A visit to Ann Arbor

The trip to Michigan was great! The most important part was letting Ella be with her cousins. She's only 2 but somehow it's ingrained that family is special.

Ella and Gretta are the "twinner cousins" being blonde and tall. Gretta's more brave, so it helps Ella try things she otherwise wouldn't. Like the McD's slide.

This was a HUGE breakthrough for E.
Here's the cousins having a great time too.

Poor Peter stuck on the bottom, Sofia slyly smiling and high-flying Hampton.
The gals went shopping after McDonalds at some outlets and hit the usual favorites; Nike, Harry & David (loved the caramel moose munch bar, new toffee truffle, and the pepper and onion relish dip) , OshKosh, and Carters. It was a fun, tasty trip for the girls.
We got the twinner cousinis matching dresses.

A note to runners: Kerrie and I were both sold on the Nike running shoes with ZOOM AIR. We've never felt more cushion on the ball of the foot and the factory sold them for reasonable prices as opposed to the usual $100 +. Check it out, it'll save your feet.

The next morning as a treat for the guys was the driving range.

The above pictures are an ode to dad for keeping his HEAD DOWN. He never quite got Cyndi to this point. Great job daddio.
Helping the boys with their form...like father, like son...

it must have paid off, look at those guys go:

We all relaxed together and Jed started reading The Mysterious Benedict Society to Merrill and Kenton.

Of course, RELAX, isn't a word that Kerrie really knows.

She is an AMAZING mom!

That night we watched Swiss Family Robinson under our own tent.

The twins finally settled for a little while.

Though in the end, Peter moved to where he was more comfortable,
with a ball and a book about dogs; well, boys will be boys.
We love you Michiganders!

Mammoth Caves

Crazy, kitschy antique store...you have to LOVE the sign.  It says it all.

This is the  ferry that carries your car across the Green River into Amish Country and more caves.  It was actually really cool. Just up the roads was a  sweet country store at the crossroads that sold old-fashioned candy.  I haven't had sixlets in a while.  Jed and I laughed that they don't just have a bridge, but in back-country Kentucky anything goes.

 

This cool store that had 100s of birdhouses.

The Historic Entrance to Mammoth Caves

Stalactites in the cave.  

Pictures with Ella by Frozen Niagra. The cave formations make it look like a waterfall.  Really beautiful!

Jed carrying Ella through the caves. She's a little big for the carrier but we didn't want to risk her falling.  They were both champs getting through the tight spaces and down the 300 steps into the cave.  

Silhouette of our park ranger guiding the tour.

We would definitely recommend this trip to anyone.  Next time we would also add the "Lost river" boat trip that takes you on a naturally underground river through the caves and then also a canoe trip where you enter Mammoth Caves in your own canoe swimming and side caving along the way.  We're planning this for the hot summer months.  Such a beautiful escape and only an hour and a half away.

Ode to Jackson Hole-Part 4 Town

Moving forward with our love of Jackson, another key element is the Town itself.  Filled with fantastic, unique places in an old fashioned setting, the town is a fun experience all its own. 

These are just some of our favorite things about town.

Boutiques:

Belle Cosa and goodie2shoes are both fantastic and owned by the same company.

And of course there a numerous tourist shops with T-shirts and trinkets galore.

Galleries:

Thomas Mangelsen-Images of Nature

These are 2 of his photos.

Food:

The Bunnery's Very Berry Pie (to die for warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream)

Mountain High Pizza Pie

Billy's Giant Hamburgers

Moo's Ice Cream (100 percent fresh, organic and fantastic)

Events:

Shoot-out

Jackson Hole Playhouse is also fun.

Harley Motorcycle Shop(Jed and I want to rent one and ride a day in the mountains.)