Happy 29th Birthday Vito

Some days the only way I can move forward is to look back.  Pictures bring back long forgotten memories that get polished with hindsight and understanding until they shine brightly.

July 4,1995 Party, Vito age 11

Winter 1995 Lynn and Vito (age 12)

December 1995 Scott, Vito, Lynn

December 1995 Vito age 12

February 1996 Vito being tickled by Scott

April 1996 Lynn and Vito reading

Some of the best times I spent with Vito is when we would hang out...just being...together.

Flashback to July, 1997

Having a blast riding the Mind Eraser at Darien Lake, Scott, me, Vito, Michael and Mom. Never wear post earrings on the Mind Eraser, Owwww.

Flashback to 1983

Today is Vito's Birthday, he would have been 26. I came across this 5 generation picture taken on Christmas, 1983 and wanted to share it. On the left is Vito's Great, Great Grampa George, then Great Grandma Goldie, then Grandma Linda, then his Mom holding him at 3 months old. Happy Birthday buddy, love, Mom

July 2000, Family Reunion

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.

Summer 1998

Mike and Vito at our Fathers day picnic.

A shy Vito and silly Scott posing in front of Niagara Falls. A very impromptu trip we took for the 4th of July. We didn't have hotel reservations and everything was booked. We finally found a suitably clean but smelly room about 6 blocks from the Falls.

Me with Vito, he's taller than me now and becoming a young man. Posing with Mom is soooo embarrassing. We walk everywhere and my legs hurt so bad that I have to get up in the middle of the night and soak in the hotel tub to ease the pain. No wonder they hurt, look at the shoes I was wearing!

View of the Falls from the tunnel.

Up on the tower enjoying the stunning views.

View from the Tower.

Vito and Scott, adorable.

Breathtaking sight, Maid of the Mist making an entrance, bottom left.

"The Wedding!"

When Scott and I were planning our wedding it took over our lives so much that Vito started calling it (with sarcasm) "The Wedding". Below are some pictures of him at the blessed event.


Helping? Dad with the video cam


Doing his usher duty escorting our Aunt



In the procession with my Sister


Escorting his Grandmother

The jacket comes off with sweet relief that it's over

The jacket goes back on for a pic with most of our family

Getting a dancing lesson from my sister

Misbehaving?

Dancing with Mom and smiling

Warm weather fun in 1997

Vito picking strawberries at the local patch in June


Scott, Mike, Vito and Mom at Darien Lake in July


Vito buying a pretzel at the Renaissance Fair in August


Renaissance Fair glass blowing exhibition

First Day of Spring

March 20th, 1997 and Vito is helping me celebrate a birthday. In front of us is a delicious birthday cake made with care by Scott.

I absolutely love this adorable, personalized birthday card below that Vito made for me one year with Scott's help. So cute that the little devil has Vito's initials on his outfit.


Happy Spring!

Snowman Fun

It's the winter of '95 and we all go out to play in the snow. We put together a snowman complete with hat and tie holding a rose. Curiously the rose was gone in the morning. Playing in the snow was right up Vito's alley. Afterwards a cup of hot cocoa hits the spot.

Mr. Snowman and Vito


Vito, Mr. Snowman and me unable to resist his charms.


A slightly blurry Vito, Mr. Snowman and Scott.


I can't remember exactly what Vito is laughing at but knowing him probably a snowball hit it's mark.