Surprise Vacation ... SeaWorld Adventure

So I've talked about our trip so far to the San Diego Zoo and Legoland. Today ends our adventure at the parks with SeaWorld. Rick use to work there when he lived in San Diego and wanted us to go and experience it. It was so amazing, the animals were beautiful. The shows were breath taking and they even had a few rides. 

Rick even planned a special dinner with Shamu, we surprised the kids when it was time for dinner and walked to the private seating.

Seaworld thankfully didn't have a lot of rides which made mom happy but boys of course could have taken more. I'm not a roller coaster person or a water person as you learned in previous post, so I had to sike myself up to get onto the Atlantis ride. Of course we got buckled in and Caden a freak out and I had to get us off the ride.

A big Thank you for Rick for planning this amazing vacation!

Family Trip ... LEGOLAND

Slowly I'm getting all my post up on this surprise vacation my husband planned for the kids. Our 2 adventure was to LEGOLAND, having boys and over abundance of of lego's in the house. As I love to call them DAMN torture things I step on in the middle of the night heading to the restroom. 

I must say LEGOLAND was pretty amazing with over 200 million lego bricks building things like people, animals and buildings. It really was breath taking, my favorite was the small works where they had iconic buildings and cities built from Lego's. 

The boys of course loved the Lego's but the rides where what they loved the most! NOW those who know me know I'm NOT a fan of rides or water. YES you guessed it that is what they had. I tried to be a good sport but let's say when a bystander with a water cannon thinks your the amazing target of the day you become a little less happy .. lol

The engineers at Lego are pretty amazing with all the character's they create also! I was in photo haven, as you can see my youngest is in most pictures. My oldest is at that faze where mom and a camera is like the plague ... lol. We even had a chance to take pictures with the characters that walked around. One was a cop and it was her first time in the suit her manager asked if Rick was a joker and would be up for a photo op. She really picked Rick as the right person, So Rick got arrested by a lego cop! CAN you say Christmas Card!!!

AMAZING Place I suggest going to visit it at least once!

San Diego Surprise Trip ... San Diego Zoo

More on our the surprise visit my husband planned for the kids. Our first full day was a trip to The San Diego Zoo!  The zoo I think was the one place I was the most excited to go see. I love our zoo's here but after you have gone several times you've seen it all. 

The San Diego Zoo was amazing and so big. We started with the double Decker bus tour so we could see all the grounds. We were able to make a plan on what we wanted to see plus we were able to see some of the animals and learn some fun trivia about them also.

After the bus tour we got some lunch, which was really spendy but no food in means your at the misery of the park. We ended walking around for like 5 hours checking it all out. They have a fun kangaroo bus that has several stops around the park if you want to give you feet a rest and head to different animals.

I had so much fun here, the boys of course thought it was ok. No rides and boys just think things are ok .. lol. A big thank you to my husband Rick for planning this amazing trip!

Surprise Vacation ... San Diego

My husband planned and set up a surprise trip all on his own (it even landed on our 12 year anniversary). He even called my boss and arranged my time off. When it got closer he did tell me since he knows I'm a little OCD and would have to plan things for work. We manged to kept it a complete secret from the boys. So two Sunday's ago we woke the kids up at 4am and told them my dad was taking us to breakfast!  They were in a sleep grumble and hopped into the car, they didn't even notice the suitcases in the back of the truck. The night before I stayed up and made a treasure map with 4 clues on where we were going. Of course I couldn't find tape to save my life so out came the glue gun lol. Yes I totally hot glued paper down.

We opened the first clue at Denny's while having breakfast clue #1: Lego Man picture "Oh the things we'll build but not with wood!". As we were heading out we opened clue #2: Zoo Animal picture "This is no ordinary place with animals". When we were close to the airport they opened clue #3: Whale picture "A famous whale lives here". When we were about to pull up to airport I had them open Clue #4: The San Diego State Logo. The video was the best of them figuring it out.

