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.

Happy Mothers Day

We had just bought an older home and moved in shortly before this picture was taken in 1997. Vito is growing up so fast and our lives are pretty chaotic with all the new changes. Vito has found a new trick when his picture is taken so it's been censored. Below are a couple Mothers Day cards from Vito, no censoring required.



This one is so sweet, I think he was 6 or 7 years old.

Home made and he's a bit older.

"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

8th Grade Graduate

Not a very close up picture but there Vito is, circled, soon to receive his diploma!


Nice picture of Vito's smile but his eyes are closed.



Vito with Festus our newly acquired stray and our new tortie kitten from Mom's litter of kittens. Her name was originally Pepper but it morphed into Munchie because she was so small like a munchkin.

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!

Fathers Day Visit

Here's Vito at Grampa Paul's place of business riding his 4 wheeler around the yard and having a blast.

Grampa Paul on Dads day 1996, the whole family is there hanging out in the garage and grilling some dinner.

Vito's room in a state of clean, wow!

Alex Bay Trip

It's May, 1996 and Scott and I take Vito to Alex Bay. It's so beautiful there and we love visiting Boldt Castle to see what new restorations have been done. On the left Vito and I are in the lobby of the castle.


Exploring the Boldt Castle playhouse

Top of the playhouse

Vito and Scott ready to race!

Winning the Game

Vito playing Upwords here with Kit Kat at his side. He liked playing most games but Pay Day was his favorite game to play. It was much like life, making your way through the days of the month trying to stretch your paycheck to cover all the pitfalls along the way. It was a lot of fun and he especially liked it when he won.

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.

Happy guy

Vito doing his homework and smiling. It's October 1995 and he's in seventh grade now. He's helpful and loving and we all have fun together. Scott finds him to be self assured and willing to get to know him. We carve pumpkins together for Halloween and have a great time.

Scott's, Lynn's and Vito's

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!

The Graduate

Here's Vito after just receiving his sixth grade diploma. My boss let me leave work for a couple hours to go to his graduation. I was too far away to get a good picture. That summer turned out to be very busy. We're getting to know Scott, his friends and family. We went to a fourth of July party and many family get togethers. Looking back I suspect Vito might have felt a little left out. He was used to having his Mom all to himself. He never complained though and we always tried to include him in what we were doing. Being head over heels in love, however, may have clouded my judgement. Everything seemed perfect.
Scott, his friend's daughter and Vito at the Zoo

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

Skater Boy

It's spring 1995 and Vito shows off his roller skating skills. His Aunt works at the local rink so he gets a lot of practice and is pretty good. He literally skates circles around his Mom. I've met a nice guy I feel is worthy of meeting Vito and this picture is taken on our first all together date. We have a great time even if maybe a couple of us really can't skate all that well. I ask Vito what he thinks of my friend Scott and he says "He's nice Mom, but kinda goofy". Yes.