Bless Us All

Probably won't be posting for a while. The last few days before the Holidays will be crazy, and then we are leaving Duluth for 10 days.

Merry Christmas everyone! Here' s a little video/song for you that sums up what it all means to me! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEtXQku79q0

New Video on YouTube

The "Dad Band" Ron & Sam (age 12), Dan & Aidan, from a performance at a church fundraiser.
enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfqd2jMzkUM

Overheard #3

Aidan, "Dad, I think there are animals harbinating right now."

Fitty, "Yes, I think you're right, for sure bears are."

"Are there bears harbinating in Duluth?"

"Well...not in the city, but in the woods around Duluth probably."

"Do lions harbinate?"

"I don't think so, they don't usually live in places where it's snowy."

"So lions don't live in Duluth?"

"Nope."

"I think lions live in the desert, it's VERY hot there."

"Yes, I think you're right about that."

"I think some lions even live in England, because it doesn't snow there either."

Toddlerese

I forgot how CUTE toddler language is!!! Oh the joy! Rowan is on a "Word a Day" kick. It's funny, because at Thanksgiving someone was asking if he was talking much and I at first said not really. But then I started to realize that he really does say a lot, but he whispers everything, so you sort of miss it.

My favorites so far:

"seeca seeca" as we're driving around town. Finally figured out it was "see car." He used to say "ca" and then I would respond, "Oh do you see a car?" so it turned into "seeca" (Whispered, of course)

"What does the kitty say?" "Hi Keey!" (Hi kitty.)

"tikka toe" (Tickle toes)

"dee doo!" (Thank you)

and my new favorite: Me: "Who's this?" (Pointing at a picture of Aidan) Rowan: (Big beaming smile) "Nee Nee!"

Oh my melty heart. How much cuter can they get?

On a Roll

We tied on our skates and went to World of Wheels in Superior for Carrie & Corryn's birthday party last night. (Rowan stayed home with a sitter - though "World of Wheels" sounds like it was made just for him - I suspect he may own a business under that name someday - it just sounded like run over toddler fingers to me.)

Aidan did pretty well, until I fell on top of him. He's okay, but I don't recommend pulling your son around on roller skates with him hanging on to your back pockets. Recipe for disaster.

Otherwise, it brought me back to Cheepskate, where we used to go as kids, complete with the disco ball, 80's music, and the numbered corner dice game. What a blast.

Naked Suitcase Guy

Really, why not sit in a suitcase naked and read a book?

Toddler Christmas Tree

Notice how the ornaments (except the soft ones), the lights, and the beads all start about halfway up the tree. The reason for this is in the orange shirt. When we went to the tree farm, the guy asked us what kind of tree we wanted, and I replied, "The sharpest one you have." Alas, it has not deterred the little monkey. Next year we may just have to get a cactus.

Ho Ho Ho!

Food Beards

Ya know, Rowan, it's true that some chicks dig a little "five o'clock shadow" but I think you're going about it all wrong....

Little Starr

Link to the Jason Davis story. Aidan hasn't seen it yet, since it didn't air in Duluth. We might wait until Sunday and keep him up to watch it.
Enjoy!

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S672940.shtml?cat=69

Correction

...oopsie my bad.

The Jason Davis show runs on SUNDAY in the cities and the following SATURDAY in Duluth - not Sunday as I incorrectly stated the previous post (now corrected).

Though I do have to say, Ringo has officially been replaced by Captain Hook. It became official yesterday when Aidan announced he no longer wanted to grow up to be Ringo, but Captian Hook. You could tell it was hard for him to let go of though. He was thinking about it for a while after he said it and stated, "I sure wish I could go see pirates in concert though." Followed by a big sigh.

Sad and Gross But True

This post is not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach. If you are brave enough, read on....

Let me preface this story by saying that I was home alone.

I did a two for one bath deal this evening, which is usually easiest, since we've mostly gotten past the "keep your hands off your brother's penis" stage. I washed up Rowan, who was wearing copious amounts of spaghetti sauce, and then moved on to Aidan. I was rinsing his hair and very focused on it, as he was shaking his head like a dog after every pour, which had us both laughing. Rowan, meanwhile, splashed and played. I poured the last cupful of water over Aidan's head, realizing as I poured that the water was full of poop! Yes, Rowan had done his bowel duty in the tub, with Aidan in there with him and I dumped poop on my firstborn. Not my proudest moment as a parent, but for sure one of my most disgusting.