When we landed of course our room wasn't available for several hours so we picked up our rental car (the boys dream car a Camaro). I was so excited I was going to meet up with a blogger friend I have not met in real life yet but has been one of my besties for over 6 years. While we waited for my dinner date we walked around the mall. I of course had no place to change so I had to go to a bathroom to put on a dress. My hair was a mess from traveling so I took advantage of one of the kiosk in the mall with a flat iron. And my make-up was looking a little messy so I hit up Clinque. YUP I sure I was their favorite non paying person of the day ... lol.  I did great tips and when I got home went on Amazon and bought a new flat iron and a microdermabrasion brush that was used on me ... lol.

Then the time came to meet up with my friend Debby from Just Breathe. I can't tell you how excited I was! We have been friends for around 6 years along with another blogger Amy. We have all emailed and even talked on the phone a couple times. But nothing beats meeting in real life! We sat and talked for like 2 1/2 hours, I could have stayed for another few hours but Rick was blowing up my text to pick me up. I have not laughed so hard and had a bond with a friend in a long time. It was not like meeting someone for the first time it was like meeting up with a friend you haven't seen in a while and catch up on life. I so hope to meet up again if we head to California or maybe a girls get away where Amy can join us also!

What a way to start my vacation! I was riding on cloud 9 and walked on it our whole trip!

Branson Missouri Here I come, I'll be staying at the Hilton!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Can you tell it's summer time and I'm dying to go on vacation? This year as you know is tight for us but I know some of you are pulling out your hair by now with the kids home and needing a place to go to that will be fun for the whole family!

I've found a great place that would make everyone in this family happy. Branson Missouri has so many attractions and even better they have a Hilton, not just one but TWO to choose from. They have the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. Let me just say I'm in love and Branson and the of course how can one go wrong with the Hilton?

I would love to stay at The Promenade Just check out that photo isn't that gorgeous! It just screams come stay here! I headed over to the Specials & Packages page and boy do they have some deals you can choose from. The one that caught my eye was if you book by July 15th you could get 25% yes 1/4 off the cost of your getaway. P.S. it also comes with breakfast! SCORE!! Need a little more time no worries you can get 20% off if you book in advance online! Can you plan 3 months in advance? Even better you can get 30% off your choice of Exotic Hilton worldwide Resorts!

While you're in Branson I have planned out your trip, what a little OCD of me? Well you'll thank me I promise I did all the research for you!

Things to do:

• Check out the Gym ... What I always promise I'll at least check it out!
• Hit the Car Museum ... that one is for Rick
• Titanic Museum ... This one really is on my top list!
• Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum ... The boys would get the biggest kick out of this
• Butterfly Park ... This is one for mom, well the boys would like it I'm just afraid for the butterflies.
• Silver Creek Amusement Park ... Fun for the Whole Fam!
• The night light show ... Almost like Vegas with out the crazy street people.
• Candy Store ... of course we need to have treats!
• Concerts Shows ... This may be a good time to find a babysitter.

You'll enjoy every minute of course there is more sites to see but these are my favorite and Mother always knows best right? Hehe

Nothing is better than a great vacation at a GREAT hotel, not one you'll see on any 20/20 special! And close to so many attractions that are sure to please everyone!

Kissimmee Florida The Place to Be this Summer!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Kissimmee Tourism. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's summer time it's time for a vacation, oh boy do I need one! Rick and I went to Florida for our honeymoon and enjoyed the sites and all the attractions. One place we did venture threw was Kissimmee is in the heart of the most popular vacation spots and just South of Orlando. Kissimmee is the perfect combination of small town, luxury places and location, location, location!

Being right next door to Disneyworld has it perks, believe me we stayed about an hour and half away and it was such a waste of the time in the car. We did get to visit Kissimmee and I just love the town and we decided that next visit we want to be closer to the attractions and you know my love of small towns. I love to shop the shops have a taste of home while on vacation.

I fell in love with the Radisson Orlando Celebration Resort it is just breath taking, oh yes I would love to stay there and setting up your itinerary is so easy. Yes I tried it out! When things get better here I'm so going on a vacation, way over due I say!!

You can't tell me this doesn't look fun?

Yes that middle picture reminded me of Cole.

