Christmas 1988

Vito opening presents on Christmas day, so cute.

Vito opening his train set.

Smokie playing with his new toy mouse.

Vito playing with Smokie.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Film gone bad from Christmas 1985

There are consequences when you don't develop film in a timely manner, especially if it took 15 years.  These pictures have been improved, somewhat, with Corel but are still pretty bad.  Sharing anyway.

Shy guy

New sled from Santa

Awesome Bubble Mower!

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.

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.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 1995 and Vito is all dressed up, looking so sharp, ready to go to Scott's parents. Too bad his eyes are closed.

Vito loved Christmas and even at this age (12) he still believes in Santa. When he was born I struggled with the decision to tell him the Santa lie. I remember being told, at the age of five, that there was no Santa and being devastated by that revelation. I should never do that to my child.

But I did...and once Vito started school that dreaded question started coming up, "Mommy, is there really a Santa Claus?". My standard reply was to ask him, "What do you think?". If his answer was yes I would affirm his belief. As he got older I was more and more surprised by that yes answer. This particular Christmas (1995) after his yes answer I asked him why he thought there was a Santa. He replied confidently "Mom, there is no way you can afford all these presents". I was so tickled and thrilled by that.

The following year he didn't let me off the hook so easily but I didn't deny Santa. By then I knew for certain that there is a Santa. His spirit works miracles for children everywhere and puts a little magic in our lives.
Vito on Christmas morning, his eyes not much more open than the night before.

 Vito and I, December 1995

Happy boy!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Vito. It was taken on Christmas day at his Great Aunt's house.  Look at that big, beautiful smile. He is such a bundle of energy. He climbed up a set of shelves that tipped over and gave him a huge goose egg on his forehead. I absolutely can not let him out of my sight for a second. I painted his room a light yellow and he has a big boy bed now. I love to read him bed time stories and tuck him in at night. My friend's daughter that I'm babysitting is very good but she brings out Vito's green eyed monster.

Nice light

Christmas 1984 and Vito is old enough to realize something exciting is going on. He only opens a few of his presents and mostly plays with the paper but it's still fun for his father and I. We've moved for cheaper rent and between that, school, studying and taking care of Vito I'm totally wiped out. Sometimes dishes don't get done for a few days. Vito has a new babysitter and seems to handle that okay. We got some snow and I took Vito for his first sled ride down the slope near our driveway. Unfortunately the "sled" is a cardboard box that tips over halfway down and he gets a face full of snow. Not happy. Need to buy a sled.

Who is that guy?

Me, Mom, Vito and Mike getting together for some Christmas photos. Not a smile from either of the boys in any of these pictures that I have. The photographer only managed to alarm them. I'm going to hairdressing school at this point and Vito seems to be adjusting well. A nice lady that lives down the road babysits him. She has three young children and a very nice, clean house. School is interesting and the people there are nice. Our house isn't as clean as it use to be but Vito doesn't seem to notice.