December 24, 2006: Thomas Family Christmas

My Grandfather was now living at Dayspring Assisted Living, as he could no longer live on his own at his home at 1370 West Giles Rd.       He got excellent care at Dayspring.   We exchanged our Christmas presents at Dayspring with Grandpa this year. 

November 30, 2006: Maggie's 3rd Birthday

It's that time of year again for a doggie birthday party.  I think this one was the best yet.   I got doggie ice cream for the dogs for dessert.    I got pizza and drinks for humans.   I made cupcakes and put little dog decorations on top.  I had fruit and chocolate fondue for the humans for dessert.  

Brittanie helped me decorate the apartment for the party.  She did a wonderful job. 

We invited my Grandpa Thomas to come to the party.    My friend, Tawana Pimpleton, whom I worked with at JCPenney on the straightening team, came with her kids.  Chrisie Workman, Kathryn, Kenny, Jim, Melanie, Julie, Scotty, and Brittanie came to the party. 

I came up with some new games.   The first one was the fastest dog dresser.  The second game was the best human dog barker.  The third game was the best dog kisser.   My friends made me kiss all the dogs, which was so funny. Kathryn, and Kenny's dog, Lacie, won that contest.      Finally, the last game was for humans to put a bowl on their head and see how many dog kibbles they could get in the bowl in 1 minute.   

Maggie got some beautiful birthday gifts, too.     She got a pearl necklace, chew toys, etc.   I gave the dogs a goodie bag to take home with them.        

September 2006: Mall of America & Door County

I played a game on the radio station, 107 WMUS and ended up winning 2 first class tickets on the Lake Express, as well as a spot for our car on the ferry and a $50 gift card.   We decided we would take the cross lake ferry to Milwaukee and then drive to the Mall of America in Minnesota.   It was nice to go back to the big mall, as we hadn't been there since 1993.     For my birthday, my mom got me this caricature portrait done in the Mall of America.  It was darling.   It was a picture of me walking Maggie in front of the Eiffel Tower.    It was the best gift for me.

Then, we drove to Door County, Wisconsin, as I had heard from my Aunt Charlene and Beulah how beautiful it was there.   

The first night in Door County, we stayed in Sturgeon Bay.   We went to Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Sister Bay, and Whitefish Bay. They were all beautiful places.       We dined at this Swedish restaurant called Al Johnsons, where they had grass and goats on the roof.     We also ate at this train restaurant called PC Junction, where the train goes around the bar and delivers your drinks and food.      

On our drive home, we stopped in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the Green Bay Packer stadium and took a behind-the-scenes tour.    I am so thankful for winning those wonderful tickets, so we could take this trip.   

July 31, 2006: Mom's 60th Birthday with Elvis

I decided that I wanted to do something special for my mom's 60th birthday, so I talked to my Aunt Charlene.  She suggested this Elvis impersonator from Grand Rapids, so she booked him for my mom's surprise birthday party.     We had the party at Sam's Joint in Coopersville.    My mom knew we were having a family dinner with Steve, Charlene, Kelsey, Matt, Devon, and Emma, but had no idea that we also invited her friends, Judy and George Zubrickas, as well as Bob and Becky Dykema.

My mom was so surprised when she got to the restaurant.  The Elvis impersonator was so funny.    Elvis sang to her, too.      It was so nice to see her so happy on her birthday. I will never forget that birthday.

July 30, 2006: Maggie in Grand Haven

The Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven usually occurs the last weekend in July.   I bought Maggie a cute sailor outfit and wanted her to wear it around Grand Haven.    We walked along the pier and I took some pictures of Maggie.   She was so cute in her pictures.     It was in the 80s, so I am sure it was hot for her to wear clothes, but she kept them on long enough for her photo shoot.

July 2006: Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City

I started Weight Watchers in March 2006.  My mom said if I got off my weight, she would pay for my vacation to Canada in the summer, so I worked really hard at getting my weight off. I lost about 25 pounds before the trip which was very good.      

We took an Orchard View trip to Canada.    I hadn't been to Toronto since 1985.    We got to sit in the back of the bus where they had four seats facing each other with a table in the middle. It was great for playing cards and games on the computer.     We met a nice couple from Zeeland on this trip.  They sat across from us and also had the 4 seats and table.        Their names were Jim and Marty Zylstra.       We played cards with them during the trip and enjoyed each other's company.    There was another couple who sat behind us who were very nice, too.   Their names were Frank & Christine Lanovich.  They lived in a condo at Stillwater Springs in Fruitport. They were originally from a suburb of Detroit.  She retired from Ford Motor Company.

Our first stop on the trip was to Casa Loma, which is near Toronto.     We went there in 1985, but I had forgotten some of it, so it was nice to go back.        Then, we went to Montreal and then to Quebec City.  I really liked Quebec City, as it was so quaint and had the French flavor.     We had a nice lunch at a cafe in Quebec.   We enjoyed our chocolate fondue for dessert.      

We had a great time on this vacation.

July 2006: Frankenmueth and Elvis Impersonator

My Mom and I drove to Frankenmueth for the day to meet with her friends, MaryAnne and Nandor.  We had a chicken dinner and then went to see the Elvis impersonator.  In fact, this guy claims to be the son of Elvis. There is a website all about the DNA testing proving he is the son.  He sounded just like Elvis. 

June 15, 2006: Girls Weekend in Chicago

Beth, Bekky, Gracie, Brittanie, and I drove to the suburbs of Chicago and took the Metra train into the city, so the girls could experience the train ride.      We stayed at a hotel near the Chicago River in downtown Chicago.    We went shopping at the American Girl store, Marshall Fields, Navy Pier, had a meal at Ed Debeviks, and went on the Sky Deck tour of the Sears Tower.   We met up with my friends, Crystal and Ceylon at Bubba Gumps at Navy Pier and had dinner.   Brittanie loved hanging out with Bekky and Gracie.