Are We There Yet? - What to do in very different places

I have teamed up with Kendra Thorton to bring you some travel ideas that are good for all seasons!

First it's my turn.  Where do I like to travel?

It is within driving distance for my family and we go there at least once a year - usually twice.

Breezy Point Resort has a rich history from its days of being built by Captain Billy Fawcett as a playground for his friends in the film industry - Yes, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard went fishing here!

It has grown now to have a convention center, three 18 hole golf courses, a marina, an ice arena, pools, beaches and so much to enjoy year round.

Last summer we took everyone - Fiance and Girlfriend AND Dear Friends - for a few rounds of golf, karaoke at the Commander for Sunday Family Karaoke Night and boating.
J-Dogg even sang "Barbie Girl"

This winter we went for ICE FEST and enjoyed snowmobiling across the frozen lakes, snow golf and watching Pond Hockey!

My top three things to do while vacationing at Breezy Point are:

Whitefish Golf Course! The very first time we rolled up and heard the classic Sinatra tunes pouring out of the clubhouse we were in LOVE.  It is a great course for couples - those who golf a lot and those who just golf a few rounds a year.

Pirates Cove Adventure! A great place for all ages to try to get a hole in one! And there are go karts too for the family speed demons!

Nisswa! Take the family for a stroll around Nisswa, MN for shopping, ice cream, candy and EATING at Rafferty's Pizza. You can get just about anything in Nisswa.

The real attraction of course is the great outdoors.  I would highly recommend this as a vacation destination if you really want to relax in the beautiful woods and fall asleep to the call of the loons.

And don't forget - all summer long - ELVIS! 

Now for my travel partner in crime.

My name is Kendra Thornton and I'm 40 and a mother of 3. Before being promoted to the full time position of mom, I was the former Orbitz Director of Communications where I was able to travel a great deal. I now live in Chicago with my family, where they are my number one priority in everyday life.

I love to travel. There are so many places in the world that are great to visit. One of my favorite places to see is Las Vegas. Here are some great places that I like to visit in Las Vegas.

Great Places to See in Las Vegas

1. A Pink Tour

When I come to Las Vegas with my family or friends, I always make it a point to take a tour of the area through Pink Jeep Tours. This experience begins with a pink Jeep arriving at the hotel to pick us up. Next, it takes us to a variety of difference places in the area. Each guide on the tour is friendly and answers every question that we have. There is a day tour that takes people all the way to the Grand Canyon and back.

2. A Tour with a High View

I really like flying into the airport in Las Vegas, since I can get a great look at the view of the city. Maverick Helicopters Las Vegas enables me to take a tour of the city from the air. My pilot was friendly and quite knowledgeable. It felt so neat to put on a headset and rise above the city. It was an experience I will never forget, and my children bring up this adventure every time they see a helicopter.

3. Dinners to Remember

In Las Vegas, there is not a shortage of fantastic places to eat. Although prices may be a bit steep, it is worth the cost for families and couples. When I am in the city with my husband, we love to go to the Fiamma Trattoria & Bar at the MGM for unforgettable Italian food. The pasta is memorable, and the prices are reasonable. Steak enthusiasts will enjoy the SW Steakhouse, which is at the Wynn. There is a great water show that entertains diners.

4. Relaxing Fun at Mandalay Bay

I love going to the beach, and Mandalay Bay has brought it to Las Vegas. I can grab a beverage, get on an inner tube and float on the water. It is great to soak up the warm sun. There is a wave pool and a lazy river. These options give me the opportunity I need to relax.

Las Vegas is a great place for me to be and the city offers a number of hotel options. Sites like Gogobot make it easy to read user reviews so you can be sure about your purchase. 

There are so many things to see and do. That is why I keep going back each year. 

What makes August Fabulous for Me?

Every August we go someplace very very special.

Breezy Point!

Why is it so FABULOUS?

B-I-N-G-O
Cocktails!
Golfing
Swimming in the lake
Fishing
Swimming one of three pools
Cocktails!
Boating from lake to lake, island to island
Sleeping in
Waking up to a view of the lake
Going to sleep to the sounds of loons - or Elvis

I write about our vacation to Breezy Point every year. It is something that our whole family looks forward to doing and being. We relax, we let it all out, we get tan and we be us.

This is the ESSENCE of Fabulous Friday - now it is your turn.

Give me your Fabulous Friday - save the image of

As I have NOT figured out how to make a button grab yet.  And enter your post.

PLEASE if you do enter a post - be polite and visit other posts and comment.  Say something nice and not just "Cool - Came from Mommy's Nest", you know you do not like it when folks do that to you!  Say something like - "Wow, your day was FABULOUS! I am glad I stopped by to visit." or something else original, okay?  I love you guys and I know we can get FABULOUS together.  

We all DESERVE it. 

In honor of The White House "Rick-Roll"

In honor of the "Rick-Roll" by The White House Twitter Account - I re-post this Friday Video for you from July 30th, 2009 - ironically when we were also on our way to Breezy Point and where I am right now!



