Grab Your Lederhosen...It's Christmas!!!

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Today we traveled from Grand Rapids to Frankenmuth, a little Bavarian town, approximately an hour and a half to the northeast. It doesn't take long once you enter Frankenmuth to find the town's biggest draw: Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, "The World's Largest Christmas Store". Bronner's is located on 27 acres of meticulously manicured landscaping and Christmas displays. Inside the main building, there are nearly 2 football fields worth of shopping square footage. The Bronner's website describes the experience quite well: "Inside is a world of singing carolers, dancing Santas, and over 700 whimsical animated figures. "Welcome" signs greet visitors in more than 60 languages. The international theme continues throughout Bronner's where ornaments from dozens of countries around the world decorate a multitude of trees. Ornaments are also available in more than 70 languages with a "Merry Christmas" greeting. Sparkling garlands, thousands of twinkling lights, shimmering ornaments and Christmas music playing in the background create a spectacular fantasyland for everyone to enjoy. Bronner's magical atmosphere conveys the feeling of a European marketplace or Christkindlmart."

We wandered in this holiday wonderland for nearly two and a half hours and still didn't get to fully explore everything it had to offer. We're planning a return trip this coming Sunday to view the lighted displays at night.

After getting our fill of Christmas cheer, we drove north to Midland, Larry's hometown. We picked up our rental car, (love the '08 Altima....lol) and enjoyed dinner at Bennigan's Irish pub. Following dinner, we said our good-byes to Lar's mom and ended the evening in Sanford, Michigan at the home of our friends Tom and Carrie.

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Photos

Penguin Ornaments
(this picture is for Mercedes) :)

Bayne's
Such a cute little country store. :)

Cider Mill
They make fresh apple cider. Soooo yummy!!!