Category: Travel


Nov
2018

10 Years

categories: Travel

10 years ago I married a boy I met on a trip.

Read more about our story here.

Well due to the Woolsey Fires in So Cal we didn’t get to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Thankfully after a few days, the fire were contained and we were able to return to our home.

Last weekend we celebrated our 10 anniversary with a little getaway in  beautiful Ojai.

Day 1

Check out the view from our room! It was a gorgeous evening.

Ojai Valley Inn is know for their Pink Moment. Every night right before sunset the clouds reflect this beautiful pink color on the mountains. Therefore they call it a Pink Moment. And every night they change the clock to remind guests of this amazing view.

We settled in, unpacked our bags (yes, I unpack when I stay in hotels and no, it doesn’t matter how many days I’m staying) and walked around the hotel. We decided to stay in the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn. For one I’ve heard nothing but great things about this hotel and two I wanted something that had everything in one place. For example this hotel reminded me of a little town. There were 3 restaurants, a market, a spa, golf course, an events calendar, bikes and golf carts riding around and more. It was quiet, picturesque and had lovely amenities.

We cleaned up and made our way downstairs for dinner.

We picked The Oaks for dinner. I wish I had taken a picture of my plate, because my salmon and veggie succotash were AMAZING!!! Hubby also really enjoyed his steak and we both shared a side of sweet potato mash. The sweet waitress asked us if were here for a special occasion and when we said we here for our 10th she brought us champagne and dessert to celebrate.

This pecan pie with brown sugar ice cream might have been the yummiest dessert I’ve ever had! Mmm I’d go back just for that dessert.

After dinner we walked outside for bit until we reached the cutest setting. This massive tree was covered in even larger lanterns. There was hay bales for you to sit on while a man sang songs and played on his guitar.It was the perfect setting! Note to self, get some lanterns for the backyard in your next house.

We walked over to the fire pits, chatted with a family from Orange County and ended our night roasting some marshmallows.

Note to self: Don’t take a picture so close to the fire pit. It just makes you look orange.

Day 2

We woke up and headed over to the bike rental place. Our plan was to bike into town, grab breakfast, wine taste and ride back to our hotel. Our idea was great, but wine tasting and riding bikes was not my best idea.

Our first stop was at Ojai Cafe Emporium for brunch.

I had a Mediterranean quiche and a yummy bloody mary. Hubby had an omelette and we also shared cinnamon roll french toast. I wanted to taste it all! Everything was amazing!

After brunch we rode our bikes to a nearby winery, Tipple & Ramble.

I loved their shabby chic decor!

I was living my best vacation life with a cold glass of Pinot Grigio and swinging on that hammock.

We came to our room and crashed! Good news was I closed my exercise circle on my iWatch, bad news was it was time to go home. While we waited for our golf cart to pick us up and I spotted my favorite tree again!

Thank you Ojai for the wonderful memories! Until next time!

Big shout out to our friends, Nicole and Errin for watching our kids so we can do this! We are thankful to friends who are like family.


Nov
2018

Jurassic Quest

categories: Travel

I’ve been hearing about a Jurassic Park type of experience with real life dinosaurs for quiet some time. So when I saw that it was coming to tour town, I looked up tickets and saved the date on our calendar. Then we were hit by the really scary and crazy Woolsey fire in Ventura. However, after being glued to the tv and sitting at home for a few days, we needed an outing. Thankfully this was the perfect adventure to get us out of our city.

We walked in and saw the life size dinosaurs right away! They were moving, making noise and they even felt like (well, what I imagine) a dinosaur would feel like. My kids were in awe!

Next we walked into one of the pavilions that felt like you were inside the movie, Jurassic Park. 

It was so cool!!!

Do you remember these little guys from the movie? Well it turns out they weren’t supposed to be small. In fact they are really big!

Next up was a little “petting area”. Kids got to sit, touch and play around with the dinosaurs.

In the next pavilion we checked out the “Live” show. One of the dinosaurs came over to Jacob!


Next up we checked out some rides. The kids got to ride in jeeps just like they did in the movie. Sarah liked this ride so much, she went twice.

After a few rides we checked out the craft pavilion. There was fossils, puppet making, fossil impressions, excavation and more.

