Food Fun Family

Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge: A True Winter Wonderland!

Lolli — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 05:26:44 +0000

My family and I were invited on an expense-paid FAM trip at Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg at the beginning of the month. Although our accommodations and activities were covered, all thoughts are our own. I’m happy to answer any questions about staying at Great Wolf Lodge – there were so many things that didn’t make it into the post (I could just go on and on!).

I’ve always been curious about Great Wolf Lodge, but we’ve typically been the type of family that takes vacations to visit family and friends out of state. Somehow we just never made it to Great Wolf Lodge, which is just a couple of hours south of us in Williamsburg, Virginia. Now that we’ve experienced Great Wolf Lodge, we are counting the days til we can go back. It was an unexpected hit with the whole family!

I was initially worried that my kids would be a little too old to appreciate Great Wolf Lodge (my last 3 kids at home are 13, 15, and 17), but I was surprised to discover that there are a ton of engaging activities for kids of ALL ages.

We stayed in a standard family suite, which sleeps up to 6 comfortably (it’s so hard to find a good hotel room for bigger families, but this was perfect for us!), but there are a host of amazing options for families of all sizes and needs, like upgraded themed suites with bunk beds and fun decor!

Snowland at The Lodge

From the moment we walked into the lodge, we were transported into a winter wonderland. The atmosphere was delightful! Great Wolf Lodge has four seasonal themes each year, corresponding to the four seasons: Spring-a-palooza, Summer Fun in the Sun, Howl-o-ween, and Snowland.

I can’t wait to experience all four seasons at the Lodge!

We spoke with the director of guest services and found out that staff decorated the lodge for Snowland for about 9 days. They have 30 trees in the property, and 20 of them were new this year. It even “snows” every night in the main lobby. It is simply magical!

Santa makes an appearance every night between December 7th and the 25th and is available to take pictures with guests each night. Bonus: photos are complementary for guests and they are happy to snap pictures with your phone or camera for you!

Another fun winter season treat: you can get warm cookies and milk delivered to your room at night!

Year round, there are 10-20 activities available for guests of all ages each day, from morning yoga to story time at night, from dance parties and character appearances to arts and crafts. Activities are a little heavier on the weekends, but weekdays are still full of fun.

We enjoyed bowling, hours of fun at the 24-hour arcade, sharing cups of candy from the candy shop, and just hanging out together. We highly recommend the Paw Passes to get the best value for the paid activities like bowling, MagiQuest, miniature golfing, the rope course, etc.

My personal favorite activity was my 30-minute deep-tissue massage in the spa (they’ve got a kids’ spa, too!). I had the best, most relaxing massage of my life!

MagiQuest at Great Wolf Lodge

MagiQuest was a surprise hit for all three of my teens. We started our first afternoon off with a visit to the MagiQuest store, where they each picked out a wand, and chose a “magical” name to register and activate their account. The great news – they can bring their wands back to Great Wolf Lodge each time we visit again and only have to pay to activate a new game.

MagiQuest is an interactive game that sends kids exploring all over the hotel (there are stations on three floors). Kids can run from station to station on quests, interacting with things throughout the hotel and earning points along the way. All three of my kids agreed that MagiQuest was both fun and a great workout! Throughout the day, you’ll find kids thoroughly engaged in completing quests and gathering coins. It is nearly as popular as the waterpark with the older kids!

Great Wolf Lodge purchased the rights to MagiQuest so the game is ONLY available at Great Wolf Lodge. They release four to five new quests each year, so you can have a totally new game experience each time you visit.

The Indoor Waterpark

The enormous indoor waterpark is one of Great Wolf Lodge’s biggest attractions. No matter how cold it gets outside, it’s a comfortable 84 degrees in the waterpark. The slides were so much fun (we even got on one ride with all 5 of us together on a raft!) and we were sad when we had to end our day at the park. We could have used several more hours of water play time!

The Food

My husband could not stop talking about the French toast at the breakfast buffet in the main restaurant. He said it was the best French toast we had ever had. The dinner buffet was equally as enjoyable, with a huge variety of delicious foods. We also enjoyed a casual pizza night in our room while we watched a movie and had a burger and fries lunch while we were hanging out at the waterpark.

There are seven restaurants on the property, and there’s always something delicious to satisfy your cravings.

Big Changes Coming!

Starting in mid-January through the second half of March 2019, Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg will be undergoing a 20 million dollar renovation project, including all guest rooms and public places. The lodge will still be open during the renovations and guests will not be impacted. I can’t wait to see how they redecorate the 405 suites!

Have you been to a Great Wolf Lodge? Our family highly recommends it as a fun family getaway. You can check in and never leave the hotel until you’re ready to head back home! Find out more and book your stay at Greatwolf.com/williamsburg

Disneyland Ushers in Summer 2017! Summer of Heroes and Pirates of the Caribbean’s 50th anniversary!

Lolli — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 18:37:40 +0000

My recent #PiratesLifeEvent press trip would not have been complete without a visit to the ride that inspired the movie franchise – Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland! My travel, accommodations, and activities during the press event were covered by Disney. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland

Did you know? The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, was the last ride that Walt Disney personally worked on, though he never had the chance to ride the completed ride. Pirates of the Caribbean has not only thrilled kids and adults alike for the last 50 years, but it has inspired a hugely popular movie franchise as well as and entire Pirates Land at Shanghai Disney.

Photo courtesy of DisneylandNews.com

There are several Disneyland and Disney World rides and attractions that have been inspired by movies over the years, but Pirates of the Caribbean remains unique in that the ride came first and inspired everything that followed!

Photo courtesy of DisneylandNews.com

After riding Pirate of the Caribbean as a group, we had some free time to spend at the park. I explored the park with two friends – Captain Jack and Emily from CleverHousewife! We had a blast, despite the crowds!

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

The newest ride at Disney California Adventure Park – Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! – is NOW OPEN! I missed the opening of the ride by days, but I know that it is epic! The new Guardians of the Galaxy ride is now a permanent attraction at Disney California Adventure!

