First Day of 7th and 5th Grade

Emma's first day of 7th grade
She is now a Wildcat at Naples Middle/High School

Camden's first day of 5th grade

My 15th year of teaching

This is the third year teaching 6th grade social studies

Camden and Keller outside of school

Mud Run 2017

The kids were excited to participate in this year's Mud Run.  Camden decided to wear his old Herky Halloween costume for the run.  I was up in the press box with Chris and we weren't sure which heat Camden decided to run in.  It was easy to spot him taking off at the start!
I was "planning ahead" and left my good camera at school. iPhone pictures will have to do.

Emma and Madison

Camden and Keller after they finished

Caitlyn, Emma, and Madison after they finished

The 7th Annual Back to School Block Party

This year's Back to School Block party was bigger and better than ever thanks to this guy:

Someone found out the day after we returned from Bucharest that she was joining the 6th grade team!

Maribeth, Jen, Madds, and me representing the 6th grade

The social studies crew: Alicia, me, Shannon, Mark, and Kenny

Love this guy and his crazy outfits!

Emma and her pals on the Ferris Wheel

What an amazing community event!

Romanian Wedding

On Saturday morning before the wedding we toured the beautiful Palace of the Parliament

The happy couple has arrived at the church!

My handsome date

The family getting ready to walk into the church

Congratulations Laura & Marian!

So blessed to be a part of this special day!

Between the wedding and reception we enjoyed some drinks and appetizers by the lake

The reception started off with a boat ride around the lake. The wedding photographer captured our reaction to an uninvited guest who jumped into the boat!

Bucharest Bash

We wrapped up summer 2017 with a BANG!
Our friends, Marian & Laura, were getting married in Bucharest the weekend before we headed back to school and it just happened to also be Ron's 50th birthday.

Ron and Madds in the Rome airport before boarding our plane to Bucharest

A midnight toast to the birthday boy

On Friday as we explored the city, we sported some special t-shirts with quotes by Ron

We debated about renting row boats to tour around the lake in the park, but it was a bit warm that day.
Plan B: a drink in an outdoor cafe.

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

This was the best Hard Rock I've ever been too! The service was phenomenal and they went above and beyond helping us celebrate Ron's big day!

The groom-to-be helped us organize a special dinner for Ron at Bucharest's famous Caru' cu Bere

Besides live music and tons of great food, we had some other entertainment during the evening

Do you think Chris enjoyed this bird walking up his arm?! :)

Family Fun in Eastern Iowa Continues (Some More!)

Swisher Fun Days was going on when we were in Eastern Iowa! It was great to be back in Chris' hometown

We stopped by Shelton's

Camden and Chris were in the cornhole tournament

 Chomping away on his bubble gum and blowing bubbles, this kiddo impressed many with his skills!

 Lori and me :)

 Tim, Bailey, and Lori

 A fun Saturday evening with some of the Kasparek cousins at Big Grove

 More cornhole...

Tim, Maddie, Kevin, and Chris

This is what I call a dog pile!