Tag: Christmas
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.
Christmas 2014
James and family had a simply awesome Christmas Holiday. James visited both Grandma and Aunt Peg (who both gave him gifts), then got a special delivery from JC Penny from his Aunt Criss and Uncle Ken and this was just Christmas eve. That night we continued our tradition of watching movies on Christmas Eve and Christmas, our number one Christmas movie is “Dead End” (a spooky story about a family driving on Christmas eve to celebrate Christmas with their family). Next is Holiday Inn (not White Christmas), after that comes our two X File shows, Post Modern Prometheus (Moms Choice) and The Ghosts who Stole Christmas (Dads Choice), finally rounded out with Mothman Prophecies.
Christmas Day centered around James and his desk. He had been ordering desk items with his Christmas money and gift certs from Grandma, Aunt Peg, and Aunt Criss/Uncle Ken and was not disappointed when he woke up with a new desk in his room. His friend “Dynamike” got him a printer and sims game so it was probably not the best kept secret that he was getting a new desk, but still a surprise.
Other gifts include a Monopoly game, National Geographics (James collects these), bathrobe, and a cd rom set with all the National Geographics on it. Mom got a new vacuum and Dad got a “Barnyard Butcher” and Detroit Lion Zombie figure. All in all a very fun Christmas.
Santa’s Magical Forest 2014
James returned to Santa’s Magic Forest for the second year now and got to meet up with several of his VIP camp friends. This was one of the few times we were able to surprise James as he had no idea where he was going a 6pm this night (James was under the weather the past two days and we wanted to make sure he was ok before taking him which aided in us keeping it a secret). Unfortunately Mom is now under the weather and she could not make it to the festivities. The decorations were awesome as usual and James simply had a blast this day (I would say winter blast but the temperature was in the low 50’s and high 40’s most of the day). Big thanks to the VIP campers for making this event happen.
Christmas 2013
This was a different but wonderful holiday season for us. Everything from hospital visits to humane society adoptions went on this year. During Christmas Day James kept busy playing with his gifts while Mom and Dad watched one of her gifts, the first season of “Nashville”. Dad pointed out that one of the stars (the character called Juliet Barnes) was in one of his favorite sports movies, “Remember the Titans” as a child.
Couple notes of interest. James had time (and enough snow) to build a pretty decent pirate snowman. The weather has been wonderful for Christmas, but I hope the snow stops soon as it is starting to pile up. Its very very cold as well. Looks like this might be a rough winter but who knows. We are only a week or so into the winter season.
Thanks to all the family for the gifts, cards, candy, kind thoughts, and well wishes. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Christmas Kittens 2013
The big gift this year was two kittens coming into the Kleiber family. They arrived on Christmas Eve and in the pictures you can see the traveling box that we brought them home in. They were born on Oct 26 of this year (Halloween time) and the Humane Society people named them Charm and Luna. Mary and James renamed them Karmin (James pick for Charm) and Thelma (Mom’s pick for Luna).
We left most of the indoor Christmas lights off because the new kittens had a tendency to climb in the tree and we did not want them to get a shock. Both kittens were spaded but one (Karmin) kept scratching and licking her stitches so the vet prescribe one of those cones to stop her. Problem was the kitten was too small for even their smallest cone so they made one out of a paper plate.
Thanks to all the family for the gifts, cards, candy, kind thoughts, and well wishes.
Santa’s Magical Forest 2013
James and his family visited Santa’s Magic Forest at Taylor’s Heritage park and he caught up with several of his friends from summer VIP camp. Talking to the people who put this on they explained some of the decorations are from the old Hudson’s Christmas display that many adults remember fondly. It is all volunteer work (20 some setup days, 20 some people and 486 man hours) and the money raised helps several local food pantries.
James had a blast not only seeing friends he had not seen since summer but also with the elaborate animatronic displays and even a visit to ol St Nick. Big thanks to our friends at VIP camp for putting this event together. For more information about this event you can see the flyer, they are open till Dec 22nd this year.
