I-O-W-A 2021 Edition: Week #1

After 2 long years, we were finally able to come home to Iowa! We survived 24 hours of traveling and were so happy to enjoy a cold beer on Tim & Lori's back porch. 

 

Cousin breakfast on our first morning

Emma & Bailey working out

Camden & Cole playing football

Afternoon cornhole game

Chris and Grandma Rosie 

These kiddos sure love their great grandma!

Over to Des Moines for a few days... A bottle of Aperol may have made its way into my suitcase so mom and I enjoyed an Aperol Spritz

Chris dropped off Camden at Snow Valley Basketball Camp at Wartburg College

Emma attended soccer camp at Drake University

Emma looking at Nana & Grandpa's wedding photos

Afternoon round of mini golf

Enjoying a HUGE mug of Guinness at Happy Hour at Mickey's 

Happy 4th of July 2021

 Happy Birthday, America!  

We had a sensational day celebrating on the Support Site for the 2nd year in a row. 

Emma and Camden hanging out with Boats

The First Family of Festa Americana :) 

Volunteering at the food voucher tent

Boats, XO Polk, and Chris

Mr. Festa leading the kids in some dancing

Watching the amazing fireworks show

It's a Wrap, June!

 June, you've been a good one! How can we be turning the calendar to July already?!?!

A very Happy Father's Day to the best dad in the UNIVERSE!

We popped into Chris' office and found him busy at work prepping for all the 4th of July festivities

Emma strained her right hip and has been resting and taking it easy (much to her dismay...)

So happy to be spending a summer Saturday by the pool with this guy!

POOL PARTY!!!

Kassidy floating away in the donut

Kennedy had fun playing catch with the beach ball

Me, Amelia, Boats, and Austin

Ron & Camden

Chris & Danny

I picked out this koozie especially for Kendel to use for her first Kasparek Pool Party 

Camden was the Junior Champion of the Carney Park Golf Association Club Championship Tournament

Romeo and Camden showing off their prizes

This guy turned 10 on June 28th!  He's still living his best life lounging around

We had a wonderful dinner with the Dieryckx family before they move back to Ottawa

Another "see you later" to the sweetest friend!  

School is OUT! Let the Summer Fun Begin!

 Summer Break, we are so happy to see you! 

Troy hosted the 6th grade team for an end-of-year BBQ at her house.  This team has been AMAZING to work with!

Gabriella, Silas, Camden, and Francesca made s'mores 

Meanwhile, Emma went to Sorrento to celebrate Ryan's Sweet 16

Emma and crew went go-cart racing one day after school

Our 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony looked a little different this year...

The last day of school! 

We are so proud of their hard work despite this crazy COVID year. We are optimistic that Camden's freshman year and Emma's junior year will bring back a little more normalcy (especially sports).

Sherri, Melissa, Darci, Shelley, Maria, and I celebrated the last day of school at Mary's

These crazy girls had a fun sleepover at our house

Antonia's graduation party was EPIC!

Emma, Victoria, Antonia, and Riley 

Maria, Chris, Dave, & Maddalena

Maria, Akilah, and I tore up the dance floor!

Someone is enjoying the first week of summer break...

Emma and her crew had a fun day at Kayak Napoli

Emma and Gabs with Mt. Vesuvius peeking out in the background

Ryan, Gabs, Vic, Lena, Rox, Emma, and Jackie

The final (for now) adventure for these sweet friends.  Ryan and family are off to Virginia. Gabs and family are off to Maine. 

Emma, Gabs, Rox, and Lena

Ryan and Emma teaming up in the double kayak

Back at our house for lunch and games

Lots of hugs and tears saying "see you later" to Rox and Gabs

Herky joined me for morning yoga

Emma, Chris, and I enjoyed the Navy Band during last night's Concert in the Park