Family Fun Day- Tips on discounts/coupons

 It usually take a little pre-planning to have a family outing. We research to find coupons and discounts, since we have a family of 6 a day out could add up very quickly.

Feel free to leave a reply with your free/low cost activites!!!

Groupon Coupon for the mini-golf

We have used Groupons several times and its great to check this website for discounts. We have used it for hotels, restaurants, activities, haircuts ect. We always check this website out when we are traveling for deals on activities and restaurants.

Here is a link to sign up for Groupon, signing up by clicking on this link we get a little bonus as well!

http://www.groupon.com//raf/UserReferral_rp/121015/10r1act/lk/uu54904226

We all love having days together, getting away from the everyday routines and the busyness of life. Our calendar quickly filled up for summer so we have planned a couple days throughout the summer for "family fun days"

I am pretty sure we were looking for Olivia's ball...again

Yep, I know we were definitely looking for Olivia's ball this time : )

We couldn't stop laughing at her; she is very competitive and she was trying pretty hard. She just didn't get the concept of hitting softly.

Logan just got a kick out of Olivia playing mini-golf. He kept encouraging her and telling her how great she was doing.  She would crack him up with her "skill" he had that belly laugh that comes from deep down as he watched her play.

She tends to hit very hard and very often so Logan started writing a score of 97 on the score sheet per hole.

It's time for some free bowling! Yes, FREE. You sign up and the kids can play 2 games of bowling free per day during the summer.

http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/

Parents can sign up to bowl with the kids for 24.99 for the summer. And if you actually wait to sign up they will send you an email and offer another 20% off the parents' price as well.

 

 

 I so enjoy watching the kids tighten their relationships on days like this.

We all had so much fun bowling. Lots of laughs and it's fun to see the competitiveness break out in our family. Logan woke up this morning talking about how much fun he had and wanted to go back today to bowl.

We have been to several places at Hershey however this was our first time going to the Hershey Story "The Museum on Chocolate"

There is a Groupon currently online that is a great deal

http://www.groupon.com//raf/UserReferral_rp/121015/10r1act/lk/uu54904226

However, since Breanna works at Hershey Park she used her employee discount for our activities.

First time experiencing the Chocolate Lab.

So much fun.



Not sure what to expect, we noticed lots of chocolate and toppings on the table so how on earth can it be anything but good!? 

We had a few laughs as we prepared to make our chocolate bars, putting on aprons and hair nets but the best was Billy's beard net

If you know Olivia, you know this was a dream come true...a bowl full of chocolate.  After we made our bars the instructors told everyone they were free to eat the remaining chocolate.  For the first time in her life she finished a bowl of "Soup"

 We went through the Hershey Museum. We learned lots of fun facts about how Hershey (the company and the town) was started.

Here again, I see the bonds tightening in the family. Sweetness.

 It's nearly impossible to be across the street from Chocolate World and not go...so we did!

 The kids "making" Hershey Kisses. Our kids enjoy going through this process even through they don't purchase the kisses at the end. We went through the free Chocolate World ride,

to get a little treat at the end. You could stay busy for a full day in Hershey Chocolate World, Watching a movie (it is very cute), making your own candy bar (very fun!), packaging Hershey kisses, Chocolate tasting, free factory ride and so much more. Check out this link

http://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/

 I couldn't count how many times we have been through the Chocolate World ride.
Yesterday I leaned over during the ride and whispered to Billy "Do you remember the first time we came?"  It was May 2010, we had recently said "yes" to the call to plant a church here in PA and we brought the kids up for their first visit to Harrisburg.

 Who would have ever thought then that Breanna would be working at Hershey Park and we would make this a regular stop for friends and family who come to visit.  Its amazing to look back and see how God's plan has unfolded over the past 3 years.

Here is a picture from our first Hershey park visit, May 2010

 ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

 

From Youngsville to Harrisburg to NYC to Hershey - What a visit!

We certainly squeezed A LOT into a few days during the Caverly's visit. We had many late nights, tons of laughs and many sweet conversations. It was great visit and many memories were made that will last a lifetime.

Breanna had already left for work when we took this picture...we left room in the back to photoshop her in : )

We spent Thursday exploring Harrisburg. The Riverfront was full of activity with the 4th of July celebrations. We strolled through Riverfront Park and treated ourselves to slushies as we walked over the bridge to City Island.   

After watching the fireworks by the river the girls played with sparklers at the house. We had a big day planned the next day so we attempted to get the kids in bed at a decent time.

 Hello NYC!! 



The waking begins!

We visited the 9/11 Memorial sight, Macy's & Harold Square, walked past the Empire State Building, visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, The American Girl Place, NBA Store, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Plaza and Times Square.  You know, just a short stroll around the city....NOT!

 

Breanna in front of the flags of the Nations in Rockefeller Plaza

 These girls were so sweet as they stuck together like glue. They had little conversations as they peered into the windows and walked along the streets.

 The boys had a good time hanging out too.  They walked and talked together the whole day.  They even did a little shopping at the NBA store but Logan came out empty handed since all he had was $2.00 and a Wal-Mart gift card.



We kicked back and rested a little in Bryant Park and enjoyed  the shade and some relief from the blazing heat. There were a number of things going on in the park from chess games, to ping-pong and the reading room.  Here, the kids took a break to watch some guys play Pétanque, a game similar to Bocce ball. The rest was certainly welcome even though the kids did great with the amount of walking in the heat. 



I so enjoy Time Square at night, all the lights, people watching and sights. 

We left NYC the latest we ever have...almost 11pm so that put us home around 2:30am.  A full day indeed but a great visit none the less.

 We headed for much needed coffee at the midtown scholar the next day and walked through The Broad Street Market to pick up a few snacks.

 I don't think we were the only who were tired!

Nope not at all...

 Logan fell asleep in the window at the bookstore.  That is one worn out boy!

After a quick nap and a coffee recharge we headed over to Hershey to visit Chocolate World.  Hershey in the summer on a Saturday and a One Direction Concert make for a very crowded place!



The weekend went by so fast and it was such an encouragement to have friends here to share what life is like in HBG for our family.  We also had a great time with our small group while the Caverly's were here as we continued studying Luke. We look forward to the next visit and are so thankful for the bond that was strengthened over the weekend.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 27:17