world!

As a few sprinkles of rain fell, this guy was looking to the heavens and saying a few prayers!

Let's go, Mom!

Soon it was time to light the tree.
Chris thinks he hears Santa talking to him...

Santa is here!

Santa, are you ready to hit the lights?

I have to give credit to AFN for this awesome picture. Only Chris Kasparek could figure out a way to make it snow in Naples at the exact moment the tree was lit. :)

Mel and me :)

One happy boy covered with snow suds 

Thanksgiving 2016

We had a wonderful RELAXING Thanksgiving break!
Thursday morning we started our Friendsgiving tradition while the kids started unpacking the Christmas ornaments.

This year's theme for Thanksgiving at the Zimmermann house was: stretchy pants and sweatshirts. Since it was just 7 of us, we lounged all afternoon and evening - it was perfect!

Look at this feast!

 Sooooo full!

Cuddled up while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Friday we decorated the tree and watched Christmas movies.

Athens Marathon Part 3

We decided a great way to see the rest of the city on Monday was on the Hop On Hop Off Bus. 

Here is the amazing marathoner in front of the stadium he finished in the day before.

Gorgeous architecture throughout the city

The guys

The gals

One of many Starbucks stops during our trip

The kids found these lions to pose on for a picture

Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe

Tuesday morning before we headed back to Italy, we visited the National Archeological Museum

This place gets the award for our favorite meal in Athens.

So good, he had to go back and get another one!

Athens Marathon Part 2

Chris left before dawn to catch the bus to Marathon.  I hope all of you dedicated blog readers were able to catch some of his Facebook Live posts. Thankfully, Chris was able to text me his milage updates throughout the day.  The kids and I arrived at the stadium just as the first runner was finishing at 2 hours and 25 minutes!!!
The day before, we decided to buy an Elsa balloon from one of the many street vendors in the city so Chris could spot us a little easier in the crowd as we tried to meet up with him after he finished.
It was very windy up in the stands, so we all took turns holding on to Elsa.
(If you zoom in on this picture, you can see the Acropolis in the distance)

A group of Spartan Gladiators finishing the race

By hour 4 in the stadium, this was us...

HERE HE COMES!

Crossing the finish line

The kids raced around to the other side of the stadium to meet up with Chris

Proud finisher!

A painful walk down the stairs at the train station

Chris and his biggest cheerleaders

Celebratory dinner at Beer Time with Jack & Berri