David’s Parents, Nephews & Nieces with Our Daughter, Olivia

David comes from a very traditional Italian/Irish Catholic family. He was very fortunate to grow up around much of both his mother's and father's extended families. He has many fond memories of both sets of his grandparents, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Any day one of his Italian aunts cooked lasagna or homemade biscotti was a special day! David enjoyed his family's annual road trips to the beach, as well as his experiences as a Boy Scout; his father was his scout leader! David's parents always emphasized family togetherness.

David is the fourth of five children. His oldest brother recently retired from his service as a pilot training officer with the Air Force. He has been married for over 20 years now, and has two daughters in college. David's second oldest brother works with their father in their family's electrician business. Both of David's sisters are married and have five children between them. One of David's fondest memories is having all of his siblings, along with their spouses and children, attend our wedding in the Bahamas six years ago. More recently, David's siblings and their families all gathered in Destin, FL to celebrate their parent's 60th wedding anniversary! David's extended family happily embraced our adopted daughter into the family fold, and his family is ecstatic that we have decided to adopt another child!

Stephanie’s Mother with Olivia

Stephanie’s upbringing was less traditional, but overall it was a very happy childhood. Stephanie grew up in Alaska. Her mother and father divorced when she was 8 years old, when she was the second of three children. Stephanie and her brother and sister grew especially close during the time they were being raised by a single mother. Stephanie's first brother now owns his own insurance brokerage firm, and her oldest sister is a bank manager.

Five years after Stephanie's parents divorced, her mother had another son. Stephanie's father remarried and then adopted a newborn girl while Stephanie was in college in California. Her adopted sister is now a sophomore in college!

Living in Alaska meant Stephanie's immediate family was a long way from their extended family, and the cost of traveling to the "Lower 48" allowed for only two trips to visit relatives during her childhood. However, they lived in a neighborhood where their friends' mothers were like second mothers to Stephanie and her siblings. There was never a lack of loving support during their childhood! Their father also remained actively involved in their lives, and Stephanie and her brother chose to live with their father for several years before they went to college.

Stephanie's mother worked very hard as a single mother, but found time for her creative side. As a gifted artist, Stephanie's mother paints, does charcoal sketches, knits, crochets, sews, makes dolls, does macramé, and is a photographer! Stephanie and her youngest brother are fortunate to have inherited some of their mother's artistic abilities. Her brother occasionally does contract work as a graphic artist.

Our Home

We moved to a planned community a little over a year ago. It was definitely planned with families in mind! We cannot ask for a better place to raise children. From our own little "village" to the broader township, our community is child-friendly, spiritual, and supportive of its members.

Each village in our community is like its own small town, with easy access to parks, pools, playgrounds, schools, places of worship and shopping. There are three great playgrounds within easy walking distance of our home.

Pool & Backyard Getaway

We were embraced by our neighbors from the moment we arrived. We enjoy annual holiday parties as well as many casual "come on over for barbeque" get-togethers. We are fortunate to live on a row of homes with families with children very near our daughter's age, many of whom have new siblings on the way. With so many friends who live only a few doors away, the kids can play while the mommies visit together nearby! Stephanie was also recently invited to join a women's reading club in our neighborhood, which has made us feel even more a part of a great community.

We also enjoy the advantages of being part of a large township with a performing arts center, children's museum, great restaurants, and community centers such as a recreation center and ice skating rink. And there are many other activities for children. Since we moved here, our daughter has enjoyed music classes, ballet, tap, gymnastics, soccer, Spanish, art, and swimming. She even won free karate lessons at a local street fair! Every day when she wakes up, our daughter eagerly asks, "Where are we going today, Mommy?" We always have a fun answer for her!

We live in a spacious two story center hall colonial home, with five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a three-car garage. The living room is spacious with a large fireplace, and there is a large common area upstairs that we use as a playroom. We have a beautiful pool with a fountain and Jacuzzi, and a big, wonderful backyard surrounded by trees and flowers. We feel blessed to have found such a wonderful home.