Days with the Dorans

Every other year we alternate Thanksgivings and I'm glad this was a Drapal Thanksgiving because the Hewsons came in from Canada! It feels like forever since we have seen them because of Covid and I couldn't believe how big Torin Lee is! It was just the three of them and a pretty quick visit but I was so excited to see them! Of course the younger Drapals and Aunt Barb and Gary made it too! The food was SOOO good and I made Great-Nan's Sweet-Potato Balls ! We didn't do the Turkey Trot this year because of Covid but I still got a run in. The next day we did our turkey trot run and boy were we stuffed but we made it! I love the time with my two favorite runners! It was COLD! I think Canada brought their weather with them!

With Nicole in town, I knew we would be taking a trip to Hamtramck! The days seemed to go so fast so we decided to double dip a trip to Danny's and a trip to get some yummy food. Since the kids weren't brought up on Polish food like Danny, Nicole and I were, we got them hot and ready pizzas! For us grown-ups we put in an order at our favorite Polish restaurant! After we put in our order, we walked to the (New Palace) bakery where Auntie used to get all our cakes, Busia bread, Seven Sisters Cake and of course Nicole's (yucky) cardboard cookies. We loved seeing Barbara (who worked there back when Auntie was still living there). She even asked about Aunt Barb and my dad which was really sweet! After the bakery we headed back and split a yummy Polish beer. We didn't drive down Evaline to see Auntie and Uncle Joe's old house- I'll have to do that another time. How I treasured them and our childhood memories!  We took the food back to the younger Drapal...

With the Canadians wanting to take in some fun stuff, we decided to go to the zoo. After that my Littles, Russ and his big kids were going to head to the Tiger game with my dad. I say "were" because my Littles ended up not going. There was a crazy accident that had us getting there really late and my boys chose to skip the game. We actually didn't spend a ton of time with the Hewsons and Aunt Barb but we had a blast anyway. Torin was tired so they left around lunch but we were just getting started. The first place we hit was the Penguin enclosure. I have to admit that I am not a fan of zoos as I believe animals belong in their natural habitat but I learned that most of the animals there are rescued for one reason or another (one of the tigers was actually rescued from a junkyard in Kentucky- someone had her as a PET!) so that made me feel better. Sean was feeling great since he is such a penguin kid (and yes- he got an over-priced stuffed one later).  Next...

 YAY!!! My cousin and her family are in town! "Reunited and it feels so good..." keeps playing through my head. I have been so bad at taking pictures but I did manage a few (and I mean this is it) of a trip we took to the D to catch a Tiger's game. It was Nicole, Russ, Dan, Steph, Jeff and I. We parked at an old Detroit Opera House or something. I can't believe they turned the building into a parking garage. We've parked here before but this is the first time I thought to snap some pictures. That's about all I took though- after this we met Russ's friends for dinner and drinks but the service was so slow we just got drinks and ate at the park. After the game, we explored the D but I forgot my ID so couldn't get into the bars (didn't get carded at the first place). We met some really neat guys outside one of the bars we went to- it was a nice night so they were all sitting outside. Detroit is a fun city- even more fun when you're wit...

I was feeling a bit bad about taking off Tuesday for Joey's braces since I was out sick the week before. Still... your kid only gets his braces off once. I was THRILLED when I learned that Nicole was going to be in town and that she'd be available Tuesday. I told you Jesus loves me!! Unfortunately, this was a very last minute visit. She was in town because her dad is not doing well and was recently diagnosed with cancer. I hope that her visit was just the medicine he needed to lift his spirits. After all, she brought her cute little human with her! We were so excited to finally meet Torin Lee in person!! Nicole and my mom got a bit of time together first but I joined them soon enough as did Auntie Barbara (Busia) and Gary and then finally my dad. We had a wonderful afternoon together. After school, Danny and his crew came over and Jeff brought the boys (Al had her crazy long dance day so missed the meeting). We had so much fun catching up and Nicole and I had fun...