Best $10 ever: Deablo

Yesterday we celebrated Deablo's 12th birthday.

We got him in September 1997 in Muncie while Andy and I were at Ball State as seniors. 

He was only $10. That amount covered the cost of his first appointment and neutering, as well.

Andy and I still say that was the best $10 we ever spent.

We aren't exactly sure when Deablo's birthday is, but we determined shortly after the vet determined his age that we would celebrate his birthday on May 1st.

To many healthy years to come, Deablo!

Your voices have been heard

Nadia has been determined to be the coolest of the Bove kids.

I welcome any more photos you have for posting on this blog.

Visiting the cemetery

Here is a look at Dad's final resting place.

This is the view of the mausoleum front located at the Grant Memorial Park in Marion, Indiana.

We are Dog-lovers

Crystal eyes

This is Dante & Anelese's dog, Crystal, that lives with their dad, Eric.

One year later

This ran in the Chronicle Tribune newspaper in Marion Indiana January 19, 2009 on the anniversary of Dad's death.

I am just now posting this because I recently received it.

Bove kids update

Riva

Talk about busy with kids. Riva has been extra busy with her kid's travel soccer. 

In one weekend she may have to travel to two different cities and have four games to attend.

Recently Riva was the raffle winner announcer at the annual Riverview Elementary Spring Fling.

Carmino

It has been a tasteful pleasure to have Carmino's famous smoked ribs. Over the last several years he has perfected this dish as something we have all come to enjoy.

Also, he has been enjoying the ins and outs of early spring weather on the Meshingamosia golf course.

Sonia

Sonia has successfully entered her third trimester with her third pregnancy. Just a few months to go before the family grows to 5.

We still have our fingers crossed that this will be a smooth pregnancy without any high blood pressure issues.

Nadia

We haven't seen Nadia in a while. 

She has been busy in Texas with work, her dog Mia and Ken.

Must be nice to live in an area where you can take your dog on a daily walk year round.

Our hope is that we see Nadia this summer.

More news: This past weekend we have finally decided to do the family vacation we have talked about for years. At this point Sonia will be organizing and scheduling the event.

Possibly Florida sometime in 2010.

Update on the rest of the family to come

Someone, anyone: Vote for Riva!

It appears that no one thinks that Riva is as cool as her younger and more hip siblings.

Maybe just ONE vote to help her spirits. It could be out of sympathy, we won't tell her.

So, why no votes?

Is it because she openingly thinks this poll is silly and dumb? Don't listen to her, she says that about a lot of stuff. She probably says that about you.

Is it because she went to a lame all-girls (overly-priced) college? She claims that sometimes the guys would jump the fierce 20-foot fence to come over to party with the gals. Still not as cool as BSU, though. 

Ok, so while growing up she would be on the phone 18 hours a day and NEVER hang with the "younger crowd" in the basement while we played alligator in the water or lava floor. Yeh, that would make her not so cool.

I guess maybe now that she owns a van, maybe that is why you aren't voting for her. I suppose I don't blame you.

Oh, and there was that one time I thought Carmino was attacked by a bear, but it was actually her nails that scratched his back so deep that it just appeared to be a bear attack. Well, I don't know the story behind the fight so I can't make any judgement since sometime it is known that Carmino can be a big boob. No, seriously, he can be a boob.

Don't base your judgement on her kids. It's not Anelese's fault that she is known for saying, "I want meat!" or Dante's fault for telling long, never-ending pointless stories about all his stuffed animals. (Rumor has it that Dante did go to school for Halloween with all the stuffed animals safety-pinned to him. I wish I had a picture to post.)

So, what is your reason?

Secondhand smoking is BAD!

Poor Dante.

Dante is approaching 10-years-old this summer. I can hardly believe it. However, he has been through more medical probing than most young adults.

Currently he has been found to be allergic to EVERYTHING. Not too sure exactly what that means, but that is a quote from Riva. (Is he allergic to me?)

Mainly though, he can't have dairy for awhile or at least until he clears his system and slowing reintroduces it back in small amount.

I was also told he hasn't been able to breathe properly, which is no surprise to me, since he always sounds like he needs to clear his throat.

Which also leads to doctor's order of "No secondhand smoking" around Dante or any kids for that matter. 

