Trick or Treat was on a beautiful autumn day in Michigan. We had a great turnout of children and James handed out a ton of candy and chips. This year we used the flexible trashcans that say toxic waste for the chips and that made the look of the house that much more spooky.

We had a car in the drive and noticed that the skeleton’s shadow were being cast on the car from the display and that really created a cool effect. I think we took a pic of it.

Lots of compliments from the Trick or Treaters and we really did not miss the giant spider and skeleton horse which were sold at a garage sale earlier in the year. We did add a fountain and creepy bird bath to the display but we liked the display so much better without the spider and horse as it was too cramped in the past.

Continue reading “Halloween 2023 Trick or Treat” →

The Halloween party was a blast this year. This was the year of football at the party as there were several big games (OSU/Penn State, Michigan/Michigan State) and we had several tv’s throughout the house, basement and garage tuned to those games.

This year we ordered pizza from the new pizza place, Detroit Pizza Factory and used Mattis Deli for the sandwiches. The party went overtime due in part to the late start of the Michigan game (Michigan won 49-7).

This was the 13th Halloween party that we have had at our home and will certainly go down as one of the best. The house never got too crowded as we had a pretty constant flow of people coming and going throughout the day (we figure our home can comfortably seat maybe 25 people at a time max in the party area)

Continue reading “2023 Halloween Party” →

Mom and Dad went to the annual Haunted Garage Sale in Dearborn Michigan. James had classwork and could not attend, but Mom and Dad represented the family well. We noticed that several people recognized us from past garage sales, both here and the ones we do in the summer to help raise money to buy more Halloween stuff.

Mom and Dad made several trips to the car with goodies and everything we bought was very reasonably priced (which is why we attend, its only $5 to get in).

There was a giant skeleton raffle going on for all attendees but unfortunately we did not win (we never won any of their raffles).

Continue reading “Haunted Garage Sale 2023” →

James celebrated his 20th birthday today and had a blast as we went to his favorite restaurant (Bubbas 33 which is located on Eureka road across the street from Southland Mall) where he had his favorite meal, hot wings. We then returned home to celebrate as James opened gifts after blowing out the candle on his cake.

James wanted to thank all those who sent him gifts and well wishes for his birthday. He dedicated his birthday celebration to his Grandma (which is why her picture was on the restaurant table).

Congrats James on twenty great years.

Continue reading “Happy Birthday James” →

We started a little later than usual because most of the items that we wanted for the party we ordered online, but none the less it is a very special day when we get to go to the Halloween store and see the latest Halloween props on display with demonstrations and such. We did buy a couple items and we each used our 20 percent off discount coupon which has become a tradition for the family as each person picks out whatever they want.

Dad got a new clown for the kitchen which should be fun.

This was taken in Allen Park where the Best Buy used to be (it closed less than a year ago).

Continue reading “First Trip to the Halloween Store 2023” →

James friend Nick held another birthday party at Comerica Park and once again the Tigers won. This means it was a clean sweep since his birthday last year with the Tigers winning all the games Nick and James attended in the past year (4 or 5 games). For a team well under 500 this is an achievement. The evening was beautiful despite 94 being shut down for construction which caused us a little delay. After the game we did a little tour of the area since James school is in this location. James took a couple pics in front of his school – the Mike Illitch School of Business. Also this evening Dave Chappelle was doing a live concert so the town was really buzzing this evening. A great evening and a great finale to our summer activities.

Continue reading “2023 Nicks Birthday Party at Comerica Park” →

Happy Birthday Mom!

Labor Day we always do the traditional celebration along with at least one meal being grilled out. For us it also represents the start of getting ready for our Halloween party. We have the carpets cleaned first, then begin pulling out the props and cleaning and checking them out to make sure they work (if they are supposed to move, some are static props). We have a couple new displays and this is the time when we see if they look as good in real life as we imagine. James’ room is always different and this year he wants to have a haunted library, in part because he has so many books himself now in his 3rd year of college.

James has started school already at Wayne State University and we all enjoy the chance to have one more long weekend this summer, which has been really wonderful except for a few rough storms.
Continue reading “2023 Labor Day Weekend and the Start of Halloween Season” →

This was our first visit to the State Fair since it moved from Detroit to Novi and while the fair was great, when compared with the old fair grounds in Detroit it came up a little lacking. The old fair grounds was simply gigantic and you could spend hours just in one building. The old festival had many many vendors but the new one probably had a few dozen that you could go through in about a half hour.

As festivals go it was great, its just when compared with the old State Fair it comes up short, mostly because of space both outdoors and indoors.

James went on several rides and enjoyed all the festivities so it was a worthwhile venture. Plenty of rides for sure but again the old fair grounds had more.

Still, a great experience and very worthwhile.
Continue reading “2023 Michigan State Fair” →