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January 30, 2007

Family Photographs

This is a photograph from 1970. I was beginning my first year at Villanova University, and had spent the prior 18 years of my life in Jersey City, New Jersey. Villanova is located on the Main Line, outside of Philadelphia. Jersey City is a galaxy away in terms of culture and behavioral norms. In this portrait there is a young man with so much to learn.

Here is a photograph from an employee ID, taken 1996. I was working for Century Steel, and Marnell Carrao Associates made this badge id for the Rio Hotel and Casino project.

Olivia begins to grow healthy and happy, and so she is already nine years old.

Olivia Frances Whelan in her first months of life, 1995

Here is Olivia helping with the dishes around two years old. Her intense focus is something to be experienced first hand, but I am sure you can see the determination in those eyes.

This is Olivia Frances Whelan at two years old, just a few weeks before her brother Michael came into the world. She is sitting over the Pacific Ocean on the Coastline in the San Diego area.

Olivia in her costume for the second of her year end Ballet recitals, while attending Viva Pastor’s Ballet Academy inLas Vegas, Nevada.

The Honorable Thomas J. Whelan and his son Michael .

And here was Olivia in her very first days on earth, in Encinitas, California. Olivia was born in California, and is quite proud of the fact, referring to herself at times as A”California” girl.

Olivia Frances Whelan at Saint Viator School, Las Vegas , Nevada. 2002

At Knottsberry Farm . 2003!

Jodi at Easter, 2002.

This is the day Michael and Olivia were Baptized, at Saint Viator Catholic Church, Las Vegas, Nevada. Jimmy Hannum is their God Father, and that it his son Michael in the picture. More about Jimmy later. Jodi is their Godmother.

Mikey Pat photographed in 2000, while he was just three years old.

Olivia Frances Whelan, photographed after her ballet recital at the Paris Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. December, 2000.

Here is Michael Patrick with our friend and Swimming Director, Mrs. Debbie Meeks. Debbie is the Director of the Australian Swim School, and it is the place to go when you want your children to be safe around water.

This photograph was made while I was working at Turnberry Towers in 2002. Jodi would come by there sometimes at lunch time and bring me some snacks. Here she looks happy, and she said she always liked this picture.

Olivia Frances Whelan photographed in her first year of life. She is Nine years old now, and it seems like she was born ten minutes ago. Where does the time Go.?

Easter Saturday at Jodi’s Father’s House. 2002.

Olivia Frances Whelan.

Here is a photograph which was made in the summer of 1995. We stayed briefly in Palm Desert, California, just immediately proir to relocating to Las Vegas. Moving here to Las Vegas was the very best move I could have ever made. I love living here, and I will continue to love living here until the day I die. It has alll of the excitement of New York without the complexity and hassle. (Weather) for one thing.

Michael Patrick Whelan and his team of robotic philosophers. 2002. Sacramento, California.

My Mom and Dad on their visit to Las Vegas, 2001

Australian Swim School, Henderson, 2001

The mind of a child. Michael Patrick Whelan 1998. Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jodi

Our summer vacation in Sacramento in 2001. Jodi, and Mikey, and Michael Paul Whelan.

Michael Patrick graduating Pre-school at Saint Viator. 2002

Jodi Prosch and Michael Paul Whelan, Oasis Pointe, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2002.

Olivia in true Cowgirl style, future Queen of the Rodeo

Olivia in her L.L.Bean jump suit which she wore about a million times, and then Mikey wore it for awhile, although the color really wasn’t for a boy.

Jodi Prosch, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2002.

Michael Patrick Whelan. Las Vegas, Nevada. 2002.

Jodi, Olivia Frances, and Michael Patrick. 2001

Mikey and Olivia at Australian Swim School

Michael Patrick Whelan in one of his first swimming competitions at the Australian Swim School, Henderson, Nevada. 2001.

Mikey and Olivia singing a “showstopper” at Oasis Pointe 2000

Mikey Pat when he was a very little guy, the tape on my hands is to protect them at work. In some phases of Ironwork gloves will not do the job completely.

Family Photographs

This is Michael Patrick and Olivis Frances Whelan as the await their turn at the Flamingo Las Vegas water slide. They love the slide at this hotel pool. Summer of 2002.

This is a Christmas card that was sent to me many years ago by my old friend, Mr. John Curley. If anyone is reading this from the Seattle area of Washigton state, I believe you will know of John, or Michael AS HE IS KNOWN TO HIS PRE=TELEVISION FRIENDS, AS THE HOST OF EVENING MAGAZINE ON KING 5.

