James volunteered to work on this

Happy Birthday Dad. It was quite a surprise for Dad when he came home from work and saw the gifts sitting on the table plus a cake. This was a special one for Dad and we did our best to let him know how special he was.

After a small party in the kitchen we settled down and watched a movie that was one of dads favorites. He said his dad had shown it to him when he was little and he liked it ever since. It starred Jackie Gleason and was called “Papa’s Delicate Condition” and was very entertaining and everyone enjoyed the movie (especially when Jackie Gleason bought a circus for his little girl). Continue reading “Happy Birthday Dad 2025” →

Its that time of year again as we all visited Fantasyland in Lincoln Park. James actually walked to the event as he is trying to walk 5 miles each day and doing a very good job at it. Once he got close he called Mom and Dad and we left to join him.

James saw plenty of his VIP friends and actually got a ride home with one of his friends family as he wanted to stay longer. On the way home he stopped off at Target and brought home some chocolate covered cherries for the family.

As usual, Santa was there and as is the tradition James showed him how he was doing in school, they only one who brought paperwork to his visit.

Thanks to VIP camp for setting this up as it was alot of fun.
Continue reading “Lincoln Park Christmas Fantasyland 2025” →

Thanksgiving weekend was an introduction to winter as the beginning was fine fall weather but Saturday came winter, unfortunately the bad weather did not help the Wolverines on Saturday, nor did the dome help the Lions on Thanksgiving as both had disappointing losses.

We did get the Christmas decoration up before the bad weather hit and were nice and cozy all weekend. Great meal by Mom and deviled eggs of course.

Except for the football it was a great Thanksgiving. Continue reading “Thanksgiving 2025” →

The month of October is always a fun month for us, since we also host the Halloween party.

The grand finale is always Halloween night as all the neighbors hand out trick or treat surprises and the atmosphere is incredible. The Trick or Treaters add to the atmosphere with their incredible costumes and spooky decor.

Once again James handled the trick or treat handouts and did a wonderful job, handing out just enough treat so that we did not have anything left over. The last treats went out with the last trick or treaters a little after 8 pm.

A great evening and we all enjoyed a nice spooky movie afterwards.
Continue reading “Trick or Treat 2025” →

Gorgeous weather added to the event this year as we had two parties going on, one outside and one inside.

The Halloween setup starts early in the morning as it takes 5 hours to turn on all the props. Then we have to go to Walmart to pick up fresh fruit and ice for the 3 coolers (caffeine, non caffeine, and beer). After the visit to Walmart we go and pick up the cake. The graphic for the cake we made in photoshop and sent to the cake shop about a month earlier so that it would be ready on this date. We then pick up some of the kids who do not drive, then come back home and finish turning everything on.

Its a lot of work but it is a labor of love. We really only host this one party so why not go all out for it.
Continue reading “Halloween Party 2025” →

James turned 22 today and had a busy day as he likes to schedule annual appointments on this day such as his annual physical.

Things got better as he had a birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse with Austin and his Dad (along with Mom and Dad of course) and then came home for cake and ice cream.

If you look closely at the pictures you can see a little of the Halloween decorations going up as we have begun getting ready for the annual Halloween party.

Great day for James and he did pretty well with his physical as well.
Continue reading “James Birthday 2025” →

Happy Birthday Mom

A real fun birthday celebration for Mom with a great catfish dinner (one of Moms favorites) from Captain Jays. The flowers you see in the pictures were the first time Dad bought colored flowers for Mom as Mom’s birthday is the next day after our anniversary. They make the Roses these beautiful colors by placing them in water with dye and as the flowers take in the water, it causes the flowers to change color.

Great cake, great gifts, and a fun time for Mom.
Continue reading “Happy Birthday Mom 2025” →

The entire family celebrated out 23rd Wedding Anniversary. This year we went to a Polish restaurant in Allen Park and brought James along to enjoy the meal.

Thinking back to our wedding 23 years ago we are reminded that the dreadful events of 9/11 delayed our wedding for a year and even when we did finally get married, the air travel made flying in or out very difficult for people to feel comfortable so we had a very simple ceremony at city hall, not wanting to put our friends and relatives in an awkward position.

Congrats Mom and Dad and hopefully we have 23 more wonderful years together.
Continue reading “Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad 2025” →