Our Travels Archives - Page 21 of 23

What I Learned at the Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summit

November 25, 2012 by Melissa

Some of you may know that back in October I attended the Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summit in Chicago. This is my second year attending the Kenmore event and this time I got to meet a lot of really cool food bloggers. I love visiting Chicago because the atmosphere of the city is just awesome.

This was waiting for me when I arrived at the hotel.

The view from my room.

So like I mentioned the event was back in October so it has been a little over a month and the event was not only fun but informative. I learned a lot of stuff about cooking, food and lighting that I had no idea about. Melinda does most of the cooking in our house due to my work schedule but I do cook a few meals here and there when I have time. I am trying to take more pictures and write down more recipes when I prepare meals so that I can share them with my readers. So far I think we have shared maybe 2-3 recipes.

I also got the chance to learn about Cookmore which is Kenmore’s online cookbook where you are able to build your own recipe collection, view other peoples recipes and share your new and old recipes with others. I shared a recipe on Cookmore that has been in the family for many generations. Now I don’t think the recipe is anything new but it’s one that has been made around Christmas for as long as I can remember which you can see HERE.

Kenmore made this event so much fun as well as interactive so we actually got to get our hands dirty in the kitchen which was good. We weren’t all just sitting around bored listening to and watching other chefs cook we actually got to roll up our sleeve and got a chance to be chefs for a day.

Here are two dishes that my team and I made.

All in all the Kenmore 2012 Blogger Summit was a ton of fun. I like attending this kind of event because not only do I broaden my blogging horizons but I also get to meet some really nice people along the way which is really awesome. I am hoping to get an invite to the next Kenmore event so that I can meet more cool people and learn more awesome stuff from the folks at Kenmore.

If you can please head over to Cookmore because every recipe you add or share earns $1 for Heroes at Home up to $10,000. I can’t think of an easier way to help our troops and their families.

Airfare, hotel and meals were provided for this event but all of the opinions in this post are my own!!

The Parking Spot Recap

October 23, 2012 by Melissa

This past weekend I took an awesome trip to Chicago for the Kenmore 2012 Fall Blogger Summit and I had the opportunity to leave my car at The Parking Spot while I was on my trip.

Typically when I fly I tend to use the same parking lot and have done so for the last few years so I will admit that I was a little skeptical trying somewhere new. Now I know you might say it’s only a parking lot but I like knowing that my car is safe and will be in the same condition that I left it when I return back from my trip. Parking in the same lot for the last few years has given me a certain comfort level because I know how their overall process works but I stepped outside of my comfort zone and gave The Parking Spot a try and I am glad I did.

One day early last week I went to their web site to make a reservation which took only a few minutes because I wanted to make sure that the lot wouldn’t be full the day I arrived. The Parking Spot offers self-parking and valet parking at very reasonable prices and thankfully I decided on valet parking because when I arrived to the lot in Philadelphia on Friday it was pouring rain so needless to say it was nice to have a nice dry garage to pull into and unload all of my luggage. After I unloaded my luggage the attendant took my car and I waited for the shuttle to pick me up and take me to the airport. One of the things that I really liked besides the garage since it was pouring was that they offered free bottles of water as well as free copies of the USA Today (which I read on the way to Chicago). Most of the time it’s the little things that make an experience that much more enjoyable.

I was gone for two days and when I arrived back to Philly the process was super simple. I needed to wait in a certain zone at the airport and the shuttle just showed up. I called and was told a shuttle comes by approximately every seven minutes which means you won’t have to wait very long to be picked up. When I arrived back to the lot I was dropped off inside the valet garage and the attendant got my car for me and I was off. It was really that simple. After I settled up with the person and was about to pull away she handed me a bottle of water and told me to have a nice day. Again it’s the little things and I was so happy because after getting to the airport for a 6am flight and not having time to eat that bottle of water was refreshing and made my experience at The Parking Spot that much more enjoyable.

The Parking Spot, the nation’s largest near-airport parking operator, is now offering travelers up to 25 percent off parking as part of its “More Spots, More Savings” national promotion. With more than 35 locations at 22 U.S. airports, it’s now easier than ever to take advantage of low airfares and plan a getaway.

For this trip I stepped outside of my comfort zone and I am glad I did because The Parking Spot is now my new place to park when traveling from the Philadelphia airport.

