Christmas with Mike's Family

We both have very close relationships with our immediate family and feel very blessed that they all live in the Phoenix area.

San Diego with Patti's Family

Mike: I have so many fond memories of my childhood. Playing around the swimming pool, carpools to soccer practice, and barbeques in the backyard are just a few of them. Probably my most special memories involve our yearly summer vacations. Every year as school let out my family would pile in our motor home and drive to Chicago to visit family. We would stay at my grandparent's cottage on the lake for the summer. My aunts, uncles and cousins would soon after arrive for three weeks of swimming, water skiing, forest hikes, board games, and day long barbeques. My sister and I have always been close. Although there was a lot of playful teasing growing up, we have a great deal of admiration for each other. Today, my sister is the mother of four terrific children. They encompass her set values of honesty, dedication, and fortitude. My sister is truly an amazing mother who juggles her hectic days with tremendous ease. My mother is a caring, selfless, loving and strong woman. All through my childhood years and high school she never missed one of my soccer games. She would travel great distances, rearrange her work schedule, and selflessly sacrifice for my development and to support my interests. I am very grateful that they both still live in the area and will be excellent resources for us, as we become parents.

Patti: Family meals around the kitchen table, Cub Scout campouts in our backyard, little league games, summer vacations visiting family in Chicago, dance recitals, Friday pizza nights, Saturday morning doughnuts and cartoons, tennis lessons with my dad, library trips with my mom, birthday parties, trips to the zoo…these are just some of the things that come to mind when I think about growing up with my family. I was raised in Arizona and am the youngest of three children. My brother, my sister and I have great relationships with each other. We grew up in a neighborhood that was very close-knit and had lots of kids our age, so we shared many of the same friends. My brother, although very protective, got a lot of enjoyment out of playing jokes on us. My sister, being just 2 years older than me, always let me tag along with her wherever she went, and let me borrow her clothes (almost anytime I wanted!). I feel very fortunate that we all still live within 15 miles of each other and are able to see each other often. I could not ask for greater parents. Our parents continue to give of themselves for us to this day and never think twice. They are loving, supportive and always encouraging. My whole family can't wait for the day that they are able to welcome a new addition to the family!

Our Home

We live in a cozy 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch style home in Phoenix, Arizona. As you walk through our front door you enter our great room, which is the center of our home. With vaulted ceilings and lots of natural light, this room is a perfect spot for family and friends to gather and children to play. The spacious second bedroom is an ideal size for a nursery, and is right next to our office where we have bookshelves filled with children's books from our past years as elementary school teachers.

Mountain Preserves in Our Neighborhood

The front yard has a large grassy area and borders the driveway, which doubles as a basketball court. Our backyard has a combination of mature trees and manicured grass with a patio, picnic table and built-in barbeque. We often eat outside and enjoy the great Arizona weather. The dogs have lots of room to roam and play ball in the backyard. Being that we are located blocks from the elementary school, our streets are constantly filled with children of all ages. Within our neighborhood, we also have 2 large parks and a natural preserve just west of our home. The preserve is a beautiful desert landscape ideal for hiking and mountain biking for everyone in our community to enjoy. We are also in very close proximity to our local Catholic church where we have been active parishioners for the past 4 years.