Food Family Finds | Illinois Mom Blogger and Foodie
Recipes | Parenting | Reviews
If you're following me on Facebook or Twitter there's a good chance you saw many of these photos flash through our stream at some point. However, I really wanted to share them again because the East Peoria Festival of Lights at FOLEPI's Winter Wonderland is AMAZING. If you live in the central Illinois area, this is one holiday attraction you do not want to miss. For three years now we've been making the hour trip (each way) to see this amazing … [Read more...]
Memorial's Festival of Trees started in 1989 as an event to benefit the healthcare programs offered by Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL and this year was no different. The event was held through this past weekend where my family spent some time looking at all of the amazingly decorated Christmas trees decorated by volunteers and local designers. As part of the event, there were literally dozens of trees of all sizes, colors and styles. … [Read more...]
If I were to list my favorite places I've ever visited my life, a place called Garden of the Gods would make my top 5. As a kid, my parents would often take us on weekend trips in the fall to Giant City Lodge in Makanda, IL. It's there we would stay in rustic cabins nestled in the Shawnee National Forest, eat a family-style chicken dinner at "The Lodge" and then jump in the car to walk the Observation Trail at Garden of the Gods. I don't know if … [Read more...]
In just a few short years my husband and I will watch our son retire his bicycle and get behind the wheel of a vehicle. In short, he'll be a teen driver. While I know that my son will spend the next few years learning the ins and outs of operating a vehicle, I also think it's important that he understand roadside safety. Given the fact that most teenage drivers can't afford reliable transportation, odds are that he'll be driving a vehicle that … [Read more...]
Summer is the time of year many families are spending a lot of time on vacations and visiting distant family. During these tough economic times, it's also a time where many families are getting behind the wheel to travel. While you're busy worrying about packing, keeping the kids entertained and travel directions, one thing you shouldn't have to worry about is what to do if your vehicle breaks down while on the road. Fortunately, AllState is … [Read more...]
Today was the day we said farewell to our Twizzlers Summer Landmark Road Trip which started in Chicago, IL and ended in our hometown of Springfield, IL. How I'll ever get these kids to say goodbye to the Twizzlers van I'll never know because they absolutely loved it! For the past two days we've taken the family on a local trip through some amazing Springfield landmarks, many of which are completely new to me. You'll see in the video below a … [Read more...]
Day three of our landmark road trip started with a stop at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. As one of the largest indoor aquariums, Shedd is home to over 25,000 fish and let me tell you, the varieties of fish to be seen will WOW you. Before even stepping through the doors you're greeted by a building that has some of the most beautiful details in it's design. Inside the aquarium we had a chance to see little fish ... ...big fish ... ... and … [Read more...]
Our family started day 2 of our summer road trip in Chicago with a trip to the Brookfield Zoo which happens to be located in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield and is home to over 2000 animals. Being such a large zoo, we couldn't possibly see everything they had to offer but we did get to see some amazing animals that you can't find in the little zoo in our hometown. A first for all of us was being able to see baby peacocks. … [Read more...]
Earlier this week I announced that my family was selected as one of ten traveling families for the Twizzlers Summer Landmark Tour. In addition to the incredible promotion they're offering, they sponsored bloggers to share their own road trip experiences. Today we packed up the family and hit the road to see the landmarks and family friendly activities in Chicago, IL. You can watch in below as we share our departure and arrival to … [Read more...]
In a cramped and staid hotel room wedged between your husband’s incessant snoring and your kids’ hyper-activity, family vacations can sometimes be more of a chore than an enjoyment. More than anything, having a home – and the space and comfort that comes with it – can make your trips so much better. If you think that vacation homes don’t exist in urban areas, are super expensive or generally unsafe, think again. There’s now the … [Read more...]
