Tag: Christmas
Santa’s Magical Forest 2017
Hard to believe its been a year since we last visited this wonderful Christmas display at Heritage park in Taylor. The weather was a balmy 18 degrees and their was about 4 inches of snow on the ground, so the stage was set for a very memorable Christmas visit. James got to see his friends from VIP camp (although one was absent who we all missed, Jame’s friend Sammy who he had known since Hoover Elementary, passed away unexpectedly in late November).
Plymouth Christmas Tree Festival 2017
Plymouth is a fun place to be year round, but it has several reasons for making a winter trek out that way. Not only do they do the ice sculpture in January, but they have the Walk of Trees Festival in December! Tree’s are decorated for the holidays by various persons and company’s and they line the walk way of Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth. James and his family visited there this day (the trees are constantly lit so if you have a dreary cloudy day they will surely brighten up your day) and had a blast visiting the shops and seeing the trees. James got a miniature Eiffel tower for his French class, Mom got chocolate covered potato chips, and Dad got a realistic battery operated candle that works for both Christmas and Halloween.
After leaving Plymouth we stopped off at one of Mom’s favorite shops, the Town Peddler where James had his picture taken in their new photo op area. To top off the day’s activities we stopped in to see how Aunt Peg was doing. All and all a very active and fun day, although it was a little cold outside in the park.
Hines Drive Christmas Lightfest 2017
Its been awhile since we went to the light fest at Hines Park, but on this day the conditions were perfect. 1st you need a while blanket of snow but 2nd, it has to be no more than an inch or two or the drive to becomes difficult. This day was perfect and was confirmed by the thousands of cars we saw going through. James had a blast and really enjoyed the “time tunnel” concept which dropped us off in a prehistoric time of dinosaurs. Mom and Dad enjoyed the Santa training center where reindeers are trained to fly by running up a ramp, jumping, and coming down softly in a parachute. Everyone enjoyed seeing the life size bumble putting the star on the tree. The Hines Park Light fest features more than 47 giant animated displays and more than one million lights; it is the Midwest’s largest and longest light show. The complete Light fest route is over four miles of Hines Drive.
Christmas 2016
We truly enjoyed a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year, it began with breakfast at Cracker Barrel on Christmas Eve and a trip to Aunt Pegs (Richard was visiting). James opened a present early and we began watching our traditional show which included the movies “Dead End” and “Mothman Prophecy”, and the Xfiles “Post Modern Promethius” & “Ghost Who Stole Christmas”, which created the perfect “ghostly” atmosphere for Christmas eve.
Christmas day James was up before the sun to open his gifts, lots of new clothes and electronic items for the most part. James now has a cell phone and number, which should make the upcoming year interesting for sure. James would like to thank those who sent him money and gift certificates including Aunt Criss, Aunt Peg, and Grandma. James bought Michigan football products, 3 Journals, and rolls of quarters with his proceeds.
Santas Magical Forest 2016
VIP Camp teams up with the city of Taylor for this annual event, and best of all James gets to see some of the VIP Instructors and Campers again, some of them for the first time since August. As usual the staff outdid themselves with another awesome display, some of it Dad might have seen as a child at the old Hudson store in Detroit.
In addition to visiting with friends, James got to sit down with Jolly ol St Nick himself and gave him a list of items he wanted, most being study books for school.
All in all a wonderful day on a cold December night in Michigan, it just doesn’t get any better than this. Big congrats to VIP camp for setting up this marvelous free event for the kids.
Christmas Shopping With James
This weekend James wanted to go out Christmas shopping and he did a pretty good job. After picking up gifts for most of his friends and family at K Mart, Walmart, and Westland mall, we then went to JC Penny in Southland mall where he bought some things for himself with his Birthday money and Birthday gift certificates. James had a blast and had most of the items picked out before going into the store (thank you online shopping).
James is very thrifty when it comes to spending his Birthday money and often it take till January or February for him to spend it so for James Christmas came a little bit early this year.
Christmas 2015
Finally it came and James was not disappointed, getting up at 7am to start opening his gifts. James got several coin collections, a new TV, and lots of checks and gifts certificates in the mail (and in person) from family members. Mom got a new coffee maker that works with little pods so she can make her own coffee rather than having to drive to McDonalds. Dad got a new wardrobe for home and work. Mom mad a special type of French toast for Breakfast and by the time 9am came along everyone was pretty much tired out.
This will for sure go down as one of the warmest Christmas season’s as the temperature has been awesome all month. Several high temps were challenged or exceeded this month.
Christmas Eve at Grandmas 2015
James made a visit to Grandma’s house Christmas Eve and had a blast.
Grandma’s place was very well decorated (as always) for the Holidays (both on the inside and outside as shown in the pictures). Grandma is going to make James a scarf and took measurements which made James happy since he cannot find his scarf Grandma made and was upset he lost it (we think he left it at school one day).
James and Grandma exchanged gifts (James bought all his gifts on the same day about a week ago through a trip set up with his school so no one really knew what gifts James had purchased till they were opened) and afterwards James wanted to go to the bank and get some coins for his coin collection. Dad wasn’t sure they were open but we stopped anyhow and the drive thru teller was very helpful to James and getting him some good “state” quarters. Just a real nice (and warm) Christmas eve.
Christmas Eve Eve at Aunt Pegs 2015
Another unseasonably warm day (no one is complaining) and James visited Aunt Peg to exchange gifts with her (James did all his Christmas shopping and wrapping at school so no one knew anything about what gifts he was exchanging). Aunt Pegs place had a real nice Christmas display set up outside (as shown in the pictures). Richard was visiting Peg for the Holidays and James had some pizza while visiting. All in all an excellent time on a warm Christmas Eve Eve.
Santa’s Magical Forest 2015
Once again James got to meet up with friends from his summer VIP camp and enjoyed the animatronics at Taylors Heritage Park Activity Building. The Magic Forest is every weekend from Nov 28th through December 22nd and admission is only $3 (all proceeds benefit Fish and Loaves Community Food Pantry). Many of the animatronics are from the old Hudson display in downtown Detroit and others were donated by collectors and such. Of course Santa was there which made the visit complete.
