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by Don Shelby
(WCCO) Like any other couple, Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello begin a typical day dealing with their children. Sam, 6, and the 3-year-old twins, Joe and Francesca, can be a handful.

For the past six month, Frank has been on a break, in between jobs and antsy to start a new venture.

"There is no idle Frank," Amelia explained. "Frank is never idle. Never."

Amelia said she's happy Frank is going back to work because she just doesn't trust him -- with their daughter's hair, that is.

As Amelia sat combing Francesca's long locks, she said to her daughter, "Remember when Daddy went out and cut your hair without telling Mommy? You had bangs and looked like 'Dora the Explorer.'"

Frank countered by saying their little girl had started to look like "Cousin It" from the "Addams Family" before he cut her hair.

Back To Business

Frank and Amelia joke about their relationship but they take their work seriously. Frank started out as a stockbroker but switched professions after the death of his father.

In an interview with WCCO-TV's Don Shelby, Frank said explained happened to him after his father's death.

"My dad died almost 18 years ago and something like that happens to you, you tend to reexamine your life and I reexamined my life and did not like what I was doing for a living and I always wanted to do this," Frank said.

Don asked Frank what he thought was the most important thing about being an anchor.

"Getting it right, being real and getting it right," Frank said. "You and I, when we sit in the anchor chair, 10 or 15 people might have touched the story you're reading but you're the gatekeeper, it's the last thing out of Don Shelby's mouth or Frank's mouth and we need to be sure it's right."

Family Life

On this day the family is off to the park near their house in Linden Hills. The kids are anxious to run but Amelia is worried the boys might hurt themselves because they've picked up sticks.

"Please don't run with sticks," she yelled to the boys. "You can walk quickly but don't run."

Frank just laughs and said scissors are more dangerous to run with, so don't worry about the sticks.

This begs the question, who is a greater disciplinarian, Frank or Amelia?

According to Frank, Amelia is the softie and she talks a good game. Amelia said Frank gives in to the kids too much.

Life In The Public Eye

They both agree that their lives have unfolded on TV and in the public eye.

"The kids don't get it yet," Frank said. "They understand mom and dad are on TV and understand mom and dad are working together, but my biggest concern is that they understand it's just a job. We want to teach them to have a normal life where they don't think anything is different regardless of what their parents do for a living."

The couple admits they've created a buzz about anchoring together. For instance what happens if they have an argument before airtime?

"I think that's one of our biggest concerns but it would be more my issue because he's good at getting over it in 5 or 10 minutes," Amelia said. "Men are like that. I'm a grudge holder so I'll carry it with me. So this could be good for our marriage because I'll have to let it go and be professional, which I think I can do. It will be interesting."

Frank admits he's just as concerned.

"I don't know how it's going to work. I mean, you've seen her; she's not going to hold back," Frank joked. "If there's an argument at home pray for me because I'm going to need it, I'll need some help because you know where you stand with Amelia whether you work with her or live with her. It will be interesting. Ask me that question in six months ... stay tuned."

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