Some "Official" Photos with the D'Amico & Santospirito Families...

Luca (4 1/2 months), Samuele (10) & Andrea (7)... Luca's cousins live in Torino, Italy!

Nonna Pina & her three boys... Samuele, Andrea & Luca...

Samuele & Andrea D'Amico... wow, you boys are SOOOO handsome!!! ;o)

The D'Amico Family.... Angelo, Gabriella, Samuele & Andrea... Gabriella is Gaetano's sister...

The D'Amicos, The Santospiritos & Nonna Pina Rondinella (Gaetano's Mom).... June, 2008

My Baptism... What a Special Day!! I was 4 1/2 months... 15th June, 2008...

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH to all of you that came to celebrate this important date with us... It was also father's day here in the States, so HAPPY 1ST FATHER'S DAY TO MY DADDY!!! And to all the other Dads who were here with us too... I was sad that my grandparents from Brazil and my Zio Kiko & Zia Euri were not here with us but I am sure they were very close to us in spirits... Thank you also for ALL the messages and gifts from those of you that could not come and celebrate with us... we really appreciated all that!!!!

This silly hat was part of the outfit....my parents had to take at least one picture with it...

I was looking like such a big boy with this white outfit...

Nonna Pina (Daddy's Mom) and I... She was so happy to be here with us during this special day!!

Madrina Gabriella (Daddy's sister) and I at home before going to Church...

What a BEAUTIFUL picture of Daddy and I....we were already in Church waiting for the ceremony to begin... It was Daddy's 1st Father's Day too on the same day... soooooo special!!! ;o)

Daddy, Mommy and I at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church right before the ceremony...

Above I am with Madrina Gabriella and Padrino Angelo at the Church... and on this picture here I am looking very serious on this important date...

Here we can see Rev. Father Gerry De Luney's hand with the sacred oil tracing the Sign of the Cross on my forehead... this symbolizes that the community welcomes me and claims me for Christ!

On the above pictures we can see the pouring of water on my head and the moment with the candle... I was such a good boy and I did not even cry... I only cried afterwards because I was getting too hot at the Church...;o) Below is a more detailed explanation about Baptism which was taken from St. Kilian's Parish:

"...The ceremony of Baptism abounds in symbols. Baptism expresses so many things about life, church, family and God that it needs a full range of images, gathering many rituals into one and bringing a child to the waters of new birth. The pouring of water on the head of the child is central in the Rite of Baptism. Baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit brings new birth. It cleanses from sin and gives a share in the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism is the welcoming of Christ into a child. The white garment is placed on the newly baptized child and the family is presented with a candle, lit from the Easter candle. Both are signs that this child now shares in the risen life of Christ..."

Some happy moments at my Baptism party... too bad I could not eat that cake just yet... but I loved to touch it though... eheheh ;o)

Grace and Pete Came Back!!! THANK YOU GUYS!

Pete (Grace's fiance'), Grace (Gaetano's cousin from Chicago) and Luca... Thank you guys SOOOOO much for coming back all the way from Chicago to see us again and to see Gabriella & her family.... Grace and Gabriella had not seen each other since Grace's parents left Italy when Grace was only 2 years old.... so this time was quite an emotional encounter for the both of them...

Nonna Pina, Grace, Andrea, Gabriella, Samuele & Pete here at the Santospirito's home....

Grace and Pete could not stay for Luca's Baptism so they came for a quick visit the day before and even helped us set up the whole house with decorations, etc.... THANK YOU SO MUCH for coming, for visiting, for helping, for all the gifts and love that you guys brought in your suitcase!!

Here they were at a Mexican restaurant enjoying some food, margaritas and mostly everyone's company since they had a LOT to catch up... ;o)