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Easter 2005
James didn’t really understand his first Easter being about 7 months old, but he sure made up for lost time this year. James got wonderful Easter gifts from his Aunts and had a blast opening up his Easter basket.
We also finished work on the Halloween display, just in time for Easter (you have to be related to me to understand that I think).
The weather was nice so we let him run around a bit out back, he is walking and running real good, but the back yard is so unlevel he keeps falling down. We’ll get some quotes on leveling it out professionally since I doubt I could do a project that big.
Christmas 2004
James really got into the Elmo thing this year so we got him a couple of those Elmo dolls that dance and play. A white Christmas made the decorations out front look that much better. We really put a big effort into the outside decorations as we have the archway and Rudolph decorations. It should be noted at this time in his life Rudolph is James favorite movie and will watch it once a day (but no more than once a day).
We had a chance this holiday season to visit both Canterbury Village (where he got to ride on the carousel with dad) and Bronners so we did not let the weather hold us back from showing James a good time this Christmas. Thanks again to all the relatives for the gifts that they sent James this year.
Bronners Frankenmuth 2004
There is no better way to get into the Christmas Spirit (assuming you even need to) than to visit Bronners in Frankenmuth MI. As soon as you enter the parking lot it is Christmas, even if you come here in July. The atmosphere is one of Christmas fun and the place is known world wide as the largest Christmas store on earth.
Bronners is one of those places you go to for hard to find items. If you have a little nook and cranny and are looking for just the right thing to put there, Bronners will have it and probably will have multiple versions of it. We have gotten Christmas items with the Detroit sport teams on them just to show the versatility of the place. In fact they are known for their personalized bulbs while you wait (takes only a minute or so if there is no line and if there is a line it goes fast because it only takes a minute or so).
James enjoyed himself this visit and got out of his stroller and walked around on his own. Our only concern with him walking around is that he might get stampeded by larger people but on this day there is an open area he (and us) feel comfortable.
Canterbury Village 2004
If you are looking for a true fairyland for small kids I don’t think you can beat Canterbury Village and the Christmas stores that they have here (in addition to the carousel of course). The animatronics come to life and perform a short story for the shoppers, James just loved it.
Halloween 2004
A year ago James was only about a month old at Halloween time so needless to say he did not do much trick or treating.
This year was a different story as James got to go trick or treating for the first time. Amazing really, the kid has only been walking for a little bit and now he’s out trick or treating. He went as Spiderman and seems to enjoy spiderman products and toys. Guess some things never go out of style, I remember reading those comic books when I was a kid and even my mother kept up with Spidey in the local comic strips. A good choice for sure james, you can’t go wrong with a classic.
Halloween Train Display 2004
We used to put trains up at Christmas time but I think I am the first to make a Halloween train set. We keep this up year round now because no one plays pool and its on the pool table. We hope to build cabinets around the display to at least make it somewhat practical.
We used to do a Christmas village but I think the Halloween one is better because not alot of people are doing it. Should be fun for James when he is older as well. The train operates like any of the standard houses and the houses are the same ceramic ones you will find in Christmas villages. Being Halloween is the only difference.
Cedar Point Halloweekends 2004
This was James first visit to Cedar Point and he had a blast playing on swings and such. Most of the rides were far beyond that of a ten month old kid, but he enjoyed himself and loved the atmosphere.
They had their Halloween faces on this time of year, more skeletons and pumpkins than I have ever seen in one place.
I especially liked the graveyard of rides where they had tombstones for old rides that have since been replaced at Cedar Point. One of them was the pirate ride which was a favorite of my family.
Niagara Falls 2004
We visited Niagara Falls for a week in late September and got a great room with a super view. As a child we used to go to Niagara Falls all the time, it was about the same distance away as Mackinaw and there were train tours that left from Windsor so we only had to drive across the border. However since 911 the borders have gotten alot stricter which means long lines and waiting periods. Probably will never go back to the way it was but it certainly affects where you want to vacation.
Anyhow highlights of this trip are the falls, we visited both the American side and the Canadian side, although we stayed on the Canadian side. In addition, Mary rode a trolley car over a whirlpool while James and I watched. Had to be a thrill for Mary though.
Niagara Movieland Museum 2004
I remember as a child visiting a wax museum while visiting at Niagara Falls. At that time, there was no Clifton Hill or if there was it was a normal looking area. But as a child the wax museum really fascinated me with its 3d representation of history such as Marie Antionette and movies such as the African Queen. I do not know if this is the same place, or if it evolved into this place, but I really enjoyed going through this museum and all the movies and television shows that were represented here.
They have all the great ones, Wizard of Oz, Indiana Jones, Blues Brothers, and a slew of horror movies. A worthwhile visit for sure.
Niagara Ripley Believe It Or Not Museum 2004
This is one of those tourist traps in Cliton Hills but if it is half as good on the inside as it looks on the outside it has to be great. The outside is a building that has been tipped over by King Kong who is standing on what used to be the top of the fallen building and shaking his fist triumphantly in the air. How can mere mortals resist something like this.
The inside was legit and fun, perhaps the thing that I liked best is when you come out of one of the exhibits and there is a couple taking a picture and your first instinct is to step back and let them take the picture. After a few seconds you realize that they are very realistic mannequins and you have just been “gotcha’d” by the good people at Ripley.
A fun place, but isn’t everything on Clifton Hill?
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