GIVEAWAY: Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train!

Can you feel the excitement??

It's that time of year again and we can't wait to visit the Irvine Park Railroad

for their annual Christmas Train and holiday fun!

The day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive!

They bring a whole park full of activities for the family,

including a magical train ride to see Santa himself!

Christmas Train tickets may be purchased to ride the train at a specific date and time — 

get in line and board the train any time during the hour for which you purchase tickets. 

Tickets may be purchased online ONLY and can be purchased beginning November 1st. 

Tickets may not be purchased in person. Visit www.IrvineParkRailroad.com for details.

Our best tips for coming to the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train include:

1. Come Early! It can get crowded and it's more fun to visit Santa without a line.

2. Bring a jacket! It's always nice weather, but the nights get chilly!

3. Don't forget your camera! There are lots of fun photo ops!

Of course there is always a photographer on hand to take your photo with Santa

and they will have 5x7 photos available for purchase!

You can also purchase your Christmas tree while you're there!

The Christmas tree ranch also opens November 27th and you can pick from a variety of trees!

They offer Douglas, Noble and Grand firs from 4' to 12' tall!

In addition you can purchase Christmas tree stands, preservatives, wreaths and garlands too!

Dates	Friday, November 27th through Wednesday, December 23rd
Hours	10:00 am - 8:00 pm daily
Location	Irvine Park Railroad Irvine Regional Park 1 Irvine Park Road Orange, CA 92689 The Christmas Tree Ranch is located in the Party Pavilions next to the train station.
Cost	Christmas trees are individually priced; all trees contain a tag with the cost for that tree.
Parking	Visitors may park in the Irvine Park Railroad parking lot which is next to the Christmas Tree Ranch. The parking for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. Parking for the Christmas Tree Ranch is free after 5:00 PM.
More Information	For more information, please visit our web site at www.IrvineParkRailroad.com

And now for the best part!

You can WIN TICKETS to experience the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train!

GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's a Merry Christmas at Knott's Merry Farm!

Our family had the opportunity to visit Knott's Merry Farm 

and sample all the fun activities they have this 2014 Christmas season!

One of our favorite stops at Knott's Merry Farm was Santa's Christmas Cabin!

It smelled amazing in there!

We ate hot roasted nuts, bakery delights and my kids' favorite, the Snoopy cookie!

Santa was there too, waiting to see the kids and listen to their Christmas lists!

You can have your picture taken with him and they will print it right out for you!

The shows are always one of our favorite things to see!

Lucy's Wish List in the Camp Snoopy Theatre had a special surprise...SNOW!

My favorite is always Snoopy On Ice!

Each song is so beautifully choreographed,

and the costumes are so fun!

The day was complete with the lighting of the Knott's Merry Farm Christmas tree!

Come see it all lit up until January 4!

Buy your Knott's 2015 Season Passes and get one free visit in 2014 

to have fun with your family at Knott's Merry Farm!

See you at Knott's!

GIVEAWAY: Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train and Christmas Tree!

One of our favorite Christmas memories 

is visiting the Irvine Park Railroad at Christmastime!

The park is transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland

 with Christmas trees and lights everywhere!

The train is decorated as well!

You can buy your tickets and climb aboard 

for a magical ride to see Santa!

The kids were so excited to sit with Santa 

and tell him all their Christmas wishes!

Santa has a photographer to capture your kids' happy faces

or bring your own camera!

Besides the Christmas train, there are other fun activities!

- Decorate Christmas Cookies

- Enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus

- Play Carnival Games

- Go Ice Fishing

- Jump in Santa's Bounce House

- Color a Christmas Picture

And this year you can visit the Christmas Tree Ranch 

next to the Irvine Park Railroad train station

and choose the perfect tree for your home 

from their selection of Douglas, Grand and Noble Firs

 ranging in size from 4 to 12 feet tall!

The Christmas Train and activity tickets are on sale now for the dates listed below!

