Happy Holidays! Our 2015 Christmas Letter

This was my favorite photo from our Thanksgiving trip to the Grand Canyon. We went to the snow in January but that did not prepare us for the cold that is the Arizona desert! 2015 was the year we took our first road trip. The kids saw their first snow falling.  They learned how to play Chicken Foot. We started a practice of family game night but then slacked off. We'll  have to get back into that in the new year with some novel games, send ideas our way! Our family movie night practice is still going strong as Cory always likes to get the newest release on dvd and pop the best popcorn and force me to close the laptop and enjoy this simple yet delightful family togetherness. Knott's Berry Farm passes were the big Christmas present last year and we made several trips to enjoy quality family time and spend time with friends.

Cory continued to dedicate himself to sports but it is clear that his new favorite teams are whichever ones his kids are playing on as he helped coach Amberly's  softball and took on the role of team manager for Kyle's soccer team and coached Owen in baseball. He is so dedicated that he volunteered to coach Kyle's basketball team this winter! Oh and I almost forgot, he is also on the board for PQ rec softball as Special Events coordinator. He plays softball one night a week, goes to school one night a week and still takes on all those other roles. It's pretty amazing to see how he finds that family / work life balance, always putting the kids and me first.  He is the one always keeping us busy and striving for us to create those family experiences.

Amberly continues to surpass all expectations academically. She is in her 3rd year of chorus and asks to change the radio station in the car to find a song suitable to sing along to. She plays the flute in 5th grade band and is playing so well after working to overcome the beginning challenges, which will be a great life lesson on not giving up and taking challenges as opportunities for growth. This year she has participated in GATE activities after school and has discovered coding. Her love of helping and being a leader is demonstrated by being part of Safety Patrol, a job she takes very seriously. Her love of arts and crafts has only grown, which is proven by the fact that it at times can take over her room. We had her 10th birthday party at Color Me Mine and started a new tradition of having a birthday breakfast with friends. She has an adventurous spirit as she discovered more roller coasters to push her limits at Knott's Berry Farm. This year she has had a few bumps and bruises with a Sever's Disease diagnosis and a sprained left arm, but she is a trooper and strives to rest when needed so she can be an asset to whatever team needs her. Sometimes it's okay to slow down and it has been a lesson in listening to what her body is telling her. We were so thrilled to support Amberly in her campaign for Student Council President. Her ability to follow through on commitment, convey her qualifications and share her vision with her peers had Cory and I beaming from ear to ear.  I love that she thinks of others and can see the bigger picture.

Kyle has found his love for reading! We joke that we can't really be mad at him when he is up late sitting by the hall light to read his book. We are so glad to see him turn a corner with this area. I'm so grateful for the Magic Tree House Series as this seemed to be the thing that flipped a switch. Math however is his jam. We hear him all the time quizzing Owen with math problems. I'm thinking it might be the LEGOS he plays with all the time. He questions things to try to figure them out, not taking anything at face value, a true thinker. Kyle went to his very first Charger game this year! He really wants to play football. This year Kyle decided he wanted to try out for club soccer and he made the team. His skills and circle of friends grew as a result.  It has been a test of commitment and understanding that we don't always play to win but rather to grow and have fun, which it is clear he did. This year Kyle was able to join chorus and it will be the one year he and his sister get to do performances together. He's very into video games, especially Minecraft and Star Wars. He has been making sure that we watch all 6 episodes before we go to see episode 7 on Friday when it opens. Kyle is a loyal friend and watching his friendships develop and stay true from Kindergarten warms my heart. He would prefer to be behind the camera instead of in front of it. He's always wanting to negotiate about taking pictures with one of our phones. Like his dad, Kyle loves to eat out, one of his favorite places is Wings N Things and the other is Souplantation which makes me a happy camper! He does love a good salad and prefer broccoli over several other vegetables, a testament to the idea of repetition and serving up foods in different ways. He's not nearly the picky eater that he once was so I'm happy to see him expand his taste buds often by his own choice. Because Boy Scouts changed their policy I finally said "Okay" when Kyle asked if he could join Cub Scouts. He loves getting to go and do "boy" things. Kyle is forever teaching me about pushing limits and being an independent thinker, I think it is no coincidence that he came along right when he did.

