Celebrating Mel

We celebrated one of the greatest gals EVER turning 50 the weekend of Easter with a fabulous afternoon of wine tasting and lunch.

The birthday girl and her parents

 Emma and Mel

 Antonia and Emma

 Salute to Melissa!

 Emma and Frankie

 Giovanni, Gabriella, and Camden

 Maria and Me

 Can this girl get any cuter?

 Antonia and Emma gave the sweetest speech about Melissa

 Zia Mel and her kids

 Madds & Dave, Me &Chris, Sherri & Ron

 A walk through the vineyards 

 Taking in the view with my favorite girl

 50 sure looks good on you, Mel!

 These ladies rock!

 Someone is learning how to walk

 Lots of love for Melissa!

 The big sister he always wanted :)

Emma's Confirmation

Emma was blessed to receive her 4th Sacrament in the Catholic Church on April 17. She had a wonderful time with her Confirmation class throughout the year!

When deciding who Emma would like to ask to be her Sponsor, Chris & I asked her who has been an important Catholic role model for her. Her immediate response was: Grandma Rose
Grandma couldn't make the trip across the Atlantic, so Chris filled in as her proxy.  She was definitely there in spirit! Chris even made a Sponsor on a Stick of her! :)

Melissa spent time on her 50th birthday to be a part of Emma's big day.  We were also blessed to have Dorth there, too!

Proud parents and great grandma

Camden got to serve at the Mass and be responsible for Bishop Spencer's miter

What an amazing Fr-amily we have!

Here are a few of the professional pictures taken before and during Mass. Emma chose Saint Joan of Arc as her Confirmation name.

Chris's view of the laying of the hands

A family picture to mark this momentous occasion! 

Bridget, me, Dorth, Melissa, Camden, Antonia, Sherri, and Emma 

Spring Break with Nana

Spring Break 2019 brought Mom/Nana back for her 4th visit to Italy :)

Prosecco on the Patio Friday evening at Melissa's house

Sunday afternoon we drove to Lucca

Riding bikes around the wall on Monday morning

A few 3 generations shots

 Tuesday morning we dove to Assisi. Right outside of town I spotted this poppy field. I pulled over and made everyone get out for a photoshoot 

 Enjoying the afternoon in Assisi

Wednesday morning we toured the Assisi Cathedral

 On Friday, we went on an adventure to Sant' Agata De' Goti with Maria, Dorth, and Mel

Aperol Spritz for the win!

 Trying to keep dry

 

The finale of the week was lunch and wine tasting at Tenuta San Francesco with some of our MWR family