Photo courtesy of DisneylandNews.com

About Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!: the brand new ride launches guests into an action-packed adventure that’s full of irreverent humor, combining a breathtaking free-fall sensation with all-new visual and audio effects. The action jumps to the beat of the attraction’s “awesome mix tape” of music, inspired by the films’ soundtracks. Guests will discover multiple ride experiences as they help Rocket in a daring plan to free the Guardians–a band of extraterrestrial misfits–from the fortress of The Collector, Taneleer Tivan.

Photo courtesy of DisneylandNews.com

Summer of Heroes

In Disney California Adventure:

“Avengers Training Initiative”: Black Widow and Hawkeye assemble young recruits for a series of tests to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Avengers.
Heroic Encounter: Black Widow: Black Widow arrives on the scene several times throughout the day in an armored Avengers vehicle for her heroic encounter with park guests.

Grab a Piece (or Bite) of the Action: Special themed merchandise, plus food and beverage items, will be available throughout Hollywood Land.

Photo courtesy of DisneylandNews.com

“Disney Junior Dance Party!”: This fun concert experience invites adults and kids to dance and sing along to the music. Popular Disney Junior characters from Disney Junior TV shows “Doc McStuffins,” “Sofia the First” and “The Lion Guard” are joined by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from the new series “Mickey and the Roadster Racers.”

“Pixar Play Parade:” presenting the colorful and exciting worlds of the Disney•Pixar pals from “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” “Finding Nemo,” “Cars” and others, the Pixar Play Parade has returned to Disney California Adventure with daily performances full of fun and surprising movement and effects.

Princess Elena: the adventurous heroine of the Disney Channel series “Elena of Avalor” and the first Disney Princess inspired by diverse Latin American cultures will greet her fans in the patio of Paradise Garden Grill.

**Guests will enjoy these Super Hero experiences year-round:**

Super Hero Encounters: Meet Groot, the First Avenger, Captain America, and the friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man up close and personal!

“Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!”: Join Star-Lord and his old-school boom box as everyone (including Groot, of course!) gets in the groove and shows off their moves!

Photo courtesy of DisneylandNews.com

In Disneyland:

Main Street Electrical Parade: the classic parade has been extended by popular demand through August 20, 2017! This nighttime parade features half a million twinkling lights and favorites like Cinderella’s ball, Elliot from “Pete’s Dragon” and the “To Honor America” finale.

“Fantasmic!” is coming back: the popular nighttime spectacular will be re-opening this summer on the Rivers of America, featuring Genie from “Aladdin,” and characters from “Tangled,” “The Lion King” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Returning this summer are the Disneyland Railroad and these Rivers of America attractions: the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia, Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes and Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island.

Star Wars Launch Bay: In Tomorrowland, Star Wars fans can meet some of their favorite Star Wars characters and take a look at replica props and models from Star Wars movies, including the latest “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Work is continuing on the new Star Wars-themed land, set to open in 2019!!

For more information, visit DisneylandNews.com.

The Walt Disney Archives: A Fascinating Look Into the History of the Walt Disney Company

Lolli — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 15:41:35 +0000

I had the opportunity to visit the Walt Disney Archives during my latest Disney press event for the recent theatrical release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. All travel, accommodations and activities were covered by Disney, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Walt Disney Archives were created in 1970 to collect, preserve, and research the rich and unique history of the Walt Disney Company. The Archives are fascinating collection of Walt Disney memorabilia – from some of the first Disneyland souvenirs, admission tickets, and badges, to movie props and costumes, to sketches, designs and plans. I could spend hours looking at the individual pieces in the collection, each with a story behind it.

An original animator’s desk from the 1930s

I could have spent weeks – no years! – looking through the shelves and shelves full of books written about or inspired by everything Disney – some of which I recognized from my own childhood. I was amazed but not entirely surprised to learn that what we saw in the Archives was just a small representation of the collection of Disney-inspired books, for children and adults!

Although the Pirates of the Caribbean items were already packed up to get ready for D23, we learned some interesting facts about the ride, including the fact that Pirates was the last ride that Walt Disney himself personally over-saw before his death, though he was sadly never able to ride the completed attraction. I think the most interesting piece of Pirates trivia that we learned was the fact that Pirates of the Caribbean was originally planned and designed to be a Wax Museum! In fact, one of the reasons that you start the ride by going down a series of waterfalls is that they needed to utilize the space under the building to accommodate the ride.

Walt Disney thought that a boat ride using animatronics instead of stiff wax figures would be much more engaging. He was right! Even 50 years later, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland is one of the most beloved and sought-after rides in the park. I know I never leave Disneyland without riding it!

Among the exciting drawings and memorabilia in the Archives was one of Walt Disney’s Oscars – one he won for the 1958 film White Wilderness(you can watch it on Disney Movies Anywhere or rent it on Amazon! – affiliate link). Our guide uncovered the Oscar and was talking to us about it when all of the sudden I found it in my hands. I happened to be standing right next to him when he said that we could each take a turn holding the award and pose for a picture with it. I was totally caught off guard and wish that I could have captured the look my face when he handed it to me or when I walked across the room holding it. If you’ve never held an Oscar before, they are MUCH heavier than you would ever imagine. The physical weight of the award was a small example of the symbolic weight I felt for what I was holding in my hands – an actual award presented to Walt Disney himself!

I’m holding Walt Disney’s Oscar!!

What a fascinating experience it was to spend time surrounded by so much history – history of a man and a company that has inspired so many people!

Kings Dominion: What’s New for 2017

Lolli — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 14:31:06 +0000

I was invited to a media preview of the new Planet Snoopy expansion at Kings Dominion during opening weekend for the 2017 season. I spent the day at the park with two of my kids and enjoyed a special lunch with the other members of the media and their families. We received admission and lunch, but no other compensation was received.