To their credit, Aidan did not freak as expected, and they were very patient as they stood obediently, shivering, at the edge of the tub while I drained it, sprayed off Aidan's hair with the shower head, cleaned the tub, and refilled it, then re-washed them both.

Ew.

Coming Soon....

FINALLY!

The story that Jason Davis (On the Road - KSTP) will be on this Saturday at 10:35 on KSTP (the following Saturday in Duluth on WDIO). Hope you can all catch it! Here's a link to the "preview"

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S662380.shtml

Rah Rah Ree

I got one of these sweet cheerleader pens for my birthday from my friends Carrie and Corryn:



It has moveable pom-pom arms and lights up when you write with it. I'm tempted to bring it to the cafe and use it as my server pen. Wonder if my tips would go up or down?

Tonight our Daddy was in International Falls, and the whine factor during the "Witching Hour" (the hour before dinner) was astronomical. I tried to lighten things up with the cheerleader pen. I was trying to remember some old cheers (Sarah - some help here?) but all I could remember was this goofy one my mom used to do:

"Rah Rah ree, kick 'em in the knee!"
"Rah Rah red, kick 'em in the head!"

and of course, my old favorite:

"Rah Rah rutt, kick 'em in the butt!" (Now Aidan's new favorite.)

It quickly turned into a "teachable moment" as it morphed into a rhyming game. I would say something like "Rah Rah relbow..." and Aidan would try to figure out which body part rhymed. It killed some serious time while I was cooking and I believe it saved dinner.

After dinner, I was cleaning up and Aidan was still rhyming the cheers, kind of under his breath. He walked up to me with this funny look - later I would recognize it as the "Oh my Gosh I just made a FUN-NEE" look. He sort of smirked at me, then said, "Mom! Rah Rah reenis...."

Pretty good for a five year old, huh?

Boppa's Got Skills

We just finished a whirlwind weekend of our family being spread out across the state. Fitty was deer hunting in Ely (no luck), I was in St. Cloud at the Art Educators of MN conference (awesome), and the boys were at Nonnie and Boppa's house near Longville.

First I must point out that Rowan has not yet said "Mama." He has words: fan, car, socks, kitty, baba (bottle), Dadda. No "mama" yet, even though I WAS the one to give him life....sigh. Anyway, on our way out the door to meet my mom I said "Do you want to go to Nonnie's house?" and Rowan put his arms up and said "Na! Na!" Then I said, "Do you want to go see Nonnie and Boppa?" and he said "Boppa!" It was very cute.

Boppa seems to reign these days among the boys. Anyone who knows Boppa well knows he's REALLY good at fixing stuff and making stuff. After a day of helping Boppa with various projects around the house, Aidan had taken notice. While hanging out with Nonnie later that day, Aidan told my mom that he liked Boppa better than her. He pointed out that while he still loved her, "Boppa's just so talented."

Boppa's got skills.

Spiritual Reflection after Election Day

Hi.
I try to keep this blog lighthearted and funny, and try to keep any "heavy" subjects out of it. Today I can't help but share this with you.
I receive these daily e-votionals through my church (UCC - coincidentally the same church as Obama's) and this one really struck a chord with me. It's been a rough few months...we're all stressed and stretched thin. This campaign has been draining on all of us. But really, it's about what we have, not what we don't have. So whether your candidate won last night or not, revel in this great advice. I know my greatest blessings are the ones I sit and watch sleep at night. And the ones whose Cheerios I must sweep off the floor. And the guy snoring next to me in bed. And all the rest of my family too. And that goes for friends as well.
When I look at all I'm surrounded with, I feel very very wealthy.
Sorry to get so sappy on you, maybe it's turning 35 that's doing it to me....

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Abundance or Scarcity?

Bible Excerpt from Psalm 128Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around the table.

Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver

So much of our scripture is a celebration of abundance. The first chapters of Genesis are a song of praise for God's generosity. With each act of creation, the divine refrain is, "It is good, it is good, it is very good." And it pictures the Creator saying, "Be fruitful and multiply." It is what Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggeman calls, "an orgy of fruitfulness."
Many of the Psalms, including the one for today, survey creation and catalogue this abundance in loving detail and with joyful thanksgiving. Then, in the Gospels, Jesus multiplies loaves and fishes so that there is more than enough for everyone. At a wedding feast he turns water into wine, and more wine than could be consumed at a dozen weddings.
These highly symbolic stories speak of God's abundance. There is enough, there is more than enough. That's the biblical narrative. But the narrative by which we are tempted to live is another story entirely, a story of scarcity, where there is never enough. In fact, we are tempted to define enough as, "always something more than I have now."
In spite of all that has happened in recent months, we still live in the most prosperous country in the history of the world. Do you live out of a sense of abundance or scarcity? That may be an economic question, but certainly it is a faith question.

Prayer
O God, when I count your blessings, they are numberless as the sands, so I confess that I don't always get very far with my counting. So I simply thank you for sharing your abundance with me. Amen

Octopus' Garden

New YouTube footage, from the "Asbury Street Folk Festival" enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Kfyeu2Idw

BOO!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Honestly I didn't realized I'd dressed them as mortal enemies until after I made the Peter Pan and Captain Hook costumes. With the sibling rivalry we've been having, I guess it's appropriate.


We went to the Co-op party, as usual, and then visited a couple friends. We did take Aidan trick-or-treating to a few houses as well.

Peter Pan and Mr. Smee at the Co-op party.

Rowan and his friends Azalea and Taelem at the Co-op party.

Which Captain?

A little Halloween sneak peek for you.

I finished the jacket today, completing the Captain Hook costume. We even went and bought a black curly wig. The kid is beside himself. However, I realized with horror that my five year old resembles a different Captain altogether. See the resemblance below:

Mini-Me

Here's a trip for ya. Some pictures of me at age 4 or 5. Looks like Aidan in a pink dress, doesn't it?
That's my cousin Chris in the first pic, and my mom in the paisley 70's sundress in the second. Nonnie, what a hottie!

Goblin on a Mission

Mission: Operation Get-a-Half-Pack-of-Diapers-All-the-Way-Down-the-Stairs



Step One: Wait until mom runs downstairs to get something.



Step Two: Start taking 2-3 diapers at a time and tossing them down the stairs. Repeat until package is empty. When mom returns she should see this:









Step Three: descend 4 steps until diapers are reached. Continue to pick up and toss. By now mom should have grabbed the camera.




Step four: Keep working down the steps until all diapers have reached the bottom. Be thankful that mom knows how to pick her battles, and that she has allowed you to turn this mess-making experience into a game.






Step Five: hand a diaper to mom to remind her that she now has to pick them all up.





Step Six: Smile at your accomplishment, showing off your new two front teeth and your goblin jammies.

Sad But True #4

Our Murphy dog was returned to us on Monday after our friend Corryn took him on a 40 day "outward hound" experience. (He works with at-risk youth, taking them on camping trips., Murphy chaperoned the latest trip.) We sure missed him!!!
Murphs was a little shocked to discover how mobile Rowan is now and frankly, the poor dog never gets a break. Rowan follows him everywhere, usually licking him (yes, my son licks the dog) or rubbing his face into his fur or seeing which body parts he can pull and how far they can stretch. (Did you know dog lips are INCREDIBLY elastic?)
The sad but true part is that Rowan has a cold accompanied by copious amounts of thick green snot. When I came home from school yesterday I discovered that the dog had become a canine kleenex. He had a large green booger stuck to his forehead and three crusty snotwads stuck to his back.
Sigh. Something tells me he'd rather be back in the woods....

Every Pirate Needs a Parrot

Look what you can do with a styrofoam ball, a few feathers, and a plastic cup.

His name is Pete.

Autumn Day Hike

Pics from our Saturday hike in Jay Cooke with Andrew, Cedar and Ahna (our neighbors and friends...Cedar is Aidan's bestest friend). We took them on their first Geocaching adventure. Forecast was for rain, but we had a beautiful morning!



Children on the leafy trail.



The kids and Andrew opening the cache.
(Yes, Aidan is wearing a pirate hat and hook.)