Enjoy your week kids - we are off to Breezy!
p.s. I created this post Thursday night and came into work to publish this a.m. But, the Doctor beat me to the pop-culture reference!

Explore Minnesota!

I was looking for a post in my drafts - and I love this guest post I did for the now defunct blog Life As Eye See It....so the link probably takes you no where now.  Don't you hate it when you lose a blogger?

sigh.

Here is MY Minnesota from the post I wrote in April of 2010.

So I created a guest post for Eye Girl at Life As Eye See It.

VERY exciting.

So today I am going to present to you:

and my little corner of it is right here...

Our home is 104 years old and I have been piece by piece creating a home that fits us all and a garden that I can enjoy.... 

I live on one of the gorgeous parkways that are a part of the National Registry of Scenic Byways.  Since Boo Boo La La was a baby I have taken her for walks down the parkway. 

In the cold of January, bundeled up!

In the HEAT of August, sunscreened and water never far from hand.

My parents raised us here in Minnesota and always tried to take us to fun & educational events.  I continue the tradition with Boo Boo La La by going to shows like...

DISNEY LIVE! - we have also seen Nemo On Ice and a really cute Mickey Mouse Adventure on Ice too.

Then there is the really cool Hopkins Stages Theatre where we have seen several shows including; Alice In Wonderland, The Paper Bag Princess, Snowy Day, and The Wizard of Oz.

My Dear Friends Mr. & Mrs. Wagner took us to a fun show at Orchestra Hall...Isnt' it BEAUTIFUL?

Another place we go to A LOT is The Minnesota Zoo.  We have a membership and spend time there with our friends - Miss J, Miss K & Mr. M, and Miss M.  We even Trick Or Treat at the zoo!

We also spend a GREAT deal of time at our local YMCA...especially now that they have the "Splash Pad"!



Then there is the VERY best thing of all - our family vacation each August to Breezy Point Resort.

And Camping...

And Snowboarding... 

And SLEDDING! 

And of course our annual snowmobile trip...vroom!

And we appreciate all that Minnesota has to offer - both Winter & Summer. 
I hope you enjoyed your little trip to our town.

You know its gotten bad when...

You post a photo for Mama Kat's Weekly Writing Prompt...

4) Share a photo that captures your special Valentine(s)

This is an old photo from @BooBooLaLa's first trip to our vacation timeshare at Breezy Point.

I don't know how we look LESS tired when she was a baby and MORE tired now that she is five.  We must be OLD. 
I will be back with a review and giveaway - once it warms up and I get enough fluid back in me from having the flu...

Flashback Friday: My Favorite Vacation Ever!

Today I am playing Flashback Friday where you post an old picture and share a story about it. 

I like Deb and today just felt compelled to play and share pictures from my favorite vacation ever.

Now if you know me and my family you know we look forward ALL year to the peace and quiet of Breezy Point Resort and our jaunts out on the lakes.  Golfing, pizza eating, shopping and long walks are also on the agenda.  But this time was different....this was Boo Boo La La's FIRST ever summer vacation.

And yes.  She was pretty much in the pool or naked the whole time...

What about you?  Any old pictures to share with us today?

Roasty-Toasty

So, yes. Yes it has been VERY VERY COLD.

Yesterday schools were closed by the governor - and today again.

No school.

But I got Boo Boo La La to do a book report on "The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future" by George Beard and Harold Hutchins.

Six whole sentences!

My boss also told us to work from home yesterday since the temp when I would have left for the office was -22 and the high yesterday was about -12.

My husband's truck OVERHEATED.

My battery died and I was low on anti-freeze.

We have had fun during this cold streak - Sledding


Watching pond hockey, swimming, trying to snow golf and ....

Boo Boo La La's favorite winter activity - Ski-doo'ing.
No no no, not "sledding" or snowmobiling for my daughter.

She Ski-doo's.

As in - "Mama, these people at Breezy Point know winter.  Look at all the people out Ski-doo'ing!"

T-bone and Snake took her Ski-doo'ing Saturday.
It was only EIGHT BELOW ZERO!

The plan was to go for just two hours, but almost THREE HOURS later my trio pulled up outside of Lucky's Tavern. Boo Boo La La looked dazed and didn't want to talk to me, or get a picture.  Finally the waterworks began.

"I am SOOOOO COOOOOLLLLLD Mama."

Yikes was she ever freezing! I took off her mittens and her fingers were ten little icicles.

I stuck them under my arms immediately and picked my baby up to sit in my lap and thaw. I then ordered her cocoa and me a Bloody Mary. (Side Note: GOOD Bloody Mary at Lucky's - skip the loaded if you don't need a beef stick.)

T-bone kept teasing her about going back out on the trail...she didn't like it!

"NO MORE SKI-DOO DADDY!"

But she survived. 

Now you need something warm too.  I found this on Cooking Channel website - here are my modifications for some nameless little girl who thinks pepper is too spicy.

