california

We Went to Knott’s Berry Farm and Got a Military Discount

August 18, 2017 by Julie

We Went to Knott’s Berry Farm and Got a Military Discount

Growing up in Southern California, Knott’s Berry Farm was a huge part of my childhood. I have so many fun memories of that place too. Like Disneyland, my mom would take us there during our school breaks, for birthdays, or really whenever she found a good deal. We even went there for our 4th-grade field trip to learn about the history of the area and the gold rush.

When we were in California this past July we decided to plan a family trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. My mom, dad, brother, and boys would all be going, and we planned to meet up with my best friend and her kids who live in the area.

Where to get your Knott’s Berry Farm military discount

I knew Knott’s Berry Farm had a military discount. We have always been able to use one since my husband joined and the amount of the discount has been different every time. This trip, I went to my local MWR Leisure Travel Services to buy my tickets here at Fort Campbell.

I was able to purchase tickets for my boys and me as well as my mom. When I bought them I didn’t know my dad and brother were going to come too. I paid $40 for each ticket. Regular price is $75.00 for adults and $45.oo for adults, although sometimes they do have sales on their prices.

If you go to the gate to buy your tickets with the military discount, they will be $48. If you buy them online through Knott’s Berry Farm, they would be $43. On the website they state that the service member has to be there to get that discount, that wasn’t the case when I bought my tickets at MWR.

So if you are planning a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm and you can easily go to an MWR to get your tickets, that would be your best bet. They also have had months where they offer free admission for the military, but that will depend on the year. Last year it was a few weeks in November and then again in December.

If you have never been to Knott’s, know that it is a different place from Disneyland.

Knott’s doesn’t have all the magic that Disney has, but really, who does? But Knott’s can make for a fun day just the same.

My favorite ride is the Timber Mountain Log Ride. My kids were trying to say they copied Splash Mountain but the log ride has been around since 1969 and I have been riding it for as long as I can remember. When Splash Mountain was built, I remember thinking how great it was that Disneyland would now have a log ride too.

There are more roller coaster rides at Knott’s and some parts of the park have a very Six Flags feel to it. There is Camp Snoopy for the little kids and quite a few shows to take in. They also have a water park now that would be an extra ticket. I have never been but heard that park is quite fun too.

Ghost Town is a lot of fun, and we always tend to go there first. They have people dressed up and in character from that time period. Don’t miss talking to the man in jail and visit the old school house.

Food at Knott’s Berry Farm

I have never been too thrilled with the food choices at Knott’s, although I do love their ice cream. We ended up eating lunch at Johnny Rocket’s which cost more than a regular Johnny Rocket’s but felt like we were getting better food than we would at some of the other places in the park. There is also a TGI Friday’s outside the gate that we have been to before.

If you have the time and the money, eating at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Resturant can be a good choice. This is right outside the gate. You can also get a meal from there at the Chicken-To-Go place next door.

Shopping

There are also quite a few fun shops to look at inside the park as well as outside the gate. Make time for those to buy a survivor or to just look at what they have to offer.

If you are trying to decide if you should go to Knott’s Berry Farm, think about what your kids like to do. If you have smaller children your day could be spent in Camp Snoopy and watching some of the shows. If you have older children, you can do more of the big rides and roller coasters.

Have you ever been to Knott’s Berry Farm?

Living in San Francisco, California

July 8, 2016 by Guest Writer Leave a Comment

Happy to have this guest post by The Coastie Couple on San Francisco, California. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

When we initially moved to the west coast, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew things would be different but I didn’t realize how different they would be. There was a bit of sticker and culture shock in the beginning, but I’ve learned to accept the differences and to appreciate the area for what it has to offer. And it has a lot to offer!

