Weekend in Duluth

Erin and Rich managed to work out a weekend without the kids and visited Duluth this past weekend. Here's Erin having lunch at Grandma's Saloon and Grill on our first day.


Rich waiting patiently for his wild-rice soup at Grandma's.



Here's the view from the balcony of our suite at Fitger's Inn on Lake Superior.


We met Craig (left), a pilot friend of Rich's, for drinks at Blackwaters right near our hotel. Craig is also a concert promoter, and he traded some concert tickets and got us a complimentary stay at Fitger's Inn. Thanks, Craig!


A shot of Duluth's breakwater and the famous Aerial Lift Bridge. The roadway on the bridge goes up in the air to allow ships to pass underneath. Cool!

Here's a shot of the Duluth harbor area from the top of the hill. That's Wisconsin back there on the horizon.



Downtown Duluth, as seen from the harbor.



We had temperatures in the 40s and 50s during our visit, but there's still some ice on the lake!



Artsy-fartsy shot of some sand with frost on top of it.


Ummm, Erin ... that's NOT Santa Claus!

This is the William A. Irvin, an old ore carrier that has been converted to a museum. Alas, it was closed until May.



Erin and the car pose in front of the iconic smokestack and water cistern at Fitger's Inn.



On Sunday, we saw the Dutch ship "Medemborg" win the race to become the first "saltie" (ocean-going ship) of the season to enter Duluth's harbor. It was going to on-load beet pulp pellets to take to Morocco.



The "Federal Welland" was an hour behind the Medemborg, and we zipped over to see it go under the bridge after checking out of the hotel.


Rich in Duluth.

Sleeping beauty catches a few Z's before picking up the kids.


Sarah and Grandpa Gordon revel in Easter candy and gifts.


Sarah discovers static on the slide at the big playground in Crosby, MN.


Erin gives Caleb and Sarah a push on the swing.


Sarah multi-tasks while riding home in the car.

Coloring Easter eggs

Sarah colored Easter eggs for the first time last week!



Which came first? The chicken or the egg?



"Cheeeeese!"


Moby and Harley.

Caleb's hockey banquet

Caleb's Squirt hockey team held its end-of-season banquet today at the ice arena. We had an hour of ice time for the boys to play a game of family hockey against the coaches and others. Afterward, we had pizza, cake, and a slide show of the season. Here's Caleb (in orange) digging into the first of his FOUR slices of pizza. They were BIG slices, too!


The cake even had an edible picture of the team! Yum!


The food line.


Coach Else presents Caleb with his team award. Caleb was named "Best Hustler." Way to go, Caleb! He also received a commemorative puck.


Sarah scored a door prize, too! She was given one of the two balloon bouqets after the banquet!

Go fly a kite!

Today was the perfect day for Sarah to take Daddy with her and fly her new kite ... her first-ever solo effort at aviation! It was windy and not too cold, so we bundled up and walked over to the Edinbrook soccer fields. Sarah was very patient as Daddy worked out some knots in the string (do manufacturers send them out that way now?), and flew her kite all by herself for about 10 minutes.


"Hee-hee-hee!"


The kite flies high!

Random shots

Erin put Sarah's hair up in rollers a few days ago ... but Princess Sarah didn't like the curls in her eyes and promptly messed them up! Mommy wasn't too hurt.


I'm surprised Fuddrucker's Restaurant even let us in the place with these bozos!


On the way somewhere.

Four-way birthday party!

With Aunt Ellaina in town for a week-long visit, we decided to celebrate all four March birthdays in the family on Thursday: Sarah and Grandpa G (March 18), Ellaina (March 19) and Rich (March 27). Here's mommy fixing up Sarah's hair for the big party. Sarah turns 3 pretty soon. Everyone else? You'll have to guess!



We've been talking up Sarah's birthday party for weeks, and she has said all along she wanted "a princess cake" for her birthday. So mommy made a trip to a craft store and bought all the stuff for a truly wonderful cake for Sarah.


The princess cake! Looks like mommy has some real talent ... could there be a side business in her future? Only time will tell.


Sarah loved her princess cake. Nice job, mommy! It tasted just as good as it looked, too.


Sarah and Caleb worked together in the kitchen.

Pictures with ... everybody!

While we sat and chatted in the living room, Daddy took Sarah's picture with Grandma G. How cute! Then Sarah decided to have her picture taken with everyone else, including ...


Grandpa G ...


Aunt Ellaina ...


Mommy and Lucas ...


... and Daddy. What a camera queen!

Taco supper and birthday gifts

Erin made everyone a great taco supper, followed by the princess cake and some cupcakes made by Grandma G.


Then we opened presents! Sarah opens a gift from Grandma and Grandpa G.


Sarah is playing a little pink piano given to her by mommy and daddy.


Aunt Ellaina even got in on the piano playing!


Ellaina and Erin ... seestahs-in-law!