The Kleiber Family Timeline

Category: General Day to Day

General Events

  • After Halloween Sale 2012

    Each year Mom goes out and buys Dads birthday gifts at the After Halloween sale. People often ask where we get the Halloween props and the secret is to purchase it after Halloween when everything is 50 – 70%.

    This year we went to the Halloween store the day before to see what they had left and decided on 3 new animations that we felt would fit into our display. The next day we got there about 50 minutes early to wait for the half price sale to begin (we were third in line).

    Our 3 main items were “The Howler” werewolf to go with our other werewolf. The “Popping Goblin” which is really nothing more than one of those plastic pumpkins, except the back moves out and a Goblin pops out of it.

    The Witch from the Wizard of Oz was the final one on our list. The Halloween store had two left and when Mary lifted the top one, another person immediately lifted the one below hers so it took about two seconds to sell out. Good thing we got there early and waited.

    We also stopped at Jo Ann Fabrics and picked up some Halloween crafts and decorations at 70% off and Marshalls where Mary bought a bunch of stuff for $12.

    James came home from school and one of the Hoover teachers (we don’t know if the teacher wants us to use her name or not) gave us a haunted house cookie jar!

    Finally, KMart had one Jason left at 60% off and that concluded our after Halloween sale. Our next purchases for Halloween will be in the Spring when the garage sales come around again.

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  • Hoover Elementary Halloween Parade 2012

    James and the entire Hoover Elementary class participated in their annual Halloween Parade. James went as skeleton (as he did last year) because he figured there would be many Mario’s (which is what he is trick or treating as tonight).

    The parade went into the residential area which was different than previous years. It was also held on Halloween day, Oct 31st, which I don’t think it was in the past. The parade stretched well over a block in length and was very impressive to see.

    Great time by all and the weather, although 42 degrees and slightly wet, was good enough to get the event in.

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  • Halloween at Manuels Taco Hut 2012

    At James Halloween Get Together one of our guest tipped us off to this little gem of a place. During the year its Manuels Taco Hut, but they close for one week in the Fall and decorate the entire restaurant for Halloween. Its a great atmosphere with black walls, plenty of Ultra Violet lighting, and creepy skulls, ghost, and skeletons adorn the entire restaurant.

    Mom and Dad had chicken burritos and beans while James stuck with his usual chicken nuggets and french fries. The food was great and nothing was left on anyone’s plate at the end. Mom liked the animated Michael Meyers best, Dad liked the talking sculpture best, and James liked the singing pirate skeleton in the treasure chest the best.

    Manuels Taco Hut is on Ecorse road between Pelham and Allen road on the North side. We heard from their website that they do something similar for Christmas.

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  • U.S. 12 Garage Sale 2012

    We only made it to the Irish Hills because of the bad weather but we still had much fun on the US 12 garage sale, an annual event that we attend. Many times this event takes place the same week as the Magic Festival but this year it was the week later so we made two treks to the Western side of the state in back to back weekends.

    James enjoys this event as well and gets a chance to spend time on real farms that allow people to sell their items on their farmland along US 12 (aka Michigan Avenue). He also does a little shopping and picks up many little trinkets on the trip.

    We also continue our tradition of eating the best barbecue around at the Top of the Hill restaurant on US 12 in the Irish Hills.

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  • James Swimming Pool Fun 2012

    James has a blast with his inflatable pool in the backyard!

  • Summer Fun So Far In 2012

    James has been counting the days till summer vacation begins and he has many things planned. He plans to relax when thinking about his plans though, that is his first plan.

    For about the last two weeks we have had a heatwave across the midwest and USA, so James had to find a variety of ways to stay cool this summer. The following pictures were taken (in no particular order) at the Colon Park, Colon Moving Dock, Trenton Festival (after a visit to Aunt Peg in wyandotte hospital), and of course James own back yard and basement.

    During the heatwave of 2012 we were very fortunate not to lose power or air conditioning capabilities (although I am a bit terrified of the huge electric bill we will get running the AC so hard).

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  • Neighbor’s Graduation Party

    Our neighbors had a graduation party for their son Eric and James and his family were invited. Dad saw many of his “little friends” (a nick name for friends who went to first grade together) and Sammy’s parents were there as well. Dad remembers when Eric was about two years old he was hitting whiffle balls over the fence at Swapka field. A very athletic kid for sure!

    The party was awesome and everyone really enjoyed themselves. Dad said it was nice to have a few drinks and relax since the party was only two doors away.

    We wish Eric the best and are sure he will be a success at whatever he decides to do.

  • Grandma’s Garden 2012

    James and Dad visited Grandma’s house while Mary stayed home working a garage sale. Grandma showed us her garden which is on the tenth floor of the Garden City Tower. You can see the garden from ground level outside (as the last picture shows). Grandma has several different plants growing including peppers and tomatoes and does not have any worries about squirrels or chipmunks getting into her garden since she is so high up.

    The first few pictures in this gallery are of the entrance to where Grandma lives, a real nice lobby with fireplace and water fountain.

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  • James Makes Hoover Elementary Honor Roll 2012

    We got a real big surprise today when James came home with an honor roll certificate for the fourth quarter. This is Jame’s second honor roll this year so like we did when he got his first one we took him out to celebrate. He had a chocolate/vanilla swirl dipped in chocolate at the Dairy Queen, and got a Wii point card for his Nintendo Wii system. We know James had to work hard to earn the certificate this quarter and we are all so very proud of his achievement(s).

    James last day of school is Thursday and we do have a few surprises for him on that day as well.

  • School Party as James Completes 3rd Grade 2012

    Below are some pictures sent by James’ teacher of him playing at the annual school picnic.