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” →

We had planned to get to Bronners to surprise James with a Titanic Christmas bulb which we saw in an ad. James also got a Statue of Liberty bulb and a free bulb for spending over $25.

We usually visit Bronners when its not Christmas time so the crowd was a little bigger than what we are used to, but everyone was still as friendly as ever and we had a great time. They have a giant Christmas telescope that you can look through that I thought was cool, and an elf fishing in a swimming pool which was colorful but I did not really understand the purpose. I think it was meant to be ice fishing but it looked more like a swimming pool to me.

The weather outside still had snow, so that made it a white Bronners visit which is something we don’t often do.

Continue reading “Christmas Trip To Bronners 2012” →

Once again we attended the Colon Christmas Celebration. James got plenty of treats as pretty much everywhere you went there were cookies, juice, cocoa, and even a chilli contest. Mary got to shop at the antique stores and James got to see Santa and also pet the live reindeer that were outside the library. Inside the library James got to pick out a free book – he chose a Madlib book. Outside the library James got to pet a couple live reindeer!

The elementary school had a craft show which included some awesome tasting snacks and some homemade Amish bread. A Santa parade went down mainstreet and there were carolers on the corners. A fun time was had by all.

Below is a demonstration of the virtual Santa that we got from Abbotts, it makes it look like Santa is really in your window.

Continue reading “Christmas at the Magic Capitol 2012” →

How quickly the year went by this year. James has been counting down for Christmas since, well, last Christmas and finally it came. James certainly was not disappointed as Santa, Relatives, and Friends really went all out for James (and a big thanks to you all). Mary made lots of fudge this year and everyone enjoyed it, although the calories were a little high but what the heck, its Christmas.

Again, we watched our “Traditional” Holiday movies – Dead End, Holiday Inn, The Ghosts who stole Christmas, and the Post Modern Promethius.

This year James does not have to go back to school until January 9th so its a good thing he has lots to do during this time. He will be attending a Birthday party after Jan 1 for his friend Jonathon and we are all looking forward to that.

Continue reading “Christmas 2011” →

James stayed up very late Christmas Eve waiting for Santa, finally falling asleep in the living room. The cats actually beat him to the punch when they surrounded their Christmas sock early christmas morning while James slept in. When he finally did wake up Christmas Day Santa had arrived and put many presents under the tree for James. Mom wore her “Bumble” slippers for the morning festivities (Bumble is the abominable snowman from Rudolph and a favorite of James). James decided to open and play with each toy rather than opening them all at once so he was still unwrapping gifts hours later, keeping Mom and Dad busy assembling toys and taking out the wrappings. Mom kept everyone happy with ham, casserole, and deviled eggs throughout the day and Jame’s was very happy with the gifts he received from everyone and we all wanted to take the time and thanks everyone for making this a very special Christmas!

Continue reading “Christmas 2010” →

James had a busy day Christmas Eve, he opened his first gift from Aunt Criss and Uncle Ken in the morning, then headed out for a brief roadtrip. The first stop was Aunt Peg’s house where we exchanged gifts. Aunt Peg’s visitor parking area was full so we had to park where we weren’t supposed to. James got $$$ from Aunt Peg and wanted markers so we stopped and let him have a little spending spree. After that we went to the China buffet for lunch, James was pretty good there, then we headed to Grandma’s (who parking lot also was full). Grandma also gave James $$$ to spend but he will have to wait till after Christmas for his second spending spree.

Continue reading “Christmas Eve 2010” →