Kings Dominion is a premier amusement park just outside of Richmond, Virginia. With more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, there’s something for everyone! Check the website for hours and ticket information.

My family and I love Kings Dominion! We spent many summer days at Kings Dominion last year, and I am shocked that the park is open for the 2017 season already.

We lucked out with the weather the day that we were there. Our spring weather has been all over the place, but we couldn’t have ordered better weather if the forecast worked that way (perfectly clear, blue skies and nicely warm but not hot). The time passed a little too quickly, but we had a blast.

During our media preview, we learned about 4 fabulous new features for 2017.

This year, Kings Dominion is making room for more fun, more laughs and more thrills will the Planet Snoopy expansion that includes 3 new thrill rides for kids. Also expanding the Planet Snoopy experience includes a new event space and upgraded food and beverage locations.

Kings Dominion will also be adding free park WiFi for guests and introducing FunPix, a fun and easy way to capture, collect, and share photos while you’re at the park. And last but not least, Kings Dominion has introduced the Pre-K Pass, which allows parents to get free passes for the entire season for their preschool-aged kids.

Free WiFi Throughout the Park!

This is a new feature that the entire family will appreciate! Kings Dominion is now equipped with free WiFi – no password or login required. Now you can play all day and not worry about eating through your phone’s data. We tried it out, and it was fast and smooth to use. No connection problems at all!

More Fun at Planet Snoopy

This spring, Kings Dominion has introduced three brand new Rides in Planet Snoopy:

Kite Eating Tree: Charlie Brown’s kite is stuck in a tree. Can you help get it down? This ride will take you up to see if you can grab it, then gently bring you down. Children of all ages will laugh and smile on this ride that takes them in the air and then gently drops them in a jumping, vertical descent.

Sally’s Sea Plane: Kids and their parents join Sally as she flies through the sky on this crazy airplane adventure that rotates and rises into the air.

Peanuts 500: Start your engines! Burn rubber through a circular speedway towards the checkered flag. Hang on through the turns – they’ll make you giggle! Children and their parents can pick their car and hit the track!

Pre-K Pass

To celebrate the opening of 3 new Planet Snoopy rides, Kings Dominion is offering free admission for ages 3-5 with the Pre-K Pass! Now your little ones can join in the fun with no extra cost! Find out how to get a Pre-K Pass for your little one here!

FunPix Photo Pass

Whether it’s on a ride, with Charlie Brown or at one of the park’s photo spots you’ll have plenty of pictures to remember your visits by. With the new FunPix All Season Photo Pass ($44.99) you’ll be able to look back at all the photos you’ve collected from the entire season. You can also get a Single Day Digital Photo Pass for $24.99.

Take advantage of your photo pass at multiple locations throughout the park, including:

On-ride photos
Roaming photographers
Peanuts character photos
Photo spots

About Kings Dominion

The idea for a family amusement park north of Richmond, Virginia and south of Washington, D.C., began as a dream in 1971. A site was selected in Doswell, VA in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic to build the 400-acre park. The design of the new park was similar to Kings Island near Cincinnati, OH, using similar rides, attractions and themes including a 315-foot-tall Eiffel Tower replica and twin-track, racing roller coaster.

With more than 60 rides, shows and attractions Kings Dominion has everything you need to create lifelong memories. Thrill-seekers will get their fix with one of the East Coast’s largest collection of roller coasters – 12 in all – including Intimidator 305, which stretches 305 feet tall and screams at more than 90 miles per hour. Families will delight in the zany rides at Planet Snoopy, featuring Snoopy and the entire PEANUTS gang.

Find out more about Kings Dominion at kingsdominion.com.

What We Love About the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica

Lolli — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 19:28:55 +0000

This post is sponsored by FCA US; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. #DrivePacifica

I realize that most people don’t get excited about a minivan. I’ve been a minivan driver for the last 17 years (nothing beats a minivan for space for big families like mine!) but I have never driven a minivan as cool as this. I think the Chrysler Pacifica might sway more than a few minivan-skeptics. It’s a game-changer.

We recently test-drove the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica for a week, which happened to include a weekend trip up to Pennsylvania, with my husband, four of my kids (of the big, teenage variety) myself, and all of our stuff. I got to drive while the rest of the family got to enjoy being passengers in this one-of-a-kind vehicle.

When I asked my husband’s opinion about the Pacifica, from a passenger’s perspective, he immediately commented that it was the best minivan he had ever ridden in. My teenagers were equally sold on the Pacifica, continually trying to convince me that it was a good idea for us to replace our current vehicle and ask Chrysler to just leave the Pacifica with us forever. Since it seats eight comfortably, (and holds all our stuff comfortably, too) the Pacifica is ideal for a family like mine.

Perhaps the coolest thing about the 2017 Pacific is that it is available in a Hybrid model. Yes, you read that correctly….a hybrid minivan for active families. That’s revolutionary.

If your car is like mine (2006), it was made before the latest round of safety features. Although I have driven cars with some safety features, driving the Pacifica was like jumping in a time machine. It helps you with parallel and perpendicular parking. When you’re just driving forward it has collision warning and lane departure warning for those of you who wander all over the road (like I do sometimes).

Also, these safety features have what are called “mitigation” which means they give you an audible warning before something happens, so that you can take action yourself first. Basically, it’s a safety feature that tells you that you are about to do something stupid and encourages you to change. If you don’t listen, it takes corrective action – like a parent who slaps you gently before yanking you out of the road so that you don’t get hit by a car.

Lots of cars have the rear cameras now, so you can see what you are about to back into as you park, but Pacifica has rear park assist with auto stop so that you don’t actually hit the wall or your spouse’s car. Again, it’s nice to see what you’re about to smash. It’s better to have something prevent you from hitting it. Thanks Pacifica!

