Our Favorite Knott's Berry Farm Memories

Disclosure:  This post is a collaboration with Knott's Berry Farm.  All thoughts are my own.

I live in Buena Park so I always get warm fuzzy feelings when we pass Knott's Berry Farm.  I'm always tempted to check-in on FourSquare too.  You would think by growing up in Southern California that I would get used to the Knott's skyline but the pride never goes away, it only grows.  I just feel a strong connection to the memories I made as a kid visiting the park and now bringing my own kids!  Knott's is an extension of our family, it is home for us and the memories we've made over the years are priceless - worth more than the cost of a season pass!

Knott's Merry Farm 
Not surprised this got so many votes.  We love the holidays at the farm!  We've been two years in a row and it is one of our newest family traditions.  It's Christmas, Snoopy! ice show is my absolute favorite, it is enchanting and a must every year.  The Gift of The Magi is another family favorite - the story made the kids really think about Christmas beyond gifts.  I wish it was December already!

It's Christmas, Snoopy!

Boardwalk Opening
I was lucky I got to cover the official opening of the Boardwalk and visit again later with my family.  I was thrilled to show off Boardwalk Bay, Coast Rider, Surfside Gliders and Pacific Scrambler.  Duke screamed like crazy on Pacific Scrambler and I could not stop laughing.  My favorite ride growing up was the log ride so it was awesome to try out the new remodel of Timber Mountain Log Ride with the family!    

This picture was probably taken before Duke screamed his head off!

Camp Spooky
Camp Spooky is another new family tradition for us - we absolutely love seeing Camp Snoopy transform for Halloween!  It is cute seeing all the little monsters and princesses trick-or-treating!

Our favorite dog!

Favorite Food at Knott's

• Mrs. Knott's Fried Chicken
• Boysenberry Punch
• Funnel Cake
• Churro Sundae
• Carne Asada Fries from La Papa Loca
• Ribeye from Ghost Town Grill 

Knott's Skyline
On a good day, you can see the skyline from the 5 freeway - the kids know when they see it, we're home.



Knott's Berry Farm is giving away FOUR SEASON PASSES - enter for a chance to win here.

Eight Candles At Pirate's Dinner Adventure, Buena Park

Disclosure:  Pirate's Dinner Adventure graciously provided tickets for my family and I to check out the show.  All thoughts are my own.

We surprised Duke for this 8th Birthday by celebrating at Pirate's Dinner Adventure.  We live in Buena Park so we drive by all the time and wonder what fun goes on in there!  I have a tendency to be a little ocd when it comes to planning but promised myself that I'd let loose this year and not look at reviews. This is what I knew: dinner would be served and there would be pirates.  What I didn't expect was an interactive adventure from start to finish.

Get there early for the h'orderves and pre-show.  Yep, a show before the show.  We roamed around and found most of the h'orderves were being served in the area farthest from the entrance.  Our favorites were fresh veggies and dip, sweet potato tots and corn fritters.  We happened to be standing right in front of the bar when the pre-show started.  We got a little startled but I'd say it was the best place to be.

The show takes place on a replicated 18th-century Spanish galleon measuring 46 feet long, 18 feet wide with 40-foot masts and anchored in a 250,000 gallon indoor lagoon with night sky lighting.  We were ushered to our seats in ships surrounding the lagoon and got to meet our pirate, the red pirate Cutthroat Jack!

Dinner is served during the show and you start off with soup or salad.  I requested the VIP (Very Important Pirate) Kids Meal for the two littles - it was chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and corn.  My birthday boy ate it up and wanted me to ask for another serving (that's a rare request from him).  The rest of us chose the roasted half chicken with rice and veggies.  Dessert was brownie a la mode.  

The show is a classic tale of good vs. evil with the perfect blend of action, comedy and romance.  We were amazed at the special effects wizardry, aerial artistry, swashbuckling swordplay and dynamic duels.

Rise of the Sea Dragon is very interactive, my birthday boy loved having the opportunity to board the ship!

A birthday cake for a birthday pirate!

After the show you can take pictures with the pirates!
Cutthroat Jack & Duke!


Our family had the best time!  The all-new show, "Rise of the Sea Dragon" is only a couple years old - we want to return in October for the Halloween-themed show, "Vampirate's" and in December for the holiday show, "Pirates Take Christmas".

Tickets for the 2014 Season are $58.95 plus tax for adults (12 years and older) and $39.95 plus tax for children (3-11 years old).  Show times vary, please call for show times & schedule (714) 690-1497

Pirate's Dinner Adventure is located off the 91 Freeway in Buena Park at 7600 Beach Blvd.

Vintage Vegas At The Neon Museum #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.

I can finally cross The Neon Museum off my life list.  Ever since Audrey danced with cousin Vickie on the signs in Vegas Vacation I've wanted to visit.  You cannot go to Vegas without seeing the museum... it is magical.  Vintage Vegas was where the action was at - the history is exciting and seeing pieces up close really puts you in that era.  Or maybe it was me lost in my thoughts while walking the grounds... Tours are guided so you pretty much stay with the group - as long as you are in the docent's sight.  Our time spent there was too short so next time I'm in town, I'll be visiting again.  I just have to!  Maybe I'll do a night tour - anxious to see the place lit up!    

