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US 12 Garage Sale 2015
Once again we spent an enchanting day driving down US-12 for their annual Detroit to Chicago Garage Sale. This has actually become a routine for us as we have our favorite places to stop. This year our first stop was the farm and while we did not find much in the way of purchases, it still made for a good time and allowed us to visit the chicken coop and such. Later we stop at a Church that turns itself into a big flea market and found a couple of Halloween items there. By the time we got to Clinton MI (about the half way point in our trip), the cars trunk was getting pretty full and we had only spent about $20. By the time we got to Colon for the Magic Festival the trunk was pretty much full and fortunately we had spent very little. That’s the great think about these garage sales on US 12, everyone can afford it.
VIP Camp Party 2015
The last day of James’ first camp, aka VIP Camp, was today and as usual featured a party and and a meal. Seeing people we might not see again for a year is always a little sad, but there were no frowns today at this fun event. This year instead of hot dogs the folks at VIP ordered pizza. As usual our contribution was some of the pop as everyone brought a dish making it a pot luck of sorts.
James played a few games with his friends then bid them all a fond fair well till next year. Its hard to believe how fast the time is flying for events like this, it just seems like the other day we were talking about August during February snow storms, now it is here and James’ first camp is already over. My how time flies when you are having fun.
James Go Cart Racing 2015
James went to Midway Entertainment (known as putt putt to us older folk) and rode the go carts about 6 times and also did the dodge em cars a couple times. This was a scheduled visit with his VIP camp and most of his friends were there with him having a blast. This was the last field trip for his VIP camp this summer and the camp itself will have its annual last day celebration this Thursday so we should have a bunch of photos from that event.
Midway entertainment certainly has gotten more activities since James’ dad was young. Back then there was a small putt putt, driving range, batting cages, and a couple trampolines. Its been around a long time.
Marshall Blues Festival 2015
The annual Blues Festival in Marshall Michigan took place this weekend, but unfortunately mother nature did not cooperate as she has in the past the the event was delayed due to everything being wet which created an electric threat. Even so, Mom got to hear some Blues, it just started a little later. Mom spent most of the delay checking out the many antique stores on Marshall’s mainstreet and taking the vast majority of the pics on this trip.
On the way up we stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast and they already had some Halloween stuff out which we took a look at. We also bought an old style root beer and candy bar for the trip West to Marshall. On the way home we found a great Mexican restaurant in Albion MI.
Despite the weather, it was a great family day for all of us. Not too many blues this day.
Pool Relaxing on a Busy Weekend 2015
James had a very busy weekend starting on Friday with a trip to see his Doctor (we had to get him out of the pool because he was having so much fun before the appointment). Upon return James went right back to his pool duties. On Saturday we visited New Boston and Lapeer (one a little South of us, one a little North). After visiting a couple shops James then ate at his favorite restaurant, the China Buffet on telegraph road in Taylor. Finally, after letting his food digest James finished off the Saturday with another swim in the pool. Tomorrow we go visit Aunt Peg on another weekend adventure!
VIP Camp Begins 2015
Once again VIP camp has begun and for the last few years this has been one of James’ all time favorite activities. Its sort of like school with only recess and arts and crafts. The kids play all sorts of games and already this week James has a new tie dyed shirt that he made himself, he has dressed up as Batman for a costume party, and he spent an afternoon bowling with his friends. It also is a sign to us that summer is going by quickly, with the Fourth of July last week and VIP camp beginning this week. Hopefully we all can seize the summer moments this year as the memories of the last two winters are still fresh in everyone’s mind.
4th of July 2015
This was simply a perfect day, we spent the morning at a local flea market and although we did not buy much, enjoyed the atmosphere very much. Next a couple inning baseball game along with some swimming made for a fun afternoon. Toss in a barbecue for lunch and a pizza dinner, we finally headed into the evening where the fireworks were non stop for hours, constantly one after another, probably the best fireworks display I ever saw, certainly the longest. James continued his mini tradition of watching some of the fireworks while in his pool, then contributed to the noise with some fire crackers of his own. Sparklers seemed to be the big hit for him, since fireworks have become legal we sort of forgot about sparklers, but James enjoyed them.
The next day we read in the paper that damage had been caused to a home in Dearborn and Lincoln Park by the neighborhood firework display. I guess there is a price for the free show after all.
Past Tense Country Store 2015
We actually found out about this place in a Halloween Forum because they sell Halloween year round. Its located in Lapeer MI and is a little over an hour drive from where we live. Its called “Past Tense” and consists of an Antique and Craft store, a Cider Mill Restaurant, and a General Store that is huge. The General Store has several sections including Christmas, Halloween, Floral, Greenhouse, and just about everything else that you can think of. Mom enjoyed the crafts and antiques, James enjoyed the Christmas and Halloween, and Dad enjoyed everything. A great outing on a rainy Saturday and a real fun place to visit just off US 24 in Lapeer.
Memorial Day 2015
What has slowly become a tradition for us on Memorial Day is the visit to the cemetery. On the surface that might not sound that exciting but on Pennsylvania and Middlebelt there is a big Flea Market that we stop off at that is right on the way. After the Flea Market we go to the cemetery and if we were unable to put flowers up on Mothers day we do it on Memorial Day. However since we did get flowers on the graves for Mothers day we just made sure the flags were present. Last year they missed Uncle Raymond who died in WW2 and we called and this year he got a big flag (James brought a little flag just in case). Uncle Raymonds grave has not yet been raised and we had to clean it off again, hopefully they will take care of it sinking soon. James’ Grandfather Kleiber did not have a flag on his grave because he does not have his rank on the grave, in hindsight we probably should have put the flag brought for Raymond on his site, we’ll make a note of that next year to bring more flags, they are inexpensive.
The Flea Market had something for everyone, James found a 1924 National Geographic that he did not have (He keeps an inventory at http://www.thekleibers.com/inventory.html so he can check what he has when away from home), Mom found several paintings that she liked, and Dad found a “monster” made out of metal that holds Halloween candy.
The rest of the weekend was spent barbecuing and swimming. Lots of fun.
James Swimming Pool 2015
We are all set for summer now, its official – the pool is up! Last year we had to wait until James finished school to see if he would get his swimming pool or not. This year he already had it so we put it back up and James (with a little sunscreen) was relaxing in his pool in no time.
Prior to getting the pool up we tried leveling the ground beneath it with 18 bags of soil and we have the water level from the highest point to the lowest point at about 1 inch which is better than last year. James worked very hard leveling the dirt and did a real fine job.
It seems each year we are adding dirt to the backyard, must be gravity at work.
