Autumn in Kalamazoo

After a surprisingly uneventful flight, thanks to Em's newfound love of Elmo, we made it to Michigan!!

But before the big wedding (the reason for our trip) we spent a few days with my folks in Kalamazoo. We started our stay with an outing to the Verhage Apple Orchard.

To our surprise Em liked the cider, and enjoyed a few dixie cups full before we got home and read the label more carefully. Apparently it wasn't pastuerized, and neither small children nor elderly should consume it. Whoops.

Em's a big fan of balls these days, and every pumpkin she saw was a "bah." She was busy noting all of them ("bah, bah, bah, bah") when something caught her eye. Something big. She just needed a ride over...

She soon found her ride :)

 

We enjoyed the animals, until we saw this sign. Then it was time to go.

 

But not before posing for a pic. Emily had a great time!!

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Over the next few days we enjoyed some much needed relaxation. Matt and I read books and watched cable television - such luxuries! Emily was fitted for her first pair of hard soled shoes (size 5), got her hair trimmed (!), and took evening strolls around the neighborhood. We had to say good-bye to Grandpa a little early, but not before he and Em discussed PSU's season and had some laughs.

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For our final hurrah, we stopped by Binder Park Zoo on our way over to Detroit. It was Emily's first trip to a zoo!

We saw monkeys.

A cheetah.

A stuffed elephant.

And peacocks.

Along with a swamp.

 

Thanks for taking us, Grandma!