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2024 Lincoln Park Fantasyland
We met up with our VIP camp friends at Fantasyland and had a very fun time. We have gone here the last several years and it never fails to amaze or entertain. The most popular exhibit is (as you may have guessed) is the Santa photo where kids and adults get their picture taken with Santa. James showed Santa his report card and asked for a scholarship to college and gift cards to Bubba’s and Texas Roadhouse, his favorite restaurant.
We also visited the train display upstairs which was founded by Dad’s old baseball coach, Mr Nick. They have a few pics of Mr. Nick that I took a picture of. Anyone who went to St Alberts would know who Mr Nick is.
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Thanksgiving 2024
We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We ordered the turkey precooked from Kroger and that took some of the pressure off Mom Thanksgiving morning. We had turkey, stuffing, potatoes, deviled eggs, bean, cranberries, and a very good squash item that tasted wonderful and included bacon. We all settled in to eat and watch the Lions game and they finally won a game on Thanksgiving for the first time in 8 years.
After the Lions game the focus was on swapping out the Thanksgiving decorations (including the last of our blow molds, the light up turkey) and began the transformation from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Later that weekend we got the biggest surprise of all when Michigan beat a 3 touchdown favorite Ohio State team at Ohio State.
2024 Trick or Treat
The weather was perfect for Halloween Trick or Treaters this year. As usual, we had at least 100 kids show up for their treats. James handed out most of the candy with Mom giving him breaks during the evening. We saw a lot of creativity in the costumes this year as many people decided to make their own which made it a lot of fun.
After all the trick and treating was done, we settled in and watched monster movies for the remainder of the night. Dad had the next day off to tear everything down so we could stay up a little later than normal.
Once everything was down, our front lawn was transformed into the political landscape of the day.
2024 Halloween Party
Everyone had a wonderful time at this years Halloween party, some felt it was the best ever. Lots of food as many of the guests brought food in addition to what we had (thank you very much). Once again the weather was great and we were able to have the back yard (garage) open.
What really makes this party fun is seeing folks I have not seen in decades and once again this year it happened again as I met up with a couple friends I had not seen in ages.
This year we made some major changes to the displays, the back room became a skeleton room, the living room became a carnival (or carnevil if you prefer), and the kitchen became a Beetlejuice display since the new Beetlejuice movie had just came out earlier in September.
A great time, not many pics of the party folks this year as we were very busy with the guests, although many of the attendees did have their pics taken by the magic mirror.
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Happy Birthday James
James celebrated his 21st birthday in many ways. First he surprised Mom and Dad with gifts in the morning he had his annual physical and blood draw in the morning, then he went to class, and finally after class he went to his favorite restaurant, Bubba’s 33. At the restaurant James met his friend Nick and his Mom who joined us to help celebrate the event. James surprised Mom and Dad by paying for the meal
After Bubba’s 33 we headed home where James had a surprise as one of his gifts was a new bed set including mattress, sheets, and covers.
James then opened gifts in the living room from Mom and Dad and after the gifts were opened we all enjoyed some cake and ice cream.
3rd Tiger Game in 2024
The Tigers are in a wildcard race, so we had that to cheer for when we went with Nick and his family. It was Nicks birthday which made the event that much more festive.
The pregame activities were great. Everyone got a free shirt to start. Then James got a foul ball during batting practice, and James was on Jumbo screen twice this game, a record for him. This was also Latin America night and their were some awesome dances and a tribute to all the Latin players and their contribution to baseball and the Tigers. Alex Aveilia through out the first pitch.
Unfortunately the Tigers ran into some strong pitching and did not score until the 9th inning (2 runs), but unfortunately Baltimore scored 4 runs in the first 8 innings to win the game 4-2.
Beautiful night in downtown Detroit, and all is not lost as the Twins were losing big time when we left the park. Big thanks to Nick and his family for inviting us.
Happy Birthday Mom
Happy Birthday Mom
This was an interesting Birthday for Mary because we had reserved tickets to the Beetlejuice movie on her birthday and because of this we could not have any flowers delivered on her birthday, so they were sent one day ahead which is actually our wedding anniversary so it all worked out.
The highlight of the gifts was one of those unknown presents that James had bought during our visit to Sea Shell City on the way to Mackinaw. No one knew what was in the package and that made it kind of fun for everyone.
Again, Happy Birthday Mary
Happy Anniversary 2024
James and Dad surprised Mom with two sets of flowers for an anniversary gift. This was our 22nd and its hard to believe its been that long as every day has been wonderful with this family.
Actually only one of the flowers (the red roses) was for an Anniversary, the other flowers (from James) were for Moms birthday. The reason we sent both flowers for delivery on the same day was because we plan to see Beetle Juice Beetle Juice tomorrow so no one would be home to receive the flowers.
A very nice dinner concluded the evening!
First Day of School 2024
James began his senior year of college today and we are all very proud of him and his academic achievements.
It seemed like just yesterday we were dropping him off at kindergarten.
James has a busy semester planned. He will be at Wayne State again but concentrating more on French Class and Math Class (Calculus 2) rather than his business classes at Mike Illitch which will resume in his second semester.
Hopefully when the second semester begins we will be talking about a bachelors degree.
Lincoln Park Days Festival 2024
Another gorgeous Michigan day as we visited the Lincoln Park Festival.
James volunteered to do some cleanup work at the park grounds a week earlier and because of that he got a free pass to all the rides.
This year VIP camp did not have a booth, but there was still plenty to look at including pony rides which I don’t remember being there before (although I could be wrong).
Lots to look at and plenty of rides helped to make this a very pleasant experience. Afterwards we went out and did some Halloween shopping as the Halloween stuff is now on the shelves at stores.
