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New Bed For James
James will be getting his new bed delivered toward the later part of the week. This puts him and Thelma on notice that the days of their small bed is limited so they are enjoying the last few days snoozing in the bed they both grew up on. The new bed (besides being bigger) has storage space under the bed so we hope this extra storage space will help keep his room a little more organized. Check out the pics to see the bed in action.
Warm Temperatures Create Puzzle Opportunity 2016
After the last few winters (which were brutal, cold, snowy, and long), James got a break this year when the late January temperatures reached the mid forties! James took advantage of the weather (and a weekend without football) to work on his puzzle still in the garage from the fall. Its a 2000 piece puzzle and James is half way through it which would make it the largest puzzle (piece wise) that James had ever put together.
The warm weather has also helped us get an early start on Spring cleaning. Last year at this time we were chipping ice on the sidewalks with most of our free time, this year we have been able to do a little cleaning under the steps and for one of the few times in the history of under the steps, it does not look bad.
Tomorrow it should be in the mid forties again although we may hit 50 so James is planning on a couple visits to relatives and then a full afternoon of working on his puzzle.
Winter Visit To “Past Tense” 2016
We made the trek to “Past Tense” in Lapeer Michigan this weekend to check out the displays and were happy to find that the awful construction and detours they have had their the past year are finally over and we shot right through the town of Lapeer. Past Tense has Halloween and Christmas displays up all year long, in addition to being one of the most unique garden shops in Michigan. Our friend Dynamike joined us as he does a lot of gardening in his front lawn and while he was looking at gardening and antique idea’s, Dad was in the Halloween section (as expected).
Next we stopped at the antique store there and checked out what was new (or old as the case may be.
After the antique store we stopped for treats at their restaurant (the one with the water wheel) we headed back home, noticing how early the sun sets in January. By the time we got home (around 6pm) it was pitch dark. Spring is getting close but not quite around the corner.
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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Happy New Year 2016
Happy New Years Everyone. New Year Eve began at Red Robins with Dynamike the Magician as James feasted on onion rings and pizza while everyone else had burgers. Dynamike surprised everyone with gifts for everyone, some you will see at Halloween. As the evening progressed we had the absolute disappointment watching MSU get skunked by Alabama, but the evening picked up as we approached midnight and James did his one minute countdown that he loves to do.
New Years Day was great with all the football, however almost all the games were blowouts. Fortunately Michigan routed Florida which sort of helped make up for the game the night before.
Final Restaurant Meal of 2015
And the winner is … Red Robins.
You just have got to love the burgers and soups at this place (and whoever came up with the idea for stacking onion rings on a vertical stick should be given an award for genius). James usually gets wings or pizza when visiting here as he is not a hamburger fan.
We met our friend Dynamike here and exchanged Christmas gifts. Dynamike is a magician so we got him a few magic tricks to add to his already large repetoire. Dynamike has performed twice at the White House and has been on television too many times to list here.
For New Years Eve we thought the place was a little quiet, one would expect more things to be happening on this day. Maybe people don’t go out as much on New Years eve as they used to, or maybe they just don’t go to restaurants on New Years Eve.
Christmas 2015
Finally it came and James was not disappointed, getting up at 7am to start opening his gifts. James got several coin collections, a new TV, and lots of checks and gifts certificates in the mail (and in person) from family members. Mom got a new coffee maker that works with little pods so she can make her own coffee rather than having to drive to McDonalds. Dad got a new wardrobe for home and work. Mom mad a special type of French toast for Breakfast and by the time 9am came along everyone was pretty much tired out.
This will for sure go down as one of the warmest Christmas season’s as the temperature has been awesome all month. Several high temps were challenged or exceeded this month.
Christmas Eve at Grandmas 2015
James made a visit to Grandma’s house Christmas Eve and had a blast.
Grandma’s place was very well decorated (as always) for the Holidays (both on the inside and outside as shown in the pictures). Grandma is going to make James a scarf and took measurements which made James happy since he cannot find his scarf Grandma made and was upset he lost it (we think he left it at school one day).
James and Grandma exchanged gifts (James bought all his gifts on the same day about a week ago through a trip set up with his school so no one really knew what gifts James had purchased till they were opened) and afterwards James wanted to go to the bank and get some coins for his coin collection. Dad wasn’t sure they were open but we stopped anyhow and the drive thru teller was very helpful to James and getting him some good “state” quarters. Just a real nice (and warm) Christmas eve.
Christmas Eve Eve at Aunt Pegs 2015
Another unseasonably warm day (no one is complaining) and James visited Aunt Peg to exchange gifts with her (James did all his Christmas shopping and wrapping at school so no one knew anything about what gifts he was exchanging). Aunt Pegs place had a real nice Christmas display set up outside (as shown in the pictures). Richard was visiting Peg for the Holidays and James had some pizza while visiting. All in all an excellent time on a warm Christmas Eve Eve.
