Bridget Hanley at Ellis Island

For the last couple of months the Ellis Island web site have had problems displaying the actual ships' manifests but today I noticed that it was working again. To get a copy of the manifest you have to purchase a copy for $29 or find a way to download it. The normal way to download a page is to right click and "Save page as ..." unless that function has been disabled. It is possible to just ignore the 'disabled' message and continue to download it. I have been able to do it using an Epiphany, a Linux web browser. Here is a copy of the manifest:

Bridget is passenger number 396. The manifest is from the SS Campania (a Cunard ship) that arrived in Ellis Island on June 22, 1895 from Queenstown, Ireland. Today Queenstown in Co. Cork is called Cobh.

Smarter Than A Fifth Grader (Or A Seventh Grader)

Yesterday my grandson Liam was over for the day and he recited the following conversation:

"How much are M&M's?"

"50 Cent."

"That's Ludacris!"

I said, "Hey, I know. M&M, 50 Cent and Ludacris are rap artists (and I use the term 'artist' loosely)."  He almost fell off his chair because his grandfather knew this.  Just to show you, I'm as smart as a seventh grader!

Nana and Alexa

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Originally uploaded by pjeagan2001

Yesterday we went down to Fisher Island to see Julie, Bill and the kids. We hadn't seen Alexa (and Will) since before we went on our Christmas vacation/cruise. Boy, is she getting big.

It's Cruise Day!

After four days with our daughter Colleen and her family and four days with our daughter Laura and her family, today our Panama Canal cruise starts from Long Beach.  Right now it is 7 AM here in Oak Park and it is about 45 degrees.  I must point out that this is California.  You know, warm, balmy weather.  What the hell happened! I hope that as we cruise south along Mexico and Central America it is warmer.

Even though it has been cold in both Eureka and Oak Park, we still had a great time.

In Oak Park, California

Since Saturday evening we have been visiting our daughter Laura and her family in Oak Park, CA.  Yesterday evening we attended a performance of Nutcracker Suite ballet which starred our granddaughters, Maris (Raggedy Ann) and Lily (a mouse).  Below is Maris as we head off to the Performing Arts Center.

 

Unfortunately, it is a bit cool here (hell no, it's cold) and here's to hoping that it warms up.

At the Beach (Samoa Peninsula)

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Originally uploaded by pjeagan2001

After breakfast at the Samoa Cookhouse, we went to the beach for pictures. These were for Colleen's Christmas pictures to send out. This picture I thought was great.

Eureka, CA

After all day yesterday in airplanes, we are in Eureka with Colleen, Robb and the twins.  The little ones are really getting big and on the move all the time.  At first they were a little bit (well, maybe more than a little bit) leery of Grandpa and Nana but that will eventually get over that.  I have found that tweaking and honking noses goes a long way to get to small kids.  We'll see.  Here is a picture of the darlings with their Santa Claus hats that Nana brought along.

Thanksgiving in Scottsdale

Nancy and I spent six days over Thanksgiving in Scottsdale, AZ with three of our daughters and their families.  Here is a video of some of what we did.  The best part is the beginning with my grandson, Will, doing some of the driving.

Grandpa Mack's 101st Birthday

Last weekend we were in Michigan for my wife's father's 101st birthday. The pictures are found here and a video is found here.  We had a wonderful time in spite of the miserable weather - cold, windy and rain.  I'm at a loss as to how anybody can live there year round!

Grandchildren

I have been remiss in keeping this blog up to date since we returned from our cruises. I neglected to introduce my thirteenth grandchild, Alexa Grace Charouhis, who was born on the 28th of August. She is my step-daughter Julie's daughter.

As a result of Alexa's arrival it was necessary to update my "Irish Grandfather" sweat shirt which now has the name of my 13 grandchildren - nine girls and four boys.