We are back in town and getting back into the swing of everyday life and a routine. Well kinda, we are all fighting different sicknesses right now. Most of vacation my niece was sick and she seemed to have passed it on to us, but at least we are home and got to enjoy our vacation.
We left just before 6am last Monday and headed to Frankenmuth, Michigan. This was Austin's first time forward facing in his car seat. He seamed to enjoy being able to see everything around him.
Brian had to represent Ohio State, going into the enemy state. (At least it was on our travel day and not the day we visited Michigan State, more on that later this next or next). Ella was up at 430 with me, you would think we were going to Disney World with her excitement for vacation.
The sunrise on the way was breathtaking over Lake Erie. Days like this, I remember just how blessed I am to be able to see sunrises like this. To be able to pick up and leave on vacation without permission from work. To be able to do what I want when I want and to spend time with my family on my own schedule. Life by design ain't so shabby.
We made a quick bathroom stop and grabbed some food. Toll road options suck. We got overly expensive Starbucks and Einstein Bagels. Austin seemed to enjoy his bagel with cream cheese that he shared with his sister. I got a turkey sausage bagel sandwich trying to stay on track with limited options.
After stopping I let the kids watch a movie on our portable DVD player. Over the whole trip they probably watched Trolls 5x, even though they had plenty of other options. (I am Trolled out) Austin loved watching movies, he didn't nap as much giving him something to do helped. My only fear is that he is going to expect to watch a movie anytime he is in the car now.
On the way to Mackinaw City we stopped at Frankenmuth. In spirit of Christmas in July and I have been dieing to check out the Bronner's store. I had previously been when I was younger but didn't remember much. We pulled in and the kids wanted to run around some. We let them look at all the huge outside Christmas decorations.
Austin wasn't so sure about this Polar Bear.
Ella looks like she is scared of the bear, but really she kissed him before hand. She is a goober.
The store has any type of ornament you can think of. (minus a garbage truck we didn't find one, but also didn't ask) Ella's favorite section was all the mermaids. We walked around and shopped for a good hour. The girls were pretty well behaved. Austin lasted about a half an hour. Then my sister nicely took him outside to run around, where he couldn't break anything.
Had to get a family picture before we left. I am actually surprised we were all looking and smiling at the same time, (there was fighting to get this) it may end up being a Christmas card this year.
After shopping we headed over to Zehnder's for there family style all you can eat chicken meal. I have to admit I wasn't to impressed. I also didn't really get to sit down and enjoy the meal either. Austin wasn't nothing to do with it so we were walking about outside for most of lunch.
After lunch we stopped real quick so I could get a Beignet. I may have not been able to go to New Orleans this year with my Beachbody family, since the event happened over Austin's birthday weekend, but I still got a Beignet. Then we hit the road for the rest of the drive up to Mackinaw City.
We arrived at our hotel a little after 7pm. We unpacked the car, then headed off to the downtown Mackinaw City to find something to eat. With crabby kids who didn't want to sit down, we ended up grabbing a few pizzas, a salad, beer, milk, and headed back to the hotel to watch the sunset, relax, and discuss the plans for the next few days.
I'll be sharing the details of what we did the rest of the trip as well as where we stayed in a few upcoming posts. If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate to leave them in the comments!
Happy Monday, friends!!!
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