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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!
Mothers Day Caring For The Graves 2009
Photos of the Kleiber Graves at Memorial cemetery in Michigan. Kleibers, Grafs, and Dunbergers are buried here in various parts of the cemetery.
James enjoys handling the water detail and as we put flowers in all the vases, James comes by and fills then up with water.
We usually visit the cemetery on Memorial Day and Mothers Day (depending on weather). In fact, our Mothers day tradition is going to a Chinese restaurant not far the cemetery, good weather or bad. We do postpone the cemetery flowers if the weather is bad on mothers day and then make it up on Memorial day.
The weather was great and the graves look pretty good for Mothers day.
Fathers Day Surprise 2009
What a surprise I had today, James came home and had several crafts that he had made for Fathers day. There was a key holder, and pictures of him making the key holder out of wood. What a surprise. James showed us the card he made as well, it had a picture of him holding a happy Fathers day sign.
Thanks James
Greenfield Village 2009
Thomas the train came to Greenfield village for a day and boy did James have fun getting to ride on Thomas. Tickets for this event had to be purchased weeks in advance despite having a subscription to the Henry Ford. The train actually looked exactly like Thomas does.
For those who do not know Thomas, its a kids show based on trains at a train station and was narrated by the late George Carlin (yes, the same guy who gave us 7 words you cannot say on TV doing a kids show, and to be honest he was pretty good at it). Its not really a cartoon, more like stop motion animation.
While riding the train is never a disappointment and James loved his ride, you really can’t tell that you are on a Thomas train. You really need to be outside to see Thomas’ face and eyes move. James was happy and that is all that counts.
Greenfield Village Magic Show 2009
James got to see a magic show at Greenfield village, he’s in Colon MI alot (the magic capital of the world) so its not unusual for James to watch a magic trick. This was the same day that Thomas was in town so needless to say it was a very big day for James.
The magician was great and floated a spectator at the end (or suspended the spectator if thats a better way of saying it). James sat through the whole thing and this was on a day when Thomas the Train was circling the park so you know it had to be good to keep any kids attention.
We will be riding Thomas later in the day, you have to schedule your time in advance.
