Homecoming, 2001

Vito and his girlfriend Kelley at the Homecoming game.

Vito's friends were such a comfort to Scott and I after he died. They stopped by often and would tell us stories of their times with him. I wrote down some of them and wanted to add a few of Kelley's stories to this post.

There was the time they went to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. When they came out of the restaurant they saw shooting stars in the sky. They spent a romantic evening continuing to watch them while sitting on the hood of the car in the parking lot.

One day she hung out while he mowed our yard. She thought he looked cute doing it but eventually got bored and, to entertain herself, started singing the Star Spangled Banner at the top of her lungs. He stopped the mower and came over and kissed her.

There was a sweet moment when she was upset and crying over something in the car and he reached over and gave her a hug.

It impressed her when, after he impulsively criticized her, he was mature enough to apologize.

Kelley likes cows. She had a stuffed one that said "Mirr!" Vito had a tendency to over do. The cow said "Mirr"....a lot!

Have a great Veteran's Day. Many thanks to the Veterans who serve for us, past and present.

We miss you Vito, it's been 8 long years without you.

Fall, 2001

Here's a picture of Vito taken at his friend's house. He's been working steadily for the carpet store and has actually applied for and gotten another job with an overhead door company. It's better pay with benefits too and he starts mid November. The engine on the '90 Grand Am I gave him seized up. He and his father try to replace the engine without success. His Dad gets him a deal on a used Plymouth Reliant station wagon. Not exactly a "chick magnet" car but it runs. For fun he hangs out with his friends working on cars, playing computer games, eating pizza and cruising around listening to music.

Celebrating Grandma Linda's Birthday

August 31, 2001, Mom's house for her birthday party. Hanging out with Mike trying to avoid getting his picture taken.


The message to his persistent Mom had to be edited out but I think you get the picture (ha, ha).
Check out the shirt, Southpark, one of his favorites.

August, 2001

Vito went to the Jaguar show with Scott and is standing in front of an XK120.


At a family function he preferred not to attend (kinda cranky).

August, 2001

Admiring a jeep at a car show he went to with Scott. Vito's a graduate now with his high school diploma. He pulled through at the last minute, barely passing English, and didn't have to go to summer school. We are all relieved but it was so close he didn't order a gown and couldn't be in the ceremony. He gets a job with a flooring and carpet store doing installations. I give him my old grand am so he can get back and forth to work. The boy has become a man.

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.

March, 2001

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