Best of luck, Dante. I wish we could tell you that your teen years will be better, but ...

Despite the earthquake

Lisa (aka: Mom) has been in Italy nearly 6 weeks now. 

Early Monday morning she experienced a fairly strong earthquake. She was asleep and thought it was a dog or two jumping on her bed. Her niece, Tatiana, woke her up and got her and the rest of the family outside to a safer place.

Mom has lived in Indiana most of her adult life and really hasn't experienced anything like this. 

Hundred of people have died and the search for more bodies continues today. This powerful earthquake centered in a town named L'Aquila less than 100 miles from her hometown location.

My first thought was to call her and make sure she was ok. I called several times once I got the news that a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit nearby, yet I couldn't get a hold of her.

Finally I reached her nearly 15 hours later. 

Where was she? Shopping! Leave it to my mom to find time to shop during a natural catastrophe.

Maybe shopping is her therapy.

Panda & Deablo... the forgotten pups

Panda (age 10) and Deablo (age 12) are having a quiet moment with Vincenzo.

Watch the family grow

Yesterday we found out we are having a baby boy this summer... in addition to Giuseppe and Vincenzo. We couldn't be happier. Due date is expected for July 27.

Bove family update, March 2009

Life has gone on for us, even without Dad.
We all agree he has been a spiritual part of all decision we have made since his passing 14 months ago.

Below is a snippet of our lives:


Mom: is mourning the recent passing of her mother just a few weeks ago. She is currently spending several months in Italy with her brothers, sisters and family. Even at such a sad time she has made great efforts to enjoy her time in Italy. Our cousin, Carmelina, will be returning with her in April. We are looking forward to seeing the both of them.

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Riva: finally sold her home! Hurray. In such a tough market she sold it fairly quickly. Riva, a working, single mom, has her work cut out for her: running the kids to and from practices/games and devoting time to take Mom to doctor appointments can all take a toll. Yet, she juggles it all on a daily basis.

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Carmino: has taken a fairly new position as Financial Representative with Principal Financial Group located out of Indianapolis. Carmino and his dog, Capone, keep busy after work hours. However, with the season change Carmino is bound to get back on the course where he is passionate about golf. (Sorry, no photo is available... we think Carmino had something to do with it.)

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Sonia: is saying goodbye to newspapers, but refuses to say goodbye to journalism. She is taking a buyout at The Ann Arbor News scheduled for this summer; just in time for her third baby expected in July. She is also going to take a chance in this horrible economical time and start her own business in marketing and digital media. Launch date: September 2009.

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Nadia: thinks her family is weird and tries to avoid them as much as possible. She thought moving to Texas would help in her efforts, but to no avail. They still call, send emails and even try to sell her Amway on a daily basis. Nadia's working for a luxury retirement community where she updates their newsletter, website and various print media. In her spare time she enjoys teaching others about government conspiracies (NASA, gravity and other obvious lies they want you to believe.) She has a black lab named Mama Mia of whom she suspects is secretly a monkey. (If you have any evidence of this please call her so she can add it to her file.) Just yesterday Nadia purchased a green shirt, more of a sage really. It is very nice.

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Anelese: has started practicing The Marion Lightning Travel Soccer Team as goalie once again. She is excited. She is looking forward to the summer when she can start playing golf again. Oddly enough, us Bove's aren't known for our outstanding athletic ability, yet Anelese has been a super-star athlete.

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Dante: he has joined The Marion LIghtning Travel Soccer Team. He and his sister will be going away to Camp Crosley for the first time away from home this summer.

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Giuseppe: is doing great at St. Thomas Catholic School. Math seems to be his favorite subject. As far as sports go, he has been remarkable at all he has put effort into such as hockey, football and baseball.

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Vincenzo: loves playing, especially with his big brother. At his age we are proud to see him jump and gallup.

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Andy: has been super busy lately. Doing all the handy work around the house in preparation to his growing family. We are also excited to announce that Andy has taken to making wine as a hobby that we can all enjoy. First batch should be ready just in time for the celebration of the new baby.

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Ken: has started dance lesson at the local community center. He has become such a star at his slick moves that there is a good chance that Mia, his dog, will be joining him next season debuting the FoxTrot.