When people talk about San Francisco, what they fail to mention is how big the city is and that there’s a huge surrounding area that’s worth seeing as well. My husband was stationed near San Francisco (you can see the skyline across the water) and we actually chose to live a little further inland in Concord because the prices are much cheaper and the area is less urban. If you’re looking to live in the area, I highly recommend looking beyond the city. If you’re coming to visit, I’d highly recommend staying in the city because everything will be easily accessible that way.

There is absolutely no way I could share everything about San Francisco in one post. In the two years that I’ve lived here, I haven’t even had the chance to see everything that there is to see (and we spend almost every weekend exploring something). That being said, I’m going to highlight a few of our favorite places in this post. I encourage you to do some research before you come out here – there’s so much to do!

Before you head into the city, I recommend learning how to use the BART system. These trains are similar to the subway system of New York which makes them convenient for getting around. They can be a bit tricky for newcomers though. I recommend utilizing your favorite map app to figure out which one will take you where.

The Piers:

Pier 39 is one of the most famous attractions for the area. This is the pier where the sea lions like to hang out. It’s also filled with restaurants and shopping. It’s a fun area to explore and you might even stumble across a cool street performer if you’re there on the right day! Pier 39 isn’t the only pier though. In fact, if you get off the BART at the Embarcadero station, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along the piers where you’ll find the ferry station, boats to Alcatraz, and the Exploratorium.

The Exploratorium is a neat attraction that I would highly recommend to visitors – young and old alike. If you have kids, it’s a great place to enjoy as a family. The hands on science exhibits and many things to tinker with will keep the family entertained for hours. Don’t have kids? Catch them on Thursday night for their adults only night! This was the option we chose since it’s just the two of us. It was a great time with cash bars and all of the same exhibits minus the kids. My husband and I had a blast exploring the museum.

Fisherman’s Wharf:

This is definitely a tourist attraction but I wouldn’t rule it out. I’m a strong believer that tourist attractions are worth checking out in addition to the cool local finds of an area. I do have to caution you though – you’ll need a bit of patience when you visit. The crowds can get a bit frustrating and overwhelming. On the up side, you’ll get a lot of steps on your step counter!

While you’re at the Fisherman’s Wharf, I recommend eating at Boudin Bakery, which is known for their sourdough bread (they even make it in all sorts of shapes!). They have a simple café on the first floor with bread bowls that are an awesome choice for lunch. They are relatively moderately priced as well (at least for California – remember that sticker shock I mentioned?).

The Wharf is also a great place for picking up cheap souvenirs for all of your family and friends. You can find postcards, tshirts, and keychains on every corner. If you’re a craft beer fan, I recommend checking out Jack’s Cannery at the end of the Wharf. Then, trek up the hill to Ghirardelli Square where you’ll find unique stores and free chocolate at the Ghirardelli Store. If it’s Christmas time, you’ll also find an impressive tree.

Union Square:

If you’re into shopping, this is the place for you. The streets are lined with shops and restaurants galore. It’s a very diverse shopping area with bargain stores mixed amongst the more high-end retail stores. It’s definitely a good chance to exercise your legs and pocketbook. If you come in the winter, you’ll notice a massive tree in the center near Macy’s along with an ice skating rink. This is definitely a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Golden Gate Park:

Remember when I mentioned that the city is huge? Golden Gate Park is a prime example of how big the city is. It’s a large park filled with attractions and hiking trails in the middle of the city. It is home to the California Academy of Sciences, which is a great place for kids and adults alike. It’s sort of a natural history museum meets science museum. It’s filled with lots of cool exhibits and they even rotate them out based on the time of year.

Golden Gate Park has a lot to offer beyond the museum. We spent an entire day simply exploring the trails and taking in all that it had to offer. In fact, if you walk all the way to the end of the park, you’ll find yourself staring at the Pacific Ocean. I also recommend checking out the Beach Chalet restaurant that’s located on the edge of the park. Be prepared to spend an entire day if you head down to this park.

I haven’t even touched on half of the attractions in the area and yet I’m out of time. Feel free to follow us on our blog or social media where we’re often posting about our adventures and sharing snippets from our lives!