Here’s where the rubber hits the road, or better said, how you keep your kids from hitting each other while you’re on the road. The Uconnect Theater will stream from a tablet or mobile device to the onboard screens. There are two 10-inch screens for passengers riding in the second row. Uconnect also has nine build in games and apps. You can play the games alone or on both screens. So, this is an easy way to end the arguments about who gets shotgun. The second row is where the action is.

Depending on what type of system you want, the 2017 Pacifica offers options that feature an 8.4-inch central display screen with two 10-inch rear touchscreens. You can pair your screens with mobile phones, tablets and headphones, or use the built-in travel apps. The next time you get the “Are we there yet?” you can tell them to check the app.

Let’s talk cool…The Pacifica has hands-free rear hatch and sliding doors. You can’t just walk up and say “Open Sesame”, but it’s almost that good. If you have the keys in your pocket, just wiggle your foot underneath the car and “viola”, the hatch or sliding doors will open.

If you don’t feel like using the fancy hands-free opening, the Pacifica’s power sliding doors open with the push of a button, not a jerk of the handle. Even the driver’s door unlocks when you touch the handle, so there’s no reason to fish in your purse for the keys. The car literally senses that the keys are there, and when you reach for the handle, it takes care of you.

They also added a capless fuel filler nozzle (I can’t tell you how much I wish our truck had this. Actually, it does, but that’s only because we always lose my gas cap). Chrysler has also added ventilated seats to cool your posterior, led interior lighting (no more dead battery when you kids leave the lights on) and one last sweet, feature – an optional tri-pane sunroof. Who cares, you ask? Well, everybody sitting in rows 2 and 3 cares, because now they can look up and see the sky, the stars, the moon and look for shooting stars. I think I’ll start sitting in the back from now on.

The back had a nice deep luggage area and the rear seats were incredible and very spacious (leg room galore). You can fold them over, slide them down and they disappear. The marketing term for that is Stow-and-Go Assist Seats, but I call it “holy crap, they fold up and go all the way into the floor seats.” You’re left with a huge amount of space for whatever you need.

That’s bedding, luggage, and food for a cabin vacation for six!

The console had everything you wanted right at your fingertips. I suggest taking a minute before you start driving so you can see everything and know how to turn things on and off. We bounced between listening to Sirius XM radio and connecting our Pandora in the front while the kids watched a movie in the back. It was nice to be able to let them do their thing while we did ours. I like having full control of what I listen to and this van was exactly what I needed.

If that’s not enough to convince you that the Pacifica is a parent’s DREAM car, it even has an optional built-in vacuum (how many times have you needed THAT?!). And for everyone’s comfort and convenience, there are cupholders and power outlets everywhere! You really have to see this one to believe it.

In the end, I have to say it was the coolest minivan I have ever been in.

Connect with the Chrysler Pacifica:

Twitter: @Chrysler
Facebook: @Chrysler
Instagram: @ChryslerAutos

6 Things to Do at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Lolli — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 12:00:32 +0000

My family and I spent last weekend kicking off the holiday season at Hersheypark as part of my Sweetest Moms ambassadorship. Our park admission and some activities were covered by Hersheypark, but all thoughts are my own.

Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane began Friday, November 11th and is open on select dates through Sunday, January 1, 2017. For operational hours and dates visit www.Hersheypark.com.

Tickets are only $19 and free for kids 2 and under.

I highly recommend bundling up and bringing layers when you visit the park during the holiday season. It’s kind of fun to take a break from our normal summer visits and enjoy the park fully decked out for Christmas. There are festive lights everywhere, Christmas music playing around every corner, and…refillable Hershey’s hot chocolate! It doesn’t get much better than all the hot chocolate you can drink (note: souvenir hot chocolate mugs can be purchased at most of the food vendors throughout the park and can be filled for free on the first day or for 99 cents after the first day. I recommend buying the mug as soon as you get to the park!).

Here are 6 things to do at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane:

Enjoy 5 Fabulous Roller Coasters

Bundle up and enjoy 5 of Hersheypark’s fun and fabulous roller coasters: Cocoa Cruiser, sooperdooperLooper, Wildcat, Wild Mouse, and Laff Trakk. There are a ton of kids rides open as well.

Meet Santa and His Reindeer

Santa is available at Hersheypark (near the Kissing Tower…just follow the signs!) for pictures and the obligatory “gift discussion.”

You can also schedule breakfast or lunch at Hersheypark Place. You get a delicious meal and entertainment from Mrs. Clause and her friends, singing, story telling and a treat for everyone 12 and under. There are tons of photo opportunities with Santa himself. Reservations are required.

Santa’s 9 reindeer (including fan-favorite, Rudolph) are also available for a visit. You can ask the reindeer’s special handlers any question you can think of. We learned a lot about reindeer antlers (did you know that they get a new set of antlers EVERY year and that you can tell reindeer apart by their antlers, which are totally unique from other reindeer?).

A Music Box Christmas

A mysterious music box found in Grandma’s attic brings the magic of Christmas to life in this delightful show that “kids” of all ages will enjoy! Expect lots of dancing and songs and a special, sparkly surprise at the end! A Music Box Christmas can be seen at the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre at Hersheypark.
Presented by Capitol BlueCross

NOEL (“Nights of Extraordinary Lights”) at The Hollow

NOEL, a breathtaking light show featuring more than 200,000 dancing lights synchronized to your favorite Christmas music, is something you can’t miss on your winter trip to Hersheypark! Shows are every half hour starting at 5 PM (when the park is open). Note: there are a few different shows, with a unique variety of holiday tunes, so be sure to check back a few times during the night.

Christmas Candylane Storytime

Join one of Santa’s elves for a holiday story at the Cookie Workshop, located in Kissing Tower Hill.

Weeknights: 6 & 7:30 PM
Saturdays & Sundays: 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 6 & 7:30 PM
Dec. 24, 31 & Jan. 1: 2:30, 3:30 & 4:30 PM

Rudolph’s Skating Pond

Enjoy “ice” skating on Rudoplh’s synthetic skating pond. You can rent skates for a small fee (I believe it was $2 or $3) right next to the reindeer stables.