Will you be traveling soon? If so today is your lucky day because one Look What Mom Found… and Dad too! reader will have the chance to win a voucher good for one week of free parking (valid for either self-park or valet) at any of the locations at the following U.S. airports : Atlanta Hartsfield, Austin Bergstrom, Buffalo – Niagara, Dallas Fort Worth, Dallas Love Field, Denver International, Houston Hobby, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, Newark, New York JFK, Oklahoma City Will Rogers, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, Port Columbus, and Lambert -St. Louis. All you have to do is tell me where you are planning on going for your next trip.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above. Please note the changes to the entries and frequency, entries that don’t follow rules may be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

SUBSCRIBE to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
SHARE this link on Facebook (I entered to win a week of free airport parking from LookWhatMomFound..and Dad too! )
FOLLOW Mom & Dad & The Parking Spot on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway (1 time per day), leave your twitter link each time: I entered to win a free week of airport parking from @theparkingspot @lkwhtmomfound @anddadtoo http://bit.ly/PPrzKp
ENTER another Giveaway – let us know which one in the comment (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Wednesday, November 14, 2012. The winners will be emailed and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Continental US residents only. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.

Heading To The Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summit

October 17, 2012 by Melissa

I will be heading to Chicago again on October 19th and 20th to attend the Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summitt. Last year was a ton of fun and I met a lot of great people which you can read HERE and I am looking forward to doing the same again this year.

This year, the focus is on cooking as they launch their digital cookbook with some top chefs on hand. I do like to cook but must admit I don’t do as much as I probably should and I am hoping this trip to Chicago will energize me to cook more. I am also looking forward to learning more about the digital cookbook and seeing what recipes people are adding because we are always looking for new meals in our house.

If you are interested in seeing what everyone will be talking about this Friday and Saturday be sure to follow #cookmore on Twitter and join in on the conversation.

Hope to see you in the windy city this weekend.

Annie’s Slice of Happiness Tour

October 17, 2012 by Melissa

If you read my Facebook status updates you know that EVERY Friday I mention TGIF – Homemade Pizza compliments of Melinda so when I heard about the Annie’s Pizza Slice of Happiness Tour I checked to see if they would be close to Delaware. As luck would have it they will be in Philadelphia on October 27-28.

The Slice of Happiness Tour began in September 29th in Berkeley, CA and will end with their last stop in the San Francisco Bay Area on November 14-16.

Below is a list of all of the stops with a link so that you can get further details.

Sept. 29
Sept. 30
Oct. 5
Oct. 6
Oct. 10
Oct. 12-13
Oct. 16-17
Oct. 20-21, 23
Oct. 24-25
Oct. 27-28
Oct. 31, Nov. 2
Nov. 3-4
Nov. 7-8
Nov. 14-16

Berkeley, CA
Petaluma, CA
Denver, CO
Littleton, CO
Des Moines, IA
Chicago, IL
Cincinnati, OH
New York, NY
New Haven, CT
Philadelphia, PA
Atlanta, GA
Nashville, TN
Minneapolis, MN
San Francisco Bay Area

At each stop, the “Slice of Happiness Tour” will serve up delicious pizza and host a number of fun, family activities including the opportunity to dig into Annie’s Truck Farm – a mobile garden growing organic herbs like the ones found in Annie’s pizza. Visitors can also take interactive family photos with Bernie, Annie’s mascot and Rabbit of Approval, and have a chance to win prizes, pizza coupons or an appearance on Annie’s “Slice of Happiness Tour” website.

The family and I will be checking out the stop in Philadelphia, PA so if you see three kids going nuts over free pizza samples be sure to come over and say hi because those are my kids.

For those of you in or coming to Philly area here are the event details:

Sat 10/27, 6-10pm
The Schuylkill Center’s Halloween Hikes and Hayrides
8480 Hagy’s Mill Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128

Also be sure to follow on Twitter @anniespizzatour and at Hashtag: #sliceofhappiness.

Pictures of Summer in NYC

September 6, 2012 by Melissa

a couple months back on one of the hottest days of the summer Steph and Kelly and I ventured into New York City for an event. The event sucked but we made the best of it while walking the streets of NYC, through Chelsea Markets and Union Square and doing a little bargain shopping.

Here are some pictures I took while there.

Here is Matthew Silver, The Great Performer. I spotted him half a block away across the street doing his thing in Union Square.

Where did you go this summer?

Choose Cruise for Family Friendly Vacation

September 3, 2012 by Melissa

Lately I’ve been hearing from families if cruises are truly family friendly. One of the biggest worries I hear “Is there going to be stuff for my toddler to do”. I say yes. We brought a toddler on a cruise and she still talks about it, remembers it vividly. My recommendation for a truly family friendly cruise is Carnival Cruise Lines. They are by far one of the most accommodating cruise lines for families out there. The staff goes out of their way to treat everyone like family and you definitely get the biggest bang for your buck when booking versus other cruise lines.

Something for everyone. Kids love mini golf but dad loves comedy while mom enjoys a relaxing massage. Get all of these options and more on board. The newer ships are adding more and more onboard entertainment and activities for every age. Don’t forget about the onboard pools and water parks and arcades.

