Spring and Summer of 1991

Vito at his Aunt and Uncle's house, May 1991

Vito and his Uncle Mike at Boldt Castle in Alex Bay

Fry family reunion July, 1991

Group Picture 1987

Here's Vito with his Uncle and Cousins.  The girl's Mom took them all for the photo shoot and then gave us pictures.  Very nice.  

Vito and Mike, December 1986

 For some time I thought this blog had come to it's natural conclusion but recently I've had a change of heart.  There are still some pictures around that haven't made the blog yet and some memories unwritten.  My perfectionist self tried to dissuade me from continuing with the argument that the new posts would be out of order.  My more forgiving self said "So what", the goal of the blog is remembering, not perfection.

So here's some pics of Vito and his Uncle Mike in the tub at my Mom's house.  I promised Mike I wouldn't embarrass him on this blog so I've done some cropping.

Having fun!  "Check out our bubble hats!"

Still having fun.

Oh, that's not nice.

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.

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.

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.

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

Vacation!

Labor day weekend, 1995 we took a trip to Virginia Beach. I drove the Grand Am and Scott was my side kick. Mom, Mike and Vito rode in the back. The weather was great and we stayed at the Dunes. Above is Vito in the hotel pool, ready to splash.


Vito and Mike hanging out in the pool.


Mike and Vito petting the sting rays.

You gotta love Virginia Beach, so beautiful... and warm!

Monkey see, monkey do

Now that there's some extra money I'm desperate to go on a trip and show Vito some of the world. Virginia Beach is my choice and Mom agrees to come and pay half of the expenses. Vito's dad doesn't want to go. We drive down in the Firebird with Michael and Vito in the back seat. There's only room for luggage in the trunk so the spare tire is out. It's a little cramped but the boys are reasonably behaved and sleep a lot.

It's late when we arrive and by the time we find a motel Mom and I are very tired. We lay down to sleep but the boys are wide awake because they've slept most of the trip. They begin jumping from my bed to hers, back and forth. Despite our protests they refuse to stop. This seems to go on for hours but we are too exhausted to care. Finally they tire themselves out and go to sleep. In the morning the motel management calls and says we've been kicked out because of the noise. The room is already paid for and I decide we just won't leave. The boys are better the next night and nothing more is said.

The weather is a little cool but we all have fun enjoying the ocean waves and sandy beach. On the day we have to go back it's in the high 80s. We don't want to leave but sadly we must. We get to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and in the middle of nowhere my car gets a flat (remember we have no spare). It's dark and no one is around. After sitting awhile I think it might be a good idea to drive slowly to the next exit in hopes of finding a garage. The boys start laughing hysterically at the fhwap fhwop sound of the flat tire slapping the road as we creep along. Mom and I start laughing too. Suddenly I see a flash of light in my side view mirror. The friction has heated up the rubber and the tire is on fire! I grab Mom's Pepsi, jump out of the car and douse the flames with it. Thankfully the fire goes out. We resign ourselves to waiting on the side of the road. Eventually a turnpike patrol car sees us and sends someone to help. The tire gets replaced and soon we're on our way home. Thank goodness.

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.

Summer days

Here are the boys enjoying the outdoors. At 7-8 months Vito can crawl on his hands and knees and stand up while holding on to something. He gets around pretty good and is into everything. Money is still tight so I'm washing dishes at a restaurant at night. It only pays minimum wage but helps us buy formula and diapers. I love playing with the boys but get tired quickly. We all take naps.

We are not in the mood for a picture!

Money is really tight since I quit my job. I start watching my baby brother Michael for my Mom while she works. He's almost eight months older than Vito and such a good boy. Unfortunately the green eyed monster has possessed my son. Because Michael is older he can do things that Vito can't. Michael feeds himself and Vito cries. He walks across the room and Vito screams. It's still a good experience for everyone and I have fun with them.