Trek to Catholic Disney World

That's right, the weekend of September 6, it was time to finally fulfill the Mancini boys' destinies and travel across several states to the land of the Hoosiers (and all that entails) to visit the campus of the University of Notre Dame for the most holy of events: the season home opening football game versus the San Diego State Aztecs.


Thanks to the unbelievable generosity of Bill Lytle from York, PA (a dormmate of Frank's from about a hundred years ago), we were not only able to obtain tickets, but a hotel room in Sandusky, OH.
The game itself proved to be a somewhat less than comfortable experience until the fourth quarter, but the weekend as a whole ended up being an excellent example of just a fraction of the many sights, sounds, smells, and confidential stories that four years of college will someday offer to the boys.


Tony had an excellent vantage point just a couple rows up from the end zone not only to view the game, but to also capture some of the action photographically.


Along with many of the other historic icons of the campus, such as Touchdown Jesus, the golden dome, and the football stadium, Tony was able to capture Joe Montana (in the blue and white striped shirt and sunglasses).


Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen fires off another pass


Another shot proving how close to the action Tony really was


After the game, the boys pose for one final shot in front of the most famous library adorned with a gigantic religious mosaic in the world.

Back to School, Parental Sanity Returns

The Mancini boys pose for/tolerate the annual tradition of the first day of school picture. This year marked Bobby's first as he prepared to ride the bus to kindergarten. There was also another first as Frankie actually almost smiled for the picture. We postulate that Frankie was actually thinking about what it will be like spending 8 hours away from his parents.

It's Labor Day, It Must Be Time to Go Camping

Labor Day Weekend once again saw the return of the annual multi family camping trip. The Mancinis this year joined the Burkovich and Hossenlopp families at Holiday Hill campgrounds in Springwater, NY. While there, we were able to briefly sample the New York State Festival of Balloons in Dansville. Here now are just a few samples of the naturally outdoorsy goodness that the Mancinis enjoyed.


Here is Frankie renenacting a scene from the latest Spongebob Squarepants episode where Mr. Crabs finds a penny while camping with Spongebob and Patrick.



Fisherman Bobby proudly displays his catch. If you look closely, you can see the professional Pirates of the Carribean pole he used to bring in the vicious beast.


Tony displays "Sheldon" the turtle who was captured and subsequently labelled by all the kids. Please don't mention this to the DEC.


Frankie successfully restrains his jubilation after winning the youth fishing derby at the campground. The winning fish measured a whopping 15 inches. The trophy measured almost half of that.


Here is proof that we did not capture/torture everything we saw during the weekend. During a hike through the woods we found this waterfall. It's still there and relatively intact after our visit.


Here is one of the over 50 hot air balloons that we saw in Dansville.