"DON" Dylan

My brother's family invited us to a fundraiser soccer banquet for their 9-year old son Ryan. This was an opportunity to meet my father's brother and some other members of the family. We thought a child's soccer banquet would be a small affair in a donated hall. Boy were we wrong!

My sister Sandra and husband Donald with my brother Victor and wife Lidia

We arrived in Bolton to a very grand banquet hall with at least 300 mainly Italian attendees. We began to eat at 6:00pm at a delicious hot and cold buffet with grilled calamari in tomato sauce, fried calamari, many types of pastas, salads, mussels, etc... We filled our plates and ate and ate until we were satiated. And then we found out this was only the antipasto (appetizers). Dinner consisted of SEVERAL more rounds of seated plate service.

Dylan and his cousins Malcolm and Anthony

The dinner portion was interrruped several times with prize-winning games to see who was the best "DON" of each table (these Italians know how to joke about themselves). Guess who won the best "DON" contest at the children's table?

Dylan embracing his Italian side and wins best "Don" for his table.

The soccer team sat at the head table. They entered the room with a very inspirational soccer tune and presented their mothers with a rose bouquet (I found this very touching). I must admit it was very exciting and what a great time for each of these young children! Later the boys started the dance with a slow dance with their mothers.

Soccer player Ryan presenting his mother Lidia with flowers.

Speaking of dancing....Dylan was unleashed on the dance floor and did not sit down for one minute until we had to leave. Boy this boy can dance! He had to be taught the polka by his cousin Sarah but then he was actually spinning her around the dance floor to all the disco and pop numbers.

Dylan with cousin Sarah tripping the light fantastic

Andrew, Dylan and I had to leave before everyone else as we were driving straight to the chalet for skiing but we were able to round up the family for a photo. My uncle Angelo has invited me to his house to meet this children and grandchildren and I must admit I was very touched by his invitation.

FAMILY TRIPONE - My Father and his brother with spouses, my brother and and sister with spouses and children.