Here is a short video on Angelo and Julianna reciting the Down Syndrome Creed.
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On June 27 our kids swim team had their annual swim meet invitational. This is always a fun meet for all the kids on the team. At the beginning of the season, Annie and I decided to sign up Julianna to be a member of the swim team. Julianna has been working hard on her swim stroke.  She has not yet been able to make it down the entire length of the pool without stopping, but she is doing her best.

Anyway, as part of our annual swim meet invitational, the kids coach said she wanted to put ALL the kids in a relay.  Even Angelo, who is not on the team!  This was certainly one of those "little lifetime events" that I believe the kids will not forget.

I hope you enjoy the video.
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Annie and I are very proud of our son Dominic's accomplishment of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle Scout requires much time and commitment from a young man. Dominic started his scouting journey back in first grade when he joined tiger scouts. It was a fun journey for him but also for me, his Dad.  I was the assistant den leader when he was in cub scouts and then an assistant scout master when he joined boy scouts. This was certainly a time commitment for me, BUT I would not change it for the world!  What an wonderful opportunity to be able to spend so much quality time with him.  Something that certainly can not be replaced.

Love you Dominic and we are very proud of what a wonderful young man you have grown into.

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Our 13 year old daughter Gabby competed in the Pennsylvania National History Day competition in May. She won first place in Pennsylvania for her age group and presentation type. In June she and her mom went to national level to compete against the winners in the other states.
Even though she was not selected to go on in the competition, we are VERY proud of her. This video is the presentation she did for her project.

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This year was the first time Dominic and Julianna were able to celebrate their birthdays together.  What a wonderful day for our family.
This was Julianna's 9th birthday and her first birthday celebration with us.
She was very excited about her birthday cake, ice cream, and presents.  Of course, she could not wait to blow out the candles.

This was Dominic's 18th birthday. What an exciting year for him. This will be Dominic's senior year at McD and he is looking forward to this school year.
Dominic also purchased his first car (SUV). He was excited about having his "own" car.
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In May we had a family outing to the circus. Annie and I took all the kids except Dominic.  He was working on that day. Everyone enjoyed watching the circus.  We had friends that have a club box at the arena, so we were able to upgrade our tickets and have the entire box to ourselves.
What a wonderful time.
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Today marks the one year anniversary of the day that Kenny and I met our daughter, Julianna, in person.  It's amazing how time has marched so quickly and Jules has grown so much since her homecoming in August.  Yesterday, I received an excited e-mail from her speech and language clinician noting that Julianna was indeed reading decodable words...and reading sentences.  Of course one of Julianna's other teachers knew this several weeks ago.  Yes, academically, Julianna continues to marvel all with whom she interacts. 

We love watching Julianna's routines each day.  She always comes to our room in the morning - early.  Sometimes she gets a little extra snuggle time before school.  Always, she brings mom her slippers w/o even being asked.  Julianna enjoys brushing her medium length hair- quite a novelty that she has never experienced until now. 

Julianna likes to talk a lot.  We are beginning to make sense of her sometimes complicated stories or explanations.  Articulation continues to be a struggle for Jules.  Tomorrow Julianna is having tubes placed in her ears to remove excess fluid.  The goal is for her to improve her hearing which is compromised in her left ear.  We'll see after a few weeks how this procedure may help, and eventually improve her ability to articulate some words.

Julianna is a gem.  She helps with Angelo and argues with Vincent, her closest sibling in age.  Jules likes to be pretty and grown up like Gabby and Chechie.  Of course, she tells Domie that she is his girl, but we all know that her heart belongs to Daddy.  This morning, she cried when I told her that Daddy wasn't home and that he was still at work.  She ADORES Kenny and sits on his lap for endless periods of time whenever she gets the chance.  Her affectionate behavior is contagious.  Those who are with her cannot help but smile and want to squeeze her.

Julianna has what I would call "moxie."  She has confidence and shows fear of almost nothing. 

Julianna has made us better people and a stronger family.  We are blessed to have her in our life and as our daughter.

I'll have Kenny post some updated photos...

Until another

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21.3.2011 03/20/2011
 
Happy World Down Syndrome Day.

Angelo, Julianna, and the remainder of the Licata family would like to wish EVERYONE a happy World Down Syndrome Day.

God bless.

Ken
Julianna & Angelo
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Hello, Ken here.

I wanted to share some pictures from Francesca's formal dance at school.
She looked very lovely and said she had fun at the dance.  Mom thought she looked beautiful too.  Gabby helped to do her hair (and secretly wished she could go)...ah but next year, there will be three Licata kids at the Formal Winter Dance...
Enjoy
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Hello, Ken here.

I just wanted to share the following clip with you.  This is my daughter Gabriella playing "Lucy VanPelt" in the school play "You're a good man Charlie Brown."
She had lots of fun being part of the play.
I am very proud of her.

Enjoy.

Ken
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