Jack's 1st Day of School

Our Jack-man started back at preschool this week! He's in his last year at the Early Childhood Center before kindergarten next year (he misses the cut off by a few months).

Here he is getting on the bus! He had a good day and enjoyed seeing his friends again.

St. Joe's Sausage Fest 2006

For the past 35 years, our Parish and Vanessa's school, St. Joseph, has put on the "Sausage Fest". It is widely popular among the parishioners and students, as well as the Vancouver locals. Done up in a Bavarian carnival theme, there is all sorts of sausages, carnival food, and did someone say "elephant ears"?

Grandmom & Pop joined us for a night of fun! First, we started out at the "Big Pink Slide". Here's Pop & Vanessa racing to the bottom!











Here's Cathy terrifying Jack.
















Next, we headed for the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" attraction. Pop took on Vanessa and I grabbed Jack to tackle the obstacle course up a rope wall, over 2 terrifying wobbly bridges and down a tube slide.









Here comes Vanessa!















Then Pop!

















And Jack-man!





















Last, but not least--me!










After Mom, Jack & Vanessa rode the Ferris Wheel (surprisingly terrifying for me), we headed to the "Mirror-Fun House". Vanessa convinced Grandmom to join her and Mike and Jack went, too.



Mike, Jack, Grandmom & Vanessa














Grandmom & Vanessa on the way down! (Note the look of sheer terror on Grandmom's face)
















Mike & Josie looking on








So we warmed up Grandmom and she was ready to go! Next up: Bumper cars! Pop took on the driving the Jack man and Grandmom took the wheel for her and Vanessa. Mass hysteria ensued!




Pop & Jack looking for victims.












Just call her "Grandmom Andretti"!












Grandmom having way too much fun!














Traffic jam!










Look out, here they come! (note the trash talking from Vanessa)












Josie & me watching the bumper car fun












Here's Mike's favorite ride of the night: the balloon ride.







Well, after torturing them thoroughly on the rides and filling their bellies with sausages and elephant ears (yes, Grandmom ate the elephant ears), Grandmom & Pop were ready to head home. We'd worn them out.

So, still having lots of ride tickets left, we sent the kids on a ride frenzy! They were spun around, went up and down and jerked all over the place by the time we finished all our ride tickets.




The fishy ride was next. Vanessa was not too excited to ride this "kiddy ride". Note the not-so-excited look on her face.




















Apparently, it was more fun than she anticipated.








Jack chillin' out and enjoying the ride.














Next up, this back-to-back plane ride with guns. (Who brought this ride to a Catholic School fair?)








Featuring the only roller coaster in Vancouver, WA, Mike, Vanessa & Jack decided to take on the "Scream Machine"!!! Who needs Disneyland or Six Flags?

(Vanessa's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Barbieri and her daughter & friends are sitting behind them.)








The reasonably sane ones of the family, Josie and I watch the Scream Machine from the sidelines.













Another go on the big slide! (Trying to use up the tickets). Here's Mike giving it a go with Jack & Vanessa.











We discovered we had a few more tickets to spare--so we ended our fun night on the classic carrousel.





Vanessa choose the Zebra












Mike and Jack rode white stallions into the night...






Tuckered out and finally out of ride tickets, we headed home...until next year!

Sweet Cheeks

Just want to share the love...

Time flies...

So our oldest "baby" started 2nd grade this week at St. Joe's Catholic School. Although I made it through her first day without tears, I am still in shock over the fact that she is in 2nd grade! Where did the time go? Is there anyway to stop her from growing up?

Vanessa is our "big girl" now and in addition to bringing joy to our lives, she selflessly gives much love and laughter to her little brother and sister. When Vanessa was at school this last week, Jack went around the house asking: "Where's Nessa? Where's Nessa?" (So sweet.) When Vanessa came home, Josie gave her the biggest smiles--indicating she was clearly glad to see her big sis home.

So here we go, the beginning of a new "year" for us (slaves to the academic calendar once again). Vanessa's first soccer game for the fall season (her 3rd season) begins this week as well. More updates on her "skills" to come.