Camp/Daycare/Youth programs. Send the kids to camp for the day or just a few hours while the adults indulge in some quiet poolside time. Let the teens dance dance dance with new friends at Club O2. Camp Carnival Night Owls(fees apply) is the ship’s newest adventure; giving kids the chance to stay later with organized events when the sun goes down. Camp Carnival is included in the cost of your cruise and runs on every ship in the fleet. Carnival caters to families and has activities and programs designed for kids age 4-months to 17 years old.

Food for every taste. Even the pickiest of eaters are going to find something to eat at one of the many restaurants. 24-hour pizza and room service is also an option for those less than structured meal times. Those with more refined palates can choose sushi, mongolian wok, gourmet Guy Fieri Burgers or signature dining options available everyday.

New sites everyday. How else are you going to be able to hope around to 3-4 different countries in just 1 week’s time. Ports of call are wonderful ways to get a peek at new scenery and experience a different culture even for just a few hours. Beaches, jungles, villages and markets are welcoming sites for tourist activity and shopping and excursions.

Trouble Free. Once you step on the boat there isn’t anything else you need to worry about. Your meals, transportation, entertainment and clean towels are all taken care of. Extras include beverages, casinos and spa treatments but those can be budgeted or left out without affecting your overall experience and satisfaction. Each day you receive an activity sheet for kids and you. The thinking is done for you.

My kids still talk about the cruise we experienced 2 years ago. They look at pictures, remember the beach excursions and talk about the plethora of food. We were able to spend a great deal of quality time together but each person was also able to enjoy their own time and space and adventures without hampering anyone else’s great time.

Shae’s Birthday at #Morey’sPier

August 23, 2012 by Melissa

Shae recently celebrated her 5th birthday. We spent the weekend doing things as a family, enjoying not only each other but soaking in the last days of summer vacation. I’m big on having parties and get togethers for the kids but this year we went a totally different direction.

Wildwood, NJ is home to some of the biggest and best beach fun on the east coast. The boardwalk is HUGE and home to games, rides, food and more. I grew up going to Wildwood and vividly remember rides like the Serpent and Olympic Fun Center for their arcades. This year is the first time we’ve taken the kids to Wildwood. We headed to Morey’s Piers.

Our day started early at the waterpark. Shae made her way down ShotgunFalls and WipeOut with NO FEAR. I on the other hand hate rides including the simpler things like the log flume.

The kids had a blast and we spent about 5 hours there before heading over to the rides. Sabreena is the daredevil and got on the “it”. It took Shaun an hour or so but he joined Sabreena on the scary rides.

The day was fantastic, one of the best times we’ve had as a family. We’re already talking about going back next year.

Bloggers on the Beach #BloggersBeachBash

August 11, 2012 by Melissa

Who thought a day at the beach with a bunch of bloggers was going to be so much fun. Blogger Beach Bash was hosted by the Golden Inn in Avalon, NJ on July 24th. BUT this wasn’t just a get together of bloggers taking up space in the sand this was as the title says a BASH. We were greeted on the beach by Matt Long of Sand Masters fame.

About 25 bloggers and their families were not only shown what a real sandcastle is supposed to look like we were all given instructions and tools to build our very own sand creations.

Can You Dig It Tools are created by Matt Long to get the best results on the beach. After his clinic he spent time walking around and giving pointers to those attempting sand structures of their own.

The Golden Inn welcomed all of us in for lunch and cupcakes from Truly Custom Cakery and pool time. The staff was friendly and helpful and very attentive especially since we quadrupled the crowd within minutes.
A special thanks to all of the sponsors that made this event so much fun.

The Painted Home @ThePaintedHome
Jordan Schneider Financial @JordanSchneider
Suddenly Safe & Secure Systems @SuddenlySafe
Visit AC @VisitAC
Hallmark – New TEXT Bands @HallmarkPR
Honest Tea @HonestTea
Pop Chips @popchipsphilly
Truly Custom Cakery- @customcakegal
Bai Drinks @drinkbai
Boogie Wipes @BoogieMom

Diary of a Wimpy Kid in NYC

August 3, 2012 by Melissa

This weekend Shaun and I were in NYC to catch a special screening of Diary of a Wimoy Kid: Dog Days. This trip was more than just a chance to watch a movie before it was released in theaters we also were able to participate in a Q&A session with author Jeff Kinney and the main actors Zachary Gordon and Robert Cabron. Create your own Wimpy Kid character from the movie Diary of a Wimpy Kid at Wimp Yourself!

The movie itself was great. I’m sad to say that Ihadn’t watched the first film but I’m definitely going to now. This film of the Wimpy Kid, Greg Heffley, is about how his WANTS to spend his summer. Ideally it would be video games but of course plans go awry. The family in the series of Diary of a Wimpy Kid feels very familiar to me. There is a point in the story where the father takes drastic measures to ensure his children get OUTSIDE during the summer; it’s something that could have happened in our own home.

