Monday, July 31, 2006

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.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

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.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

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.

Saturday, July 1, 2006

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.