My #runawaytovegas chicas! AJ, Chris, me, Julie and Marla

Moulin Rouge sign moved around to say "in love" 

Random letters and signs

From the Stardust

Me at the end of the tour, bye!

Sugar Factory Town Square #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.

Four words: Sugar Factory Signature Drinks.  
We were waiting for our table and I noticed fishbowl sized glasses at tables with happy people.  I was intrigued, I wanted one and didn't even know what it was.  When you get the menu, you can't miss 'em - right there in the front, 8 glorious pages of goblets at a whopping 60 ounces each.  I didn't know if I could handle 60 ounces but the girls convinced me to go for it.  Lollipop Passion was my first choice but I have a soft spot for gummy worms and went with the White Gummi.  It was quite a production when it arrived - I totally didn't expect the little show but it was fun and yummy, I'd order it again!  The staff at Sugar Factory Town Square is attentive and very friendly.  If I hadn't already fallen in love with the decor, they would have sealed the deal and I'll tell you why, the whole restaurant was busy buzzing but they made sure we weren't forgotten while we waited to be seated.  Now that's a first impression.  After working in the industry as a manager for over 18 years, I knew that they were genuinely happy and eager to help.

What I would order next time:

• Everything
• The Barbie Milkshake - Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream and Strawberry Gelato blended with Marshmallow Fluff and topped with Whipped Cream and Pink Rock Candy Crumbles
• Fried Macaroni & Cheese Pops 
• Apple Pie Crepe
• Banana Chunk Martini
• Grape Crush Cocktail
• Lollipop Passion Goblet
• Rocky Road Fondue
• World Famous Sugar Factory King Kong Sundae - $99 for 12 people.  Imagine what that baby looks like!
• Coconut Hot Chocolate
• Everything

White Gummi Goblet - fresh lemon sour, Peach Schnapps, Bacardi Red and Bacardi Razz.

That's a very happy me and my goblet.  I almost didn't order it because I was like, "OMG it's $29!"  But it's Vegas baby and you just have to!

S'mores Martini for Marla

Memory Lane Milkshake for Chris

We had the busiest day and this was a fun dinner for all of us

Some highlights from dinner.  Totally showing off the veggies because let's face it - not everyone can do veggies right.  Simplicity at it's best with asparagus and haricot verts (green beans).  French Onion Soup and White Pizza.

You just have to have dessert in Vegas.  We only got one.

Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Town Square has amazing Happy Hour offerings.

Shooting Glocks & Uzis With My Girls At Gun Garage #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.


I get that this post is borderline controversial to some but don't be ignorant, read it anyway..  Life is not black and white, it's not things you read in a book.  It is intense and real.  I wanted to experience shooting a gun with a trained professional in a safe environment.  What I got out of shooting at Gun Garage was deep.  A deeper learning lesson than I had imagined and trust me, I played the pros and cons about doing this in my head many times before our trip.  I could've cancelled, I could've got cold feet but I wanted to do this rite of passage.  I can't explain my personal learning lesson (a big time aha moment), it is something you have to experience for yourself.  And I had fun (totally don't want to downplay that) it was a complete adrenaline rush that would keep me on my toes all day.    

My dad (who had been affectionally nicknamed Charles Bronson by friends) taught me gun safety when I was a kid.  He had guns everywhere but because he took the time to talk to me about the danger of them, I stayed away.  I didn't wanna have anything to do with them.  Guns are scary.  He taught me to shoot a gun when I was 14, my mom was going with my baby sister to Guam to visit my sick nana in the hospital and I would be left alone with my 10 year old brother while my dad was at work.  Life was different back then, I was responsible for watching my siblings since I was 10 years old.  I would never leave my kids alone at 10 years old in this day and age.  He's a Greyhound bus driver so he would be gone for a couple days.  These were our real life situations.  I was a scared kid but prepared.  Thank God I never had to use it.

I would never touch a gun till 10 years later when I was in my mid-20s.  I used a rifle while we were camping and busted my eye.  I busted my eye because I didn't have any training - I wasn't standing firm and holding the piece safely.  It was all my fault.  

Here's the thing, too many kids and adults don't understand the end all power behind a gun.  We need to keep this dialogue open.  I felt comfortable and safe at Gun Garage, definitely trusting the staff with my life (like I did my dad when I was 14).  I would definitely do it again.  I want to do it again.  I highly recommend Gun Garage for your first time or to sharpen up your skills.

Things You Should Know About Gun Garage:  

• Bring your ID 
• Packages start at $99.95
• Book online - you get bonus rounds and you get to preview packages
• You do not have to pick a package, you can rent the guns you want to shoot
• Check gungarage.com for specials - there is currently one on there to shoot a grenade launcher for $25!
• The gun selection at Gun Garage is amazing.  If you are a Southern California local, you won't find many of their guns here.  

The zombie targets are popular

Julie is a damn good shot.  Watch out!

AJ decimated that target with that uzi


When you have a good instructor and you LISTEN, you will get your shot.

Free shuttle to and from our hotel!

AJ took this amazing video of Julie.  Just watch it.
The last Sunday of every month customers can participate in a free gun safety course taught by National Rifle Association Certified Instructors that promotes safe firearm handling, safe firearm storage, how to select the right firearm for your purpose and safe firearm maintenance.