My Must See Attraction List Includes:

Kennedy Space Center

& Busch Garden Tampa Bay!

Make sure you head over Kissimmee and plan your own get away!

Great Wolf Lodge Snowland

I'm so excited we were asked back to Great Wolf Lodge see my boys aren't the loudest out there. Take that cranky old lady in the grocery store! LOL no really my boys actually were rather on the quiet side, it's actually nice to go somewhere and not be stared at for loud and crazy kids! So what do you do? You take them to a indoor waterpark with hundreds of other kids! Yup you fit right in and guess what? They are expected that there will be running and screaming up and down the hallways. Guess we'll see if we get invited back again .. LOL.

The fun thing about this trip was Snowland. Yup you guessed it, it actually snows in the lobby. Well it's technically a soap mix but it looks like real snow falling down twice a day! The boys loved it. We only stayed one night but we packed in as much of the festivities as we could. I do recommend staying at least 2 nights so you can do all the festivities along with the day to day events they have.

Snowland Offers:

• Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting
• visit with Santa, carol sing-alongs
• kids earn their "Snowland Mittens" at North Pole University
• Santa's Workshop in the Cub Club: kids make holiday cards, presents to give away, wish list

The year ends with Snowball on December 31, a New Year's bash with karaoke, New Year’s Eve feast, dancing, waterslide races with prizes.

Now I know cost is a huge thing with everyone this time of year, but do your searching and you can find some great deals and make this a Christmas no one will forget! Plus they have refrigerator in every room along with microwaves and you know what drives me a coffee pot. The Great Wolf Lodge next to us was close to a Walmart where we picked up some goodies when we didn't go out for the meals.

In true fashion of the way I roll I took pictures like crazy and instead of going on and on with my words (which I know you hang on to with breathless anticipation). So here it goes, well with some words also!!!

So we start our journey in the car!

I decided that I would let the boys open an early Christmas Present

I got an amazing deal at Target for a Dual Screen DVD

Black Friday with my coupons got me this for $77

Here we are on our way to the Great Wolf Lodge

The fun festivities that greet you!

I just love all the tree's they were each decorated different

The boys loved the one you waved your wand in front of to make it talk.

Things you'll see and may not see

To your left you will notice the kiddy pool empty

Well let's just say we got to see first hand what they do to clean up!

Yes there is a guy testing the water!

I know you all wondered!!

They have a garbage and recycling bins in your room

Beds that are comfy!

And of course a big bucket that dumps water!

Family Photo op times everywhere!

Hint* - Great idea for Christmas Cards!

The buffet is a good deal if you can eat enough.

I'm not a big eater, but Rick loved it!

Plus again family friendly so when you're kids scream

you look around and the others are too!

It's snowing INSIDE!!!

During Story time the clock tower animals talk and move!

Rodolph came to visit while they read a book to us.

Then it snowed! So cute kids in PJ's and snow falling.

Then it snowed outside!!

Then guess what it snowed again INSIDE!

Mommy Blogger Breakfast!

Kids tables were so cute!

And yummy food from the buffet.

I think that's the key for me give me breakfast food!

And the best part ...

Yes besides the breakfast buffet!

Is the amazing mommy bloggers!

Here are a few of my fav

well the ones that I could wrangle into a picture ... LOL

Jen Absolutely Bananas

(I'm now stalking her, she's hillarious)

My girl Shannon The Mommy-Files

(she keeps me updated with these events)

Carrie @ Stop Screaming I'm Driving!

(another hilarious mommy)

Stacey Because I must blog

And of course hello there is a water park attached!

Caden loved the kiddy pool!

Not only is it a pool but slides and jetski's that squirt water.

Cole was a big boy loved the slides and the wave pool.

Mom loved sitting on the side reading a book!

Oh yeah Dad too was like a little kid running around!

So there it is our great adventure and so much fun! Looking for a great way to runaway? Head to Great Wolf Lodge and you'll enjoy every minute of it! Just check out Caden's smile, how can he be wrong?

We did not receive a free trip, we were given a discount on our rate. These are my opinions from my families experience at the park.