Dominic-James First Holy Communion

After months of preparation we celebrated Dominic’s First Communion Day on Sunday May 3rd. Thankfully the weather was beautiful so no jackets required to cover up Dominic's new black suit and tie and Samantha's pretty dress. Between haircuts on Friday and getting our nails done on Saturday, we joined our families to pleasantly enjoyed the one hour celebration at All Saints Church.





We arrived at 1:15 pm for individual photos of the Communion boy and family photos around the church. After finding seats within the church, we took additional photos of a tired Dominic looking forward to all of the events to come to an end. Dominic did suffer from nervousness to the point where we had to get him a cup of water and some fresh air to relax him. At 3:00 pm, our little boy walked into the church with his partner Sarafina, who stood over a half a foot taller than him. Tears filled my eyes.


Steve and Dominic getting some air to calm Dominic nerves.


Refusing to take any more photos


Dominic, Sabina and Samantha pretending to be angels

After the church celebrations and our little boy began to smile again, we all enjoyed some relaxing time at home back at our home.






The grandparents with a much more relaxed Dominic

To make the day even more special, Dominic opened up all his First Communion Cards and read each one of them from the Hallmark writing to the handwriting from family.

Spring Break 2009 – Disney Vacation

Friday March 16th, we started our drive to Florida at 5PM, 2 hours earlier then we expected to begin. As expected the drive down is purely on adrenaline which is what makes you go go go until you get there, along with thousands of other Ontarioians. With a few rest stops along the way, sandwiches in the car and a 7AM – 8AM Saturday morning sleep at the rest stop in South Carolina, we arrived at our hotel at 4PM, just in time for check in.

We all quickly changed in our bathing suits and took a swim in the pool and then dressed for a night walk at Old Town right next door. This was a happening little place with a car show, bungee jumps and a lot of people!

On Sunday, we drove to Cape Canarvelle to spend the day at the Kennedy Space Centre. All was a go for the launch of Discovery 119. This launch had been post poned a few times which was great for us which gave Sarah, Dominic and Samantha the experience of a lifetime. At 7:43 PM the launch was flawless, and Dominic’s excitement priceless. I gave him the video camera to record the launch but the moment he saw the sky light up he practically threw it back to me cause he couldn’t hold in his excitement. His words were “the excitement is bursting out of my ears”. It was all worth it even the painless 5 hour brake light drive back to the hotel. I’ll say no more.

















On Monday we did our first park which was Magic Kingdom. Samantha was speechless when we took her to have her picture taken with Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty; meanwhile Dominic wanted no part of it. Besides feeling a bit tired from our drive home the day before we stayed the full day despite a little complaining from all the walking.

Weather in Florida was hot for this time of the year, but no one was complaining.









On Tuesday we rested, played in the pool and did my favorite – SHOPPING.

Wednesday was park #2 – Hollywood Studios (aka MGM). This park I find can be stressful trying to get everything in. Between Fast Pass, the shows and stopping for lunch, we did it all. Honestly, I found this day a bit more stressful then work. My phone wasn’t charged and we needed to separate so we had just a meeting spot. Easier said then done, the park was extremely crowded with everyone also off on Spring Break. Meeting was a bit of a challenge. With luck on our side and some "pay it forward" with other park patrons, it was an exceptional day.





Thursday was another great day with our visit to Epcot. I packed Samantha’s Princess dress and we toured the park and had our princess dinner at the Norway restaurant. Food was nice and so was the princesses. They gave us 2 8x10 photos of Samantha and the family with Belle as a keepsake, complimentary. We left the restaurant around 10 PM and walked to the car. The park was beautifully empty.





Friday was the last day and we again relaxed by the pool, dressed for dinner and played some mini golf. We also managed to fit in a cache search and leave a token of our visit behind at a ritzy park called Celebration. We did our walk at Downtown Disney where again it had been wall to wall people. By this time the weather started to cool down and we needed sweaters to do this walk. Strange how it goes - Monday, we were swimming in the pool at 10:30 at night and now we are wearing sweaters.



Saturday morning we drove to Savannah Georgia and stopped in to visit Steve, Sabina and Steve’s parents on their boat. It was windy and ruined our plans for a few hours on the beach, so we just took a rain check. We definitely want to go back and spend more time in Georgia.





It is now Saturday night 9:30 PM, I’m writing this blog and everyone in the car is quiet. We hit 100000 clicks on the odemetre.

Dominic-James Mifsud's Belt Ceremony

Dominic advanced a belt from White to White/Yellow. He is very proud of his accomplishment and asked that we hang his certificate along with the white belt on the wall; his next belt will go right beside it. Positive thinking.

Good-Bye 2008

Well, the kids turned a year older, and so did we. We enjoyed the Dominican in March and the snow in November. Dominic advanced a belt in Karate, Sarah started working a part-time job and Samantha started playing chase the boys at recess!!!!!!!

