Frankenmuth

For my birthday this year, my mom watched our little ones so that Billy and I could go away for a quick overnight stay in Frankenmuth!

It's called "little Bavaria" and while I was skeptical, I now approve of the name.  German, German everywhere!

The first stop was the self proclaimed "largest Christmas store in the world."  This place is amazing. Seriously.

They even had Tech ornaments!!

We stayed at the Bavarian Inn, because it looks cool, and we wanted to know if it would be worth planning a family vacation there;  Yes, yes it would.

The Bavarian Inn restaurant is across the river from the hotel.  There are restaurants in the hotel as well, but not the one of the same name.

It was a cold walk.

In the hallway leading from the river entrance to the restaurant there was a hallway with a concise history of Michigan.   I loved this picture because it showed how the mom hung outside with the kids so that they don't destroy anything inside/get too loud/complain about being bored/embarrass her.  I guess humanity doesn't really ever change.

Saw this cute little picture opportunity and missed my dear ones.

It wouldn't' really be little Bavaria without boasting their soccer team support!

We found a cool door, but it was locked.

A nifty collectible plate display:

We made it!

A hello kitty tree. = )

Heading to the cheese Haus.

After we left, we happened onto an escape room.  Since it was early on a Friday afternoon, they had an opening in 20 minutes.  We signed up and then walked around for just a bit to waste the time.

Picture on a very German bench.

We went back in, and the game we prepared. Our puzzle was a mob themed event set during America's prohibition. After a quick intro, we were left to solve the mystery.  It was soooo much fun.  A giant puzzle with a bunch of little puzzles inside.    We were successful in escaping!

Once we finished at the escape the room, it was late enough to check in to our hotel.

We had a glass door that was directly off of the adult only swimming pool and hot tub (we actually used it too!)

We set out to explore the resort.

We played a round of indoor mini-golf.

For dinner we went to the lounge and shared a pizza.  They had some kids games going on until 8, then they were supposed to have live entertainment.  We didn't make it until 8, but did order a couple of  root beer floats in fancy light up blinking cups! = )

It was an early bedtime after a super fun day.

We were up early the next morning.  We had breakfast in the ratskeller (think cafeteria, not bar, though there was a bar tucked away in the corner.)  Then bought some souvenirs and checked out.

We headed back to the Bavarian Inn restaurant center to do a little more shopping.  They had a chocolate counter that we patronized, because you know, we don't have any candy in the house...

From there we went to N'orlins coffee and beignets, though we weren't hungry.  We decided to check out the mirror maze.  It was very fun.  I can't wait to bring the kids there!  They also have a laser challenge that the older three will really enjoy I think.

We did watch part of the Glockenspiel show.  It was the pied-piper of Hamelin (In English.)  It was just too cold, so we didn't finish it.

When we got home, Lots of helpers made my birthday cake!

And after dinner lots of helpers ate my birthday cake.

It was such a fun birthday!  36 is looking good so far.

later days