ICE! At the Gaylord 2019

ICE! 2019 at the Gaylord Texan did not disappoint!  I loved the Charlie Brown Christmas theme this year, it was so nostalgic & fun.  We’ve been taking Connor to ICE! since he was around 2 years old, so I’d like to think we are somewhat pros at this whole event, but each year something new surprises me.  I never get tired of seeing the exhibit year after year.  If you want to see photos of previous years they are a lot of fun (Search “ICE at the Gaylord” in the search bar in the right column).

Terence stayed home with Heidi this year because she’s a bit too little to be in an environment this cold.  Connor brought his best friend Ben, and I brought my bestie Ellen.  We all had a great time…how can you not?  The Gaylord Texan is a magical place especially at Christmas time.

They don’t just have the ICE! exhibit during the season, there are a lot of other fun activities you can do as well.  There’s the holiday escape room, you can buy tickets when you get there or book online. If you combine ICE! with 2 or more events you can also save up to 30% on your visit.

The Gingerbread decorating corner

Here we are about to walk into ICE!  There are a lot of things to do out in the central gathering area…Lots of food, hot chocolate, a gift shop, Build a Bear, a carousel, snow tubing, and so much more!

These sculptures take months to create and pictures just don’t do them justice.  Here’s my friend Ellen 🙂

The ice slide never disappoints and is the main attraction inside the ICE! exhibit.  I know my son can’t wait to reach the ice slide every year.  Also, there is a reason you wear the blue coat…you have to pull it down over your bottom BEFORE you go down the slide!  It helps you slip slide down.  One year I didn’t wear a blue coat & got stuck on the slide.  Lol!

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Every year ICE! ends with the nativity scene and I LOVE that the Gaylord recognizes the true meaning of Christmas.

Unlimited snow tubing with pass.  This is another can’t miss feature and worth the upgrade.  Also, if you decide to get a VIP ticket you get to skip all the lines & get a free hot cocoa which is pretty nice, especially on weekends.

The carousel

Connor and Ben going for a ride and warming up with Dunkin’ hot chocolate.

Thank you so much to our friends at The Gaylord Texan we love you and LOVED being a part of ICE! this year.  If you all have any questions feel free to comment or check out my stories on Instagram too where I highlighted a bunch of stuff.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE.  DON’T FORGET TO USE COUPON CODE “JAVA” FOR 50% OFF (SELECT DATES ONLY)

Toyota Rav4 Adventure

Life throws you new adventures sometimes.  These adventures bring excitement, anticipation, and thrills.  For us, this meant a new baby girl arriving nine years after the birth of our son.  Over the last week, I had the opportunity to drive the brand new 2019 Toyota RAV 4 Adventure.  Let me tell you something — this vehicle is edgy, tough, and true pleasure to drive.  As an added bonus, it doesn’t skimp on safety and comes with plenty of features that made me feel comfortable driving our new baby angel home from the hospital.

(Last preggo pic before baby comes!)

Go on an adventure of your own by getting a 2019 RAV 4 Adventure.  Whether its sporting, camping, hiking, skiing, or simply driving through the city — make sure you protect your special cargo!

The Rav4 features tons of safety features:

The backup camera in the new RAV 4 is amazing.  Not only does it provide a straight view (blue line), but will also show where you are going based on how your wheels are turned (yellow line).  Whenever you get too close to an object, the backup sensors will beep to alert you.  Did I mention the cross traffic alert?!?  This model also alerts you of cross traffic while in reverse.  For example, when backing out of your driveway, or a parking spot at the store, it will beep and tell you the direction of the vehicle or person coming toward you — giving you that comfort and security to avoid a potential accident. We all know it’s easy to become distracted while driving and the lane departure system is a true a blessing.  Not only does it alert you when you start to accidentally cross into another lane, but it can gently guide you back into your lane (Safety Note: technology is never a replacement for being alert and attentive while driving).

The Adventure trim also comes in All Wheel Drive (AWD).  I’ve never driven an AWD vehicle and I have to say that it’s a big improvement — you can really feel the traction to the road.  It gives you an extra peace of mind on rainy days.

As part of the drive display, the RAV 4 Adventure trim will also read speed limit signs and will provide a visual indicator of the current speed limit.  When you start going a little too fast, it show an alert by giving a red border to the speed limit sign.

You can set the visual indicator to provide alerts at the interval you choose.

