Knott's Berry Farm New Boardwalk Ride - #Boardwalk

 

Knott’s Berry Farm has added new rides to the Boardwalk making the park more exciting. Along with new rides, they have also made large improvements to the Timber Mountain Log ride.  My family and I visited Knott’s Berry Farm during the Father’s Day weekend.  We were all excited to try the new rides and watch the new shows Snoopy had to offer.   Here is what we saw and enjoyed while we were there celebrating the Father's Day weekend.

The Boardwalk was so much fun because we rode on the new rides: Coast Rider, Pacific Scrambler, and Surfside Gliders. My oldest son wanted to go on them again and again. We went a total of three times until the lines started to get long.  These rides are totally worth waiting in line for and having fun with the family.  Warning these rides will give the Don King hairdo or in other words Crazy all over the place hair.  We love crazy hair because it is proof of the fun we had on the rides.

 

We rode the Timber Mountain log ride.  It was new and improved with lots of surprises. There was life like characters made by Gardner Holt Productions.  (The Garner Holt Production is the world's largest Manufacturer of Animatronics design for theme parks, museums and retail locations.) The new additions and improvements made the ride an awesome experience.  We had a great time riding with a friend Jennifer from Toddler Trails and her family. 

 

 Another favorite thing to do at Knott's is the live entertainment like Snoopy…Unleashed Ice Skating Show, Salsa & Latin Bands, Native American Dance and Mystery Lodge. They have so many more fun shows and music bands visiting this summer at Knott’s Berry Farm.  Here is a list of all the entertainment shows scheduled for this summer:

Snoopy...Unleashed! On Ice - Your kids will love this show.

Boom Town

Britain's Finest

The Kelly Rae Band

Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular

Hooray For Hollywood - Keeps the little ones dancing.

Clueless Re-mix with DJ Reesso

Ghost Town Miners

Ghost Town Characters

Moon Rays

Salsa & Latin Bands - Bring your dancing shoes and partner.

The Big Fat Steve Band

Calico Saloon Show

Fool's Gold Stunt Show

Native American Dancers - Highly recommend

Mystery Lodge - Highly recommend

Marshall Purdy

Fiesta Folklorico

 

We did not get to see all of the shows because there is so much to do and see.  We had so much fun, we are planning on going back with friends and family to make more Knott's memories. We hope that this summer, everyone gets a chance to experience a theme park that has a rich history as well as great new rides and awesome entertainment.  Consider purchasing an annual pass and let the good times roll all year long. You know you will want to go for Halloween and Thanksgiving Break.

 

Disclaimer: Sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Warm Welcome Home from Crabtree & Evelyn

Call me a rough around the edges guy or an old horse set in its ways...I don't get very excited about products.  I especially am not one to spend handfuls of money on items that, in my narrow minded opinion, I can purchase at Target or Wal-Mart for $1.99.  Call me cheap, thrifty, a typical man...whatever it may be; I am far from the stigma "Metro Sexual!"  You know the strapping young lad who must remove every ounce of hair on his body, has his eyebrows waxed, tans at a salon and spends $60 on a haircut every 2 weeks whether he needs it or not!  NO, NO!  I am not that guy nor are any of my buddies even though I am a middle executive for a Fortune 500 company.  Now, I am not saying those guys are bad nor throwing stones at expensive products, I am simply stating....I am a simple every day guy with not too many worries.  I enjoy time with my family and friends, in a t-shirt and shorts, a beer in one hand and at BBQ chicken leg in the other.  Don't get me wrong, I can clean up with the best of them!

 

Last week, I came home from a business trip in New York, tired from travel, meetings and the time change.  To my surprise, I was greeted home with a box from Crabtree & Evelyn, makers of quality skin care products for both men and women.  When I opened the box, inside I received the makers West Indian Lime Shave Cream and After Shave Balm.  Alma, as she does with me, explained how she wanted me to take better care of myself, enjoy finer things in life and believed that I would truly enjoy these products.  This being a Father's Day gift from her and our Boys, it was a very nice gift and I was very appreciative.  The products were taken out of their boxes and placed on my side of the bathroom counter.
 

