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A Drive Through New York City 2012
We came into New York via the Tappan Zee bridge and stayed in Tarrytown. Dad got to attend a banquet where he was honored for 25 years of service to his Company. The banquet was held in a beautiful banquet hall at the Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford.
The next stop was not a stop but a trip through New York City for James. From a time perspective it would have been much better to go back through New Jersey to get to the Statue of Liberty but James’ favorite city on earth is New York so we made sure he got to see it. Most of the pictures of the New York Skyline were taken from the New Jersey side at Liberty Park and the Statue of Liberty Ferry.
Truly this must be the greatest city on earth, just beautiful!
A Drive Through New Jersey
They call New Jersey the Garden State and from some of these pictures you can see why. On the trip to New York we simply drove through the state, not really stopping anywhere. However on the way home was a completely different story. After crossing into New Jersey via the George Washington Bridge we took 95 South past the Newark Airport to Liberty Park. Liberty Park has two sections, The first is a park with a view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhatten skyline, the second is the ferry dock which is where we went to (those pictures have their own section and are located elsewhere on this blog).
Greenfield Village 2012
We used to go to Greenfield Village often, then the Titanic exhibit came to the Henry Ford Museum so we have to stop at the museum on the way to and from the village.
James had a great time this Saturday visiting Greenfield Village and actually found some Halloween items in the gift shop for his Halloween party. There were not many people in the village this day, probably due to the 90 degree (we had low voltage at our house all weekend so the AC was off and we were used to the heat) weather, but it was still fun as always. The bandstand was roped off with a bucket of paint on it so I think the next time we visit we will see a freshly painted bandstand. James saw a couple turtles who skuttled into the water as soon as we got close, but we did manage to get a pic of one of the little guys sunning themselves on a rock.
U.S. 12 Garage Sale 2012
We only made it to the Irish Hills because of the bad weather but we still had much fun on the US 12 garage sale, an annual event that we attend. Many times this event takes place the same week as the Magic Festival but this year it was the week later so we made two treks to the Western side of the state in back to back weekends.
James enjoys this event as well and gets a chance to spend time on real farms that allow people to sell their items on their farmland along US 12 (aka Michigan Avenue). He also does a little shopping and picks up many little trinkets on the trip.
We also continue our tradition of eating the best barbecue around at the Top of the Hill restaurant on US 12 in the Irish Hills.
Abbotts 75th Magic Get Together 2012
James got to help set up some of the booths at the Abbotts Get Together, an event which takes place each August. James has come to this festival since he was 3 and has always enjoyed it, however this is the first time he got to actually help out in the preparations. James helped out the weekend before then got to attend and enjoy the festivities the weekend after (his camp prevented him from attending during the week).
A bonus surprise was that Jame’s pet doves were used on the Friday night show (tickets were $25 each for a Vegas quality magic show but James got in for free because of the work he did the weekend before).
James enjoyed pizza in a place that had a girl floating in the window and posters from many of the past Abbott Get Togethers.
Towards the end of the event, a huge rainbow filled the sky over the magic village of Colon which just thrilled James.
The 2013 Abbott Get Together dates are Aug 7,8,9,10, this will be their 76th year doing this. We heard that some other magic shop was copying this event and putting it on a week earlier in Colon so make sure if you do attend that it is the Abbott Magic Get Together that you attend and not “the copycat” as James likes to call it.
We would truly like to thank the staff of Abbott Magic for their hospitality and kindness during this event. We all had a great time.
VIP Camp 2012
Well camping certainly has changed since I was a kid. There were no tents or mess halls at this camp which was held Mon thru Thurs for 5 weeks in the summer (July & Aug Months). Each week had a different theme and the kids got to not only go on road trips but also had interesting people come to them such as karate demo’s and ice skaters. Turns out James likes to skate so we plan on sending him to skating school in the winter. The complex has four rinks so if the weather outside was not appropriate they simply went inside to play their games. James made lots of friends and created some really nice craftwork. Our highest compliments to the staff for their fine work this summer.
James said he will miss his friends, hopefully some can attend his Halloween party (James posted a little flier he made promoting his party and inviting everyone, I do not know if anyone will remember since Halloween is currently 3 months away). James plans on attending next year and we cannot think of a better place for James to grow with his social skills than this summer camp.
James Swimming Pool Fun 2012
James has a blast with his inflatable pool in the backyard!
Summer Fun So Far In 2012
James has been counting the days till summer vacation begins and he has many things planned. He plans to relax when thinking about his plans though, that is his first plan.
For about the last two weeks we have had a heatwave across the midwest and USA, so James had to find a variety of ways to stay cool this summer. The following pictures were taken (in no particular order) at the Colon Park, Colon Moving Dock, Trenton Festival (after a visit to Aunt Peg in wyandotte hospital), and of course James own back yard and basement.
During the heatwave of 2012 we were very fortunate not to lose power or air conditioning capabilities (although I am a bit terrified of the huge electric bill we will get running the AC so hard).
Neighbor’s Graduation Party
Our neighbors had a graduation party for their son Eric and James and his family were invited. Dad saw many of his “little friends” (a nick name for friends who went to first grade together) and Sammy’s parents were there as well. Dad remembers when Eric was about two years old he was hitting whiffle balls over the fence at Swapka field. A very athletic kid for sure!
The party was awesome and everyone really enjoyed themselves. Dad said it was nice to have a few drinks and relax since the party was only two doors away.
We wish Eric the best and are sure he will be a success at whatever he decides to do.