The Coastie Couple is a husband-wife duo that shares honest accounts of their adventures from coast to coast on their blog, The Coastie Couple. He’s in the military and she’s a teacher. They both love to travel, create, and experiment in the kitchen. These are the adventures they share on their blog.

Blog: http://www.thecoastiecouple.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/coastiecouple Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coastiecouple

Best Duty Station In The Military: 5 Features That Make San Diego #1

September 1, 2015 by Julie 5 Comments

Happy to have this guest post by Heather on being stationed in San Diego, one of my favorite places too. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Best Duty Station In The Military: 5 Features That Make San Diego #1

Yep, I said it: San Diego is THE best duty station in the Military. You may not agree, but I’m going to give you a ton of reasons why it’s true, all wrapped up in 5 important features.

Ok, I’ll admit that I’m slightly biased… Hubby’s San Diego tour was during our long distance relationship and engagement, so I spent a lot of time flying in for a weekends of fun and sight-seeing, eating out and holding hands during walks by the water.

We also got married in San Diego, all in all making it an incredibly sentimental town. (ok I was ooey-gooey in love and twitterpated about life. But hear me out and you may find it’s not just Cupid talking!)

1- Accessibility

San Diego is accessible to so many exciting activities and destinations, and it’s easy to get around within the city and beyond.

It has it’s own major airport that’s right in the heart of the area– within 15-20 minutes of most bases.
It also has a train station in the heart of downtown that services Amtrak on a regular basis.
San Diego also has many beautiful walkways and running trails, and parks along the water.
It’s very biker friendly and if you’d rather ride, you can catch a cab, a pedicab, a transit train or and even a ferry.
Though it does have some traffic clogs during rush hour, it’s generally easy to get around. And if you time it right, it’s an easy 1 & 1/2 – 2 hour drive to LA and the many attractions there: Disneyland & California Adventure, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm, Concerts, Malls, Restaurants etc.

2- Big City Amenities In A Compact Area

Another reason San Diego is the best duty station in the military is the amazing attractions within a small geographical area.

You can visit the San Diego Zoo, Sea world, go on a Segway tour, hit the Gaslamp District, and go to a Padres game all in the same day if you want.
Amazing restaurants and new breweries constantly pop onto the scene, so you’ll never run out of new places to try.
You can even walk or bike to major broadway shows from many places. We saw the Lion King downtown and then walked home to my place in Little Italy… and speaking of Little Italy, you don’t want to miss the farmer’s market every Saturday!
In addition to all of that, you have the zoo safari park, Aquatica by SeaWorld (SeaWorld’s water park), and Legoland. They’re further out from the city, but not so far that you have to pack twice as much just for the drive.

3- “Small Town” Living On Coronado

Ok, if you’re stationed on NAS North Island (lucky if you are!) you definitely want to consider living on Coronado. Yes, it’s expensive and you may have to put up with a smaller house than you’re used to. But it’s worth it because:

It has the best schools in the area
You can avoid traffic coming over the bridge
Your spouse can bike to work on base (my hubby, then fiancé, biked from his place on Coronado and it was much faster than driving)
Experience a quaint, cute town where people drive golf carts around
You don’t have any major box stores, yet can get most anything on the island if you need it on the island.
You can even live on-island and have a reverse commute (much less traffic) to Naval Station San Diego.

4- Very Military Friendly With Many Resources

San Diego is a very military-friendly and patriotic place.

You can access two large commissaries and NEX (Navy Exchange) locations.
Getaway or have visiting family stay in the amazing Navy Lodge accommodations, especially the one on Coronado (right on the beach with a great pool area!).
There are several bases all within a few miles of each other which makes commuting and accessing resources that much easier.

5- Weather

So maybe the best reason San Diego is the best duty station in the military is the weather.