No one ever wants to be fumbling around at night trying to determine if your bright headlights are on or off.  With traffic, it also gets annoying flipping them on and off and on and off again.  Why not just use the automatic brights feature?!?

The 2019 RAV 4 Adventure also comes with Toyota Safety Connect.  It provides an additional level of safety and security by providing automatic collision notification, the ability to call roadside assistance, an SOS button that can be used to dispatch emergency services, and a stolen vehicle locator.

Okay, people.  One of my biggest annoyances in driving into the bright Texas sun and moving my head around and squinting to see the traffic in front of me.  This tiny feature is HUGE.  The sun visors have a nifty pull-out section to provide additional coverage — GENIUS!!!

Need to charge your phone?  No need to plug it in — just set it on this nifty pad for a charge.

The middle console has tons of room in addition to two 2.1A USB plugins.  These are powerful and will quickly recharge your devices.  We use these a lot when traveling to charge our kids tablets and handheld game systems.We all want to feel safe.  Just like a newborn girl in the arms of her great grandmother, Toyota delivers this comfort on the road.Precious cargo Dirt, Gravel, Construction Zones, Offroad Trails, City Streets — the new 2019 Toyota RAV 4 Adventure can conquer it all.

The Adventure trim has several drive modes:  Eco, Normal, and Sport.   With the push of a button, it can cater to your Adventure level of the day.  Feeling a little sporty, hit Sport Mode for a more aggressive feel.  Want to save gas, push the Eco mode.  With the Adventure model, you also have the added ability to fine tune the vehicle’s setting for various Adventure situations.  If you’re off-road on sandy or gravel surfaces, move the knob to Mud & Sand to provide some extra traction.  If you’re in the mountains or off-road, move the knob to Rock & Dirt to beef up the suspension and ride.  It also has a Snow and Downhill feature that assists the wheels and transmission in these situations.

The interior is full of compartment for easy storagePlenty of interior room!

Life is certainly an adventure…and I’m happy to say we enjoyed our great week of adventure in the RAV4!  We’re a little sleep deprived, but our hearts are full!  Here’s to the next great adventure raising this baby girl.  Heidi’s birth story coming soon 🙂

Enchant Christmas Family 4-Pack GIVEAWAY!

I’m so excited to be attending Enchant Christmas this year.  We went last year and I was blown away by the lights, ice rink, and reindeer games.  This year Enchant has changed things up a bit and instead of an ice rink there is an ice skating trail and several other new attractions.

There will also be a Christmas market for shopping and food as well!  It’s a Christmas experience you don’t want to miss!

Here are some pictures from last year, and I’m sure this year is going to be just as sparkly, if not better.

ENTER TO WIN HERE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
One 4-pack giveaway (Good for any combination of adults and kids ages 4-13. Kids 3 and under are free.)

Tickets are limited to November 27 – December 16 and December 26-30 excluding Saturdays and Nov 28 / Dec 27.

Tickets cannot be exchanged for another day once tickets are pulled.

Merry Christmas Baby + Win a $50 Gift Card!

Hey Y’all!  It’s shop small Saturday and I wanted to share one of my favorite boutiques with you and do a giveaway too!

I didn’t really do much Black Friday shopping in stores this year.  I stayed in my jammies and browsed online.  I also watched countless Hallmark Christmas movies….so you know it was FABULOUS!  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving & now we can officially say “Merry Christmas” to everyone!

Our tree this year:

 

So, I have the hardest time finding gifts for family and friends.  Especially for those who have pretty much everything!  I’m going to link some of my favorite gift ideas below & I’d love it if you share some ideas with me too!  Also, don’t forget to enter to win a $50 gift card to Picket Fence at the end of this post!

  1.  My sister had a baby a year ago and I’m so excited to purchase gifts for Ella this year.  She’s at such a fun age & this Christmas is going to be soooo much fun!  I also love being able to shop for a girl too.  This little double decker bus onesie is EVERYTHING!!!  I think you all know my love for all things British…ha ha!

2.  I love me some Packed Party.  Their confetti business card holders are one of my favorite gifts to give.

3.  For a good gag gift this “People of Walmart” coloring book is hilarious.  Pair it with some markers and wrap it up for some coloring fun.

4.  I think everyone needs a great light up mirror in their life.  This one is on sale right now & don’t you want to make sure you don’t have anything hanging out your nose or check your contouring in a 3X magnifying mirror…ha ha!

