My last picture of Dixon and Taija together

Dixon and I went to Great Lakes for Taija's graduation from boot camp. It was such a great weekend. Their dad and step mom and myself and both kids spent the weekend together. It was such a wonderful family time for all of us. I thank God daily that we had that time together.

This online memorial was created in loving memory of Dixon Giackino, whose life story is told throughout this memorial website. Please sign Dixon's guest book and let us know you came to visit. We will remember Dixon forever.

Baby Boy Giackino

We had no idea of what to name a boy. I was expecting a girl, so it was quite a shock when he was born. Dixon means son of Richard. His dad is Richard, so that worked for us, and Lee is my mom's and my middle name. So there we have Dixon Lee Giackino. He really was a beautiful baby!!

Cousins

Dixon was always a hero to his cousins. They looked up to him and loved him so much. One of the best traits that Dixon has was his ability to make everyone feel so special.

Family Pic

Taija, Rick, Cindy and Dixon in Hawaii. October 2001. Dixon was in every state except Alaska. His goal after graduation was to move to Alaska and become a welder.

I have no idea what this was all about. But I have so few pictures of Dixon and myself. That makes me sad beyond words.

Brewers Game

Dixon spent most of the last month of his life in Colby, WI. On a farm with my sister and her family. They loved him like he was their own. One day I texted him to see what he was up to, and lo and behold they were all in Milwaukee at a Brewer's game. I am grateful that he had so many opportunities to see the world. He was always up for an adventure!

reindeer

Dixon spent the first three years of his life clutching his reindeer under his arm and keeping a nuk in his mouth. (the nuk is in Rick's hand for the pic). He didn't talk much because Taija always knew what he wanted. If he misplaced the reindeer at some point during a day, we would have to search the town until we found it, because there would be no sleep without it. I still have it. I keep it on the shelf with other memories of Dixon.

Dixon the rebel

About a month before Dixon's dad got remarried, Dixon had come home and asked me if he could dye the top of his hair black. Being the cool mom that I am, I said yes. As you can see in the picture, it wasn't the greatest idea he ever had. Once it was all done I found out that Rick's soon to be wife Cindy had asked the kids to please not do anything drastic to their hair until after the wedding. Both kids were in the wedding. Thankfully, we had a month to grow it out and shave the worst of it off and he looked good for the wedding. But that was typical Dixon. If you told him to do something, he did just the opposite, because he could!!!!!

Wedding

As you can see from this pic, the hair doesn't look too bad for the wedding. He sure was handsome, even at such a young age.

At the cemetery

June 24th, 2009. We laid our beautful son to rest. He was loved by all. Every day we visit him and marvel at the beauty of his grave. There is no headstone yet, but everyone knows where he is. There are so many flowers, angels, candles, cards.....

Zach, Shaun, Dixon

This was taken the weekend of Zach's graduation party. Dixon had spent the weekend with Zach's family and they were so amazed by how helpful he was and how hard he worked to get ready for the party. When my mom and I went to the party, we heard from everyone there how wonderful Dixon was and how impressed they were with how much he cared about everyone!! I was so proud that day.

Headstone