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Family fun at the Branson Belle

July 13, 2011 by Jennifer 1 Comment

The fun does not stop in Branson, MO. As you seen from all the horse fun we had at Dixie Stampede and Shepherd of the Hills, it was time to take to the water for some fun. One of the most awesome Branson shows is the Showboat Branson Belle. Clean family fun was treated to us the entire night on this dinner cruise.

As we walked onto the boat, we were guided to our seats for some pre-dinner entertainment.

Our family loves music so much and I think that is one of the main reasons that we enjoyed the dinner cruise so much. The show was filled with entertainment from several vocalists including an all men’s group, an amazing woman who could play piano, violin, sing wonderful and do acrobats. Now she was extemely talented. The comedian will have you in laughter all throughout the show as well.

There was a break in between dinner and dessert for you to go out and take in the beautiful views on the water. The sunset was amazing and such a priceless moment.

Put your hands together and tap your feet for a quick glimpse into our super fun night aboard the Showboat Branson Belle.

Take your family and let them enjoy a super fun show, breathtaking lake views and some food. The girls said their kids meals were so delicious, so you may just want to order a kids meal haha!

Disclosure: Our family was treated to a night of fun by the Silver Dollar City attraction. We were not compensated and all thoughts/opinions are of my own.

Win a trip to Texas

July 12, 2011 by Jennifer 88 Comments

Texas is a state that I have always wanted to visit. There are so many wonderful sights for families from North Texas all the way to South Texas. The sights may win you in but if not, I know the food will. Let me start you out with some good ole Texas Chili and Cornbread that I cooked tonight for my family.

The smell filled the whole house while the chili was simmering.

My grandma would be proud of this delicious cake of cornbread.

I will serve yours on a Texas sized platter.

Hang tight and I will tell you how you can win your own pot of chili and cornbread.

Since everyone of course cannot go to Texas all at one time, Texas is coming to you on their tour this summer. The dates remaining this summer are:

– Bite of Seattle 7/15-7/17 Seattle, WA
– Ohio State Fair 7/27-7/31 Columbus, OH
– Iowa State Fair 8/11-8/21 Des Moines, IA
– Minnesota State Fair 8/25- 8/28 St. Paul, MN

I love when states make it easy for families to make travel plans. Texas is opening their big hearts and inviting families to their site so they can help create the best family vacation with their trip planner. These are the family attractions that caught my eye:

SeaWorld – San Antonia

Six Flags Over Texas

Schlitterbahn Beach – South Padre Island

Texas State Aquarium – Corpus Christi

Gladys Porter Zoo – Brownsville

NASA Space Center – Houston

River Walk – San Antonio

There is one fact for sure, you would never get bored in Texas. Don’t worry either that you will get lost as Texas Tourism has a mobile app and a mobile website that can be right with you every step of the way. What are you waiting on, get to planning that vacation, but first you can enter this giveaway as you never know…. you could be a winner.

WIN: While you are waiting to see if you win the Texas on Tour, enter my chili and cornbread giveaway. I will go ahead and tell you, that you have not ate true chili until you have tried Texas Chili.

texas chili gift pack — Texas Chili Gift Pack - $50 Value

Enter:

1. Leave a comment of who you would share a delicious bowl of chili and cornbread with!

Extra Entries:

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Make sure to leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

Contest ends 11:59pm ET on July 18, 2011.

Disclosure: Yes, I was sent a delicious gift set to tease my family with the Texas food but I was not compensated for this post. This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Can Horses Really Provide Family Fun

July 11, 2011 by Jennifer 3 Comments

If you ask this certain question to my 6 year old, her answer would obviously be yes, but what about if we asked everyone else? We were able to see firsthand if horses really do provide family fun while we were at the Dixie Stampede in Branson, MO.

Our first glimpse of the horses was outside during the meet and greet before the pre-show. L’s eyes got really big and she would carefully study each horse as we walked by.

After taking in all the horses, it was time to head inside and grab our drinks. We had a pre-show to attend.

From the juggling balls flying everywhere to pigs chasing you, this video will be one of the best two minutes you have spent in a long time.

Are you slapping your knee and cheering along with the crowd? I knew you would. Let the fun not stop with just the entertainment. You are served a complete 4 course meal at the Dixie Stampede. Only problem, you are not served with any silverware. Both girls looked at me: “Mommy, how are we suppose to eat our food?” Your hands are your silverware my dears, yes!

