Irvine Park Railroad {Christmas} Train 2014 + Giveaway!

Disclosure: I was given tickets for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

It's the most wonderful time of the year when the Irvine Park Railroad 
decks the train and Santa arrives for the 19th annual Christmas Train!

There is something special about twinkle lights, trees, and a train that takes you to Santa.

It makes me feel like I am a kid riding on the Polar Express. It's just magical!

And the Christmas Train isn't just for Christmas adoring adults, the kids love it too!

We love having this Christmas tradition with the kids and I love to see how excited they are to visit with Santa and share their Christmas wishes.
I can't wait for Grace to meet Santa for the first time on the Christmas Train!
He is definitely the best Santa in Orange County.
You can take pictures with Santa using your own camera,
or you can purchase a 5x7" photo taken by the Irvine Park Railroad.

New this year to the Irvine Park Railroad is the Christmas Tree Ranch!!!!
Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, you can purchase Christmas trees at Irvine Park Railroad.
I am a staunch believer in LIVE CHRISTMAS TREES!
And except for 2 years in college when fire code forbade live trees,
I have had a live Christmas tree and it's my favorite!
It makes the house smell so good and there's a rush in finding the perfect tree.
You'll be able to choose from Douglas, Noble and Grand firs ranging in height
from 4 feet to 12 feet.
Christmas tree stands, preservatives, tree disposal bags, wreaths and garlands
will also be available for purchase.
The Christmas Tree Ranch will be open daily 10:00am-8:00pm.

Some helpful tips you'll want to remember when coming to ride the Christmas Train:

• BUY YOUR TICKETS EARLY AND ONLINE! This is the only way to purchase tickets. Dates and times sell out quickly, so get your tickets as soon as you can!
• Bring your camera. There are so many photo opps!
• Dress warmly! It can get chilly at the North Pole and you don't want to be left shivering. So be sure to dress in layers and don't forget a your scarf.
• Arrive early so you can avoid the crowds and have plenty of time for fun!
• Come hungry! There are lots of yummy treats available for purchase!

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One of my favorite parts of the evening is the twinkle lights tunnel.

It is so cool! I could drive through it over and over again.

My friend Kara Noel's husband snapped this picture of Isabella and I riding

through the tunnel at lightning speed a couple of years ago and it's awesome! 

You'll want to plan time to be there before or after your Christmas train ride,

because there are a lot fun activities and fun to be had around the railroad grounds.

Activities during the Christmas Train include:

Story Time with Mrs. Claus (FREE!)
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Ice Fishing
Carnival Games
Santa Claus Moon Bounce
Christmas Coloring Corner (FREE!)
Picture Stands (FREE!)

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Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

1 Irvine Park Drive

Orange, CA 92869

2014 Christmas Train Tickets

$12.00 per person
Children younger than 24 months ride free

(Parking is $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends, and free after 5:00 p.m.)

Purchase your tickets online NOW - the event is known to sell out, 
and purchasing ONLINE is the only way to purchase tickets!!!!!

GIVEAWAY

 And because the people at the Irvine Park Railroad are so awesome,

they are giving away a Christmas Train and Chrismas Tree 

prize package  to one of my readers!

One lucky winner will receive:

*4 Christmas Train tickets

*6 Christmas Train activity tickets

*1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park bike rental (excludes double surrey)

*1 Wheel Fun Rentals at Irvine Park paddle boat rental

*1 CHRISTMAS TREE FROM THE IRVINE PARK RAILROAD TREE RANCH

(maximum value of $75.00 - does not include flocking, delivery, or other items including wreaths and garlands)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Knott's Merry Farm 2014: Christmas at Knott's Berry Farm

Disclosure: The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is coming to Knott's Berry Farm
November 22nd through January 4, 2015 when Christmas turns America's first
theme park into Knott's Merry Farm!
This Southern California holiday tradition since 1985 includes park-wide lavish
decorations, live entertainment, festive food, and a shopping wonderland!



I can't wait to see Snoopy and the gang perform in a brand new ice spectacular,
Merry Christmas Snoopy!
We loved the last ice show at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre and so I'm sure this
holiday show will be even more amazing!!!



