Happy Father's Day - Joe

Joe had a great Father's Day this year opening his cards and gifts from his children and grandchildren. Of course he would have much preferred to see them in person, but their cards and best wishes brought big smiles to his face. He's excited to have some extra cash to spend on golf stuff at Dicks and loved the pedometer from Kylie ... wares it daily to keep his exercise program on track.

Cards from Luke and Will always bring big smiles

Loved his gift cards and pedometer ... can you tell?


That afternoon we were invited to a beautiful reception for Sammy Salamida's daughter Danita and her new husband Kevin. This was held at Vestal Hills Country Club an.

Sammy with his daughters Danita and Kate

Sammy, Danita and Joe

Joe, Sammy, Danita and Ronnie

Michele's 60th B-Day Celebration

Saturday, June 20th we celebrated Michele Leahy's 60th birthday with her at Quaker Lake. We had a great time and she was genuinely surprised. Dick did a great job pulling this one off!!!

Dick hired the Minute Man as a surprise for Michele. Little did Dick know, but his daughters hired the Minute Man as a surprise for him as well.

Joe celebrating with Michele and Dick

Wine Tasting Competition- St. Anthony's Feast Days

Sunday, June 13th was the Annual Wine Tasting competition at St. Anthony of Padua Feast Days. Joe and his buddies, Dizzy Bliznik, Butch Bliznik, Ronnie Beard and Lou Santoni entered their favorite Par Four Reds & Whites. They had their hopes set on winning the "Triple Crown" with their white.

We volunteered in the afternoon pouring beer for a few hours, and as luck would have it one of the judges for the wine tasting was working with us. Here's a picture of Joe paying Marty off to sway the results.


The police were within ear shot, but it was worth the risk, that's how much this meant to the crew.


Here the judges are doing their due diligence tasting this year's entries. There were just under 30 bottles of wine this year combining white and red. So the competition was higher than ever!


The numbers are being tallied ... the tension is growing.

Did Par Four have a winner again this year?


Oh No, none of their entries were among the winners.

Here are the happy LOSERS!!!


Wait a minute ... there's been an "inquiry"! This called for a recount!!

Can it be true? Yes, they took First Place after all for their dry red!

There is a God!! Ohhhh the good life!!

Will's Been Discharged

Nate called and said that they were in the process of discharging Will. He had a little difficulty during the night dealing with some of the pain, but seems to be doing well now. Nate said that he and Amanda are feeling good about the surgery and the benefits it will bring to Will's development going forward. He's more concerned about how to keep Luke away from the new equipment that will come into their nursery. The formula bag usually hangs from and IV pole, so Nate's planning to install a hook for that and a shelf for the pump to sit on. It has all the lights and buttons the Luke loves to play with.

When Nate called last night he said that Will's color had returned nicely and that his little tummy looked full. He held the phone up to him and listened when we said hello and talked back to us in his wonderful little language.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Will's G Tube

Will had his surgery on Tuesday, June 9th to have the feeding tube put in. After a rough day of it post op - he's doing well now and getting back to his playful self. We're anxious to see the difference it will make in his activity level once he feels the advantage of being nourished adequately. He's due to be discharged on Friday. Nate said that Luke is very lonely without his brother there. I'm sure that Will is also missing Luke's voice. They'll be happy to see one another again.

Luke is missing his ride around the house I'm sure

The Wonderful Month of May!

Our wonderful mother Elsie's birthday is May 1st. Followed by Carolyn who celebrated her birthday on May 4th. Then, of course, we celebrated Mother's Day on May 10th.

On Thursday, May 21st we shared a very special birthday dinner with our good friend, Monsignor Bill in Syracuse. We had a great dinner at Carabbas. Monsignor Eckermann (who coincidentally celebrates a May birthday as well) joined us. As fate would have it our server, Jeremy, also celebrated his 29th birthday.

Steven's First Communion Party

Today we celebrated with Steven Hrustich his very special First Communion Day. Mary and Steve had a private party at Vincenzo's in Endicott. It was delicious and enjoyed by all.

Like Father like son

Gracie, Gabe and Aunt Denise

Steven, Gabie and Gracie

Mary, Cristen and Alex

Steven, Gracie and Gabe

Julie, Steph, Uncle Gabe and Mary Jo

Joe and Mary

Gracie and Steven


Gracie with her Grandmother


Denise and Georgianne


Steve, Grandmother Hrustich and Steven