What a fun day with the family!

If you are looking for a fun family event, I highly suggest the Jurassic Quest experience. To find one in your town, click here.


Oct
2018

Pumpkin Patch {2018}

categories: Travel

It’s fall ya’ll! The weather is still warm during the day here in So Cal, but the mornings and evening are cooling down and to me, that’s fall. I don’t love all the wind (hello nose bleeds!) but I love all the beautiful fall colors, the gorgeous array of pumpkins in all the stores and all the fall activates we do in October. Our favorite fall activity is checking out a Pumpkin Patch! This year we checked out FIVE different patches.

ONE

While my sister was in town, we checked out the Fall Harvest Festival at the farm. We rode some rides, went through the corn maze, checked out all different sized pumpkins and even picked the last of their blackberry crop.

TWO

Next up was a smaller pumpkin patch with our friends, Stacee, Brayden, Cheryl, Alex and Ariana.

We checked out the petting zoo, rode rides, and played a few games.

THREE

A few weeks later I won a family 4 pass to the Fall Harvest Festival at the farm. So we took hubby and checked it out again.

This time we rode some rides we missed, hopped on the tractor pulled wagon, found our favorite pumpkins and stood by the “How tall this fall?” sign.

We finished off our day by picking a few fall veggies from the farm.

FOUR

Our favorite this year was the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival. In this festival we seek out all the pumpkin flavored food. I got this amazing pizza with roasted pumpkin, sage, cheese and spices. It was so simple yet so flavorful! 

Love my crew!

They also had a classic car section. Sarah got to hang inside the Back to The Future car, The DeLorean.

FIVE

Our last visit for the month was a play date with friends, Sarah and Lydia. Unfortunately us moms were super chatty and I forgot to take a picture of our friends.

So thankful my family puts up with me and my love for fall!

To see previous visits to the Pumpkin Patch click below.

2015

2014

2013


Oct
2018

Stagecoach {2016}

categories: Travel

With the 2019 Stagecoach line up just announced, it had me reminiscing when the girls and I went in 2016. The idea started with a friend’s mom saying she was going to this country festival in the dessert and has a couple extra spots in her trailer. Well one thing led to another and 4 of us girls took a moms trip to Indio, California for a trip of a lifetime.

My wristband came in the mail and the countdown was on!

We arrived to Indio the night before, got a good night rest and were ready for day 1.

So excited to be at Stagecoach!

We dropped off our stuff off, walked around, did some activities and visited a few booths.

Unfortunately we never got to ride the Ferris wheel.

Our chair crew!

The roomies!

I love a good sunset, but the sunset in the dessert is just majestic.

It was getting dark and time for the headliners to begin. Here’s the line up.

It was getting cold and windy. So Nic and I grabbed our bandanas to keep the dust away.

Snoop dog came out as a surprise guest.

Day 2

Here’s to another day of country music and cowboy boots!

While taking a picture under the Stagecoach frame, a group of guys snuck in our picture.

We walked around a  bit and checked out a couple of stages.

It was getting dark so we headed back to our chairs for the headliners to begin. Here’s the line up.

I finally found the churro cart. It was worth every bite!!

Day 3

We started everyday with dropping off our backpack chairs. These chairs were super helpful during the weekend.

Adding more wristbands to our arm party!

Remember when I said the dessert sunsets were beautiful, well the random rainbow was just magical. It came out of nowhere!

There were lot’s of random pieces of oversized art throughout the festival. I loved checking out all the pieces.

Ready for the headliners to begin! Here’s the line up.

I had such a fun experience! Can’t wait to go back!


Sep
2018

Fun Box

categories: Travel

After visiting both Museum of Ice Cream and Candytopia I knew I had to check out FUNBOX when it came to town. This time I bought my whole family for a fun adventure.

What is FUNBOX? It’s an interactive walk-through toy land with 24 large art installations and exhibits. Antonio Nieves, the founder of FUNBOX, collaborated with artists, engineers, and designers from all corners of the world to design and construct these 24 experiences. They used over 60,000 pieces to make FUNBOX a reality, including: Pool Noodles, Sticky Notes, Bananas, Flowers, Giant Crayons, Teddy Bears and much, much more.