Photo courtesy of Hershey

What are you most excited to do at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane? Be sure to check back, because I’ll be bringing more family-fun coverage of our trip, including our stay at Hersheypark’s Camping Resort, our appearance on Hershey’s Kitchens Live, and fun things to do at Hershey’s Chocolate World.

The Real O’Neals Season 2 {Plus ABC’s Halloween Line Up} #TheRealONeals

Lolli — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:04:30 +0000

The Real O’Neals is back for Season 2, and I was able to visit the set while I was in Los Angeles last month for the #QueenOfKatweEvent and #ABCTVEvent. All travel expenses were covered, but all thoughts are my own.

I’ve been to the Walt Disney Studios lot dozens of times now, but it never ceases to amaze me how much goes on there! You never know what magic is happening behind each door you pass. In fact, ABC’s The Real O’Neals, which is back for Season 2, is filmed right there at Walt Disney Studios, and we had the chance to visit the set and a few of the people involved in the show.

David Windsor, Creator & Exec Producer, led us around the set, and actors Bebe Wood and Matt Shively, who play two of the O’Neal children (Shannon and Jimmy) joined us as well. They were all so generous and open. I loved seeing Bebe and Matt’s reactions to the holiday decorations, which had miraculously appeared in the 24 hours prior to our set visit. I can’t believe how quickly they can work their magic on a set and turn it into a winter wonderland…right in the middle of Los Angeles, no less!

Even though the Halloween episode will be airing this week (more details on that episode below), the cast was getting ready to film the Christmas episode while we were there. As you can see in the collage above, there’s something new in the O’Neals’ backyard – a tiny house! We haven’t seen the tiny house in the show yet, so I won’t say who’s living there….who do you think it may be for?

David Windsor let us know that it takes a crew of around 125 to make an episode happen, from start to finish. That’s a lot of people! It takes about 5 days to film on episode, and of course it takes even longer for the editing and formatting to be finished before the episode is ready to air.

I loved the “REAL” feel of the O’Neal’s home. No corner was left undecorated, the tree was filled with homey, handmade ornaments, there were family pictures and Christmas cards everywhere….It was really easy to imagine a real family living there (despite the fact that when we looked up, there was studio lighting instead of a roof!).

The Real O’Neals Season 2

The O’Neal family continues its journey of self-discovery and growth, resulting from Kenny coming out and his parents, Eileen and Pat, getting divorced. After finally coming out, Kenny will discover that life outside the closet isn’t that easy. Luckily for him, his older brother, Jimmy, will always be there to offer his often-misguided advice. And finally, there’s Shannon, the youngest O’Neal, whose unique views on life make her wise beyond her years. Eileen and Pat will continue to deal with starting their separate lives while still living under the same roof. Through it all, Aunt Jodi will be there offering her unusual brand of support, as the O’Neals continue to explore new relationships, friendships and acceptance of one another in the next, messier chapter of their lives.

“The Real O’Neals” stars Martha Plimpton as Eileen, Jay R. Ferguson as Pat, Noah Galvin as Kenny, Matt Shively as Jimmy, Bebe Wood as Shannon and Mary Hollis Inboden as Aunt Jodi.

The Real Halloween

THE REAL O’NEALS – “The Real Halloween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
MARY HOLLIS INBODEN, MARTHA PLIMPTON

When Halloween arrives, or what Kenny refers to as “the gay Super Bowl,” he plans to go to Boystown to watch the festive costume parade. In an effort to prevent Kenny from attending, Eileen agrees to let him throw his own Halloween party at home. Eileen’s tolerance is ultimately tested when Kenny recruits Stuart and his gay friends to join the big party, and he makes a BIG costume change. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Shannon plan to pull off an epic Halloween prank.

THE REAL O’NEALS – “The Real Halloween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
MARTHA PLIMPTON, CALEB PIERCE

Halloween Takes Over ABC TV!

Halloween is ‘spooktacular’ as the entire roster of ABC comedies, as well as “The Chew,” “General Hospital” and more, celebrate everyone’s favorite scary holiday. Other highlights include the holiday classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” celebrating its 50th anniversary. All times listed are EDT.

Starting MONDAY, OCT. 24

The Chew – Week of October 24-28 – Boo! All week long “The Chew” features recipes, cocktails and insider tips on making this year’s Halloween your best ever! Highlights include the world premiere of the newest Chew book, “The Chew Approved,” on Tuesday, October 25; Chef and author Ina Garten on October 27; and actor Colin Hanks (“Life in Pieces), on Friday, October 28. (1:00-2:00 p.m.) (Check local listings)

TUESDAY, OCT. 25

“The Middle” – “Halloween VII: The Heckoning” – As Halloween approaches, Frankie is taken aback when she discovers that if the circumstances ever arose where she and Mike got divorced, the kids would all choose to live with Mike. Meanwhile, Sue tries everything in her power to get her room back from Brick, and having to be so nice around girlfriend April (Greer Grammer) all of the time leads Axl to lash out at his family. (8:00-8:30 p.m.)

THE MIDDLE – “Halloween VII: The Heckoning” (ABC/Michael Ansell)
PATRICIA HEATON, EDEN SHER, CHARLIE MCDERMOTT, GREER GRAMMER

“American Housewife” – “Westport Zombies” – Katie, jealous of Taylor’s friendship with neighbor Viv (Leslie Bibb), reluctantly competes in the Westport Halloween “Zombie Run” after she finds out they’ll both be running. Meanwhile, Greg and Anna-Kat get a little too much in character for the zombie part of the run’s obstacle course. (8:30-9:00 p.m.)

AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE (ABC/Tony Rivetti)
JULIA BUTTERS, DIEDRICH BADER, DANIEL DIMAGGIO

“Fresh Off the Boat” – “Louisween” – It’s Louis’ favorite holiday, and he makes every attempt to scare Jessica into the Halloween spirit, but she is buried in her word processor, drafting her first horror novel. Meanwhile, Emery and Evan debate costume choices, and Eddie and his crew are excited to party with high schoolers at Nicole’s house.(9:00–9:30 p.m.)