It’s pretty great all the time– only 10 inches of rain a year, it’s usually sunny and warm. We got married on the San Diego Bay in January, and it was 75.
It doesn’t get humid like the east coast but it can still get into the upper 80s and 90s (esp further east in the more desert-like terrain) It doesn’t get brutally cold and snowy like the north either.

Ok so did I convince you that SD is truly the BEST duty station in the military? Well, even if not, I highly recommend it… and if you have orders there, I’m sure you’ll have an awesome tour!

Heather Goffrier is a Navy wife of 5+ years and a mom to a 2-year-old princess. When not blogging over at HappyFitNavyWife.com, Heather can be found at mommy & me classes, Bible study, hanging with her pilot hubby, and traveling whenever possible. She loves sharing about her experiences as a military wife & mom, and hopes to encourage as many as possible who are on this journey. For more on San Diego, check out Heather’s Top 10 San Diego Restaurants.

The 10 Best Things About Disneyland

May 6, 2015 by Julie 6 Comments

I think I have been to Disneyland about 130 times. I came up with this number based on how many times I went growing up, I had a pass from ages 10-18, and how many times I have been since I moved out of Southern California. I love the place and it makes me sad that I can’t go as much as I used to. It was a huge part of my growing up years and I always love to take my kids when I can. The last time I was there was in February 2014 with my brother and sister-in-law.

I have taken my boys when they were quite young, my oldest visited at 15 months the first time. I have also taken my now 10 and 8 year old when they were 8 and 6 and it was awesome. We could go on any of the rides, no strollers, no diapers, it was great! I can’t wait to take my littlest guy who has never been.

I have so many memories of the place. From my mom waking us up and telling us we were not going to school but in fact going to Disneyland, to going on rides over and over with no lines because we were on vacation and no one else was, to walking around with my best friend, to going on dates there with my high school boyfriend.

Here is my list of the 10 best things about Disneyland

Main Street- You walk in and you just feel like you are in a different place. If it has been a while, it takes you right back to previous trips. On Main Street you can walk through the shops, buy some candy or stop for some coffee. There are a lot of cool things to look at and I love the turn of the centry feel to it.

Indiana Jones- I think this wins for my favorite ride. I was about 14 when they put it in. Every time I go on it I feel so good. No matter what issues I am dealing with, the ride takes them away. I know that sounds a little silly but it is true. I can just lose myself in the ride.

Splash Mountain- Another one of my favorite rides. I have some memories of looking through a hole in a board to watch this one being built. I like that the ride is not short, it is the perfect length and it is a lot of fun to go down the drop.

Pirates of the Caribbean- I have a very hard time when this ride is closed. It is another one of my favorites. Growing up I always wanted to eat at the Blue Bayou because you always go by that on the ride. Ben and I finally did this in 2009 and it really didn’t seem like the food was worth the price but it was on my bucket list.

The Smells- I came across this Buzzfeed article and it is all so true. Every single one. Sometimes I will smell Disneyland in random places. “This smells like the Pirates of the Caribbean.”

People Watching– We used to do this in high school all the time. Disneyland is the best place to people watch. There are people visiting from all over the world. If you are at Disneyland and need a rest, sit down and people watch for a while.

Dusk- There is something about dusk at Disneyland that just reminds me about when I was a kid. It is this feeling that I just had the best day ever and things are coming to a close. It reminds me that we have to decide what rides we are going to go on before we go home.

The Food- By food, I mean snacks. From churros to ice cream bars to popcorn to a frozen lemonade. When we were in high school my friend and I would eat our way through Disneyland, back when I had a better metabolism..:)

The Railroad- You see it when you first get in. You can take it to other lands or you can ride around the whole park. We always like to go on it in the afternoons when we are a little tired and just want to take a little break. It is nice because while you are resting you are still on a ride.

The Magic-There is just something magical about Disneyland for me. Just the mix of the attractions, the people and the atmosphere. I hope that one day in the future I will be able to go more than once every few years.

