Mothers Day 2011

This year Mothers Day was a little different than usual. First, we did not travel to our usual Chinese restaurant in Flat Rock, but went to our normal Chinese restaurant in Taylor with Aunt Peg. Aunt Peg joined us on our trip to Michigan Memorial Cemetery where we placed flowers on all the graves. On the way home Aunt Peg wanted to get some things from the store so we dropped her off and took James to the park for a few minutes while Aunt Peg shopped. We picked Aunt Peg up and took her home and had a great day. The weather was perfect (however the two weeks before was all rain and the two weeks after would be all rain).

Grandma is still recovering from her broken leg and arm so she did not make the trek with us, however the next day we surprised her with a McDonalds breakfast.

A different Mothers day but just as fun as the ones in the past.
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Edited: May 29th, 2011

Mackinaw Island Cemetery 2010

There are 3 main cemeteries on Mackinaw Island and each year we visited all three since they are right next to each other. There is a Protestant cemetery, a Catholic cemetery, and a Military Cemetery. Each has its own atmosphere with burial sites dating back well over a century ago (1835 is the oldest we found). To be buried on the island you need to either have been born there or own property there.

One fascinating bit of history is the Military Post Cemetery. It is one of only 5 locations where the American flag is flown at half mast every day. The other 4 places you may have heard about, they are Arlington, Pearl Harbor, Gettysburg, and Normundy France.

A bit creepy we admit, but an annual stop on our visit to Mackinaw Island State Park.
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Edited: September 3rd, 2010

Mackinaw Island 2009

James was very good for this trip, and he still likes to ride in the wagon for much of the journey through the state park. This is actually our second wagon, the first was a gift from Criss and wore out because it was used so much. Now that he’s older he doesn’t need the wagon as much, but still takes advantage of it, especially on steep slopes upward.

All in all James did great this visit, he is beginning to get familiar with the surroundings now and is building on past trips to Mackinaw. Since we live in the suburbs, it is difficult to have strolls in the wood that last for hours like we can at Mackinaw Island.
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Edited: July 18th, 2009

Mackinaw Island 2008

James made it around the entire island this year at Mackinaw State Park. No automobiles are allowed on the island, but they do have an interstate that shows up on maps. Our routine is pretty well set, we visit the State Park early in the morning, go to Skull Cave, then to the 3 cemeteries which are older and creepier than anywhere else. We then visit either Arch Rock or the Turtle park, sometimes we visit both, depending on the weather and how tired we are. The two are in opposite directions from the graveyards.
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Edited: May 22nd, 2008

Mackinaw Island 2007

Another trip to Mackinaw and a walk through the Mackinaw State Park with highlights like the Skull Cave, the old cemetery’s, and Arch Rock. We usually finish up with the state park by noon then go through the city which has many tourist attractions including a haunted house and magic shop. Mary and I spent our honeymoon here so it always has a special meaning for us. This year we found a plaque from the movie Somewhere in Time starring Christopher Reeve. The movie was filmed on Mackinaw Island at the Grand Hotel so if you want to see more of Mackinaw Island, rent the movie.
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Edited: May 24th, 2007

Landis Graves

Pictures of Landis graves which are in College Grove Tennessee, we visited this site twice, both times with Jame’s grandfather in the car with us. Mary’s Grandparents, Aunt , and brother are buried there and it has been the family plot for decades. The town is about 40 minutes outside of Nashville and has a small mainstreet with a flower shop that was closed when we came in. The family used to live out this way which is why they have the plots.
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Edited: May 30th, 2004

Kleiber Graves

Photos of the Kleiber Graves at Memorial cemetery in Michigan. Kleibers, Grafs, and Dunbergers are buried here in various parts of the cemetery. James enjoys handling the water detail and as we put flowers in all the vases, James comes by and fills then up with water. We usually visit the cemetery on Memorial Day and Mothers Day (depending on weather). In fact, our Mothers day tradition is going to a Chinese restaurant not far the cemetery, good weather or bad.
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Edited: May 30th, 2004