Danca Fanizza Filetti Family: September 2008

I just sorted through some pictures on my camera, and I realized that we had yet to post something from Aunt Vee's party. Of course, as Johnny pointed out when I announced "Aunt Vee is opening her presents...", I was one of about 1/10 of the people in attendance who actually calls her "Aunt Vee". So, without further ado, here is a quick look at some fun photos from the party which celebrated the 80th birthday of the lady we love -- whether we know her as "Aunt Vee", "Grandma", "Mom", "Vivian", "Great-Grandma", "Mrs. Danca"... whatever!

Enjoy!

Isn't it nice of Mark to stand-in for Patrick! (Pat was there too, of course)

Ross found some toads... and Kelsey just LOVES life!

I have a pretty good idea why she's crying....

What else? THE SWEATER!!!!!

Hi Again...wow, this is fun!

I wanted to tell my story about this day. On Saturday, my birthday, I heard that Oprah was doing an olympic show and taping it on Weds and that they were giving away free tickets at millenium park at noon! So, I was going for a bike ride anyway and I thought I would give it a shot! I got down there around 12:45 and there was a tiny line so I jumped in. Problem was, they would only give one tic per person??? So, being the assertive human that I am. I jumped back in line and pleaded my case to the producer that I have these 3 amazing kids that watched every second of the olympics and would die to see the athletes!!! They gave me 3! But, I wanted more...I wanted to go of course...so I waited on the side and started to think what to do...a biker came by and I stopped him and asked him very nicely if he would mind going up to the table (because by now there was no line) and pick up a wrist band for me?? (he didn't even know what it was for...) He hesitated..and then said is it free? and I said yes and he went for it! Then about 5 minutes later after getting the first one for me, he came back, had parked his bike and took his helmet off and said...I'm going to get you another one! So, with a little persistence, I scored 5 tix to the show! We all got to go and I brought a great friend Gina!

Now for the planning of Weds.... the producer told me to have everyone dress in theme clothes, the idea of the show was to be in Millenium Park in Chicago and promote the 2016 Olympic bid for the city!!! So, I shopped and found some great tanks at the Nike Store for myself, erynn and Gina and Lauren and Evan made there own amazing shirts!!! That said, day of we got AMAZING 5th row seats on the aisle!!! The athletes entered right past us and also came back through after the show and talked and mingled with the fans! That was great! We met all the athletes that the kids wanted to meet including Misty may and Koby Bryant!!!

As if that was not enough....one of Erynn's favorite singers...American Idol winner David Cook was performing as well!

After the show....Erynn had met every athlete she came to see, but didn't get to meet David Cook! So.....Lauren, having aparently picked up my assertiveness...was not giving up!

She tried to check out where the athletes and their families were headed..we all followed her!

We ended up walking into the meet and greet tent with all the athletes, families and friends!!

No one said one word to us and we were in....we proceeded, as the pix will show to mingle, chat with and get pix with anyone we wanted!!

Needless to say, it was a very inspirational, amazing day for all of us, these athletes deserve all they have recieved and turned out to be the most friendly, interactive bunch as well!

I hope you all enjoy the pix and the story!!! Have a great day and week...see you on Saturday for Aunt Vee's party!

Maureen

P.S. the show will air on Monday Sept. 8th...check it out!