Are you a huge fan of Disneyland or Disneyworld???

Our Honeymoon 12 Years Later

August 5, 2014 by Julie 2 Comments

I thought it would be fun to tell you about my honeymoon, 12 years after the fact. I might not remember everything about that week but I do remember enough.

We got married on August 3rd, 2002 in Santa Rosa, CA. The reception ended about 4 or 5 in the afternoon and after that we drove to San Francisco where we were going to spend the first night. We paid a lot for that hotel room but this was a once in a life thing. The room was tiny. I was kind of shocked but it worked well. We were starving, especially me. I didn’t eat anything at the reception. I should have as the food was really good. We decided to eat at Bubba Gumps. That was where we had our first meal as Husband and Wife.

The next day we drove down to San Luis Obispo for our 2nd night at the Madonna Inn. What a fun hotel! Our room was blue with a circle bed. I had heard a lot of stories of the place but it was the first time I had been there. I don’t remember too much about the area other than finding a buffet to eat at.

The next morning we drove to Long Beach to park the car. We got on a ship and headed for Catalina Island where we would spend the rest of our honeymoon. We thought a lot about where to go. We thought about Hawaii but being on a budget it just wouldn’t have worked. Catalina is an Island off the cost of Southern California and is the next best thing.

We checked into our bed and breakfast and thought it was too cute. Our room even had a book with all the other people who had stayed there. We had to add our names of course.

We spent four nights on the island and it was so much fun. My bridesmaids had gotten together to buy us a few fun packages. I can’t quite remember all of them but one was a kayak trip which was so much fun we went back and did it again. We went out on it and found a small little beach. We had bought these amazing sandwiches, put them in a waterproof case and had a picnic on this little beach. It was the best. We also saw a movie at the old casino turned movie theator, I think it was the movie Signs. We also spent time at the beach and ate ate ate. I recently found an Instagram account for a Catalina Food Tour. I told Ben we should look into that next time and he told me that we already did our own tour and that was true. When you are there for that many meals, you get to try a lot of different places.

What I love about Catalina is just the laid back vacation like atmosphere. It was nice. It was such a great week to bond as husband and wife. We did not live together before we got married so staying together like that was new. I started to see Ben as my husband, not my boyfriend anymore. It was the time we needed to bond as a couple.

After those four nights we headed back to our car then drove back to Santa Rosa to really start our lives together. We returned home to a living room full of presents, a fridge full of cake and flowers and a bed filled with jelly beans courtesy of the wedding party.

Looking back that trip seems like such a long time ago. Getting married was such a long time ago. I was only 23! Now I am looking towards 36. Big difference.

We were able to go back to Catalina for our 7th anniversary that hit over R&R. That was an amazing trip as well but so very different from our honeymoon. It was also a little strange since Ben had been gone for 8 months before R&R. We knew each other but also needed to get back to being “us” again. It was also a time to regroup and bond but for a different reason.

I am hoping we can go back for another anniversary in the future. Maybe next year?

Living in Monterey, California

June 12, 2014 by Guest Writer 3 Comments

When the orders for Monterey, Calif., arrive, you will rejoice because you get to live at one of the most picturesque places in the world. Then you will calculate the cost of living in Monterey and thank the military that you will only live there for a short period of time. Monterey’s cost of living is 68 percent higher than the U.S. average.

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is great for biking, walking and running in Monterey. The trail runs along the coast. Here is one view from the trail near Pacific Grove.

Monterey was our No. 1 choice for Navy orders. Actually it was our dream location. We have been in Monterey for 11 months and are scheduled to move before the end of the year. This is our fifth duty station and it’s above and beyond my favorite location. I love the relaxed atmosphere of the community, the availability of fresh produce yearround and the Mediterranean climate. It’s the first place we’ve been stationed at where I feel I could live here for the rest of my life. I won’t discuss leaving Monterey. I’m completely in denial.