5.  One of my favorite bags is this Barrington tote, it now has a zipper on top.  It’s incredibly light weight too so it won’t weigh down your shoulder.  I highly recommend this bag for everyday use or travel.  It’s so cute and AMAZING!

ENTER TO WIN HERE!!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s Almost Christmas…Things I love + Gift Guide

As I look back on this year I can’t figure out where the time has gone?  Seriously, 2018 has been one of the fastest years ever!  There’s been so many fun things going on and I’m determined to amp up my blog game next year.  If you don’t follow me on Instagram…I update there several times a day…but I do miss writing out things on the blog as well.

So, I wanted to share a few things I’ve been loving this year and thought YOU might love them too!

  1.  This fabulous light up Christmas sweater from UglyChristmasSweater.com

I just love how this sweater lights up and features on of my FAVORITE Christmas movies…A Christmas Story.  This exact sweater can be found HERE.

2.  These are one of Connor’s favorite things on planet Earth and would make a great stocking stuffer!  SMASHERS!!!

3.  This wallet is my new favorite.  I had a Hobo Lauren wallet for awhile, but was looking for something a bit smaller.  This Hobo Glory wallet fit the bill quite nicely 🙂  It’s the same style as the Lauren, only smaller in size.

4.  I talk about this little phone stand a lot, but it is THAT GOOD.  I have two at the house and one at work.  It’s great for multi-tasking, talking on speaker, or video.

5.  Don’t forget to enter this giveaway HERE from Studio Movie Grill for a gift card to take your family to see a holiday movie this season!  Somebody’s going to win, it might as well be you!  Also, they have a special menu featuring The Nutracker And The Four Realms & it looks delicious!

6.  If you follow me on Instagram keep your EYES OPEN! I post Starbucks giveaways all the time and you never know when one is going to pop up!

7.  Connor’s Halloween costume this year was on point.  He wants to be a dolphin trainer when he grows up….right now anyway…so here we go!

8.  Check out this fab discount for ICE! at the Gaylord Texan!  Get tickets for 40% off using code “JAVA (dates for coupon code vary)

9.  This sweater from last Christmas is also one of my favorite finds.  For the price you can’t beat the cozy and soft feel of it.

10.  Here’s another Christmas discount code for you this season.  It’s for Enchant in Arlington.  It’s good THIS WEEK ONLY!!!  So run and get your tickets y’all!

Okay…I’m off to go finish Christmas decorating and relax!  Who has their tree up already???  I can’t be the only one itching to put mine up early…

Get Ready for Halloween with TVStoreOnline.com!

Y’all…Halloween is right around the corner and I just love dressing up!  I like to answer the door and see all the kiddos in their costumes and visit with neighbors.  Terence and I take turns taking Connor Trick-or-Treating.

This year I am ready for ALL the fun because I found the BEST MASK EVER from TVStoreOnline.com.  Over the summer we watched The Goonies and it’s one of my favorite childhood movies from the 80’s.  So of course when I saw this Sloth Mask I went crazy for it!  I posted about it on my Insta-stories a few days ago and a few of you asked me where I got it so there you go 🙂

I put it on and when Connor walked into the house I scared him to death it was hilarious!  I wish I had it on video because he jumped back and was so scared he almost started crying….best ever!

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It’s Pumpkin Season + Enter to WIN!!!

This post is sponsored by Entenmann’s® Little Bites®.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s officially PUMPKIN season y’all!  The next few months are the time of year I absolutely LIVE for.  Things have been going great and our kitchen remodel is done, school is back in full swing, and the weather is in the 70’s here in Texas.  I’ve been cooking a lot more and let me just say you never really appreciate how nice it is to have a home cooked meal until you can’t cook one for 6 months.  I also have a loving relationship with my Instapot right now.  So, if you have any good recipes please share with a sister 🙂

I normally get up in the morning and make breakfast and pack Connor’s lunch.  I like to mix it up and try different things.  I’m not one of those Moms who cuts everything up in perfect proportions or shapes, but I still want to pack a fun lunch!  You know my love for Little Bites because I’ve mentioned it many times on my blog.  Now is the time to try them, if you haven’t they are the BEST! Entenmann’s® Little Bites® Pumpkin Muffins are back on the shelves and make the perfect addition to your kiddos lunch box or an after school snack.

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