FRESH OFF THE BOAT – “Louisween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
CHELSEY CRISP, CONSTANCE WU

“The Real O’Neals” – “The Real Halloween” – When Halloween arrives, or what Kenny refers to as “the gay Super Bowl,” he plans to go to Boystown to watch the festive costume parade. In an effort to prevent Kenny from attending, Eileen agrees to let him throw his own Halloween party at home. Eileen’s tolerance is ultimately tested when Kenny recruits Stuart and his gay friends to join the big party, and he makes a BIG costume change. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Shannon plan to pull off an epic Halloween prank. ESPN sportscaster Neil Everett guest stars. (9:30–10:00 p.m.)

THE REAL O’NEALS – “The Real Halloween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
MARTHA PLIMPTON, RAMONA YOUNG, NOAH GALVIN

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26

“The Goldbergs” – “Stefan King” – Adam’s love of Stephen King inspires him to try his hand at horror writing. After learning the monster in Adam’s story is based on Beverly, she forces Adam to stay in on Halloween and rewrite it, hoping he depicts her as a better mother. Meanwhile, Erica is desperate to find a date to the costume dance and forces Barry go with her. (8:00–8:30 p.m.)

“Speechless” – “H-A-L- HALLOWEEN” – Jimmy is upset that the kids no longer want to participate in the family tradition of dressing up for Halloween. Maya tries to cheer up Jimmy by allowing him to take things off the family “Dead to Me” list. Meanwhile, Ray recruits Dylan to help work the school’s haunted mansion, while Kenneth is scared of losing his job when JJ gets drunk at a party. Even though Maya is furious, she is thrilled to see JJ having a “normal” life. (8:30–9:00 p.m.)

“Modern Family” – “Halloween 4: The Revenge of Rod Skyhook” – Luke’s Halloween party isn’t the monster bash he dreamed of, and he is at risk of having the worst party of the year. Sensing trouble, the rest of the Dunphys realize that all his party needs is a visit from Rod Skyhook, a little promotion and some adult supervision to get it started. Meanwhile, at the Tucker-Pritchett home, Cam faces off with his Halloween nemesis, while Lily and Mitchell try to save the day and work to keep him from going to the darkside. Finally, when Jay finds out that Manny is going to a party at the home of an old enemy, he enlists him to deliver a trick he will never forget. (9:00–9:30 p.m.)

“black-ish” – “The Purge” – After Junior embarrasses Dre during a basketball game, Dre decides to remind Junior of his master pranking skills so he’ll never challenge him again. Meanwhile, the neighborhood participates in a “mischief night” during Halloween, where petty crimes become legal, and Ruby takes it too far with the kids. (9:31–10:00 p.m.)

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

“It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” – (Full-length version) The 50th anniversary of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” features the full-length special, including the bonus cartoon, “You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown,” which features the Great Pumpkin. (8:00–9:00 p.m.)

MONDAY, OCT. 31

“The Chew” – It’s an hour of food, frights and fun when “The Chew” celebrates its 6th Halloween in ghoulishly delicious style. Co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz reveal the costumes they selected for each other and welcome country superstar Kellie Pickler also in full masquerade! (1:00-2:00 p.m.) (Check local listings)

“General Hospital” – On “General Hospital,” residents of Port Charles celebrate Halloween at the Metro Court hotel. Franco and Jason clash, while Sonny has a big reaction to one of the Halloween revelers. (2:00-3:00 p.m.)

“Dancing with the Stars” – “Dancing with the Stars” treats viewers to a thrilling ‘spooktacular’ night filled with scary and chilling performances, live. The remaining couples will perform an individual Halloween-themed routine. (8:00-10:01 p.m.)

“Jimmy Kimmel Live” – Jimmy, Guillermo, Dicky, Cleto and the Cletones and all of the show’s guests will be dressed for the occasion. The 11th Annual Half & Half Halloween Costume Pageant will be part of the evening’s festivities, where the show takes half of one costume and half of another, weaving them together to form one amazing hybrid costume. Past creations include Trumpty Dumpty, EmoJesus, The Walking Bed and Wilmer Valder-llama, to name a few. Kimmel will ask parents to join in on the YouTube Challenge ‘I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy,’ one of the show’s most cherished holiday traditions with over 200 million combined views on YouTube. (11:35–12:30 p.m.)

5 Fun Family Road Trips for Fall Foliage

Lolli — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 18:55:48 +0000

Fall is the perfect time to take a family road trip and enjoy some quality time together on the road. The weather is cool, the crowds may be thinned out, and if you go during the right time, the trees will be full of vibrant leaves waiting to be kissed by the sun.

Exploring the country in the fall means you’ll get to do some sight-seeing at gorgeous locations that are decked out in autumn splendor. America is full of many scenic locations that make for perfect road trips, so why not plan a trip to one of the five below?

Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 500 miles and is a great route to take for a road trip because you get to enjoy a variety of farmland and forests. The drive takes you near some popular cities such as Asheville, North Carolina and smaller mountain towns like Blowing Rock and Galax, which is a popular destination for bluegrass fans because of the Blue Ridge Music Center.

Another popular road trip destination in Virginia is the Shenandoah National Park. You could plan two separate trips and enjoy the sights that both routes have to offer. The Shenandoah National Park is home to Skyline Drive, which is a 105-mile road that goes through the park and has abundant views.

No matter which route you decide to take, be sure to check the foliage update on the state’s website to go during peak viewing season. You might want to plan ahead and book a hotel in advance during the peak season because rooms go quickly in the area.

