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.

Continue reading “Christmas 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.

Continue reading “Santa’s Magical Forest 2014” →

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!

Continue reading “Christmas 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.

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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.

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Mom tells the tale of “One Magical Christmas” which tells how a small town in Michigan reacted to the 1941 attack. Based of facts that she researched from that time period.

A cool spring day presented the perfect opportunity for a trip to Frankenmuth and a visit to Bronners. James went shopping at Bronners and bought a couple Easter lights that were on sale (after Easter sale).

James and his family then had a chicken dinner at a pretty crowded Bavarian Inn (We did not expect it to be crowded because it was still pretty cold out, but I think lots of family’s were like us and just said “enough” to winter). For those of you who have never tried Zenders or Bavarian Inn chicken dinners you have to put it on your bucket list. This is a popular tourist attraction on Sundays just for the chicken dinners, several of my friends in Canada make the trek once or twice a year – its that good that people actually go through the hassle of customs to get some of the Frankenmuth Bavarian Chicken dinners

We then shopped at their outdoor mall where Mary got to visit the cupcake shop that won a reality show contest (cupcake wars). On the way home we got to listen to the Tigers win over the Yankees so it was a good day all around.

Continue reading “Bronners in Spring 2013” →

James began celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve as we went to breakfast with Grandma then everyone visited Aunt Peg who is scheduled to leave the rehab center January 3rd. Upon returning home James was allowed to open one gift and it was Battle Ship from Criss and Kenny.

Christmas Day Idgie was the first up looking for gifts, then Mom, and finally a tired James made his way to the Christmas gift opening. Lots of good educational toys for James this year. Mom, Dad, and Idgie got gifts from James as well. We then sat down to Christmas lunch and watched the final season of Smallville while James played with every gift he got. The snow came down pretty hard and we had a definite white Christmas this year.

James went out after Christmas to spend some of his Christmas money on Angry Bird stuff.

Continue reading “Christmas 2012” →

Aunt Peg was in a rehabilitation center because of her legs and did not make it home in time for Christmas, however we were able to visit her Christmas Eve and exchange gifts with her.

We all felt bad that she would not be coming home till after the New Year (We just got the news she would not be home for Christmas or New Years a couple days back) but we want her healthy and this is the best way for her to get healthy. They hope to release her the first week in January, but that is tentative and depends on how well she does in her therapy.

Peg and James have a little message for everyone this holiday season. Check out the video below!

A trip to Frankenmuth in December is special, especially as the sun sets and all the Christmas lights turn on. We usually make this visit anytime but Christmas but we felt that we had to visit both Frankenmuth and Bronners at Christmas time (Actually Christmas Eve Eve Eve to be exact).

Meanwhile Mary got to visit a cupcake bakery that she had seen on Cupcake Wars (a reality series on cable). Seems this bakery in Frankenmuth came in first place so we bought some cupcakes while we were there and ate them on the way home.

As the sun began to set the Christmas lights came on in the city and it was a gorgeous spectacle. We drove through the town and across the covered bridge then headed home for the evening.

Continue reading “Christmas Visit At Frankenmuth 2012” →