Michael Patrick has a sweet tooth, and you can see that he is far more interested in his snack then he was in posing for any pictures. Spring 2001.

This is a photograph of Michael and Olivia in the very ceremony which baptized them in 2001. Jodi was their Godmother.

In this photograph we can see Olivia and Michael with their first cousins, Brendhan and Tara. They are my youngest sister’s children, and they live on the east coast. Michael and Olivia went to visit them in November, 1999.

This photograph was made at a place called Metro Pizza, on Tropicana Ave. in Las Vegas. it is close to the airport, on the cross street of Maryland Parkway. It was the little party that we held for Mikey and Olivia on the day they were Baptized.

I love this photograph. The children look so happy, and they are dressed nicely and it is something of a great comfort to know that they appreciate getting dressed for special holidays. Michael enjoys wearing his Blazer and white shirt, and Olivia is always pleased to try on any new costume. This was at Jodi’s Mom’s house, in fact Jodi’s Mom made this photograph.

This is Olivia’s Mom, my ex wife, Doris Michelle Whelan. This photograph was made in California, very soon after Olivia was born. Spring 1995.

Photograph of Jodi Prosch which was actually taken in the year before we met. I believe it is in San Diego, California. I like the sweatshirt, which I always teased her about it being “Mob Wear”, for the beach.

Here’s Mikey with his official Ironworker local 433 hard hat. He has always seemed proud of his Dad’s being an Ironworker

The Hot tub at Oasis Pointe, 2001.

This is a photograph of Michael, Olivia and myself taken after Olivia’s first recital at The Las Vegas Academy of the Performimg Arts. Summer of 2001.

Jodi, Olivia and DA.

Here we preparing for a lesson at the Fire and Sun Tae Kwan Do school. Michael was very young when he started, and adapted to the regimen and discipline naturally

Another ballet recital for Olivia Frances Whelan. 2001

Michael Patrick Whelan, age three, in 2000.

Michael and a schoolmate at the class Halloween party, Saint Viator school. 2002.

Here we are at Jodi’s Mother’s house in 2002

Jodi Prosch and Michael Paul Whelan at Oasis Pointe, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2002.

Everyone is having a good time in this photograph.

Michael is studying me with a very circumspect expression on his face. He is to this very day, extremely observant and clever in the way he approaches any circumstance.

Here is Michael Patrick, shortly after having been born in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michael is a Las Vegas native, and he is also very proud of the fact. There are only six percent of all adults now living in Las Vegas who were born here.The lowest statistic of it’s kind in the whole United States.

These two are the best children any father could ever have! True Champions in every sense of the word!

Michael Patrick, happy and mischevious. Love

Olivia Frances and Michael Patrick at Saint Viator School, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2001.

Michael Patrick Whelan graduates from Pre School at Saint Viator School, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2001

Photograph from Olivia’s first recital at the Las Vegas Academy For The Performimg Arts. Another favorite. 2000.

Michael Patrick and Olivia Frances at Flamingo Las Vegas Pool, 2002.

Olivia at the Australian Swim School in Green Valley, Henderson, Nevada. 2001.

Olivia Frances Whelan pictured here at four months old. This photograph was taken shortly after our arrival in Nevada from California.1995

This picture was taken on the same day that Michael Patrick and Olivia Frances were Baptized at Saint Viator Roman catholic Church In Las Vegas, Nevada.

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This is a photograph taken most recently of Michael Patrick and Olivia Frances Whelan. The year is current, 2004. I cannot believe that Olivia will be in the fourth grade in September. Why must time go so quickly in this realm?, Mikey will start second.

Here is a photograph of Jodi, Mikey and Olivia at Knottsberry farm last summer. We were there for only one day, but it was one of the best times we have ever experienced as a family.

More Christmas Gifts for Mikey Pat in 2001. Santa Claus has always been very generous with our family, and I believe it is because through the year they know that Santa “sees you when you’re sleeping, and knows when you’re awake”. Consequently, they are indeed, “good for goodness sake”.

Mikey opening his Christmas Gifts at Oasis Pointe, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2001.

Olivia Frances and Michael Patrick at Oasis Pointe, Christmas 2001.

Mikey and Olivia at the MGM Grand Hotel on an evening when their Mom was employed as a photographer for Cashman Photo. She made this photograph in the fall of 1999 when we visited her while she was working.