If you are stationed in Monterey, plan to spend time exploring Highway 1 at Big Sur. In the winter, you can spot whales in the ocean while photographing Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographic bridges along the Pacific Coast.

Service members who find themselves in Monterey are either students or instructors. More than 3,500 soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and DOD employers attend the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center at the Presidio of Monterey. Hundreds of service members arrive straight from boot camp to become proficient in a variety of languages ranging from French to Farsi.

Less than 4 miles away is the Naval Postgraduate School, a fully accredited research university operated by the Navy since 1954. At this university, military officers from the United States and 48 other countries earn master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. Notable graduates include Admiral Michael Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General Michael W. Hagee, 33^rd Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Monterey, located nearly 120 miles south of San Francisco along the Pacific Coast, is a location where you want spend every day exploring locally owned shops, sipping wine at the tasting rooms in Carmel, tasting farm-to-table restaurants, or kayaking in the bay. But as a military spouse be prepared to make friends quickly because for either DLI or NPS students, the curriculum is intensive and your soldier will find himself studying more than 8 hours a day and on the weekends. We thought my husband would have tons of free time when we moved here. He doesn’t have weekend and evening duty, which is a blessing, but he does spend a lot more time in classroom then we expected.

In our time in Monterey, we’ve taken family photos among the redwoods, near Cannery Row and at the beach. This photo was taken at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

The majority of military families live in military housing. There are two main options. Families live either at The Parks of Monterey Bay, a privatized housing area managed by Pinnacle or the Ord Military Community, which is located on the former Fort Ord. Both housing areas have indoor pools, childcare facilities and elementary schools. The commissary, exchange and gas station are located at the Ord Military Community.

If you are moving to Monterey, get your name on the waiting list for military housing as soon as you have orders. There is always a waiting list for housing in Monterey. The same can be said for daycare.

Is Monterey an ideal location? Not for everyone. The weather is foggy, damp and chilly. The beaches are breathtaking, but don’t expect to wear your bikini in Monterey. The average high temperature is 72 degrees in the summer months. Some military spouses miss the heat and humidity. Not this spouse. I got my abundance of heat when we were stationed in Yuma, Ariz., and Okinawa, Japan in the past. I love the clouds and don’t mind wearing a jacket in June.

Monterey is also a “buy local” city so if you love certain national chain restaurants, such as Olive Garden, you will complain about Monterey. If you buy all your craft supplies at Hobby Lobby, you will complain about Monterey. If you want drive-thru fast food, you will complain about Monterey.

If you like locally-owned cafes where they only accept cash, you will love Monterey. If you like buying locally-grown produce, you will have the option of a farmers market every day of the week. If you like the sounds of seals barking in the water to the loud music of nightclubs, you will enjoy your time in Monterey. If you don’t mind battling tourists for a view at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or a camping spot in Big Sur, you will love your time in Monterey.

I am a fan of Monterey and recommend it. I just hope I don’t go broke loving my life in Monterey.

Freelance writer Michelle Volkmann is a Navy spouse and mother to 2 Disney-obsessed daughters. She has worked for newspapers and magazines around the world. She survives on bacon and coffee and hates washing dishes. She is scheduled to move in December, but she doesn’t know where the Navy is sending her family. Please stop asking.

A Day at Disneyland

March 6, 2013 by Julie 3 Comments

The last couple of times we were in California, it was summertime. I simply can not do Disney in the summer. Growing up 20 minutes away from Disneyland I just can’t stand paying so much and having to wait so long for the rides. I went to a year round school so we would always take advantage of the three weeks we had off in October that no one else did and went to Disney and other amusement parts. We were able to walk on a lot of the rides.