Owen has been loving first grade! He's already reading chapter books and always wants to make sure his homework is done. He cares very much whether he turns in his best work and cheerfully comes home to share what he has learned. He is at that precious stage where he just loves to learn for the sake of learning. This year Owen showed us that he can hit the ball, quite well, no more hitting off the tee for this guy. When Kyle went out for Club Soccer of course Owen wanted to as well. He went from the little field to the big field and managed to do great in this huge leap. He seems to always have energy to spare, both on and off the field. His coach would have him fall back to play defense and push up to play offense to help wherever it was needed. I don't know where he gets this boundless energy from! His smile and infectious laugh have earned him many friends, his circle is always expanding. Like Kyle, this is his first year in Cub Scouts and he's getting to try new things and build more skills. I think so far this school year Owen has won the title for most trips to the Nurse's office. Just proof that he plays hard as most of these trips have come during recess and it's not from being clumsy, it's from a play hard or go home mentality. Owen has adopted a "Go BLUE" mentality too. Any chance he gets to mention Michigan he will drop that line in. He's not afraid of the spotlight and likes to make sure we don't forget our dinner ritual of "Favorite Part of the Day" where he always has more than one thing to share. His tendency to be positive and eagerness to help will continue to serve him.

There's much on the horizon for 2016! The Woolley family is looking forward to more travel, more adventure, learning life lessons, time together and time apart, focusing on gratitude and helping others. Happiness is a Habit and we are sure going to cultivate it!

Most Accommodating and Beautiful Stay at Marriott Manhattan Beach

As I was looking forward to ShiftCon in Manhattan Beach, I really had not given much thought to the wonderful accommodations that we would have by staying onsite at the Marriott. And I was impressed every step of the way with our weekend stay.

First, from booking our reservation, I have to say that it was easy breezy. Especially given that I decided to stay an extra night and needed to call back and change our reservation. Because I used to work in customer service I especially appreciate when I have a seamless call for service that is both friendly and efficient.

My roommate for the weekend was my good friend, Nichole from So Cal Savvy Mom.  It was at the very first ShiftCon that we really connected and bonded over wine. We lucked out with near front row parking and as we walked in to the hotel for check in we couldn't help but admire the welcoming view that made us feel like we were on a mini vacation.

This is right near the pool and the palm trees paired with sounds of water falling create that total relaxation experience that anyone desires when they head out of town. We made a pact right there that we would be sure to come outside and kick our feet up to enjoy the view at least a little bit during the conference. I wish I had brought my swim suit though because these cabanas were calling my name!

Photo courtesy of Marriott Manhattan Beach 

At the check in counter we were greeted with a smile and someone with a great sense of hospitality. ShiftCon was not the only private event going on that weekend and we were advised we would be switching rooms from two double beds to a King bed for our third night. I was kind of bothered by this because I've never had to switch rooms during a hotel stay before and shared my concern at check in. It takes finesse to explain to someone that there is a little bit of a hiccup in their arranged stay, but even with finesse sometimes it is necessary to offer a perk to make up for said hiccup. I was very grateful for being offered a room overlooking the golf course and free wi-fi to make up for the inconvenience of having to switch rooms. To be honest I don't know what those upgrades cost, but it comes down to making your customer smile and feeling well taken care of, which we did.

Our room had little touches of comfort from room service menu easily spotted on the pillow, a coffee maker in case we needed help waking up, shower essentials and something I think all hotels should do in this day and age, a "care for our planet" message hanging next to the towels that helps us all conserve water. When we are on vacation or on a business trip we ought to continue to care about our water use and how our actions affect the planet and our community at large. Kudos to the Marriott for being green and delivering this message!