Rowan wasn't so sure about the swinging bridge....



A beautiful overlook

Overheard #2 - Another Beatles Song

Song: I'm So Tired, by the Beatles

Actual Lyrics: "I'll give you anything I've got for a little peace of mind."

Aidan's Interpretation: "I'll give you anything I've got for a little piece of pie." (We did just make apple pie the other day, guess he really liked it.)

Asbury Street Folk Festival

My brother Jeff decided it would be a good idea to have a folk festival in his backyard. I thought he was certifiably crazy, but upon attending, I get it. What an awesome idea. Just a bunch of cool folks, music lovers and musically inclined, getting up and performing for each other with no pressure and lots of fun (and kids!) There were 80 or so people there, about 30 or more were kids. They also turned it into a benefit for their friend Amy Taylor who is battling cancer. (For more info on this extraordinary woman go to her caringbridge site.) It was a great day, with beautiful weather and fun people to meet. Mini-Ringo and Red-headed John put on a couple of stellar performances, hopefully to be uploaded to YouTube soon.

Thanks Jeff and Kara! Hope to do it again next year!

The "VonMarrtrick" Family Singers sing "I'll Fly Away" Jan(Nonnie), Kara, Amy w/Tim (Boppa) and his guitar Larry accompanying.


Mini-Ringo and Red-Headed John perform "Yellow Submarine"


Anna and Taylor perform "Traveling Soldier" accompanied by Jeff on guitar and Aidan on egg shaker and winter squash.


Rowan, Nonnie & Garrett enjoying the children's sing- along.

Geez, by these pictures it looks like it was just our family, but I swear there were tons of other people there! What fun!

Sad But True #3

I had to stick my hand in the toilet today to fish out a matchbox car. Oh well, at least he doesn't know how to flush. Better get the numbers of a few good plumbers just in case.

It seems to be getting harder and harder to Rowan proof. Notice I don't use the word Baby-proof. That can be done. This is an ENTIRELY different game. Today he figured out how to wedge his body between the t.v. and the coffee table, which currently serves as t.v. button pushing prevention. He successfully reached the buttons, ruining a perfectly good episode of Blues Clues and sending a 5 year old into hysterics (which I believe Rowan secretly loves.) So being the clever person I am, I made a long cardboard "L" which I wedged under the front of the t.v and over the buttons. I then taped the corners with masking tape for safekeeping. Darn it if that kid didn't INSTANTLY walk over and in one gracefull movement grab one corner, pull it off and throw it. I mean he just whipped it as if to say "Done with that, Mom, nice try!" I swear he's laughing at me when I'm not looking. Or there's a hidden camera somewhere.

Clock Logic

So we purchased new clock for our kitchen today while at Target. Our other one, which fell off the wall and broke, only had an hour hand and minute hand. While putting the new clock up when we got home, Aidan noticed that the it had an extra hand. I said "Yes, that's the second hand." He rolled his eyes at me and gave me that "Duh, mom" look and shot right back, "Actually, Mom, that's the third hand."

The kid is right you know. Think about it.

Fisherman & Mini-Fisherman

Here's a fishing pic from our camping trip. Fitty cooked 'em up and they were YUMMY!

Overheard: New Beatles/Ringo Starr Lyrics

Song: "Oh My My" by Ringo Starr

Actual Lyrics: "Oh my my, Oh my my, Can you boogie? Can you Slide?"

Aidan's Interpretation: "Obama, Obama, Can you boogie? Can you Slide?" (I think they should use it in his campaign...)

Song: "I am the Walrus" by the Beatles

Actual Lyrics: "Semolina pilchard, Climbing up the Eiffel Tower" (Whatever than means...)

Aidan's Interpretation: "Sitting in a Bone Chair, Climbing up the Eiffel Tower" (How very Halloween of him.)

Song: "Day Tripper" by the Beatles

Actual Lyrics: "She's a big teaser..."

Aidan's Interpretation: "She dropped the pizza...." (Better than being a big teaser I guess.)

Blog Facelift

Ahhhh... a night off. Gave the blog a facelift. Figured with all this boy stuff, it needed a little blue. Note the new pics and bios.
Enjoy!

