Category: Family

ICE! 2015 at The Gaylord Texan #VisitICE2015

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We have enjoyed ICE! every year for the past few years here in our home town of Grapevine, TX.  I can’t even put it into words how wonderful it is…but I shall try.

Nothing puts me in a more festive mood than visiting ICE! at the Gaylord Texan.  There is something about all the lights and decorations that you just can’t help but walk around with a wide smile on your face 🙂

This year we were invited to the Gaylord for the first annual Blogger Fam event.  It was so fun and we got a behind the scenes look at how ICE! is created each year.  There is a different theme every year…this year’s theme was “Christmas Around the World”.

You can see our previous visits to ICE! HERE & HERE  & check out the themes over the years.

I’ll let most of the pictures do the talking.  It’s amazing how all this is created in such a short amount of time.

Here are some facts about ICE!:

Experience the magic of Christmas Around the World as you journey through colorful holiday displays. It takes 40 remarkable ice artisans from Harbin, China to create this winter wonderland.  Bring a hat and gloves because it’s a chilly 9 degrees! There are more than TWO MILLION pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures during the Lone Star Christmas celebration in Grapevine, TX.  It also takes two million lights, two million pounds of real Texas snow, 15,000 ornaments, and a 54-foot Christmas tree!

Celebrate cultural traditions from around the world featuring holiday scenes and children from Mexico, Germany, and more!

Enjoy two-story tall ice slides, an enchanting Parade of Toys and larger-than-life ornaments.

Travel through the North Pole and sit inside Santa’s sleigh!

Experience the Frostbite Factory – an interactive ice carving station.

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Conclude your experience with the majesty of a full nativity in stunning, crystal clear ice.

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Hanging out on Santa’s sleigh

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The ice slide 🙂BBP_2140 BBP_2135 BBP_2134

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Snow tubing

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I got to spend a lot of time with these two lovely gals!

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All three of our boys are in Kindergarten this year…they had a blast.  The Three Stooges.BBP_2100 BBP_2090

The inside of the Gaylord Texan is so beautiful!

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Thank you Gaylord Texan for a WONDERFUL stay and we will for sure be back next year for more fun!

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Don’t forget you have a couple of days left to get this deal for 50% off ICE! tickets:

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And the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders event is coming up too! Learn cheers and chants, dance moves, and take fun photos while the whole family enjoys a lavish brunch filled with delicious buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast, breakfast tacos, pastries, and so much more.

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Date:  Sunday, December 13
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Yellow Rose Ballroom
Price:

  • $39.99* Adults
  • $19.99 Children (ages 4-12)
  • Children 3 & under: Free

*Pricing includes tax, gratuity and self-parking. Adult beverages for those ages 21 and up available for purchase. One adult cannot accompany more than six children.

Limited seating is available. Reserve your spot today!
Purchase tickets online or call 1-817-778-1000

Making the Most of Christmas with #Hallmark

This post is sponsored by Hallmark but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #ad

Christmas time is here * Happiness and cheer * Fun for all that children call * Their favorite time of the year*

I love everything that comes with the Christmas season.  Gathering with family and friends, a visit with Santa, shopping for gifts, and Christmas cards in the mail.  One of my favorite places to shop during the holidays is Hallmark.  They have the cutest gifts and the best stocking stuffers.  From candles, soaps, fluffy socks, stuffed animals, and candy galore….they have it all!

Have you checked out all the Star Wars stuff Hallmark has lately?  Let me just say we have a certain 5-year-old who is counting down the days until the Star Wars movie premier.  It’s everything Star Wars for this kiddo this Christmas.

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Cute little Christmas Yoda, Darth Vader, and Storm Trooper.  The Star Wars wrapping paper is also available at Hallmark stores.

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If you searching for a gift for a co-worker or friend the Crafters & Co. gifts at Hallmark are perfect!  Everything from chocolates, artisan-made hand soaps, tea, and candles.  Just a little something extra to show someone you care.

Being a photographer I’m always looking for fun photo backdrops. One of my favorite things to do (and easiest) is to take wrapping paper and hang it behind my subject in a picture.   Nothing fancy…it just makes for a really cute photo!

I got this candy cane wrapping paper at Hallmark, I love their wrapping paper by the way because it’s not the thin, flimsy paper.  It holds up well to folding and taping 🙂

My photo backdrop:

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My handsome subject:

(The reindeer hat and mittens are also a Hallmark find!  Soooo cute and only $9.99 for the set)

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I hope you all have fun shopping, decorating, and gathering this Christmas!

Check out our video below for a sneak peek of all the fun holiday goodies at Hallmark this year.

