Recent Posts
What Happened to the Breakfast of Champions 2009
Mary found this cereal at the store and immediately bought it so we could have fun with it at another one of our sites, Curse of Bobby Layne. We got James to pose with the box of cereal (we didn’t actually give him any to eat, we were afraid he might start losing things the way the Lions lose games) with a curious look on his face and posted it on the website. We thought some of you might be curious what we do as a family on those cold wintry days in Detroit. We also decorated on of our Halloween skeletons as a vendor at Ford field when the Lions blacked out their game right before Christmas because no one was showing up at the stadium.
James is a big football fan and we play almost every Sunday. If we go outside he likes to kick field goals and if we play inside we use the nerf ball. However the Lions have been so bad that he has no idea of what a winning football team is like and its hard to get him interested in the Lions, but he does like the game of football.
James Grandma Moves To Michigan 2009
James Dad flew out to Nashville to help Grandma move to Michigan. Grandma hired a company to pack her things and they loaded up a rental truck and drove them up to Michigan. They rented the truck in Nashville but fortunately could return it in Michigan.
It did not take long to unload the truck into Grandma’s new place called the “Garden City Tower” and we helped get Grandma settled into her new home.
There are many activities at Garden City Tower as they have a library and a computer room plus Grandma has an outdoor balcony where she can plant a garden if she wants or fly a flag. She has a great view from the balcony since she is on the tenth floor.
Welcome to Michigan Grandma.
Halloween 2009
Peg came over to hand out candy while James went trick or treating with his parents. James was able to help put up some of the decorations this year. This was an extremely windy day so we did not put up all the inflatables, but it was still a respectable display of terror we think.
James Trick of Treated all the way down to Syracuse street so he should have enough candy to last a long long time. I think everyone was chilled to the bone when we got home, thanks go out to Peg for handing out the treats.
There were huge Halloween decorations out, animatronics and everything. We really planned on taking pictures of the homes similar to what we did in 2006 but just never got around to doing it. Many of the homes (including ours) do not put up all the decorations until Halloween day so the time to do it would be during the day when we are putting up decorations as well. Maybe we can work something out for next year.
Abbotts Magic Get Together 2009
The Abbott Magic Get Together has been going on for over 70 years. Located in Colon MI, the Magic Capital of the World, James spent a couple days about town watching the magic. Before we left, James drew us a map of the street complete with addresses so we would know where to come back to.
For the last couple years I have been doing the Abbott Magic website and a string of other magic oriented sites. They are alot of fun and keep me busy during my free time. James helps with some of the picture taking, I’m sure he’ll do more when he gets a little older. Right now he enjoys the beach the most when we visit Colon, AKA “The Magic Capital of the World”. If you would like to see more from this event be sure to visit magicgettogether.com
Nashville Tennessee 2009
Mary, James, and I visited Tennessee to see how everyone was doing. It takes us about 9 or 10 hours to get here but its a nice drive, lots of landmarks along the way help pass the time, as well as James wanting to stop at almost every tourist trap he sees.
The photos were taken at the West Meade nursing home where James Grandfather Howard, resides. The folks who run this nursing home are great and the deserve all the praise we can give them. I also got to visit my cousin who is in the same nursing home, she is doing very well. What an incredible coincidence that a member from each side of our little family would end up in the same nursing home. It is indeed a small world after all.
Sea Shell City 2009
We always stop at Sea Shell City on the way home from Mackinaw. Its about 10 minutes south of Mackinaw and James loves to play pirate on the boat out front. This gives Mary a perfect chance to shop in peace since I am usually with James while he plays on the boat. I think thats why so many of our funny t-shirts have comes from here.
Its always on the way home that we stop at Sea Shell City, it makes the end of vacation a little easier having this to look forward to. It also usually gives us one more chance to buy that perfect souvenir of our vacation, as if the car full of bags of souvenirs and “stuff” is not enough.
Mackinaw Island State Park 2009
James was very good for this trip, and he still likes to ride in the wagon for much of the journey through the state park. This is actually our second wagon, the first was a gift from Criss and wore out because it was used so much. Now that he’s older he doesn’t need the wagon as much, but still takes advantage of it, especially on steep slopes upward.
All in all James did great this visit, he is beginning to get familiar with the surroundings now and is building on past trips to Mackinaw. Since we live in the suburbs, it is difficult to have strolls in the wood that last for hours like we can at Mackinaw Island.
Magic Capitol 4th of July Parade 2009
Our annual trek to Colon Michigan for the 4th of July Parade came about, and once again James had a blast. We did not take as many pics this time so we could enjoy the fun. It was not as hot as last year but still quite warm, plenty of water was distributed to the spectators lining the street before and during the Parade.
James certainly loves the parade but probably the highlight of his day (just like last year) came at the dunk tank. James just had a blast throwing balls at the guy in the dunk tank, and when he fell into the water he would laugh and laugh. I was so entertained by the event I did not even think about getting out the camera, oh well. Needless to say, a fun time was had by all including the parents.
If you ever are looking for something different to do on the 4th, give the little town of Colon Michigan a try.
Remembering Mike Kleiber 1954 – 2009
We lost Mike Kleiber this year, Uncle Don’s oldest son. Mike was born April 16, 1954 and most of my recollection of him was Christmas Eve and Grandma and Grandpa Kleibers. I remember my sister always teasing him about the length of his hair during those days. Mike was a longtime employee of Detroit Edison. I had a chance to meet Mikes kids (Jason & Scott) at the funeral and they are great and fun to be around, just like Mike was. Mike was buried at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery.
The flash presentation below is courtesy of Martenson Funeral Home, who also buried Aunt Louise, Cousin Mark, and my father, Charles T. I guess if our family had an official family funeral home, they would be it. They come highly recommended to all who view this page.
James Promoted to First Grade 2009
It was a very tough school year for James but he hung in there and completed his work and passed Kindergarten and will be in the first grade next year at Hoover Elementary.
Congratulations James!