After the move we headed to the Q & A session . I personnaly didn’t ask any questions because I was impressed that mostly children were raising their hands to speak with the actors and author. They asked very good, well thought out questions about their personal lives and making of the film.

After a very successful Q&A the children were able to get books signed . Here is Shaun along with his new friends showing off their newly signed books.

Next was a Parent Round Table Discussion with author Jeff Kinney. This is where the parents got a chance to talk with Jeff Kinney and ask pretty much anything we wanted. The questions ranged from personal to the future of Diary of a Wimpy Kid to what projects are on the horizon.

Here is my own question to Jeff Kinney and his response

Melinda I want to express the same thing others have said, I have a son who was a very reluctant reader and last summer he found one of your books and we since then have bought them all.
Mr. Jeff Kinney: Oh, really? Wow. Thank you.
Melinda: When did you realize “I made something good?”
Mr. Jeff Kinney: What’s funny was that I didn’t think that the books would get published. I eventually decided that I would put them online first. I wrote about 1,300 pages and I figured that it didn’t have a chance –because I had experienced three years of being rejected by cartoon syndicates.
I thought that the book was too strange.
As far as when I thought it might catch on was pretty early on. I think it was about two or three weeks after it came out it became a New York Times bestseller. It started at the number seven position. And then, it went eight, nine, and then I thought for sure that it would drop off. And then, it recovered and it’s stayed on continuously for five years. Amazing.
Mr. Jeff Kinney: The run has been shocking to me. Everything in my life is really strange. In a good way.
Mr. Jeff Kinney: By strange I mean because it’s been all in one chunk. From that moment that the book got published until now, it’s gets crazier and crazier.
One day I’ll be able to look back and say, “Wow, that was a neat time in my life.”
The round table brought out lots of laughs and personal stories from Jeff Kinney and his family. I look forward to what happens next with the Heffley family.

The general sentiment from many of the bloggers was this series has made a postive impact on their children. It has been able to give many children who haven’t yet developed a love of reading a glimmer of something good to come.

Planning a Family Vacation on a Budget

August 2, 2012 by Melissa

Over the last few years we’ve been taking more vacations, getaways and adventures. Doing this as a family of 5 becomes very stressful with packing, traveling and of course the high expense. I’ve been doing some independent research for some low cost, low stress, low maintenance trips. Whether it’s finding ways to stretch the dollar or find destinations that don’t require many extras or “outside the box” ideas.

Use Alternate Transit
Traveling by air is definitely the fastest way to get from point A to point b but lately with all the extra fees and high costs airfare can take a huge bite out of your travel budget. Look into traveling by train or bus. Depending on how far your destination is and the final cost of airfare, fees, luggage and parking you can hop on a train for less money. The travel time is definitely longer but train rides tend to be more quiet and comfortable, have less waiting around time(terminals) and offer many amenities like dining cars, amazing scenery, plenty of restrooms, ample leg room and space to walk around.

image provided courtesy Gene Bowker via Flickr

Kids Eat Free
When you’re choosing you final vacation location use the internet to your advantage to find hotels where kids eat free. This can drastically reduce your overall budget especially if you have multiple children. Complimentary breakfasts are a bonus too for the entire family.

Kids Stay Free
If you are going for all-inclusive resort vacationing take it a step further and look for Kids Stay Free programs. Since activities, beverages and food are already included in your package imagine the money you can save when you find one that offers kids under 12 stay free.

Skip the Hotel
Hotels are plentiful and are usually the first thought when planning a vacation. Did you know that there are plenty of homes, condos and cabins for rent that not only get you in the same area but also offer comforts you won’t get in hotels or motels. Patios, comfy furnishings and having a full kitchen are great homelike accommodations. Some are also great ways to cut costs on meals and snacks. Making a quick run to a grocery store and having the ingredients for a simple breakfast is a great way to save money for something more fun like attractions.

Ask for Extras
Call ahead to the hotel or rental property you are visiting and ask about what extras they do and can provide. If you are headed to a beach location ask about sand toys, chairs and umbrellas. Strollers, bicycles and wagons are some things that are supplied upon request only and often at no extra charge.

image provided courtesy of Megan Meza via Flickr

Who needs a souvenir?
Do your kids really need another stuffed animal, inflatable character on a stick or bag of beach glass? Snap pictures of the family in front of a famous tourist attraction, add a magnet and you have an instant souvenir for the fridge that can last a lifetime.

Have a Staycation Instead
Staycations are a great way to become a tourist in your own backyard. Visit the local historic cities , museums and zoos that you may not have visited in recent years. Don’t forget to check out the deal sites for reduced admissions, parking and even meals.

No matter if you decide to stay close to home or venture across country there are steps you can take to save some money or spend that money on the fun things when you reach your destination.

Where did you go this summer?

Read Something

Kids in the Kitchen Linky Party

Find it Here

How To Cancel?

What’s Mom Found Now?