Monday morning arrived as the blur it normally does and without fail, I reached for my shaving supplies in the cabinet not thinking about my new gifts.  I shaved using my old faithful product line and looked over noticing the new products.  I decided, "Well, already shaved but couldn't hurt to try out the aftershave balm."  I pumped a few beads into my hand and applied it to my face.  There was a very refreshing feel to my face and visibly, just a nice clean glow to my skin.  No sting, no sharp cool sensation, no greasy or sticky feel; just a nice clean, refreshing feel. 

 

The next morning, I got up and started my routine.  This time, enjoying the balm I had tried the day before, I reached for the shave cream.  The product was very different from what I am accustom to where the cream expands 15 times the volume in my hand.  This was a very simple bead of cream almost like toothpaste but with a silky feel.  As I applied the cream to my face, it didn't lather as I was used to and I began to think that my shave was going to turn into a date with Edward Scissorhands.  I reached up with my razor and began my shave.  As I did, the thin layer of cream seemed to act as a lubricant between my face and the razor.  There was no tugging or pulling only a nice smooth glide.  I rinsed my razor and with very little effort the cream and facial hair rinsed away.  I have a very course beard where the facial hair sticks between the blades making it hard to get a close shave.  With my old product, I found myself spending more time slapping the head of my razor against the sink bowl than I was actually shaving.  This was not the case using the shave cream from Crabtree & Evelyn.  The end result was a very close shave, clean, smooth feel to my face and a clean razor.  I applied my new after shave balm and went about my day!

 

 A week has past and I haven't turned back to my old products....well OK, my razors are still the old faithful however I have turned a major corner in my life.  I am now looking into additional Crabtree & Evelyn products to enhance my shaving & skin care experience.  Guys, take it from a person who marketing departments hate because I can't be sold by claims!  This product is incredible.  Whether you are a self-proclaimed "Metro Sexual", a "Treat Myself to Quality" or just an "Average Joe" kind of guy, I truly suggest you try these products.

 

Crabtree & Evelyn has been selling quality skin care products since 1972, turning their brand into a luxurious experience for no more than other name brands you find at your favorite store.  With stores, outlets and retail partners across the nation, you are sure to find excellent products suited for your needs.  Shop online today at Crabtree & Evelyn and you will find quality products such as lotions, balms, shaving creams, bath and body soaps, fragrances and many other bed and bath supplies.  I want to thank both Crabtree & Evelyn and my dear wife for thinking of me and providing me with a new experience and a changed opinion of quality skin products...I am a new fan of your product!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Crabtree & Evelyn

This post written by Guest Writer and Chief Operating Officer, Tim Bosek - Field Trip Mom 

Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was exchanged for this review.  Crabtree & Evelyn were very generous in sending me both the shave cream and aftershave balm for my review at no charge.





 

Summer Shoes perfect for Water and Sand - Crocs Shoes

 

During the summer we live in our Crocs. We consider them lucky. They keep us moving and in style that is why we call them our lucky shoes. They allow us to play in the mud, water or sand, without damaging them. They are very fashionable and are perfect with our summer clothing. We wear them with shorts and blue jeans. We absolutely love them and have been wearing them for years. We love the fact that they are easy to put on (no shoe laces) and take off. They come in many styles that support arches or flat feet. Most important is that our feet are happy wearing these fun shoes. This summer we recommend that you buy a pair and give your other shoes a break. Be ready to fall in love with these comfy shoes. Find great deals on them at your local Nordstrom Rack. One warning is that you may want to have more than one pair. Let me know how you like your Crocs. 

 

Disclaimer: Not a sponsor post. Sharing my must have item for summer.

Kung Fu Panda - Legends of Awesomeness DVD Release Good Croc, Bad Croc

Today, June 18^th, 2013, DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda Legends of Awesomeness “Good Croc, Bad Croc” DVD goes on sale. This is a (2) two hour fun and action packed adventure movie that will keep you glued to the TV.  The movie has great messages that teach what good behavior looks like.  The Furious Five: Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Crane and Viper help Po the Dragon Warrior defeat the Croc Bandits.  The movie is broken into (7) stories that bring awareness to bad behavior and how to deal with them.  The titles included are:

 

· Good Croc Bad Croc

· The Princess and the Po

· Chain Reaction

· Bad Po

· Jailhouse Panda

·  Father Crime

·  Po Fans Out

 

The family and I watched the entire DVD and I have to say it was a great family moment. We had an open dialogue about what good behavior looks like and why it is important.

