Blessing, Birthday, and Benevento

The children pose with Mr Dodson and Mr Solomon, and Deacons Briese and McDole on the Jan 24th.

Peter gets goofy for the camera.

Anthony on the pedestrian street near Piazza Roma.

The family spent a wonderful afternoon skating/sightseeing in beautiful Benevento, Italy on 23 January. Here the children pose infront of the truumphal Arch of Trajan erected by the senate and people of Rome and constructed by the architect Apollodorus of Damascus in 114. The Arch of Trajan is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the Campania. It repeats the formula of the Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum, with reliefs of Trajan's life and exploits of his reign. Many of the Arches in Italy were destroyed during the World Wars.

Skating on a temporary rink at Piazza Roma, Benevento.

Anne shows her grace and poise.

Catherine did well when not in motion!!

Philip with and without a helping hand. In the photo below I am holding all 55 lbs of him!!

Peter turned 1 on the 12th of January and swiftly dug into his birthday cake - sugarless carrot cake!!

Dad reads to the kids - one of the few activities (aside from eating) that brings the kids flying from the four corners of the house!




Fr Deeley blesses our house on 10 January. He has since been reassinged to the USS Boxer out of San Diego. We took a timed photo - this was the best one.

Peter stands for the first time on Super Bowl Sunday!!

After the first evening we realized Peter prefered the bag and tissue paper to the toy - oh happy day!!

Our tree decorations are sparse as we only brought over a fraction of our ornaments. Additionally Peter felt strongly that every Mom should experience the excitement of a tree crashing to the ground -complete with broken glass ornaments while elbow deep in dinner preparation. The smile on Catherine's face more than makes up for the reduced sparkle of ornaments!!

We celebrated Christmas throughout the Christmas Season by opening one present daily between 25 Dec and 6 January. The children looked forward to opening another present every evening and Mom and Dad enjoyed the wonderful family time and reliving the "joys of childhood."

Buon Natale

Peter throws his bibs over his shoulder and begins his debut as the World War I Flying Ace. Make way Snoopy; Peter is taking no prisoners.

Peter continues to bring joy and laughter to the household. Here he practices his clown routine with a blue easter egg ... before trying an orange one on for size.

"Look Ma, No Hands!!"

Peter enjoys a moment with adoring sister Catherine.

Anne, Philip and Catherine open their gift from Aunt Terry and Uncle Chris. Ah, fort making material - what joy!!

The guys and Kathy enjoy the main meal.

Fun during the dessert course!!

The women of 2162; Kathy, Karen,

Kate, Jeanine, Lynell and Mary.

At the appetizer course of the

progressive dinner.

Eight of the nine children of 2162; Catherine, Anne, Ashley, Madison, Will S., Mickey, Zach and Will K.

A silly family picture in front of the tree - still warm in Naples in December!!

Catherine poses after her first hiarcut!!

Sorry for the orientation...I am still learning!! Catherine and Anne have some holiday fun.

In December our good friends the Croziers organized an evening of Caroling with hot chocolate to follow. Here the Merry Carolers pose for a picture. Thank goodness for the singing talent in the Naples Christian Homeschool Group; it easily offset those whose talents lie elsewhere!!

Attending the December luncheon were: Deacon Craig, Deacon Larry, Deacon Jeremy, and Deacon,

A Roman Thanksgiving

Anne sports a metal-free smile - FINALLY.

Catherine and Peter cheerfully respond to an in-house emergency. No doubt of their own making!!

We were blessed with yet another visit with Elizabeth whom we are sure runs on less than four hours of sleep nightly!! From the Fiumicino Airport we went straight to the Vatican museums; NTS - Thanksgiving Day is the PERFECT day to go - no lines, no crowds - pure bliss. Here we eat the traditional American Thanksgiving meal; veal, pizza margerhita, and gnocci.

A view of the Vatican Museum courtyard.

Dad and his boys at the barber's. It was hair cuts for all the week before Thanksgiving.

Peter eyes his barber, "You're not going to give me a cut like yours, are you Luigi? "

Anne and Philip were in the homeschool production of "Westward Ho"; a musical written and directed by homeschooling Mom, Marguerite Crozier. It was a great learning experience for all.


Catherine at ballet - towering above the other four year old girls!!

The base Catholic Church welcomes priests and seminarians from the Pontifical North American College in Rome to assist with Mass and RCIA and CCD classes. Families are able to host these men for an overnight stay and/or Sunday lunch. Here Fr Nick Schneider, diocese of , poses for a picture with the kids.

Philip started his scouting during the fall of 09. Here he wears his full uniform for the first time - for a popcorn sales event !!