Photography 101

Vito took photography his senior year. Most of the pictures he took were of friends and classmates, some of his teachers, some album covers and some of home. Above is his picture of his Dad's Dodge Ramcharger plow truck that Vito spent many hours working on to improve it's condition.


Here is his picture of his computer workstation in his room. Note the wires coming out of the front!



His South Park calendar.

Kit Kat hanging out in his room.

School Days, Senior year, June 2001

Vito's girlfriend gave me these pics of him goofing around with his friends in school.

Obviously a very serious course discussion.



Some censoring required.

Festus Success!

A truly proud moment for Vito after he convinces our cat Festus to sit on his lap. Festus is a stray we took in 3 years prior to this picture and very afraid of people. At that time it was rare for him to let someone pet him much less hold him. But Vito never gave up and slowly Festus warmed up to him. We still have Festus now, we estimate him to be about 13 years old. He's still terrified of strangers but extremely loving and loyal to Scott and I. There has never been a more devoted cat.


No sudden moves, don't want to startle him!

March, 2001

A relaxed Vito and silly Scott enjoying Grandma Goldie's 80th birthday party.

Christmas 2000

Ooooo presents!! Our last Christmas with Vito :-(

This beautiful leather jacket I picked out didn't go over so well. He ended up returning it, not really his style (he looked so awesome in it), oh well.

More clothes, not exactly the 4 wheeler he was hoping for.

Success, this "Spear Britney" was well liked and worn often.

Not enjoying getting his pic taken while eating at Grandma Linda's house. Of course he's never too far from the computer.

Age 17

Scott posing with our carved pumpkins. Vito's pumpkin is on the far left and reflects his growing lack of enthusiasm for our yearly carving tradition. He did make an effort but at 17 trick or treating is definitely not "cool".




Vito, far right, with some friends in December.

July 2000, Family Reunion

Spring 2000

My two handsome guys. Despite the solemn occasion, my great uncle John's funeral, I insisted on a photo. Vito being dressed up is a rare thing indeed as his usual outfit was jeans and a T-shirt. We arrived to the funeral in the nick of time and not many seats were left. There wasn't room for the three of us to sit together so Vito had to sit a couple isles ahead us to the right. The minister gave an incredibly touching eulogy with many lovely, personal anecdotes about our uncle John. At one point he spoke about how God loves us all despite our faults and sins. I looked over at Vito and there were tears in his eyes.

Same outfit but a different occasion. My graduation from LPN school. I never could have done it without the help and support of Scott and Vito. They both sacrificed so much to get me thru those grueling 10 months of classes, studying and endless hours of homework. I am forever in their debt.

March, 2000

Scott and Vito posing with my beautiful blooming Amaryllis in Scott's newly updated shop. The Amaryllis was promptly returned to Vito's room where he accidentally bumped into it. The stem broke in half and Vito thought for sure I'd be furious. I bit my tongue and smiled and, despite the hopeless looking situation, told him we could fix it. We got some wet paper towel and some tape, straightened out the stem and put a makeshift splint on it. It looked ridiculous but the other 2 buds actually opened and the plant thrived for a few more weeks.

A Christmas smile, 1999

That face says it all, Christmas is his favorite holiday. He passed out all the gifts that morning with joy. Why the wet knee? Turns out our tree stand had a slow leak and we didn't know it.

Young man

October, every year we'd pick out and carve pumpkins for Halloween, Vito's is on the first one on the left.

This is Vito in November, 1999. He is so grown up and handsome. He wont let me cut his hair anymore and instead does it himself. The sides are shaved and the top is left long. He puts it in a pony tail and then throws a hat on. He's never liked the color of his hair but to me it's gorgeous, a deep copper with auburn and sometimes maroon looking highlights. He loves computers and video games and would spend hours playing with them if I let him. He doesn't like school but enjoys the friends he's made there and always seems to have an endearing nickname for each one.

16th Birthday

We had a small family party for Vito's sixteenth birthday. Here he is posing with his cousins.

Celebrating with his grand parents, great grandmother and cousins.

With his cousins and favorite drink, giving me a nice smile.

With his Uncle.

In this picture Vito is holding an old camera I let him have. I don't think he took any pictures with it but he had a great time firing the flash at his guests that day.

Alex Bay trip, July, 1999

The boys, ready to face the day


Vito on the seaway cruise


A nice view of Boldt Castle.



Vito and Scott in front of the castle.

Vito and his Mom ready to go to dinner.

My handsome guys!

Vito watching his Banana Flambe being prepared at Jacques restaurant in the Riveredge Hotel

A quick Go-Kart race on the way to Clayton.

Vito in the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.

A Hydroplane on display in the Museum.

A look back at things Vito made

Scott and Vito posing in the newly painted dining room, Summer 1999.



Vito helping his friend Mike take on some frustration on Mike's soon to be junked car, Summer 1999.



Vito certainly enjoyed a little destruction but he also like to create. Below are some things he made.

5th grade


1st grade


as a teen


3rd grade

Kindergarten