After some mingling at one of the evening receptions we wanted to channel our inner wolves and headed outside to enjoy the beautiful moon underneath the enchanting lights. So Cal Savvy Mom got a much better photo than I did and I think it was her photo posting to the twitter wall in the reception that drew some of our new found friends out to enjoy the evening sky with us. It was lovely to chat with fellow bloggers on the same green journey, share some tips and just get to know one another in a casual, yet remarkable setting.

Photo courtesy of So Cal Savvy Mom

Then one of the Marriott rock stars came over to light our fire pit and that's when it got really cozy! Talk about comforts of home... this reminded me of hanging out with friends around our own backyard fire pit clinking glasses and bonding. This touch of ambiance is what I think set the mood for a weekend of growing new friendships, one of the goals of ShiftCon.

Upon turning in for the night I realized I had inadvertently left my booth brush and toothpaste on my dresser at home and the gift shop had closed. Lucky for me, the Marriott staff aims to please and came to the rescue. 

The next morning the marine layer resting on the golf course provided for this beautiful view. I used to live just next door to a golf course and this reminded me of their mesmerizing influence. I gave thanks for the opportunity to be here and learn more about this food movement and the role I play in sharing that information with new moms.

I had encouraged a group of San Diego Mom Bloggers that were represented at the conference to gather for lunch. The restaurant on-site was not officially open and the hostess advised me that our group could order from the same menu at the bar upstairs. Because we had a group that planned to lunch together, she was happy to make arrangements for us. We chose to eat outdoors because of the beautiful backdrop and several umbrellas were moved to make sure we wouldn't melt in the sun. As I mentioned before there's just incredible serenity that begs for you to delight in the sounds of the water and views of the palm trees.

There were so many items on the menu that sounded good and ultimately I went with the Grilled Apple and Feta Salad w/ Chicken. I was thrilled to see the plate show up with plenty because I was starving.... in fact it was probably enough to feed two people. When I make it back I would order this again!

Photo courtesy of Marriott Manhattan Beach

The lobby and bar area are equally welcoming. The decor reminds me something I'd see while touring brand new model homes. Being in an upscale environment gives you a boost in confidence. Maybe that's what pushed me to take the leap and become a red head during our stay.

And this might seem odd to mention, but I told Nichole that the carpet on our floor made me happy. It may be the yellow, or the fun pattern, I'm not sure. This is what I mean about the attention to detail at the Manhattan Beach Marriott Hotel. They've just got you smiling and you may not even know why.

When it was time to switch rooms on Saturday they made it as easy as possible on us and gave us the option to have our bags moved while we attended our conference sessions, or we could have a bell hop assist us with the transfer. And the view from our new room made the room change worthwhile. 

I heard the beach was not too far from the hotel and while we didn't partake in this, I love that this Bike and a Bite at the Beach is offered to guests as a way to explore the nearby restaurants and enjoy the sand between your toes. It would be something on my bucket list for a future stay. I wonder if they have kid bikes too? I could just imagine all five of us pedaling along with the ocean breeze and relishing in the joy of short getaway.

I also have to say that the setup for the conference was ideal because none of the workshop sessions seemed too far away and the hospitality suites were altogether and the open space for the Expo was very inviting. Everything was easy to find. Our conference registration desk was spacious and again easily accessible. Clearly this place knows how to set things up for a conference and has a staff that is well trained in making things run smoothly so everyone enjoys their time at the hotel. 

I tell ya, I'm looking forward to a future time that I can have an excuse to escape to enjoy these sights and sounds again, a little slice of paradise in Southern California that is Manhattan Beach Marriott.

Psst! You can PIN THIS to your TRAVEL board!

10 Need to Know Tips before Visiting LEGOLAND

We have enjoyed Legoland Merlin passes in years past. It is seriously one of our favorite Southern California hot spots. As my kids have gotten older we've become quite busy with their sports commitments so it has been awhile since we've been to Legoland California. When I announced that we received free tickets to go spend the day exploring all that is new with Legoland in order to facilitate this post and giveaway, they were super excited!

