Michigan and Chicago!!

Ty and I just got back from a week long trip to Michigan and Chicago!! We had SO much fun!! Ty served his mission in Michigan and we knew if we didn't make the trip back now, it probably wouldn't happen! I am so happy we did it:) It was so fun seeing where he spent 2 years of his life.. and he was so excited to be back, which made it even better:)!!

Lucky for us my cousin lives in Grand Rapids, (where Ty served 15 months of his mission) and was so nice to let us stay with her. She took us to the Green Well the first night to eat.. and it was delicious!! Then Ty showed us around town... a little ghetto in some parts!

Ty's first apartment.. doesn't look too bad:) But apparently the inside is pretty bad!

The next day Ty showed me more of the area in the light, and then we went to the John Ball zoo! He had done lots of service here, (I even have a few pics from the mission that he sent me, we wrote a few times as friends:) and it was something to do:)

Lucky Ty, he got to ride a camel!! It was a pretty dumb ride, but at least he can say he has rode a camel! I was a little jealous!!

That night we had a BBQ with some members that Ty spent a lot of time with! Everyone loves Ty!! They cooked us some really good authentic food, and we played Michael Jackson dance dance! Ty loved this family! Everyone was super nice, and it was fun to finally put a face to the names!

We drove to Traverse City where Ty spent a few months in the area. The town was soo cute! I think I could live there. The beaches were so pretty! It looked like a scene from the movies! We saw a few light houses, japanese lanterns, shopped, went to dinner, and drove around. We stayed the night there with plans the next day but it was pouring rain:(

Another family that Ty loved in Traverse City had us over for lunch before we went back to Grand Rapids. Seriously AMAZING! She made homemade flour tortillas that were to die for and meat and rice (she didn't know what the meat was it was really funny, but so good)! They were the sweetest, happiest family! The parents don't speak much english but tried so hard with me there! (I'm going to learn spanish... I'm sure I looked really dumb trying to get into the conversations haha) We had a blast seeing the Estradas!

This is one of the families Ty baptized, the Mendez! Ty was SOOO excited to see them and know they are still active and going to church! They were such a sweet family! The parents don't speak english either, but the kids were so nice to translate everything for me! I loved hearing all the good things they had to say about Ty! They didn't want us to leave! and of course they made us some really good food! Ty never went hungry while he was there, everyone cooks so good!! We also went to church and saw lots of other people Ty taught! After hearing so many stories while dating, and while being married its so nice knowing where he was and who he was talking about...!!

Cutest town in Michigan, (besides Traverse City) is Holland... I loved it! Right on the beach, people were fishing, swimming, riding bikes, running, flying kites.. So cute! If I lived there I would be in Holland every day!! It was so cute! I just wish it was a little warmer the day we were there!

CHICAGO!! The last 2.5 days we spent in Chicago!! We ate the BEST pizza, and cheese bread ever! and I can't remember the name of the place, but it was so packed because it was so good!

On Tuesday we walked everywhere... We saw the bean of course, then walked to beach front (which was awesome.. it was a running/walking/biking trail with nike signs telling you the miles... I want one here) to the Navy Pier!

The Navy Pier was fun! Had cute shops, rides, and good food! But we didn't stay long cause we wanted to go shopping!

Eating some McDonalds... Can't believe I am admitting this.. but their hamburgers are SO SO good!!! Ty will get them and I end up eating most of it:)

Our hotel was right on the magnificant mile, where all the shopping is! I was in HEAVEN!

and of course we had to go to a Cubs baseball game.. It was FREEZING cold! I think I was the only one there with 2 jackets, and 2 blankets.. But I know the girl next to me was jealous! It was cold and windy!! But we still had fun.. :)

The next day we flew back home! It was so fun to go just the 2 of us! We always have so much fun together!!

Sorry this is so long and kind of boring!! Had to document everything though!!!