Ringo Drawing

I wish I could get this scanned in bigger....oh well. It's Aidan's drawing of Ringo in concert. I just love it...all the details, the crowd, the pegs on the guitar, the sunglasses. The kid just cracks me up, what can I say?

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time....

...but maybe we should have tried camping in the backyard first before we set out on a camping adventure. Never EVER assume just because the first child could do it at 1 year that the second child can too.

So yes, we set out to Ely for a little family getaway. We stopped in Virginia on the way there to see Mineview in the Sky. For those of you who know Rowan well and his passion for all things wheels, this was almost too much for him. He let out one of his low guttural growls and of course went up to see if he could spin them. I'd love to see that.

Some pictures of Rowan's Wheel Heaven:

























After said stop, we stopped at our friends' Kevin & Tara's from which Kevin, Fitty and Aidan left to go fishing. They caught us seven nice walleyes for dinner! YUM! Tara and Rowan and I tooled around town then went to the campground. Being in a remote place did not stop Rowan's wanderlust or inquisitive nature. He was intent on three things: eating small rocks, throwing his toys into the weeds and then getting mad, and trying to walk up the hill (not so successfully.) It was a cold cold night. Aidan was a trooper, but Rowan didn't make it. At midnight he and I bailed to the warm confines of Kevin and Tara's in town. Figured the other campers probably didn't appreciate the screaming. Thank God for Tara, she got up with Rowan and let me sleep and extra 1 1/2 hours. We did join up again with the campers (Kevin stayed out at the campground with Fitty and Aidan) and enjoyed breakfast, a drive up the Echo trail, and a hike at Kawishiwi Falls. Fun, but exhausting. Perhaps Rowan will be ready next year??? Aidan, on the other hand, is a born camper!

Here are some more pictures!

Aidan watching Kevin clean fish.


Tara to the rescue!!!


Rowan liked the tent when he didn't have to sleep in it!



Kawishiwi falls.

Will post fish pictures when we get them!

You Know You're a Mother of Two Sons If....

(Inlcuding some SHINING personal parenting moments....)

1. You have ever found rocks in your washing machine.

2. You realize that "swordfight" is an entirely different thing when your child is alone in the bathroom with his best friend. (Lysol bathroom wipes are my bff.)

3. Found in pants pocket: slugs.

4. When shopping for jeans you look for reinforced knees.

5. You really understand the meaning of "bathtub ring."

6. Your child gets up from naptime at preschool and there is a pile of sand on his cot.

7. You are well versed on the topic of circumcision, due to all the articles you've read and discussions you've had.

8. Daily reminders to "keep your hands off your penis."

9. Bathtub reminders to "keep your hands off your brother's penis."

10. You find yourself cracking up at farts and burps more than you used to.

11. A friend stops by unexpectedly and finds you wearing an eyepatch and bandana.

12. Your child once ate a worm, right in front of you. When inquiring why he just did that, he replies "I eat worms all the time! They're my favorite!" (Protein?)

13. Your life is full of laughs and love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Hell On Wheels

Guess who's walking? Yep, it's true. And, just as I predicted, my life just got more interesting.

Look at this sweet face. Who knew it could be capable of so much mayhem.?

Who knew he would wait until Daddy turned his back to start drinking Daddy's beer?

Who knew he was capable of running away and down the driveway as I unloaded the car this afternoon?

Who knew that within twenty seconds after putting the running toddler in the house for safety as I unloaded the car he would find the can of uneaten cat food and start eating it?

Who knew that a 13 month old would be capable of throwing himself on the floor, pretending he has fallen, and start crying for attention?

Who knew that, though the first child would empty and sit in the bottom drawer, the second would empty the bottom drawer so that he could STAND in and and empty the middle drawer of its sharp objects?

Who knew that someday I would walk past a mother with her child on a "leash" and think, "Gosh, I need one of those."

Well, I'm off to make sure the first aid kit is well stocked and to check to see that our health insurance is up to date. Oh, and better hide the matches too.

What does Ringo Starr have for breakfast?