My mom turned 65 in November the same day Dominic turned 7. My brother and sister joined me in make the day special for mom. Mom and I are off to see Dirty Dancing in January - after the Christmas rush!

Vella Family - November 20, 2008


Dominic had a little quieter birthday this year, which didn't stop him from giving us cheeky smiles.


Happy 7th Birthday Dominic



Auntie Karen and Dominic on their way to the restaurant



Happy Birthday Nana, Dominic and Auntie Karen.

After the birthdays in November we start again in December with Samantha, which is on the 12th of December the same day of her Christmas concern. Samantha performed perfectly and had us in tears with her on-stage dance. We did however, last minute decide to throw a little gathering to celebrate a pre-christmas cheer and Samantha's 5th Birthday.







Our proud performer

Dominic and the girls



Sabina, Emilie, Samantha, Dominic and Lucus



Samantha's gift from her teacher

For Christmas Dominic asked Santa for Wii, and was sure he was getting it. The threat of Santa watching him every day had him sweating a bit. Samantha wanted a real mike and a stand like Hannah Montana.

We attended mass this year at 5PM. A big difference from previous Christmas where we went to the midnight mass and the kids fell asleep for the whole thing. This year we decided the family mass at the church where Dominic will make his First Communion was more meaningful, and it was. The mass definitely kept the kids attention and the live donkey and goat was treat, ummm, until a little accident by the donkey at the alter.

When we went home after Christmas Eve dinner at moms, the kids set up the milk and cookies, Dominic left Santa a note with a couple of questions, and they peaked under the tree for the 100th time before they went to bed. Christmas morning, Steve got ready to pick up Sarah and took both kids in their Christmas PJs with him for the ride. Ahhhh, time alone, while I merrily prepped for our company and dinner. I truly enjoyed the 2 hours by myself. Merry Christmas to me. And then, they were back; and of course hyper as ever.



Dominic, Sarah and Samantha



Dominic return message from Santa. He circled "Yes" to the questions "Are you real?"


Merry Christmas DJ


Merry Christmas Superstar




Transformer Sarah

Christmas Day this year was a full house with all the family over for dinner. I cheated this year and took up everyones offer who asked "what should I bring". Steve and I set the table and prepared all the vegetables and the roast, Mom Freda prepared the Turkey, my mom the buns and the tiramisu (desert), and Auntie Mary made the Ham.


The family



Make a wish


Sarah and Jason

Hey, where did the toy go

After the Christmas day we spent the 26th playing Wii all day. I did manage to pull Steve and the kids away from the TV to go see a movie and do some skating. Besides, the remotes needed a break to charge. Also, we all went to Stage West to watch the play performance of Scrooge before we took Sarah home.

Sarah without the stick


Dominic standing more confidently in snow then on the ice

Samantha looking good

On the 30th we celebrated my dad's 73rd birthday. New Year's eve was spent making fondue and Tacos with some friends and bringing in New Year with a cheer and out into the Hot Tub at 1AM. Crazy drunk people.


Crazy people who let their kids stay up past midnight

Dancing with the Stars

Samantha watching Dancing with the movie stars. I catch her moving like she is on stage and finally was able to record it without her shying away and getting mad. Enjoy!!

Halloween 2008

I just love Halloween - especially when it falls on a Friday night! The weather was close to perfect and kids, stayed trick-or-treating until 9PM. I don't mind the late night, but we did run out of candy.

We left work at 3:30 to beat some of the Halloween traffic home. Unfortunately, we didn't get home as early as we hoped to, but still managed to pick up dinner and settled two excited children to eat before putting their costumes back on and start their trick-or-treating.

This year I had the scary music and the lighted tombstones happening along with my witches hat on (no picture - too bad!!). I'm looking forward to next year where it will be a Saturday night. Boooooo

Support Sea Shepherd

Steve and I have taken a strong interest in support to saving the sharks. Shark populations all over the world have plummeted because of intentional fishing for their fins to make shark fin soup which is a Chinese cuisine delicacy. A couple of months back we watched a documentary "Sharkwater" which opened our eyes to the hideous cruelty by the abundance to the sharks.

Sharks have been around longer than the dinasours!

Domino effect, sharks being the strongest predator disappears from an ecosystem, others that eat the same prey usually take over and keep the balance of the ecosystem in check. But in this case, where not one, but all, of the top predators are rapidly disappearing, you lose the balancing capacity of one species to step in for another.

Dominic's karate school had a Halloween Party on the 25th of October and the proceeds went towards the Sea Shepherd organization. $500 was raised.






Dominic won one of the pumpkins!!

Pumpkin Carving on Sunday. I'm exhausted but glad it is done. Keeping my fingers crossed that the pumpkins don't wrinkle before Friday. God knows I smothered enough vaseline on them.





Happy Halloween everyone!! Stay tune for more spooky pictures . . .