Vermont’s Green Mountain and Mad River Byways

Vermont is a very popular destination for travelers who love seeing the fall foliage. You can drive leisurely on one-lane highways that take you through mountains and valleys that are full of color. To get the best views, start where the Mad River flows in Waitsfield, travel through Waterbury, and go on to Stowe. Stowe is home to the highest colorful peak in Vermont. The entire route is a short 23.9 miles.

While you’re there, you can enjoy a cider tasting at Cold Hollow Cider Mill or go shopping at the Cabot Annex, which happens to include the famous Cabot Cheese and Lake Champlain Chocolates. These little attractions are a perfect follow-up after a beautiful drive such as the one in Vermont. Since it’s a short route, you will still have some time and energy to explore the area.

The Coast of Michigan

Michigan’s coast offers plenty of opportunities to view breathtaking fall foliage. The route starts in Traverse City and runs 100 miles through Northeast Michigan. You will see fishing towns to explore and sweet coves from Lake Michigan’s shores as well as beautiful, fiery-red oak and maple leaves contrasting against the green fir, pine and spruce trees of Grand Traverse Bay.

You can stop and enjoy the views from Inspiration Point, walk through the idyllic villages of Omena and Peshwabestown that are located by the lake or visit an attraction from the 19^th Century, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. There is something for the whole family to enjoy in Michigan.

Lake Moosehead, Maine

Lake Moosehead is Maine’s largest lake and is lined with vibrant trees full of fall foliage for you to enjoy. To see the best views, start at Maine’s white-water-rafting location, The Forks, and travel to Jackman and into the North Woods. Be sure to stop at the Attean Overlook to see its famous views that extend all the way to the Canadian border.

Then go on over to Rockwood towards Lake Moosehead’s shores and stay a while in Greenville before driving under the trees as you take unpaved logging roads that boast beautiful sights. The entire route spans 75.2 miles.

If you and your family are feeling up for a challenge – why not hop on the 3,271 mile path of The Oregon Trail? It begins in Maine and takes you on the path the American settlers took across the nation to Oregon and you’ll see miles of beautiful country along the way.

Before you plan your trip, check the state’s website for the best times to see the leaves at their peak.

New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

This 84-mile route is home to some of the best views in the southwest. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway runs from Taos to Eagle Nest, through Angel Fire, and then back to Taos again. There are many things to see along the route.

Eagle Nest is home to Wheeler Peak, a 13,161-foot peak. Along the route, you will see aspens in shades of orange, cinquefoil in purple and cottonwoods in red and yellow. You might spot some of the wildlife as well, such as black bear, eagles and elk.

In this area you can visit Elizabethtown, which is an old gold-mining town, or stop by the Taos Fall Arts Festival if you’re in the area when it’s open.

So the next time you get the itch to enjoy a long drive on some open road with beautiful scenery, consider one of these destinations during the fall. Grab a map and plan your trip so you won’t miss out anything. All that’s left to do is pack your suitcases and load up the family for your next adventure.

About the Author

Jennifer Landis is a foodie, mama, and healthy living blogger. She loves yoga, tea, and running really far (but not really fast). Follow her on Twitter @JenniferELandis and check out her blog, Mindfulness Mama.

Feel As Good As You Look #WhereOnEarthRU

Lolli — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 15:43:28 +0000

This post and giveaway is sponsored by Earth® Shoes but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The past 8 weeks or so have had one specific theme: travel! I’ve gone from Maryland to Utah to California to Pennsylvania (multiple times) to Wisconsin to California again. I love travel, but it can be exhausting. And travel almost always includes a lot of walking. Between walking in the airport to walking to see the sights, it’s important for me to have a good pair of shoes that can sustain me through all of those steps.

Choosing which shoes I pack for a trip can be a challenge. I want shoes that are comfortable but also look good, because inevitably I will end up in more photos than usual when I am traveling. I am loving my new Jasper shoes from Earth® that are perfect with jeans, slacks or skirts, so that I can wear them when I’m feeling casual or when I want to get a little more dressed up.

This past week, as I was heading to San Diego, I chose my Earth® shoes with a comfortable pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a light sweater. Perfect travel clothes! And would you believe that I actually got a compliment on my shoes when I was at the airport? I don’t know if that has ever happened to me before!

Believe it! Shoes that look this good can be this comfortable!

I have had issues with my feet for years, from plantar fasciitis to weak ankles to arthritis, so I have been leaning more towards comfort instead of fashion when it comes to the shoes that I wear. I love Earth® shoes because I can have the best of both worlds – comfortable, foot-friendly shoes with high-quality, fashionable styles. When I feel good about the way I look AND I feel comfortable, it really does make a huge difference.

The week before I left, I wore my new Earth® shoes to a blogging conference, and I felt great all day, despite the fact that I spent so much time on my feet.

About Earth® Shoes

Earth® was founded by Anne Kalso, a Danish Yoga Instructor, who set-out to create shoes that made total body wellness its mission. Anne believed that wellness starts from the ground-up. To walk tall, one’s feet must be grounded and comfortable. To this day, this philosophy is designed into every Earth® shoe.

Here are a few of my favorite shoes from the Earth® fall collection:

Earth® footwear is characterized by authenticity, contemporary styling, original innovations that not only provide lasting comfort, but for many, important solutions that result in a sense of better well-being (like their Buy Shoes/Plant a Tree on Earth program). The brand is not only committed to comfort and style, but they are rooted in Founder Anne Kalso’s yoga-inspired “wellness from the ground up” philosophy.

Earth® shoes feature an innovative cushioned footbed for all day comfort, with a padded heel area to displace shock, a reinforced arch support to stabilize foot, and a multi-density latex cushioning layer for extra support (see an animation here).

Connect With Earth® Brand Footwear

Shop now on Earthbrands.com! Free Shipping and Returns!

Buy Shoes and Register to Plant A Tree here

FACEBOOK – @EarthFootwear

INSTAGRAM – @Earthbrands

Twitter – @EarthFootwear

#WhereOnEarthRU #EarthShoes

Win a Pair of Earth Shoes!

