The Kleiber Family Timeline

Category: Michigan

Events in Michigan

  • Bronners Spring 2016

    Our first stop usually when entering Frankenmuth is Bronners Christmas store. Bronner’s promotes itself as the “World’s Largest Christmas Store”. Designed with an Alpine architecture and operating year-round, the building is 7.35 acres in size with landscaped grounds covering 27 acres. Here is a little trivai – The electric bill alone is $1,250 per day – John Wayne ordered his Santa Suit from Bronners in 1976 – Over 100,000 ornaments are hand painted at Bronners each year.

    While primarily known for Christmas, they do have a large selection of the other holidays available year round which makes it a great place to stop for people who enjoy any of the holidays.

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  • Abbotts Flea Market 2016

    Mary and James worked a table at the 2016 Magic Flea Market which is now known as the Hank Moorehouse Flea Market and Auction in honor of the man who started it almost 40 years ago. James loves this event because he enjoys both selling and buying. The event was very well attended and had many magicians show up either selling or buying magic. In the past we have found some very good values here and sometimes Halloween stuff. After the event we traveled to the Three Amigo’s restaurant in Jackson and feasted on a late Cinco De Mayo meal that tasted that much better because we were all tired from the long day. Once we got home, Mary found a package containing a shirt she won on Ebay so it was a fitting conclusion to a very fun day.

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  • Mackinaw In March 2016

    Not a whole lot going on in Mackinaw this time of year, but James had a pretty good time shopping in Sea Shell City and visiting the shops that were open. When we first arrived you could not see the bridge because of the fog which disappointed James a bit, so we decided to eat lunch in the city (Audi’s Smelt Baskets) and lucky for us by the time we finished eating enough of the fog had lifted so that you could see the bridge (not well, but you could see the towers). We did take a couple pics of the town, since we rarely see the roads this empty and seeing all the Mackinaw ferry boats in a dry dock was a very unusual site. But its still Mackinaw and still very beautiful.

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  • Henry Ford Museum During Holiday Break 2016

    We decided to treat ourselves to one of our gifts, which was a trip to Henry Ford Museum. James had a blast with the green screen dancing to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” video which Dad tried filming to the best of his ability. James also generated electricity, 200 watts as a matter of fact. We checked out the Presidential cars, the Rosa Park bus, along with the chair where Lincoln was shot just to name a few of the many attractions. James also got to dress up as a “weiner” at the Osacar Meyer weiner mobile along with visiting the new attractions at Henry Ford called “Roadside America”. Later we got home just in time to see the Lions beat the Bears, thus ending the Lion season at 7-9 after a 1-7 start. Thus ending football season in Michigan as all our teams are done.

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  • Stevens Birthday Party 2014

    James was invited to a party from his friend Steven at school and had an absolute blast visiting with many of the kids he goes to school with. It was a first time meeting several of the families for us as well since James has six different classes during his school day which means many new faces. The party was at Pump It Up in Taylor on Northline road and James made sure he was there right when it opened so he did not miss a minute of playtime. After playing on the inflatables for about an hour and a half, the kids moved into the dining room where they were treated to pizza and treats.

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  • Abbotts Magic Flea Market 2014

    For the third year in a row, Mom worked a flea market table at the annual Abbott Flea Market in Colon Michigan. It was a perfect day and James was able to take advantage of some of the recreational activities at the new park behind the school. James was a big help as he helped label items and such, he has come a long way from his first Flea Market where he told a customer everything was a “nickel”.

    In addition to helping Mom sell, James also bought a few tricks, including a glass effect that is a real fooler. Lots of fun for a kid at these events. He also was given a T shirt by one of the dealers and some candy and a “fart maker” by another dealer. How can a kid go wrong?

    Afterwards we went to a China buffet and for the first time ever, Mom and Dad got the same fortune cookie message.

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  • City of Detroit 2013

    Dad had some business downtown and spent some time in downtown Detroit. We were right across the street from Hart Plaza and had a great view of the Ren Cen from our window.

    During lunch break I was able to get some great pictures of some of the art around Detroit. To my surprise I found a bust of Abraham Lincoln in the woods (I saw it from the window and investigated it from there, you cannot see it from the street as it is surrounded by trees). I also saw the Princess boat which has dancing and a night club atmosphere, reminded me of the Boblo boats which my family road so many times in the past.

    Great parking available, I parked in the center medium on Jefferson, take the Lodge to Jefferson, then right past the “fist” is an underground parking structure in the center medium that is very convenient in and out. Rates go from $5 to $15 ($15 is for a full day of parking)

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  • Mackinaw 2013

    A quick visit to Mackinac city on a beautiful summer day. James got to stop at Sea Shell City on the way up as well and picked up a new hat for his collection. We noticed that a new attraction was at Mackinaw Crossings – a Haunted House. We did not go through the house but it looked pretty cool from the outside. James and Mary spent most of the time at the beach where the air so so clear you could see past the UP as far as the horizon. We had smelt baskets for lunch, a treat for Mary and then picked up some fudge, a treat for James.

    Note for historians – Why James is holding his breath and making silly faces in these pictures I have no idea.

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  • Heritage Park Petting Zoo 2013

    James visited this park a long time ago, once to see President Bush and the other time visiting the petting zoo, you can see the pictures still on this blog.

    This summer his VIP camp visited Heritage park and James had so much fun he brought his family back the next Sunday.

    James favorite animal is Stormy, a Gray rabbit. He loves all the barnyard animals but Stormy is his favorite. The turkey who kept strolling around the barn was pretty cool as well.

    Many barnyard animals this day and all were very tame and friendly, a lot of fun for the entire family and only $4 per person.

    Dads favorite was the Duck

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  • Marshall Blues Festival 2013

    This was the ten year celebration of the Marshall Blues Festival and I think we have attended the last four. This year we did it a little differently as James and Dad stayed for the event with Mom. The music was great and the weather was absolutely perfect.

    Strolling around town we stopped in almost every store on mainstreet. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. A very pleasant experience as always in the town of Marshall.

    Marshall is located at the intersection of 94 and 69, about an hour and 40 minute drive from Detroit.

    One the way home we stopped in Jackson for dinner at a Chinese buffet on 127 (James really enjoys the Chinese buffets).

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