We started the exhibit in the teddy bear tunnel. Sarah wanted to pose with the teddy bear key chain she was given as a gift while waiting in line.

Next up was the crayon room and sea saw.

To walk through the next room you go through a beautiful tunnel of hanging flowers.

We walked into a room filled with balloons. Kids had a blast here!

Around the corner was the post it room and pinata horse. My usually very smiley boy would not sit still for a picture. Sarah on the other hand was all smiles this day.

Next up was a room where kids got to climb a poop emoji and across from it was a Simpson’s upside down room.

Then it was time for the pink pig room. Sarah got to feel what it’s like to sit in a piggy bank.

Nearby was the angel wings room. We each took our turn being an angel.

The kids went bananas in the next room.

Hear no evil, see no evil.

While waiting for a timed room the kids ran up and down the noodle hallway. Hubby and I had fun running in and out as well!

Next up was the rainbow throne. The kids and I sat together in this room.


While we waited for the timed room, we danced out our sillies on the light up dance floor.

The “star” room as the kids called it, was worth the wait. We got 2 private minutes to dance around, play and check out the lights.

After the “star” room was the ABC room. We each found our first letter of our name and sat in the bench waiting our turn for the next room. You couldn’t touch the letters in the room so that kinda sucked.

The last and final room was also timed so we hung out with a few emoji’s and some more cool post it notes in the hallway.

Swimming in the Fruit Loops pool was definitely what drew me into the FUNBOX, but I wasn’t a huge fan. The spoons were too big for the space and the fruit loops weren’t soft like the marshmallows in Candytopia or like the sprinkles in Museum of Ice Cream. However the idea was really cute and the kids had fun.

Jacob was more interested in stacking the green “Cheerios” then taking pictures.

All in all it was a fun Sunday adventure with the family!

Here’s the scoop!

Buying tickets online are encouraged, but some walk ups are available throughout the day.

Ages 13+: $17

Ages 5-12: $12

Ages 4 and Under: High Five with a FUNBOX Employee

FUNBOX hours are:

Sunday-Thursday: 11AM – 7:30PM

Friday: 11AM – 8PM

Saturday: 10AM – 8PM


Aug
2018

Monster Jam

categories: Travel

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you know I try to find activities for the family to do on Sunday’s. So when I heard about an event where monster trucks compete and do tricks I knew Jacob (and Sarah!) would love to see it. This past weekend hubby and I took the kiddos to Monster Jam.

It was loud, it was entertaining, it was a bit dusty and it was oh so cool!

Did I mention it was loud? Oh man was it loud. Jacob, age 3 was super scared.

But after we put on his ear protectors, he adjusted well.

Even sister Sarah, age 7, wanted to wear them. Hubby and I brought ear plugs, but didn’t end up using them.

I highly recommend ear protectors for everyone attending. Prior to buying our tickets, a few people suggested  we sit in the top section to avoid some of the sound. I feel like that was a great tip. Between the noise and seeing everything at once it was a great move.


Cool fact: There were TWO female drivers. One was inside Wonder Women and another in Monster Mutt Dalmatian.

After a few tricks and a rollover it was time for ATV competition.

After the ATV competition we had a  20 minute intermission. Kids got a treat and little stretch break. PS Thank you to my MIL who happened to have gotten him a Monster Truck shirt last year. It came in handy.

Next up was the Speedster competition.

Our favorite part was the last round when the Monster Trucks had a freestyle competition. This is the round where they crushed cars, did tricks and lot’s of donuts. So fun!

In the end Megalodon won the competition!

What a fun way to spend our Sunday!

To see more of our Sunday Funday adventures click below.

Wings Over Camarillo

Watermelon Festival

Harlem Globetrotters


Aug
2018

Wings Over Camarillo

categories: Travel

I like finding new and exciting things to do as a family. So when the Air Show was coming to town, we grabbed our tickets.

It was a really cool experience! The kids got to go inside each aircraft, touch, play and take pictures.

They even had an area with classic cars.

Then came the show. We brought our chairs and found a shady spot under the wing of an airplane. Kids thought it was so cool!

Jacob even brought his plane and pretended to fly it.

Love adventuring with my family.

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