Christmas time at the Kalahari Resort

First we had to decorate the house before we left, and Joey wrote a letter to everyone in the family, and one to Santa.

And then we made paper Angels. I'll let you see if you can decide which one Diane made and which one Joey made. Our fire mantle decorated with stockings handmade by Grandma Mirci.

We were lucky enough to share some of the holiday fun at Kalahari Sandusky Resort with our friends the Sorensens. Here's Santa at Kalahari! Us in our PJ's at story time.

Dax chowing down on a candy cane still in the wrapper.

Here we are in front of the water park area. Yes, Diane posed in her swimming suit. We needed a family picture for our Christmas tree. I like it.

For those of you who aren't lucky enough to have one of these fancy family resorts by you, they are basically a huge indoor water park, a bunch of restaurants, shopping, with built in Chuck-E-Cheeses', Build a Bear, and pottery painting just to mention a few.

Pigs in a Blanket at a Buffet!!

Abby sitting pretty.

Daddy stealing a kiss while she still lets him.

Abby, Joey and Dax watching the gingerbread house being built.

The Mirci 5.

Joey's favorite game at the Arcade. Bowling.

This is what a Ticket Jackpot Face looks like! And the 1st thing he wanted to get with his tickets you ask?...a Stuffed Shrek Baby for his brother! How sweet! He was soooo excited! Me too.

And they are...out. That is untill 6am the next morning.

A Christmas Story

Cleveland. Many great cities have wonderful things to be proud of. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, London has Buckingham Palace, Cairo, the Pyramids. New York City, the Empire State Building. And then there is Cleveland....AND THE CHRISTMAS STORY HOUSE!

As of 2005, that is, Cleveland has discovered their "Gem" They had no idea this gem was here, nore did they even care until now. And they couldn't be more proud. Over 40,000 visitors in just a year. Us included.

Just a few of the fantastic views of the neighborhood where this "Gem" of a landmark is located.

In the middle is a shot of JJ's personal fav. in the neighborhood, aka "the hood". Notice the locals minding their own business in their front yards.

First on the left we have us pulling up to a parking spot a few blocks away. Then the lovely house (humm...they must be remodeling)we had to lock our doors in front of. Below we have Joey crying, "I don't want to get out of the car, this place is scary".

Then we arrive at the Museum, that actually doesn't have any movie props, just newspaper clippings, and 1940's era reproductions. This is where you buy your tickets to tour "A Christmas Story House".

Actually this was the mail box used in the movie, and the boys peeking back at the shed.

Joey getting curious.

Outside we wait for our tour. During this tour we learn many interesting things. The writer of the low budget film also wrote for something called Playboy??? And that they were only filming scenes for the movie on the OUT SIDE. The rest was done in a studio up in Canada. They picked this particular home because it and it's neighborhood looked like a real "typical American home". What a complement.

Here is a Picture of the cast, a reproduction of the bathroom, and us with a "Leg Lamp".

This is a car that was just like the one in the now famous movie.

Our first trip to Niagra Falls!

We decided to take an early leave one day, and head to where everyone goes

Niagra Falls, NY.

It's just a little snow.

These snowy bushes look kinda cool.

Hummmm...I didn't know Ohio was wine country?

But, by the time we hit New York.....we decided to turn around.

Maybe we can try it again in the spring, when we don't have to drive 25mph

on the Highway in a blizzard.

Lola's Blessing Day

Here she is. Our little Angel. She is wearing the dress that her mommy was blessed in 20 something years ago. And the knitted blanket she lays on was made for my children by my fathers mother, Great-grandma Leone Powell. Both Joey and Dax were blessed wrapped in it also. So it is special to our family.