Chocolate is My Love Language: Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe #SayMore #IC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

If you know me well or have been around me a decent amout of time you know my absolute LOVE for all things chocolate!  I recently tried the Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe chocolates and oh my gosh y’all!  Soooo good!  These KISSES are filled with whole roasted hazelnut, creamy layers and delicate crisps.

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Christmas is all about sharing love and spreading cheer.  What better way to say you care about someone than a box full of chocolates???

When I was growing up we would go to church on Sundays and my Dad would ask all the ladies if they wanted a “kiss“.  Of course they would smile and laugh at him…then sort of look at him like he was crazy!  Ha ha!  My Dad would smile back and place a Hershey’s KISS in their hand.  It tickled them and it made their day.  The looks on their faces was priceless when they realized it was a chocolate he was handing them 🙂

My Daddy is awesome like that.  He always thinks of everyone before himself.

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I look forward to the holiday season because of the feeling in the air and everyone just seems to be a little bit nicer.  People give more, do more, and say more.  These KISSES are twice the size of an original KISSES Chocolate.  More to love!  Ha ha!

I’m going to give someone a KISS this holiday….are you?

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Look at the hazelnut center.  I can’t wait to make someone’s day and make them feel special.

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Enter to win one of 50 Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe 75 – piece gift box valued at $35

Contest opens on November 6, 2015 and closes December 14, 2015

Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe Giveaway

*I-C will randomly select fifty winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Keep up with Hershey’s Kisses on Facebook & Twitter

This video touched my heart.  As Mom’s so many things we do go unnoticed and it’s so sweet what her kids did.  Melt my heart….literally.

How will you make someone’s day this holiday?

 

Klondike Fall Treats #KlondikeVariety #IC

This post was sponsored by Klondike as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

It’s fall and football season is officially in session.  We are big TCU fans in our house.  Every weekend our Saturdays seems to revolve around the big game.  It’s so much more fun to have people over and watch sports than watching alone right?  Gathering, talking, and eating our favorite snacks and sweets.  One of my favorite treats to serve guests in Klondike bars.  Each sweet snack is individually wrapped and easy to share and serve!

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Let me introduce you to my little friends : The Klondike Bars.  Klondike has 12 varieties of yummy chocolate covered bars and candy filled treats!   My absolute favorite is the new Cookie Dough Swirl!  It’s just like the classic Klondike bar, but with layers of cookie dough mixed in…YUM.  Not to mention there are 2 extra snacks in the package 🙂

The OREO is one of my favorites too.  Mixing OREOS with ice cream???  Yes please.

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Look at my future little football player…isn’t he precious!

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Connor’s favorite is the Klondike Mrs. Fields sandwiches.  Chocolate chip cookies sandwiches with vanilla ice cream.  That’s a happy kiddo!  He’s growing up way to fast I tell ya.  I can’t stand it….soon we’ll be watching him in the stands (maybe if that’s what he’s into).  Of course by then I might need 3 boxes of these because boys eat a TON!               

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Also, the Klondike Kandy bars are AMAZING ya’ll!  If you haven’t tried these you are missing out.  The Cookies & Cream bars are sooooo good!  I’m in a mint mood with Christmas coming up, so the Mint Fudge Cookie bars sound so good right now.

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What are your favorite treats to serve during the season?  

Sometimes it’s nice just to sit back and relax this time of year and not have to worry about cooking…especially “what’s for dessert?”.  I guarantee your guests will enjoy a Klondike treat just as much, and you’ll get to spend more time with your friends and family too!

Now that’s what I call a WIN=WIN.

For more information about Klondike visit Klondike on Facebook and on Twitter 

Halloween 2015

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We’ve had a crazy year so far.  Connor has had bouts of constant sickness.  First he had pneumonia, then all of us got it.  Then he had strep for about a week.  The Doctor put him on penicillin, he broke out in horrible hives.  Turns out he’s allergic.  About a week later he started having joint problems and could barely walk…it was just awful.  I guess his allergic reaction sort of went septic and caused a lot of issues.  So, 3-4 Doctor visits later he seems to be doing much better after being on a steroid treatment.  I told him to stop licking the carpet at school because of all the GERMS!  Seriously…kids are just gross.

I’m hoping and praying we have a HEALTHY holiday!

Anyway…

The actual day of Halloween we didn’t get to do much trick-or-treating because Connor couldn’t really walk around well.  We went to Terence’s work on Friday night and they had a big trick-or-treat for the kids of the employees and each department dressed up in different themes.  It was really cool!  I’m glad we got to go and participate this year…first time I haven’t had to work full-time in over 10 years and be present 🙂

Sarah made us matching “Mother of Dragons” shirts to wear.  Yes…we are so cool right?

