Today I went to Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, New York with my friends Darrell and Luke.

One of the numerous old French signs throughout the fort.

The main gate into the fort overlooks the Niagara River.

A British soldier readies his musket for firing.

The North Redoubt completed in 1771 was literally a fort within a fort.

A look at the grounds looking south.

A chair fit for a King!

The Commandant's Apartment consists of three seperate rooms.

Built in 1726 The French Castle sits where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. It is the oldest building witin the compound or east of the Mississippi for that matter.

The U.S. Coast Guard Group Niagara sits just outside the fort. They cover from the bottom on the Niagara River at the falls all the way to the Lake Ontario shores.

The Fort Niagara Lighthouse built in 1890 sits right outside the fort.

My brother, sister-in-law, and myself attended the S.M.A.R.T. (Specialized Medical Assistance Response Team) Disaster Response Team dinner tonight. We all are active members.

SMART Medical Director Dr. Cooley, Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Billitttier, Regional Coordinator of Public Health Prepardness Tracey Chalmers, Commissioner of Emergency Services Greg Skibitsky, and Public Health Prepardness Coordinator Dan Neaverth Jr. present the awards after the dinner.

I ended up winning two prize baskets from the Chinese Auction after dinner.

I just wanted to through in an updated picture of my boy, Leland!

I spent the day ice skating at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza downtown with family and friends.

My first time skating this year. Wow, were my feet sore!

On Saturday me and my brother met up with his wife and her sister in Niagara-On-The Lake, Ontario on their way back from Toronto.

The amazing Prince of Wales Hotel.

The clock tower sits just outside the historic visitor's center building.

After Niagara-On-The-Lake we stopped by Niagara Falls.

Debbie & Connie pose on the Canadian size of the falls.

Thursday night after touring Buffalo with family we went to the Buckin Buffalo Saloon downtown for some drinks.

Debbie gets ready to ride the Buffalo!

My sister-in-law Connie, me, and her sister Debbie at the bar.

The Buffalo Naval & Serviceman's Park is just about finished including a new walkway that exposes a different view of the ships in the marina.

All the exhibits are up including these new posts that simulate jets taking off.

My brother, sister-in-law and her sister pose in front of the newly opened walkway.

A new building housing a gift shop is now open.

The other half of the building has historic information and the floor is decorated with a map of western New York.

The "new" bridge over the canal has been painted with distinctive lettering.

The foundation of some of the old buildings have been refurbished and wooden floors and fire pits were added.

I spent this afternoon watching the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins play the Winter Classic hockey game on the jumbotron at HSBC Arena. The game was played outside at Ralph Wilson stadium. My parents, brother, sister-in-law, and her son all went.

The view from the lobby of HSBC Arena.

Over 11,000 people showed up to the House Party.

After rushing home from the airport me, my brother, sister-in-law, and her son went down to Theodore Roosevelt Plaza to watch the New Years Ball Drop.

My brother and sister-in-law bring in the new year.

There was quite a large crowd at midnight.

Let the fireworks begin.

It's official, 2008 is upon us!

The ball sits at the bottom of it's route down the tower.

Our walk home took us through Chippewa Street, what a nightmare!

After the ball drop downtown I met up with friends at Roxy's. Ken and Mike party it up.

Chris, me, Ken, Aaron, and Charlie party it up!

Kenny puts the moves on Julia's girl!

I recently took a much needed vacation to Sin City, Las Vegas! I stayed at the New York New York Hotel & Casino on the strip at Tropican and Las Vegas Boulevards.

Lady Liberty greets you at the front of the hotel.

A tight shot of the outside of the hotel.

The "skyline" of New York New York including the roller coaster that goes completely around and into the hotel.