Happy Birthday Heather!

One of my little sisters turned twenty-one yesterday. Twenty-one. Seriously, how can that be Heather?!

We (myself, mama and two other sisters) decided this milestone warranted something a little bit extra special as far as birthday celebrating went. So we packed ourselves up in the car and off we went.

The Shopaholics hit Birch Run, MI.

It was a quick little 24 hour jaunt. We left Sunday afternoon and arrived back home late Monday night. Have you been to the Birch Run outlets before? I've been there a couple of times. My mom has too. And some of my sisters...but I don't think they all have. We were debating between Buffalo and Birch Run. Birch Run is def a further drive. But....once you're there everything is really close (hotel, restaurants, Starbucks, gas, outlets) that you really don't have to do any driving at all which was appealing...when you're travelling with five shoppers.

Traffic was awesome. Guess that's because we were doing the opposite of everyone else. Arriving when the weekend was over. As soon as we arrived we went straight to Zehnder's in Frankenmouth for a delicious chicken dinner. Yum Yum Yum! Then we checked into the Hampton Inn right across from the outlets. Some went swimming. Some watched a movie. Some fell asleep (that would be me....I did the driving and it tuckered me out!)

 

The crab-apple trees were in full bloom everywhere. So beautiful!

Next morning, the Gerber chickees were just a buzzin' around in the little kitchen area where the continental breakfast was served. Waffles....Oatmeal....scrambled eggs....yogurt....mmmmm! Yes please! (Unfortunately the fresh fruit did not look appealing...or fresh. You win some you lose some.)

The requisite group photo taken with the self-timer in some vacant field next to hotel parking:

A happy, fun, good shopping day was had by all. We literally shopped 'til we dropped for dinner at 5:00pm at Uno's. They serve up Chicago style deep-dish pizza. It's gooooood. Our server convinced us we needed to share a deep dish chocolate chip cookie for dessert. They bake it the same way they make a pizza. It is served straight out of the oven and topped with whipped cream and icecream and drizzled chocolate - DELISH. If you ever go - it's a must!

We all seemed to find something that we just loved enough to bring home with us. And I think each one of us ended up NOT buying what we had hoped/planned on. For example, my mom was looking for a purse. She bought a pair of shoes instead. That's what happened to each of us. Fun times. They sure were. And a great way to celebrate a 21st birthday. I heard rumblings from the younger two that they'd like to make this an annual event. Guess someone needs to make sure they turn twenty-one every year then. I'll volunteer for that! ;-)