The kids really wanted to check out LEGO Chima Water Park, one of the newer and most popular areas at Legoland.

Cragger's Swamp is within LEGO Chima Water Park offers plenty of hands on fun! There are 50 interactive water play features and the water is just one foot deep. 

One of our all time favorite rides is Lost Kingdom Adventure. Laser guns and keeping score make this a fun family competition. It's usually boys in one car and girls in the other and we tease about who's going down!

Our excitement is obvious as we are next to get on the ride!

There's something about boats and Legoland. We kinda dig them!

This is Skipper School. Kids can even take the wheel!

Pirate Reef is a splashing fun time!

Amberly and I got to be in the very back of The Dragon!

The kids got their "drivers license" too! They love driving. I think it has to be with being in control.

Over in Miniland USA we found some fun activities were going on and joined in the fun. Hula hoops and the limbo are some classic summer past times that I loved as a kid.

Amberly happens to love the hula hoop.

Everybody makes it through the first few limbo rounds.

There's so much more we did that I didn't snap a photo of, like go to Castle Ice Cream, take our usual ride on Fairy Tale Brook, explore The Hideaways, ride Knights Tournament and catch a little bit of the Friends Forever show. One day is simply not enough time to do it all! I was looking at their website and am considering a surprise return trip because of the awesome deal they have right now.

Here's a bonus video from Legoland California when Owen was really little! He shows you how to sign HELICOPTER:

As promised, here are 10 HOT TIPS to get the most out of your visit to Legoland California:

1. Wear comfy socks and shoes - you'll be doing a lot of walking! When we visit a theme park I always wear my Ecocise Bamboo socks. Super soft and extra absorbent.

2. Pack your snacks and water. Every theme park varies on it's outside food policy. Legoland specifically states on their website:
Please note that coolers and outside food are not permitted in the Park, however bottled water and any food or beverages required for specific dietary needs are allowed."
Because we try to eat as much organic and GMO free as possible (we follow an 80/20 rule) and know we'll be having a few treats in the park, we always pack some of our staples to take with us. We had no problem bringing them in.

3. Purchase and print your ticket at home. This will help you avoid the ticket booth lines. Plus you can score a really good deal by taking advantage of their online offers!

4. Be the first ones there. SEALIFE Aquarium opens one hour earlier than the rest of the park. This should motivate you to leave the house on time. Note: Entry to SEALIFE requires separate ticket or park hopper ticket for entry.

5. Download the Legoland California App, it's FREE! Quickly check show times and special events, wait times for rides and much more!

6. Check height requirements for rides. When our boys weren't tall enough for some the rides this was critical to plan out which rides we would tackle altogether and which ones my husband would take Amberly on separately.

7. Recharge your phone. Taking a bunch of pictures and videos of your family making memories can drain your phone's battery. Charging stations are located in the Baby Care Center, LEGO Clubhouse and Membership Processing.

8. Check Ride Wait Times. Legoland keeps this updated and it can help you in planning which section of the park to visit next.

9. Parent Swap. No reason you can't both enjoy the ride! Some kids don't do well on roller coasters, or maybe they don't meet the height requirement. Wait in line together, let one parent ride with kids that are going, when they return, just swap parents. This is a great concept and not everyone knows about it.

10. Store your stuff. Don't let lugging your stuff around slow you down. Locker prices range from $3 to $10 depending on size and where you choose to rent a locker. Finding cool souvenirs? No problem! The cashier will often ask if you'd like to pick your purchase up at The Marketplace near the exit at the end of the day. What service!

For more helpful tips see Know before you go.

Before I get to the giveaway, I want to share the current promo going on:
McDonald’s is running a promotion in SoCal restaurants (L.A. and San Diego) from June 29th to July 31 t015ly 31. It is a Kids Go Free offer with any purchase at a participating McDonald’s in the promotional period. Kids Go Free with paid adult ticket to LEGOLAND® California Resort and your choice of LEGOLAND Water Park or SEA LIFE® Aquarium.  It is a $104 value!

