A look back at things Vito made

Scott and Vito posing in the newly painted dining room, Summer 1999.



Vito helping his friend Mike take on some frustration on Mike's soon to be junked car, Summer 1999.



Vito certainly enjoyed a little destruction but he also like to create. Below are some things he made.

5th grade


1st grade


as a teen


3rd grade

Kindergarten

Vito at 15

I didn't take many pictures around this time which is too bad because Vito is growing and changing so fast. High school is a challenge with tougher subjects to study and more homework to do. The high school is only several blocks from our house so Vito can walk. Scott and I leave for work around 6:30 in the morning with the expectation that he'll get to school on time. Unfortunately tardiness becomes an issue. We work on that and some other minor incidents that got him into trouble at school but all in all he's a good kid and I'm proud of him. We have a lot of work to do on the house and he enjoys pitching in. He tells us electrical wiring tips that he's learned from his Grampa.


Vito and Scott's Dad, Christmas Eve 1998



April, 1999 Vito with a turtle he found in the yard.

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.