Bronner's

Having grown up just down the road from Bronner's, it was never a very big deal to us. We'd stop in once in awhile for a gift or two but it was not a destination for us as it is to many who visit Frankenmuth. Now that I live in Grand Rapids, though, I find that it is fun to drive by and see the lights that decorate the parking lot and grounds 365 days a year, and I've actually been really anxious to take Hannah there as well.

I've been trying to explain to her that Santa lives just down the street from Grandma and Papa Abby (actually Cramer, but she that's how she knows them). I don't think she really got it until we took her there, and she saw it for herself. Of course, she still thinks he lives at the North Pole, but we're calling this his weekend home.

Santas EVERYWHERE! For all of the stuff they have at toddler level, it was actually fairly easy to get her to keep her hands off. All I had to do was tell her that Santa was watching, which was believable enough!

If you look closely, you can see the advent calendar in her hand. Grandma let her pick one out herself. I think she was hoping Hannah would choose a sacred Christian calendar, but of course she picked out the one with the teddy bears on it (and the most expensive) instead. My mom always got my brother and I a Christmas ornament every year, and she's now continuing that tradition with the grandkids. We initially let Hannah try to pick out an ornament on her own, but the quantity of ornaments to choose from was just too overwhelming. We ended up helping her pick out resin teddy bear ornament that we'll hang on our tree this year.


Shaking hands with a life-sized penguin.


Checking out the dancing polar bear.

You better watch out....