Other live entertainment includes retellings of A Christmas Carol and A Gift of the Magi
in the intimate historic Bird Cage Theatre.
In Camp Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, and Lucy invite families to
dance and sing and join in on the fun at the Campy Snoopy Theatre.
And don't forget that when the sun sets the Calico Stage will light up with
Snoopy's Merriest Tree Lighting!!

You'll also want to pop over to Santa's Christmas Cabin to visit with Santa!
The Wilderness Dance Hall in Ghost Town is transformed into Santa's
Christmas Cabin during the Christmas season.
Not only can you visit with The Big Guy, but you can taste Santa's homemade cookies,
enjoy the hot fudge sundae bar, or drink up some delicious hot chocolate.



If you enjoy a fun Christmas train, then be sure to climb aboard Engine 41
and meet the every-changing  group of Ghost Town residents eager to
share their Christmas plans and songs.

Don't forget to peruse the Christmas Craft Village were Ghost Town is transformed

into a shopping wonderland fills with dozens for local artisans selling their

unique creations  - including a a chainsaw sculptor and a glass blower.

And we can't forget the Knott's Merry Farm food!!!

Not only will there be Santa's homemade cookies, a sundae bar, 

and hot chocolate, but there will also be made-to-order Maple Lollipops, churros,

cakes, cookies, and gingerbread men in the Farm Bakery.

It all sounds amazing!
That's why I'm making a Knott's Berry Farm 2015 Season Pass
part of my kids' Christmas gift this year!
Where else in Orange County can you get a year full of family memories
for such an amazing price!

For as low as 9 easy payments of $8.50, you can enjoy a year of

Knott's Berry Farm with your family too!
And don't forget to check into adding the All Season Dining Plan
to your season pass too.
For only 9 easy payments of $11 you can get 2 meals a day
during each and every visit in 2015.

Some of the perks of being a season pass holder include:

• Dining Discounts
• Merchandise Discounts
• No Blackout Dates
• Bring A Friend Discount Days
• Special invites to Passholder only events
• Exclusive Season Pass Holder Collector Pins

GIVEAWAY: 2014 Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch

Disclosure: My family was invited to a media day to explore the Pumpkin Patch.

It's that time of year when the Irvine Park Railroad is transformed into its

annual Pumpkin Patch - featuring thousands of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.

The 9th Annual Pumpkin Patch is located in Locomotive Loop and Miner's Meadow,

and pops up September 20th through October 31st.

This year's activities include:

• train rides
• hay rides
• panning for gold
• child friendly haunted house
• hay maze
• moon bounce
• carnival games
• cookie decorating
• John Deere tractor races
• face painting
• picture stands
• yummy food!

Admission to the Pumpkin Patch is FREE and prices for the other activities vary.

You can find out more about pricing by visiting the Irvine Park Railroad website.

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

and $5.00 per vehicle on weekends.

We've been the last two years and we love it so much!

JT especially enoys the "haunted house" and Isabella loves the face painting.
I love all the giant pumpkins and the hay ride - such a great Fall activity!

I can't wait for Grace to join in on all the great picture opportunities this year.

The Pumpkin Patch is open daily September 20th through October 31st.

Weekdays 10am-5pm

Weekends 10am-6pm

Our amazing friends at Irvine Park Railroad are offering my readers
the chance to win 6 tickets (can be used for the train or Pumpkin Patch activities),
1 Wheel Fun Rentals paddle boat rental,
and one Wheel Fun Rentals bike rental (excludes the double surrey).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 Favorite Christmas Movies to Watch During the Holidays

I'm all about tradition and celebration during the Christmas season.
To add to the amazingess of December,
both of my kids have their birthdays this month.
So with Christmas and birthdays it's like a non-stop party at our house.
One of my favorite traditions is to watch ALL of my favorite Christmas movies
at least once during the month. I grew up in a home that was huge into
movies, so I want to share all those fun memories with my own kids.
Plus, discover new movies to share and create new traditions.

Today I'm counting down 25 of my favorite Christmas movies and sharing them with you.
Most you've probably heard of and watched yourself, but I'm betting I have a few
you've forgotten about or maybe have never seen, but need to!


1. White Christmas
It's a tradition with my mom to watch this during the first snowfall of the season.
Since we don't have snow here in SoCal, I opt for the first rain of the holiday season.
It's working beautifully! My husband and I like to sing  a (bad) rendition of the
"Snow" harmony. Bad because he can't sing on key and there's only two of us instead of 4.