Olivia opens her birthday gifts on her sixth birthday, Oasis Pointe, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2001.

Michael Patrick Whelan, Christmas 2000. Aged 3, Oasis Pointe, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jodi and Olivia at Oasis Pointe, 2001. There is true love and joy in this picture.

This is a picture once again on the birthday week for Michael Patrick and Olivia Frances in 2001. They are born in February, only one week apart. Jodi, Mikey, and Olivia

Olivia Frances and Michael Patrick on their birthdays 6 and 4 respectively. Oasis Pointe 2001.

Family Photographs

Michael Patrick, Olivia Frances and a little boy named Anthony who lived near us at Oasis Pointe. He was an only child, and his Grandparents had purchased every toy that has been manufactured in the recent past. Including cars that you could drive. It was hilarious to go to his birthday party and see the presents stacked to the ceiling. We knew that he was disadvantaged and tried to be kind, but it was a loosing battle.

Michael Patrick and I at the Mandalay Bay Wave Pool. Mikey was riding those waves in the very first year they opened that pool, and the waves were strong and much like the Ocean. As time went on they downsized everything because people were getting hurt and bringing law suits. Mikey was banged up quite a few times, but he never even thought to bring action against the hotel. He just took his patch up like a man and went back out, ala Johnny Sunami

Michael Patrick Whelan, 1997, Las Vegas, Nevada. In his beautiful Italian made crib, which was used primarily to store stuffed animals and for the occasional photo opportunity such as this one here. Amazing, what you are made to feel as though you need when expecting a child. All you really need is LOVE.

Olivia and Mikey celebrate their birthdays, at the Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2000.

Olivia really loved this movie.And well she should! It develops the story of one young lady’s triumph against all odds in a world where the deck appeared stacked against her from the start. Little girls have far too few heroes in our popular culture, and this was one true hero for the our young ladies.

This is a photograph of Michael Patrick Whelan, Olivia Frances Whelan, and their first cousin Brendan Cooney. Brendan is the son of my youngest sister, Eilleen Whelan. This was taken in 1999 at Lake Wallkill.

Mikey Pat with some outstanding results from Saint Viator Pre School, with Mrs. Angie Lemmel

Olivia’s Birthday Party at Three, one week before Mikey would have his first Birthday.1998.

Olivia Frances Whelan at two years old, Oasis Pointe, Las Vegas, Nevada.

This was a well done movie with an excellent lesson about the value of family and love for one another. I would gladly view this movie once again with my children.

My father, The Honorable Thomas J. Whelan. A man who stands as true hero and patriot. If there was ever a man who lived what he preached and set a true example for his children to follow, it is Tom Whelan. I love him and I miss him ver much.

Michael Patrick Whelan with his Easter Basket, 2003.

What a fantastic invention is the photo edit capability of the computer. One picture can produce so many various pictures of great value.

Graduation Day for Michael at Saint Viator, 2002. Preschool Graduation, and Olivia moves from first grade to second.

This photograph was made the first time Jodi met Michael Patrick and Olivia. April, 2000.

Knottsberry Farm, 2003. We had the best time on that short weekend trip.

WE have always been huge fans of the Hundred Acre Wood, and all the Winnie the Pooh Gang, so the movie was a must see. I was not disappointed, and neither were the kids, but it seemed that maybe it could have just had something more to it!.

We appeared at the first show on the first day it was shown, on the first day of the year, in 2000. The Imax experience of Fantasia was incredible, and an exciting way to celebrate New Years with the children and to kick off the Millenium in style.

Michael loves everything Star Wars, and he completely understands the story line, something that is not as easy for me to follow, which includes all character’s names and capabilities.

Olivia Frances Whelan at Lake Wallkill, Sussex, New Jersey. 1999.

Olivia Frances Whelan on the holiday the children love, Halloween, 2001. Oasis Pointe

Jodi Prosch

Jodi Prosch, Olivia Frances, and Michael Patrick Whelan at Bagels and More, Tropicana and eastern, In Las Vegas, Nevada. 2002

Olivia in her second Ballet Recital in 2002. Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts.

Olivia Frances Whelan, Las Vegas , Nevada, 2002

Here is Jodi, Michael Patrick and Olivia Frances in 2002, at Oasis Pointe In Las Vegas, Nevada.

I cried my eyes out through this entire movie, and my children were looking at me and asking me why I was crying. This movie was incredibly moving to me. I shall never forget it!