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (3-pound) beef roast
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 yellow onions, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced

Combine the tomato sauce, paprika, brown sugar, coriander, cumin and onion powder in the base of your slow cooker. Stir to combine and distribute the spices evenly.

Sprinkle the roast with salt and pepper and place it in the slow cooker. Using tongs, turn the roast to coat it evenly in the sauce. Add in the peppers and onions, stir again. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook until the roast is tender and beginning to fall apart, on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours.

Transfer the roast to a serving bowl. Allow to cool slightly, and then shred using 2 forks, removing any excess fat.

Skim any excess fat off of the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Add the shredded roast back into the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce that was created during the cooking. You can store the roast in its sauce for 3 to 4 days.

The Fun Sisters

This Week's Writing Prompts for Thursday 08/22

3.) Open your picture folders, close your eyes and pick a random photo to share and write about.

My daughters - The FUN Sisters at Pequot Lakes Fun Sisters Boutique

See those CRAZY girls?  That is Boo Boo & Sair from last summer when we HIT "The Fun Sisters" in Pequot Lakes, MN.  No, I didn't let Boo Boo get daquiri goggles.  I am not THAT bad of a mother. 

The Fun Sisters is the one place we NEVER EVER EVER EVER miss when we go up north for our week at Breezy Point.  Last year I don't think we bought that much, but we sure had fun.  They even give you a "Glitter Makeover" if you ask and pay the fifty cents. 

A dollar for two colors of glitter.  

If you are fancy like that. 

We have gotten some pretty crazy stuff here - sparkle flip flops, "scarf" flip flops, rings, hair extensions, FAUX-Yurman, FAUX-Tiffany, and purses and ponies and sunglasses...OH MY! Boo Boo got a GLITTER TATOO kit this year.  She glittered EVERYONE for "Max Power" she said. 

I know one day Sair won't be with us at The Fun Sisters.  Then it will just be Boo and Me. 

I have to remember to treasure these trips. 

My Personal Top Ten of 2008

So a lot of people are doing "Best Of..." and "Top Ten/Fifty/100" lists for 2008. I can not even hope to compete because:
I only saw, like, three movies in the theatre - Atonement (liked it), Mama Mia (GIVE YOURSELF OVER TO ABBA - it is SUPPOSED to be stupid and FUN!!! and Pierce Brosnan - me-OW!), and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - (Oh yeah baby, I am so hip!)
I only read text books and magazines, but I do recommend Wondertime to any parent.


I only saw ONE cool concert - Liz Phair (thanks go to Faux Martha for keeping me in the loop of cool moms). I do not think Nemo on Ice, Playhouse Disney Live and Disney on Ice count as cool or concerts...Nemo and Disney on Ice were AMAZINGLY fun though! AND we did go to The Swinging Nutcracker at Orchestra Hall with Jules, Riley and Jeff too... Boo Boo enjoyed feeding her Starburst to Jules and the dancers.

I really did not catch on to most Wii games, until I got my Wii Fit for Christmas - so it is not a "habit" yet...

...and I really did not go to many new restaurants, clubs, etc., either. I know LAME.

So what do I know?

BOO BOO LA LA!!!

Here are my TOP TEN BOO BOO LA LA moments of 2008!

10) Any trip to the Minnesota Zoo! ~ with friends, with grandpa & grandma, any day at the zoo is super-fun!

9) Pooping! The exploration of using the potty continues to exasperate Mommy, but the poops are funny to take pictures of...

8) Our trip to Breezy Point - ahhhhhhhh

7) Our end of year trip to Wisconsin - I love how well Boo Boo and Miss Kendall get along - and how they play nice with the other kids too.

6) Bathtime

5)Our nights when daddy and the other kids are not home...

4) Her fascination with the computer - it is growing exponentially and we are now playing GAMES!

3) Our trips to CVS pharmacy are a total blast - she knows all the people in there, because Mommy likes to stop and wander the drug store...is that weird? She wants to immediately head back and get a drink from the water jug by the pharmacy counter and then wander the aisles with Mommy pointing out all the "Hanna 'tanna" stuff and where she sees Ariel too.

2) Boo Boo La La's "BEST FRIENDS" - she says EVERYONE is her best friend, but mostly Sair...sorry Snake.

1) CHRISTMAS!!!! If you know me you know I hate holidays where gifts are given to me...I do not really need much and it all feels so strange to me - (however I get really good gifts from some of my girlies who know me bestest!) Since Boo Boo came around though I love the whole thing from putting up lights to Christmas Morning. Thanks Boo Boo...Mommy loves you very much.

Am I Blue?

This is the month of August and we have begun our annual vacation at Breezy Point...last night we crashed a party - sang karaoke - and had too much wine!  It was glorious!  And is why this post is so late today. 

I won't be late the rest of the week as I am currently sitting at Dockside with a Mudslide and am scheduling my posts.  :) 

The rest of this week are all COLOR poems that I wrote wile I was living in Norway - some time after the turn of the year to 1986.

blue
endless, protecting
never
leaving my side
even when
hope
had died