Sightseeing in Michigan: Henry Ford Museum, Chrysler Museum, Christmas Lights

While in Michigan, we actually did some "touristy" things.  Normally we're so busy getting around to see everyone that we don't often get to see many sights.  This year was different.  Before Christmas, we went to the Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills.  It was pretty cool!  They had some very cool concept cars, as well as many old models.  Grandpa Carey posed next to the display that mentioned the first car her drove, a 1949 Kaiser.  We also saw Tracy's friend Jackie's dad mentioned on the Chrysler board of executives display (Tom LaSorda). 

Andy and Kathy Flanigan were up from Nashville for Christmas.  We were able to get together with them once and go bowling with my Mom, Gayle, Mrs. Spangler, Molly, Katie and their families.  There were THREE babies in their car seats, snoozing in the back of the bowling alley (Nora, Evan and Truitt, who were all born within 3 months!).  After Christmas, we went to the Henry Ford Museum with them, Mrs. Spangler, Gayle, Katie's family and Mrs. Carey.  It was neat to see the evolution of the car and makers, especially after going to the Chrysler Museum a week earlier.  I'd say we're studied-up on our auto-makers now!

We also got to see Tim and Anne Nichols, who came over to the Careys' house for a visit one night.  Tim mentioned he had heard of a house that was about a mile away from the Careys' house, that was lit-up like Clark Griswold had decorated it, also set to Christmas music.  We drove up and parked at the end of the street, right in front of the house.  It was AMAZING!  The show is 38 minutes long, with the entire house lit-up and lights choreographed to Christmas music.  You tune into a channel on your radio, which broadcasts the Christmas music.  Unbelievable!  Clark would be proud.  :-)  We went back and watched it with Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly on the way back from dinner with Aunt Freda's family, too! 

Some quick facts about the show:

• Total number of lights: 16,240
• Total current required for all lights: 40.85 Amps
• Number of Songs: 14
• Length of show: 38 minutes
• Number of controllable channels: 112

http://t2lights.com/christmas/
Peace, love and supporting local tourism,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Grandpa pointing to the Kaiser-Frazer part of the display.

Tom LaSorda, Jackie's Dad (Tracy's friend) is listed on the board.

Henry Ford Museum: They had entire cities built out of Legos.  Doug and Liam were both in heaven!

I thought this was a very cool train rocker in the museum.

Ava and Sophie having some fun coloring.

The Wiener-Mobile!

Henry Ford Museum's clock display. 



A Very Griffith Christmas

Christmas was so fun this year, with Liam finally able to rip into presents on his own.  We missed Sherry at and the boys at Dad and Dolly's this year, but had fun with family members that were there.  I brought peanut butter bread pudding (Southern Living recipe, sounds weird but was yummy!) and black bean quinoa salad. 


I bought an ENTIRE BOX of canned Italian-cut green beans (about 30 cans) for my Dad this year.  When he and Dolly visited Georgia in September, he enjoyed some of Liam's Italian-cut green beans.  I stuck his Woodcraft gift card in between the cans of green beans, and had to get consecutive pictures of him opening his "box of beans."  What's even funnier is that he asked for another box about seven months after this Christmas gift.  :)


We were happy to get together with Aunt Freda, Uncle Dave, Kristen, Adam and their sweet new little one, Lillian (Lily) May.  She is the sweetest little thing!  We're thankful they were willing to come out for dinner, considering they're dealing with a newborn's schedule, as well.


Peace, love and a hill 'o beans,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Dad and Dolly, Christmas 2010.

The crew.

Dad helping Liam put together train tracks.

Grandma Dolly in her glory.

Happy with her unicorn pillowpet.

Opening Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly's gift of a train. 

Opening his box of beans. :)

Phew!  There was a real gift in there!  ;-)

Group shot, Christmas 2010.

The Larabee bunch:

The Carey Clan, Christmas edition.

Uncle Mike and Aunt Jenny with the kiddos.

Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly with the grandkids, minus Daymian and Jordan.

Take #2.

Take #3.

Happy!  We never get pictures of just the two of us.  Bonus!

#2.

Liam with his fancy-schmancy 3D glasses.  

Aunt Freda, proud Grandma to sweet Lily, her first granddaughter.  :)  We were glad to be able to see them while in Michigan, at a restaurant around Oxford.  

Eating a lemon while dining out with Uncle Dave, Aunt Freda, Adam, Kristen and a very new Lillian (Lily) Mae.