Michigan Adventure: Frankenmuth

We spent the first few days of our trip in Frankenmuth, Michigan. It's the cutest little German town, which also happens to be the home of the world's largest Christmas store (I'm a big fan). 

In Frankenmuth, we...

took fun pictures as we shopped in town.

 ate our weight in fried chicken, German favorites, and fudge.

 

and visited the magical Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland.

It was a great start to our week!

Back Home Again

We're back from our whirlwind tour of Michigan! We had a wonderful trip. I'll be sharing lots of pictures in the coming days.

I also celebrated the big 2-6 over our trip. That just was a little harder to swallow than 25. I'm in a different age box now! I know I'm still young, but it's really hitting me how far removed I am from my days at Hanover. But! I still have quite a bit of kid left. Case in point, my favorite birthday present.

How can you beat a shiny red bike? I tried it out today and I love it. Especially the basket. I see many rides in my future this summer!

Spring Break!

We're off to our great Michigan vacation! We're hitting five different cities in the next week over my spring break. I am so looking forward to some adventures with the husband. Now if you would excuse me, I have an IU game to watch. :)

Young Love

I know I've already posted this picture of my grandparents, but I think it's worthy of a post all its own.

 

Grandpa insisted that Grandma should sit on the seat of his walker and proceeded to dance her around the kitchen, giggling the whole time. I hope Jake and I are doing this exact same thing when we're in our nineties.

Lauren Fleishman is a photographer who has a series of photos called "Love Ever After." The subject of each of her photos is a couple that has been married over 50 years. I think these two should be her next inspiration, being married 60 years and all. Definitely check out her work. It may be the cutest, most inspiring thing I've ever seen.

Bits and Pieces

Such great weather this weekend! We were very low key and worked around the house and in the yard. The other hours in the day were spent on college basketball. :)

  

Celebrating Kourtney's birthday/ Grandma and Grandpa dancing/ Hanging lights on the porch/ Mason jars on the porch/ Making curtains/ Bunny cake!

Signs of Spring

I know Spring officially starts next week, but it has definitely arrived. Here's how I know...

Strawberry lemonade

Tulips for sale

Wearing sandals daily

Flowers are blooming

Our windows are open

Pumpkin Cookies

For months before my wedding, I looked forward to one thing...

But alas, we came back after our first dance to find NO PUMPKIN COOKIES left. This was the saddest part of my wedding day.

Luckily, our friend, Annette, heard about our cookie dilemma and whipped us up a batch of her very own pumpkin cookies. I'd like to think they were even better than the ones at our wedding. :)

Annette's Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp vanilla

Sift: 2 Cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add in egg, pumpkin, and vanilla. Then, add in sifted dry ingredients.

Drop by large teaspoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until set.

For icing:

Mix together 4 tsp melted, cooled butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 2 cups confectioners sugar. Frost cookies once cool.

Enjoy!