Okay, now are you ready to enter and try to win your family 4 pack of Legoland California Park Hopper tickets?

GOOD LUCK!




Legoland Family 4 Pack

Disclaimer: I received tickets in order to facilitate this post and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach CA

Sometimes you just need to get out in nature, even if it is man made.

Finding something to do that is inexpensive for a family of 5 in Los Angeles proved to be a little bit tricky. Luckily I did a search on Trip Advisor and when El Dorado Nature Center came up I thought I'd found a winner.

I called to find out their hours and loved that they opened early.

Admission to the Nature Center and hiking trail was free, there was just a parking fee of $7. You just can't beat free!

When we neared the center we saw these beautiful paintings to welcome visitors:

And since Amberly loves turtles she had to get in the picture.

I believe these paintings are for sale by the artist and I should have checked to find out the price as I just love this turtle painting as much as Amberly.

As with most free to the public spaces, there was a donation box inside and a small gift shop. Several things caught our eye - but these three t shirts I had to take a photo of:

  

I think a couple of these will be showing up in my creative inspiration posts!

There was plenty to look at and several hands on activities that engaged the kids for a good amount of time which I was surprised because the building is small, think cabin size.

Amberly showed me these rather large pine cones.

And though I am not fond of bug creatures, this table was pretty cool.

We were ready to take to the trails. I love that there were 3 different trail lengths, something for everyone. We went with the one mile length. 

As we got started our first discovery was a loveliness of ladybugs! I've never seen so many in nature. One even flew onto my had!

We found posts giving various wildlife to look for on the hike.  I believe we found all of the items with the exception of one. 

There were cool bridges to cross along our walk. Being city folks we don't get to experience bridges going over creeks and there's just something kinda cool about getting a photo of the kids on a walking bridge.... albeit they wanted nothing to do with a posed photo op. 

Perhaps my favorite photo of the day, no make that month.....

There are these cool log benches to rest on after you return from your hike.

Owen wanted to see what he could find in the distance.

And of course I had to get in at least one photo! Sometimes we are so busy taking the pictures we forget to actually be in them.... 

I'm so glad we found this gem! Spending quality time outdoors is good for creating memories. Not only do we learn along the way, but we bond over silly stories and what if scenarios. My husband took on the role of narrator as if we were in a Discovery Channel program and the kids laughed and laughed while I smiled as my happy cup was filled. 

Keep up with us as we continue to explore things from our Summer Bucket List!

Do you have a hidden gem in San Diego or Los Angeles area that we need to know about? Please let me know in the comments below and we'll see if we can add to our adventures!

Bought my ticket to BlogHer12..... in NEW YORK!

Going to BlogHer11 here in San Diego was a no-brainer. When I learned the announcement had been made that the conference would be held in NYC next year I was both dismayed and excited... how could I be both? Easy. I don't like to pay for travel expenses, which is the only reason I attended the BlogHer11 conference. Saving for that kind of trip would be hard work. There would be a lot of things to consider, go alone or make it a family trip.... Well, then there is the excitement of it being in, hello.... NEW YORK!

After having an amazing newbie experience and fully getting my money's worth I just decided that I need to be in the big apple next year. I hear it is a common phenomena, once you start going to these things you just can't stop! Hubby would be pretty excited if we made it a kid free trip. There's a thought. I'm really curious to know how everyone else tackles this. I mean, it is certainly more expensive to go as a family. But, then the guilt of going off for all that fun (work) and leaving everyone behind gets me thinking to aim big. We're going on the Disney Cruise in a few weeks so it will be just about time to have a family vacation come August next year. And Owen will be 3 so traveling should be easier (or not).

Anyway, I hear and see a lot of people posting about the 20% off discount that goes away after Aug 31, so in approx 24 hours, saying they'll go ahead and buy it and if they can't afford the trip or find a sponsor they'll just resell the ticket. You have to want something bad enough to make it happen. Did you buy a ticket? Which mindset do you subscribe to? I'd love to know if you're making it a solo trip, couple's getaway, or a family vacation.