Since we were finally going to CA in the off-season, I decided to take my oldest two to Disneyland for a day. I debated buying the three-day Disneyland Military discount but in the end we really only had the time for one day there and I didn’t think we would make it back to CA before the tickets would expire. I decided to leave my 2-year-old with Grandma and Grandpa for the day because my oldest two are now tall enough to go on every single ride. I also didn’t want to have to worry about a stroller or diapers. One of my best friends in California met me there with her oldest two kids. We also were able to meet another good friend and her kids and Mom for dinner as they have Disneyland passes.

It was such a great day for us all. We had so much fun. It was so great to take my boys on the rides I loved growing up. To see them smile and talk about how awesome each one was. Drew did hate Space Mountain but really seemed to like everything else. We had to start our day at Star Tours since Drew had been talking about that ride for months. What was really great was that we didn’t have to wait longer than 10-20 minutes for any of the rides. Some of the waits got longer during the day and we used the Fast Pass for Splash Mountain. I really wanted to stay until it closed and we left about 15 minutes before it did, ending the night with a parade.

I can’t wait to go back although it might be in another 3-4 years. I love Disneyland and it holds a special place in my heart. I have so many memories there. From going with my Grandparents when I was a kid to going on dates there with my high school boyfriend. It kills me that it is so expensive these days. I don’t think Walt Disney would like it. But it is an amazing place and so thankful we got the chance to go this year.

As for how Drew did? Just fine. The lines didn’t bother him although they weren’t all that long. Just watching him take it all in was so much fun!

I have never been to Walt Disney World and hope to do that someday. I want to wait until Joshua is older so all my kids can do all the rides.

Have you been to Disney lately?

The Lego Store

October 24, 2012 by Julie 1 Comment

My boys LOVE the Lego store. Drew will talk your hear off about it. Since I knew that the Lego store in Downtown Disney was pretty big, we planned a trip there. Unfortunately we had to wait until one of the last days of our trip which was kinda hard for Drew. But it was worth the wait.

Now I knew that the store was two stories but I didn’t realize one story was just a play area but the boys didn’t seem to mind.

I love Disneyland and I knew we couldn’t go this trip. Daniel begged me to go and said, “Can’t we just go on one ride?” I kinda wish it was still like that but of course I had to tell him “no, it doesn’t work like that.” I am hoping I can take them when we are out again in February/March.

Another Beautiful Day at Knott’s Berry Farm

September 28, 2012 by Julie 2 Comments

Growing up in Southern California I have such fond memories of going to Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland as a child. That is why I love taking my boys. Now growing up we usually went to Disneyland during the year and not at all during the summer. We would have yearly passes and most of the summer was blocked for us anyways. So as an adult I refuse to pay all that money to go to Disneyland in July. So this summer, since we were in CA in July we decided to go to Knott’s Berry Farm. It is a cheaper option and not as many people. They also had a Military discount too. I also wanted to mention that I just went to their site and read this…

Knott’s annual tribute to our Military, past and present, starts November 1st. FREE admission for Veterans or current serving military personnel and one guest with proper I.D. presented at turnstile. (DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID.) Plus purchase up to six additional tickets for just $19 each! Ends November 21.

We were able to meet up with one of my best friends and two of her kids. We spent the morning with them and then had lunch and stayed until about 7 that night. The boys had such a great time, even little Joshua. He was pretty done by the end of the day though.

My boys on the Log Ride, one of our favorite rides

We got to see the Snoopy show

The kids were amazed that the jailer knew their names

Most of our kids

The boys loved this ride, I felt like I was going to barf but it was worth it

No room for Mommy on that ride

My cool toddler

The bigger boys on a kids roller coaster

Celebrating our anniversary in San Francisco, California

August 31, 2012 by Julie 5 Comments

When we were in California my Mother-in-law watched the boys for us for a night. We decided to spend the day in San Francisco and then a night in a hotel. We ended up spending about five hours in the city and then found our hotel in Alameda which was nice. It was across the street from a shopping center with restuants so it worked out perfectly for us and was much cheaper than staying in the city.