Why, Life Cereal and carrots, of course. That is what my five-year old matter-of-factly responded after telling me he wanted what Ringo eats for breakfast and I asked him exactly what that might be. He eats it to be healthy for his concerts, apparently. And the leftover birthday cake on our counter? That is apparently not from a five-year old's birthday, but from his 68th birthday that he just had. Welcome to Ringo land. For most kids it's dinosaurs and Spider Man. For us, it's a kid who puts on 5 concerts and day and periodically will flash the peace sign and say "peace and love." And who wears his Sgt. Pepper uniform or a tie most days. Oh yeah, and this kid who doesn't like to wipe himself after using the bathroom did today. I was proud of him and said "Wow, you must be five!" and he replied "No, I'm sixty-eight!" Apparently, in Ringo land he will do anything.

And as long as we're talking about the Beatles, I am fairly certain that my second born is going to be a Beatle freak too. This morning he was up earlier than his brother, and we were in the kitchen, listening to the morning show on MPR. Plenty of peppy songs playing, but the one that got him waving his arms and laughing (it actually kind of looked like he was drumming...eeek) was "Ticket to Ride." After the song was over, he went back to spinning his wheels.

All I know, is I am NOT buying two drum sets. They will have to learn to share. Should I start saving now to add a soundproof room in the basement?

Picture of Cuteness

Sorry for all the new posts in a row, but I HAD to add this picture. It's just so....them.

Happy Birthday Aidan!

I can't believe he's five! For those of you who are wondering, no he is not going to Kindergarten this year. We'd rather he be the oldest in his class than the youngest. Though when I went to pick him up at preschool the other day his teacher said, "I didn't know he was reading." I replied, "He's what?" So after hearing her story about her writing down words and Aidan sounding them out, I tried it at home. Yep, he's definitely on his way to reading, trying to sound out words and figuring out phonics. Cool. Hope he doesn't get bored in preschool this year.

His birthday was celebrated on a small scale, with a small bowling party with our favorite family next door, followed by pirate ship cake. Fun times.

Ace of cakes, eat your heart out. It would've turned out better if not for the heat and humidity melting the layers apart. Avast, by morning the ship was in shambles and there were plastic pirates overboard everywhere, marooned on the countertop.

Little Boys Weekend at Non & Bop's

So we had a quick visit at Nonnie and Boppas with Garrett and Elliott. Can you say FUN? The pictures say it all.....

Little Supermen!

Kazoo concert for Rowan

I think Nonnie is in heaven here!

Sad But True #2

Yesterday the boys and I were at Tischer Creek swimming hole, having SO much fun. Unfortuately, Rowan was craving small rocks, for he put one after the other in his mouth, which I was constantly sweeping out with my finger (that CPR move comes in handy...) It got to the point where I couldn't leave his side. He'd put one in, I'd fish it out. He'd put another one in I'd fish it out. There was no place free of small rocks. So what did I do? I gave him a larger, non chokable rock to chew on. Yes, I really did. Not exactly mother of the year, but we got in another ten minutes of water play. Sigh. The things you will do to keep up the fun.

I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In....

Today marked the beginning of the Martime Festival in Duluth. Quite a beginning, as three "tall ships" came into harbor this afternoon at about 5:00. We've known about this for quite some time, but did not tell Aidan, because we wanted to suprise him with the arrival of "Pirate Ships" in Duluth. So at about 4:00 I took the boys on a bike ride in their trailer down to Leif Erickson park, 2 blocks from our house, and there the ships were, all congregated and ready to sail in. I was expecting Aidan's excitement, he was instantly talking in his grovelly pirate voice and off in "pirate land" his latest favorite pretend place in his head. It was great. I was not expecting my own reaction. I got all teary and goosebumpy. What a sight. The ships are so elegant, yet powerful; graceful but HUGE. I know at some point these ships were a normal sight in Duluth Harbor, but I'm sure at the time the sight of them was taken for granted. They are just so very beautiful. Their arrival into the harbor (and under the lift bridge with what seemed like very little clearance) was accompanied by cannon salutes off the ships and everything! We didn't make it too close...too many tourist bodies, but we hope to make it down to where they are docked before they depart on Monday. I asked Aidan if he was afraid that the pirates might steal his treasure and he replied, "Nope, they're my friends." And that's that.

Ships on the horizon, Leif Erickson Park

Lining up to sail in. (Niagara)

Sailing in! (Pride of Baltimore)

Cannon salute! (Pride of Baltimore)

The Niagara docking