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Connor was Luke Skywalker this year.  Anything and everything Star Wars these days is “totally cool Mom“.  Ellie (Sarah’s daughter) was Peppa the Pig.

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A few weekends ago we also got together with a bunch of our pre-school friends and had a little reunion at the pumpkin patch.  It was so nice to see familiar faces we love and miss so much!

Here is my big Connor boy
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The two loves of my life- My boys 🙂BBP_8994

The corn maze.  Ugh…those things are so frustrating!  It could be because it was 90 degrees….but yeah we got lost.  That’s the point right?BBP_8995

Connor and his bff Bridget

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And Lucas

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All the gang together again

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Family pumpkin patch pic

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Hope you all are having a great fall!  I can’t believe we are already headed towards Christmas.  You know me…I’ve already had a couple eggnog lattes 🙂

Boost your Cup of Coffee with Folgers Flavors #RemixYourCoffee #IC

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Folgers. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
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Coffee is definitely one of my love languages.  I love coffee any time and any day of the week!  It puts the pep in my step and helps with that daily “boost“.  Some days are just hard to get through, from the moment you get up it can be struggle just to make it out the door.  I also have those afternoon sinking spells all the time.  Needless to say, I drink a lot of coffee!  I’m not really a black coffee sort of gal…I do love coffee…but I need some FLAVOR!

I just love, love, love these new Folgers Flavors.  These are perfect for adding yummy flavor to your coffee.  The bottles are easy to pop in your bag- use on the go, no matter where you are.  Folgers Flavors don’t need to be refrigerated either!

Folgers Flavors come in a variety of flavors too:

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I am a big fan of caramel.  The first flavor I tried was the caramel and it added just the right amount of “oomph” to my coffee.  Some days I also enjoy an iced coffee, and the Iced Hazelnut was really good too!  BBP_9272

I even add the Mocha flavor to my protein shakes to flavor it a bit more. They taste really good that way!  You can also mix the flavors together and have a caramel hazelnut coffee.  Or how about a hazelnut mocha? #YUM

How do you #RemixYourCoffee ???  What’s your favorite flavor?

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YouTube sensation Mike Tompkins has put his unique spin on the iconic Folgers jingle and created an original a capella Folgers remix mash-up.  Watch HERE & below.

For more information, visit www.Folgers.com

 

Folgers Flavors Giveaway:

“Contest entrants are only eligible to win once per sweepstake, per household as part of a campaign sponsored by Influence Central.”

Enter to win two samples of the Folgers Flavors using the entry form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the latest and greatest from Folgers on Facebook & Twitter.

Weight Watchers Red Velvet Cake Balls #SmarterTreats #CollectiveBias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SmarterTreats  #CollectiveBias

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It’s almost time for the holidays!  It’s only a couple months away and my favorite time of year is kicking off.  Yay!  The food this time of year is also something I wait all year for.  From sweets to savory treats…I love them all!  My favorite meal is dessert and this year I vow not to eat my weight in food.  Fear not… Weight Watchers is here to help you!

One of my favorite treats during the holidays is red velvet cake balls.  I usually make them around this time of year to take to parties or work functions.  I went to my local Walmart and picked up a couple of boxes of the Red Velvet Creme Cakes in the snack cake isle.

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Red Velvet (Weight Watchers version) of Red Velvet Cake Balls:

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All you need are two boxes of the Red Velvet Creme Cakes and some chocolate dipping sauce.  That’s it!  No need to bake the cake (NO BAKING!!!) or adding icing like you normally would.  Save time and feel healthier at the same time 🙂

The Red Velvet Creme Cakes already have the cream inside to give your cake mix moisture.

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Peel off the wrappers and put in a bowl

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Mix together until you get a big ball of red velvet goodness

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Roll your balls into the size desired.  I got around 16 cake balls from two boxes.

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Put in refrigerator for around 30 minutes until firm

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Dip in chocolate and top with your favorite sprinkles!

Each cake ball is around 11-12 Weight Watchers points.

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Easy as cake 🙂 Literally

You could also make chocolate cake balls with the Weight Watchers Chocolate Creme Cakes.

So, there you have it.  My favorite holiday treat- a lighter version that is!

Be sure to check out more delicious Weight Watchers recipes HERE and share your favorite too.  There will also be live demos showcasing some great Weight Watchers recipes at a local Walmart near you from 10/29-11/1.  Click HERE to find where the nearest location is to you.