Enter to WIN your own pair of Earth Shoes right here! Choose your favorite style from the fall collection. The Fall 2016 Earth® Collection price ranges from $95 up to $140 for boots.

This giveaway will end on Saturday, November 5 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Kings Dominion BBQ & Brew Fest 2016

Lolli — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 20:00:37 +0000

This past Saturday, three of my kids and I headed south to Kings Dominion for BBQ & Brew Fest. All I had to do was mention BBQ tasting and they were ALL IN. This post is sponsored by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company in conjunction with Blog Meets Brand, and I have been compensated for my participation. All opinions are my own.

What is BBQ & Brew Fest?

It’s simple! BBQ & Brew Fest is a three weekend-long festival celebrating great BBQ and local craft beer. Guests can sample everything BBQ, from chicken to brisket to pork to ribs (and don’t forget the sides and desserts!). Guests 21 and over can enjoy signature craft brews from some of the area’s local breweries. All that BBQ pairs perfectly with entertainment from live bands. BBQ and Brew Fest runs Saturdays and Sundays, August 6 through August 21.

Where is BBQ & Brew Fest?

The BBQ & Brew Fest is set up at Kings Dominion along Candy Apple Grove. It’s easy to browse the different food offerings (all within a short walking distance around Candy Apple Grove) and then grab a shady spot to eat and listen to live music.

There is no separate admission fee for BBQ & Brew Fest – anyone in the park can enjoy. All food items are $5.00 each (except for watermelon cups which are $3.00 and strawberry shortcake parfaits which are $4.00); you can either pay cash or purchase sampler cards for $5.00 a piece. They’ve even got a discount card for $20.00 that get you 3 BBQ tasting cards and 2 brew sample cards.

Sample size (5 oz) pours of beer can be purchased for $3.00. Full size (20 oz) pours are $8.00 each.

The BBQ & Brew Fest Menu

The Pit
? Moonshine Pulled pork slider with smoky BBQ sauce and spicy pickles
? Beef Brisket Slider with BBQ sauce and spicy pickles

Tastes from the Tower Food Truck
? Redneck Eggroll with “white BBQ sauce”
? Loaded tater tots with pulled pork, cheese sauce, jalapenos and sour cream

BBQ Fiesta
? Loaded moonshine pulled pork “walking taco” bag
? BBQ chicken tacos

BBQ Island
? Hawaiian style grilled teriyaki beef slider with chive mayo and pineapple coleslaw
? Jamaican style jerk BBQ chicken quarter with Jambalaya Cornbread fritter and mango salsa

The Dogs
? Virginia Oinker dog (dog wrapped in ham, topped with BBQ pork and chopped bacon) and BBQ brown sugar baked beans
? Grilled hot dog topped with BBQ pork, coleslaw and jalapenos with BBQ brown sugar baked beans

Mac ‘N Cheesy
? BBQ pork and mashed potato “parfait” with macaroni and cheese
? Candied bacon blt served with BBQ macaroni and cheese

Southern ‘N Sweet
? Moonshine bratwurst with blackberry jam
? Southern style banana pudding

The Halligan Bar and Grill:

“Chicken Shack” BBQ
? Memphis Style BBQ Chicken Slider
? “Wings of Smoke”
? “Bird Dog”
? Sides: Cole Slaw, Cucumber Salad

Beef Country
? Texas Style Beef Brisket Slider
? Bacon Wrapped Brisket Bites
? “Texas Bull Dog”
? Sides: Cole Slaw, Macaroni salad

Carolina BBQ
? North Carolina Style Pulled Pork BBQ Slider
? Baby Back Ribs
? The “Dog Pound”
? Sides: Cole Slaw, BBQ Baked Beans

Fire Truck Smoker with Whole Pig Roasted on Saturdays

The BBQ & Brew Fest Brewers

I’m not a beer-drinker, so I can’t speak to how great the beer tasting was, but people sure seemed to enjoy it! The list of brewers is different each weekend.

August 6 – 7

Bold Rock Hard Cider — Nellysford (Nelson County), VA
Brother’s Craft Brewing — Harrisonburg, VA
Legend Brewing Company — Richmond, VA
O’Connor Brewing Company — Norfolk, VA
Old Bust Head Brewing Company — Faquier County, VA
Strangeways Brewery — Richmond, VA

August 13 – 14

Ardent Craft Ales — Richmond, VA
Devils Backbone — Roseland, VA
Midnight Brewery — Rockville, VA
Chaos Mountain Brewery — Callaway, VA
Center of the Universe — Ashland, VA
Starr Hill Brewery — Crozet, VA

August 20 – 21

Bold Rock Hard Cider — Nellysford (Nelson County), VA
Steam Bell Beer Works — Chesterfield, VA
Isley Brewing Company — Richmond, VA
Hardywood Craft Brewery — Richmond, VA
Kindred Spirits — Richmond, VA

The BBQ & Brew Fest Entertainment

I love live music, so this was perhaps my favorite part of BBQ & Brew Fest! We loved the Pat Russel Band, and wish we could be there every day of the festival to hear all of the other live entertainment!

8/6: Pat Russel Band
8/7: Inside Out
8/13: Moonshine Society
8/14: Red Light Rodeo Allstars
8/20: The Mashup
8/21: Little Country

Also catch Chainsaw Chix each day at 2:00pm, 3:15pm and 6:30pm. They were fascinating to watch!

I loved everything about our experience at Kings Dominion BBQ & Brew Fest, except for the weather. It was almost too hot to do anything at all. When we weren’t sampling the BBQ and listening to Pat Russel Band perform (in our shady spot), we were refilling our souvenir cups or ordering frozen treats to try to cool off. Unfortunately, because of my son’s stitches, we weren’t able to get wet (how mean would it have been to leave him while we went down a water slide or two?!) but we still had a blast on a couple of our favorite rides.

We’re definitely putting BBQ & Brew Fest on our calendar for next year!