The best creamy vegetable soup you will be served and a delicious mouth watering biscuit.

The food continues to come all through the show, so make sure you come hungry.

Full meal:

* A Mouth-Watering Tender Whole Rotisserie Chicken
* Delicious Hickory Smoked Barbecued Pork Loin
* Dixie Stampede’s Original Creamy Vegetable Soup
* Scrumptious Homemade Biscuit
* Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob
* Tasty Herb-basted Potato
* Dixie’s very own Specialty Dessert
* Unlimited Pepsi®, tea or coffee

The whole family will be raising their hands in cheering on the north vs. south, so be prepared for lots of laughs, screaming, singing and best of all – clean family fun!

We cannot wait to go back and experience the Dixie Stampede again. Until next time my folks….

Disclosure: Thank you to Dixie Stampede for inviting my family to a wonderful evening. I was not compensated for this post.

From NC Mountains to Utah Mountains

July 8, 2011 by Jennifer 5 Comments

Mama here took flight across the US yesterday to the beautiful state of Utah. I have wanted to visit here for a really long time and thanks to work finally was able to travel here. After seeing this beautiful state, I am definitely putting it on our bucket list so I can bring out hubby and the girls to experience this amazing state.

I knew once we reached the snow cap mountains in the airplane, this state would have me at hello.

After landing, got in the rental car and headed to the mountains in Park City, Utah. Look at this landscape.

I get to my room here at Canyons Resort and immediately go out on my balcony off my room and the view is breathtaking. I immediately had to take a picture and send home.

As soon as I saw all the kids in the pool, I started missing my girls even more. They would love it here.

Once the temps outside started dipping, the fireplace was perfect. I have missed a fireplace so much!

I can’t wait to share more pictures of my time here. Definitely recommend for a family vacation though with what I have seen so far. I will keep you posted.

I ran my first 5K Susan G Komen

July 6, 2011 by Jennifer 4 Comments

The month of June was so busy that I am just now getting a chance to shout to all my readers, “I ran my first 5K” – Ok, I ran and walked it but either way, I did my first 5K. I really pushed myself too, because I was so sore for three days. I wish I would have trained a little bit better since the course involved up and down hills. I only do flat lands every night when I get my 2.5 miles in during my nightly exercise.

A few bloggers from NC and SC formed a team with Carolina Mama and Hanes to honor a wonderful friend Chele Chestnut who has bravely fought her own cancer fight this year with thyroid cancer. She is such an inspiration and I was honored to be a part of this wonderful team.

There were so many people doing the early 5K. More than I ever imagined. We paced ourselves at first to let the crowd get through so we could have room to run. I think this definitely was the right thing to do for my first 5K.

I could have not done this race without the support of a wonderful blogger friend Heather from Not DIY Life. She was an amazing encouragement all way through the race. We would be going up the hills and we both would say to each other “we got this, you can do it!” I definitely recommend doing your first race with a supportive friend. The support will get you through the race. The hills are definitely what got me and I will know for next time, to train more on hilly surfaces.

I finished my first race in 48:05. I was pleased with that but my goal is to get under 30 minutes eventually if I keep going with my workouts, I know I can accomplish that goal.

After the race, we grabbed a chocolate recovery drink that Whole Foods was giving out. I definitely needed it as I could feel my body start to shake a bit, so it was good to know they were there to replenish all the nutrients. As we drank our recovery drinks, we walked around to all the booths. There was one big board to where you could write messages to special close ones that are and did fight breast cancer. I left a note for my sweet cousin who put up such a brave fight and unfortunately lost the fight. She is in heaven now shining down on us though and I know she was proud for me doing this.

Special thank you to Hanes Comfort for sponsoring our team and a big shout-out to Wyndham Hotels for sponsoring Chele’s hotel for the night since she had to drive in from the East Coast. It means so much to us as bloggers to have companies like Hanes and Wyndham support our efforts when helping others. We will forever be grateful. Chele wrote about her experience with Wyndham. She was only there for a short visit, so we definitely need to get her back so she can experience Raleigh and Wyndham more indepth.

Here’s to my next 5K. Cheers!

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