Christmas Train Dates	Christmas Train Hours	Christmas Train Activities
November 28th and 29th	5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 10:00 am.
November 30th	5:00 pm – 8:00 pm	Activities open at 10:00 am.
December 5th - 6th	5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 4:00 pm.
December 7th	5:00 pm – 8:00 pm	Activities open at 4:00 pm.
December 12th	4:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 3:00 pm.
December 13th and 14th	2:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 10:00 am.
December 15th through 19th	4:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 3:00 pm.
December 20th and 21st	2:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 10:00 am.
December 22nd and 23rd	4:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 3:00 pm.

And now for the best part!

I have tickets for you and a Christmas tree!

Here's what you can win!

- 4 Christmas Train tickets

- 6 Christmas Train activity tickets

- 1 Wheel Fun Rentals^® at Irvine Park bike rental (excludes the double surrey)

- 1 Wheel Fun Rentals^® at Irvine Park paddle boat rental 

- 1 Christmas Tree valued up to $75

GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Knott's Merry Farm - Southern California's Holiday Tradition!

In just 2 weeks, Knott's Berry Farm will be transformed 

into a winter wonderland for Knott's Merry Farm!

My family is excited to check out all the food, fun and shows 

available from November 22nd - January 4, 2015.

Here are a few of our favorites!

Come ride Engine 41 with all the fun Ghost Town characters dressed up for the season

and eager to share Christmas songs with their guests!

Listen to the sounds of the season from groups all over the park, including a Dickens quartet!

At Santa's Christmas Cabin, you can take your picture with Santa and taste some holiday treats!

The Knott's bakers have specialties in store, such as gingerbread men, fresh maple lollipops,

a hot fudge sundae bar and specialty drinks!

We love the shows on Calico Stage and the Charles M. Schulz Theatre.

I can't wait to see the brand new ice show, Merry Christmas Snoopy!

Those Peanuts characters are so cute all dressed up for the season!

I can't wait to give them a squeeze and capture some memories

with my family at Knott's Merry Farm!

And if you're planning a trip to Knott's Merry Farm, 

you might want to think about a 2015 Knott's Season Pass!

We're surprising our kids with passes this Christmas

and I can hardly wait to see their excited faces and hear them squeal 

when they realize we can go see Snoopy whenever we want!

With one free visit in 2014, the new dining plan, and an easy payment plan,

the 2015 Knott's Season Pass was an easy sell for me!

Get yours too and we'll go play at Knott's together in 2015!

Merry Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas Friends!!!

Merry & Bright Printables!

My favorite theme for this holiday season has certainly been

MERRY & BRIGHT!

Everywhere I look the most creative bloggers 

have incorporated it into their decorating and I love it!

I included it in our Christmas card and some printables for you!

This 8x10 is a quick decoration for your wall and easy to frame for a gift!

And this set of 4 would be fun to cut up 

and include with gifts or just as a friendly note!

I think they would be a great note for a friend at any time of the year!

And I'm loving this print even more with a red frame and glitter polka dots!

Whatever you do, be Merry & Bright!

DOWNLOAD 8x10 print HERE!
DOWNLOAD Cards HERE!

Santa Claus is coming to Pretend City!

Santa Claus and Pretend City??

What a perfect combo!

If your kids are like mine, they're going to want to come!

And December 18 is the time for your special needs children to visit Santa!

This event is especially designed for children on the Autism spectrum.

This special "Sensitive Santa" visit and photo opportunity 

is designed to provide a sensory sensitive experience

with low Christmas carols, dim lights, and trained Santa and helpers

to ease some of the anxieties that may come with visiting Santa.

(Santa will take a lunch break from 12-1 on this day.)

Pretend City

29 Hubble

Irvine CA 92618

949-428-3900

Hours:

Monday: 10AM - 1PM

Tuesday - Sunday 10AM - 5PM

Adults & Children: $12.50

Infant to 12 months: FREE

Christmas Ribbon Wreath!

