Days 6, 7, 8-July 1-3

So after we came back to Detroit we really just relaxed and hung out. We went to see Kung-fu Panda, made lots of smoothies and played games at home. It was nice to relax. Tim had this great idea that we all go to the dollar store and we each had $4 dollars to spend towards a game. Of course, his game was the most original so it was the only one that deserved picture documentation. I think the pictures speak for themselves, check them out.




Yes those are balloons filled with shaving cream being thrown at a poster covered with tacks!
Thanks again for a great vacation Tim and Rachel!!!

Day 5-June 30

On Monday we drove and saw Niagra Falls. They were amazing! We decided to stay in Canada and view them from that side and it was so worth it. If you ever go you need to see them from the Canadian side, it is a much better view.


We had heard from Rachel's dad that the best way to see the falls was from the Maid of the Mist, a boat that takes you right up to the falls. He was right, you get soaked, despite the ponchos provided, but it was an awesome way to see the falls.




After viewing the falls we walked over to Planet Hollywood and ate lunch and then got a milk shake at the Hersheys store. Whenever we went to dinner Tim could not resist giving Andrew the lemon from his water because even though Andrew hated it he would keep eating it. After one more look at the falls we headed back to Detroit.

Day 4-June 29

On Sunday we had a pretty relaxed day planned. We got up and made it to Sacrament meeting in a local ward. Then we ran back to the hotel, packed up and went to downtown Toronto one more time. We walked along the waterfront. It was beautiful but really hot.



After taking some picture was loaded into the car and headed to Niagra Falls. It is just a short drive, about 1 1/2 away so we just went and found a hotel just outside the city and settled down for the night.

Day 3-June 28

On Saturday, after a wonderful breakfast at our hotel we headed back to downtown Toronto. This is where we split up. The boys, Dave, Tim and Andrew went to the Braves vs. Toronto day game and Rachel and I visited Casa Loma.

Let me start with Casa Loma, which means house on the hill in Spanish. It was a house in the middle of Toronto that looked like a castle. It was really interesting and a fun place to visit, without children and men and with another history lover. It was built by the guy who was the first man to harness the energy of Niagra Falls but then the Canadian government took his power plant away after about a year and didn't pay him for it so he lost his house and it pretty much became a tourist attraction.


These are some outside pictures. The house has over 100 rooms in it with a underground passage way leading to stables.

The house was also surround by some beautiful gardens. This door just looked secret garden to me so I had to take a picture.

We got to go up to the highest tower to look over the city of Toronto. It was a great view but a difficult climb up there. I was so proud of Rachel climbing up, I think 4 flights of stairs, three being small, metal circle staircases.

The boys had a blast at the baseball game even though the Braves lost. Dave had found some good tickets on e-bay so they were only about 20 rows up, directly behind the Braves dugout.

Here is a view from their seats.

This is a picture of Chipper Jones swinging the bat on the on deck circle. Chipper was hurt during this series so he didn't play but he did come up before the last out. Unfortunatly, the guy got out so Chipper didn't play.

This is a picture of the catcher, Brain McCann. After one of the innings, (Dave would tell this story so much better because he was there) Dave took Andrew down to the top of the dug out as the Braves players were heading back down. Brian McCann had the ball in his hand and as he approached the dug out he point directly at Andrew and rolled him the ball on the top of the dug out. As Dave told me the story all I could think was, I guess it was worth it to dress Andrew in his only Brave's gear which happens to be a 6-9 month onsie. Good thing Andrew is still little! Andrew loves his souvenier and wanted to carry it around/throw it the rest of the trip.

After our separate adventures we met back up in Chinatown. With Tim serving his mission in Taiwan, we had someone who could really find us the best Chinese food. The restaurant was great and then we had to poke around the little cheap shops. Tim wanted to buy this hidious Canada visor but Rachel would not let him. Thank goodness.


This is a street in Chinatown named Beverly. We had to get a picture for Dave's mom.

Day 2-June 27

We had a full day planned on Friday. We started out at the Rouge Factory Tour where we were able to see the Ford F-150s being built on the assembly line. It was really interesting to watch the people put together a car, start to finish while it was moving. You get to walk around on an elevated walk way and watch as the assembly people go about their normal work day. Then in the lobby you can watch two movies, one about the history of Ford (the company and the man) and the other about the building of the F-150 with cool interactive seats. It was like you were on a ride at Disney. Here are some pictures of us taken with some Ford classics.




Then we ran home, loaded up the car and were off across the border to Canada. After an hour of driving around downtown Detroit, with directions, we finally crossed the border and were on our way to Toronto. With all the delays we ran to our hotel rooms to quickly check in and then we went to the Braves vs. Toronto game at the Skydome. It was so much fun. The Braves won and Jurrgens pitched an amazing game. Plus, Andrew finally figured out it is Ball not Mall! Hooray!

Day 1-June 26

So this is actually day two because we left on Wednesday but our flight was delayed two hours and with the time difference (Detroit is on Eastern time) we did not arrive until 2 a.m.! Andrew was an angel throughout the whole flight and everyone on the plane fell in love with him. Our first day we slept in until 10! But after we got up, we went to pick up a rental car and got a little tour of Livonia, the actual city where Tim and Rachel live. Then when Tim got off of work we went for a walk in the park behind their apartment. It was beautiful, but very humid!

Family Vacation 2008

So we got back yesterday from our vacation to Detroit and Toronto. It was so much fun! We loved visiting Tim and Rachel. Everyone in the Clawson family must go visit because it was a blast! I will give you updates day by day so you can see all that we did (and so when I publish my blog to a book at the end of the year I have less work to do!)