One of the episodes that brought lots of questions was the episode “Father Crime”.   Both kids were shocked that a grown-up disappointed his child.  This was a great opportunity for me to discuss that grown-ups make mistakes too.  Watching the DVD gave us great family time to connect.  It also got us to laugh together and share Kung Fu moves.  

Overall, the DVD brought great ideas and reminders on how to teach kindness, patience, love and forgiveness.  I highly recommend this DVD to be watched as a family or with the kids friends.  You won’t be disappointed because you will laugh and smile as you watch awesomeness!

Disclaimer: I received the DVD to review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions and thoughts are all my own.

Happy Father's Day - Miss you Dad.

This Sunday is Father’s Day.  I want to share my father’s day story. I tried to write it sooner, but each time the memories would bring me to tears.  This time I will push through it and be brave. Here we go. I am the youngest of (6) kids. I grew up living mostly with my mom and dad, because my family was separated for the first nine years of my life. (My siblings lived in Mexico with relatives.) My main caregiver was my dad due to my mother being ill; therefore I was closer to my dad than anyone else.  If I needed compassion or advice I would go to him.  My dad was the calmer of the two parents.  He was the one that would take me to kindergarten and talk to the teacher about my progress. My most fond memory is when he would take me to McDonald’s for a happy meal as a fun thing to do.   It was usually right before we both went grocery shopping at the Grand Central Market in Los Angeles. He and I were responsible for groceries.  At home we would watch re-runs of The Lawrence Welk Show and Bruce Lee.  Dad loved to listen to a good piece of orchestra music. He once told me that as a young man he had wanted to play in a band.  He did not say much more about that subject again.  It made him sad to talk about his love of music. (I would have to guess it ended, because of his arranged marriage to my mom.) What I remember the most from my childhood is that dad loved to help people. He would help relatives and friends find work. Sometimes he would have friends living with us to help them out through hard times. Through helping others he became very social in Los Angeles and had lots of contacts. It was interesting to watch my dad connect people with work and a place to live.  My dad was a good man. Yes, he made lots of mistakes with his family and throughout the years he paid for them.  My dad was very much human and compassionate. I will save you the horrible details of his last years and fast forward to the last moments of his life.  He had been suffering for years of different complications and was on one kidney, when he suffered a heart attack. He had been in the hospital before and each time he had pulled through. It was right before Easter when he got hospitalized.  I thought he would be alright, like all the times he had been in the hospital. The last conversation I had with him,  I promised him a family dinner for Easter. I told him not to worry that he would be home by that time. He had to get better, so he could get to know my boyfriend. But days turned into weeks and dad fell into a comma and I never got to talk to him again. It was a Friday when the Doctor’s asked my family to let him go and take him off life support. To avoid any further suffering dad was taken off life support. There was a good chance he would fight and get better, so I thought. I spent the following (2) nights at the hospital by his side. My boyfriend was right next to me the whole time. Sunday came and I thought my dad was going to make it, because he looked better. I felt confident that he would wake-up, so I left for a few hours. It was my boyfriend’s birthday and his family was waiting for him to celebrate his big day. He wanted to introduce me to them for the first time on his birthday. It was a special day for him and his family had been planning for this day. Thinking my dad would escape death, I left.  I got a call while at the birthday celebration to return to the hospital immediately.  I rushed back to see my dad just laying on the bed peaceful, not struggling to breathe anymore. I picked him up and hugged his lifeless body. I wanted him back. I thought my love could bring him back. I needed him.  My family had to pull me away from him. They kept saying, “He is gone”.  It was the most painful day of my life. It took me years to realize the great significance of my dad passing on that specific day.  I believe that my dad passed on my husband’s birthday, as a sign that he would be looking after me even after death.  Tim the boyfriend is now my husband and the father of my two handsome boys. Tim is a great husband and father. My dad would have loved Tim and my boys. It has been a long time, over 15 years and I still miss my dad. If I had him one last time, I would tell him,  " I love you to the moon and back and then some more, dad!” 

 

Happy Father's Day!

 

Museum of the American West - Wordless Wednesday

 

Disclosure: Please when visiting a museum read the rules before taking photographs. On this visit we were invited to participate in a special filming of Family Travel with Colleen Kelly.

The Autry National Center

4700 Western Heritage Way  Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 667-2000

Tortilla Factory Field Trip at the local Mexican Market - Wordless Wednesday