I love ribbon. And wreaths. And lots and lots of color!!

Every since I helped my sister make a ribbon wreath a few weeks ago,

I've been color-scheming in my mind.

And since Christmas is here, I chose my favorite Christmas color combo!

You should know all the things I did wrong so you can do them right.

This beautiful creation will take one styrofoam wreath, not cheap,

and around 12 rolls of ribbon, also not cheap.

Plan your shopping around sales and not making a wreath on a whim!

And be prepared with hours and hours of television,

because this baby will take you forever!!

But I love it. Every loop of ribbon is my favorite.

I would do it again, and you know next time it will be a rainbow of colors.

Because I love ribbon. And I love rainbows even more.

Merry Christmas Ribbon Wreath to YOU!

GIVEAWAY: Irvine Park Railroad's 18th Annual Christmas Train!

'Tis the season once again for Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train! 

Come with family and friends and take this enchanting night ride 

through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. 

The train will depart every 15 minutes from the brightly-lit train station 

and drop passengers off at the North Pole.

While waiting to board the train, there are many activities for children 

to enjoy in Santa’s Village located next to the train station.

Activities will open one hour prior to when the Christmas Train runs and include:

- Story Time with Mrs. Claus
- Christmas Cookie Decorating
- Carnival Games
- Santa Claus Moon Bounce
- Christmas Coloring Corner
- Picture Stands



Visitors may take their own pictures with Santa 

or you may purchase a picture taken by Irvine Park Railroad. 

Each 5” x 7” photo will be presented with an Irvine Park Railroad border 

and is available for pickup shortly after being taken.

After visiting with Santa, hop back aboard the train 

and enjoy the colorful Christmas lights and decorations, 

as well as the magical “Tunnel of Lights,” 

on the ride back to the station.

When visiting the Christmas Train, remember to dress warmly, 

bring a camera and arrive early to avoid crowds.

The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train is open on the following dates:  

Christmas Train Dates	Christmas Train Hours	Christmas Train Activities
November 29th and 30th	5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 4:00 pm.
December 1st	5:00 pm – 8:00 pm	Activities open at 4:00 pm.
December 6th - 7th	5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 4:00 pm.
December 8th	5:00 pm – 8:00 pm	Activities open at 4:00 pm.
December 13th	5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 4:00 pm.
December 14th and 15th	2:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 1:00 pm.
December 16th through 19th	4:00 pm – 8:00 pm	Activities open at 3:00 pm.
December 20th	4:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 3:00 pm.
December 21st and 22nd	2:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 1:00 pm.
December 23rd	4:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Activities open at 3:00 pm.

The cost to ride the Christmas Train is $10.00 per person.

Children younger than 24 months ride free.

The parking for Irvine Regional Park is $3.00 per vehicle on weekdays 

and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends. 

Parking for the Christmas Train is free after 5:00 PM.

Annual Irvine Park Railroad events include the Christmas Train, 

Anniversary Celebration, Easter Eggstravaganza and Pumpkin Patch.  

During the day, visit Irvine Regional Park’s other activities

including Wheel Fun Rentals® at Irvine Park 

— fun and unique bike rentals that can be enjoyed 

by single riders or an entire family 

— paddle boat rentals, the Orange County Zoo and pony rides.

Irvine Park Railroad is located inside of Irvine Regional Park.  

The address is:

Irvine Park Railroad

1 Irvine Park Road

Orange, CA 92869

Become a fan of Irvine Park Railroad on Facebook, 

follow their tweets on twitter, and view pictures on Flickr.

For pricing, park directions and complete details, please visit www.IrvineParkRailroad.com.

And now for the best part!!
You can win tickets for your family to visit the Christmas Train!

The winner will receive:

- 4 Christmas Train tickets

- 6 Christmas Train activity tickets

- 1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park deuce coupe bike rental

SO FUN!

GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway