Monday, May 3, 2010

Tropicana #3- Rewarding Moments with Family Time

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Tropicana.



Throughout my entire life, even as a small child, I dreamed about my future family for hours at a time. I wanted a big family- with young cousins running around and playing games outside...while adults laugh and share endless stories around a table of incredible food. This is what I experienced while growing up. You see, my mother and her identical twin sister were the youngest of 9 children. Needless to say, I have a HUUUUUGE extended family and we spend time together as much as possible!

I also dreamed of having my own twins one day...it was the deepest desire of my heart. So I was absolutely devastated during my time with infertility. And it wasn't until I had completely let go of my need to be in control of everything (go ahead and snicker, friends)---that God blessed us with QUADS!!! (2 of the boys are identical--just like my Mom & Aunt!). What an incredibly special family we have and our time together is priceless.




Here are a few of our most rewarding moments as a family:

- curling up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie with our little ones


(Dad is usually asleep!)


- taking trips to South Texas to love on great grandparents and family


- splishin', splashin' and laughing in the bath tub



- experiencing snow for the first time (that NEVER happens in Texas!)



- going to activities outside of the house like: bounce houses, water parks, museums, zoos, etc.






...just to name a few! There are many more memories on our family blog.

I am currently taking part in the Tropicana Juicy Rewards Program. By taking one minute out of my day (literally), I enter codes from our Tropicana purchases and receive amazing discounts on Amusement Parks, Museums, Concerts and so much more! Stay tuned in to my Tropicana Review Home Page for our next fun family adventure...I'll give you a hint:


If you would like to win a $50 VISA gift card, courtesy of BlogHer---just leave me a comment to let me know: "What are some of your most rewarding moments with family?"

Rules:
- Contest dates: 5/3/10 to 5/16/10.
- No duplicate comments.
- You may receive a 2nd entry by linking on twitter and leaving an additional comment with the link.
- You may receive a 3rd entry by blogging about this contest and leaving an additional comment with the link.
- This giveaway is open to US Residents aged 18 and older
- Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
- You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

FREE 1 POINT CODE:
1. Go to http://www.tropicana.com/
2. Set-up your Tropicana Juicy Rewards account
3. Visit the "Enter Codes" page within the site and get started with:
BLOGG-HER11 *
*This one-time use code is valid for new accounts ONLY. Must be entered within 6 hours of creating your account.

Check out the other BlogHer/Tropicana reviewers and enter for 7 other chances to win! BlogHer.com special offers page

Tropicana Website

Official rules

105 comments:

Ashley said...

I love the simple things- taking a walk in the evening, watching a movie together, playing games and going for ice cream.

Unknown said...

I love the laughs, hugs, and love. Snuggling with all my pets and family and friends is the best!

Katherine said...

I love spending time with my boys- laughing, reading stories, crafting and coloring, just being together!

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson said...

Bringing our baby girl home from the NICU was by far our greatest family moment... I'm sure many more are in our future! Can't wait. :)

J said...

I love to take time to find something that we can all do together. My husband and I both work full time outside the home so those activities that get us out of the house (away from everything that needs to be done) and just focusing on our son are the best.

Amy said...

Now the weather is starting to get warm, I love siting on the front porch watching the kids ride their bikes and shoot hoops!!!

Amanda said...

Anything we can do together. Something as simple as a family bike ride or walk after dinner. Watching a movie everyone can watch. Anything we can do and be TOGETHER!

Unknown said...

Any time with the family is good, but being at the beach together is something that I look forward to all year long!

Unknown said...

I love taking my cousins to the park and watching them run around the volleyball courts chasing a tennis ball. It's amazing how much fun they can have with such a simple activity.

Jessie said...

I love watching my twins play together nicely and listening to them talk to each other in their little kid voices. My husband and I love to observe them and marvel at how they're going up into such awesome little people.
jesmckinney [at] gmail [dot] com

Kim said...

I love picnics at the park on the weekend.

Charity Donovan said...

Awwww...the pic of you in the recliner w/ everyone is still one of my all time favs!!!

I love being outdoors with the kids...zoo, park, or the lake. We are going to attempt camping this summer! Wish us luck! ;)

The Reeves bunch said...

I love family times. My foundest memories of childhood were those moments when we were just a family at home doing something cheap like eating pizza in the living room (we were never allowed to do that) and watching TGIF.

Kelly said...

Our family's favorite thing is movie night snuggled up on the couch with popcorn.

cbentley413 said...

Grilling out on the weekends on our fabulous patio.

Amber Fishback said...

I love taking my kids to places like the zoo or museums where they get to experience something new. Watching their faces take it all in and learn and be amazed by all the wonders of God everywhere is the best.

Jennifer Whitlark said...

I love going to the zoo and seeing my daughter's delight in the animals. The small things are the best sometimes!

Todd and Courtney said...

I love taking my sweet 18 month little girl, Lauren, to the aquarium. She loves the fish and penguins!

Molly said...

It's usually the non-planned, just kind of happen, things and events that end up leaving us with the most memories. Random night with friends or family over for dinner, spontaneous trip to the park, etc. But family vacations have to be my favorite time...everyone is relaxed and enjoying new scenery and new experiences together! Even if it's just across the metroplex to stay in a hotel for the weekend and swim, eat out, and lounge.

The Armstrong Family said...

Going to the park or taking a simple stroll...relaxing together is priceless!

Kelly said...

Times when I get to be w/my two girls and hubby.

If the shoe FITZ said...

evening stroll..
picnic at the park.
attending a local festival

Melissa said...

I absolutely love just hanging by a bon fire, laughing, coming up with Jokes and enjoying life! Family is a great thing!!

Unknown said...

I love family get togethers also. Me and my 2 sisters while the little kids are playing!!!!

Courtney said...

We love visiting our local Zoo. The kids both love looking at each animal and the Phoenix Zoo has a lot of kid-friendly areas where they can play and learn.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

They are usually the ones I least expect...like being thanked for dinner and praying before dinner.

Unknown said...

I love long saturdays...waking up and making breakfast with the hubby then letting the kids play outside while we do some sort of home diy project. Watching a movie while they nap and then grilling something for dinner and eating on the picnic table....just feels like everything in the world is right :)

Melissa said...

The most rewarding times with family is doing things with family regularly. You never know when something may happen to a family member so spend each day to its fullest and have fun!! Life is too short not to and enjoy your family.

Tara said...

Bible story & prayer time right before bed is my favorite family time.

Micah said...

the smiles on my babies faces first thing in the morning, and at the end of the day, talking about all of the fun we had or so forth. But right now, the thing that brings tears to my eyes each night, hearing my four year old come up with the funniest, most sincere prayers.

Jennifer Beaver said...

Any event that includes laughter is my favorite!!

Casey said...

I love the unplanned times - the afternoon adventures or the road trips with time for stops off the highway.

Jara said...

My most rewarding moments are when my kids want to talk to me about God, when they ask questions about lessons they've learned at church, things in nature, etc. Nothing can be more rewarding than sharing stories of God with them!!!

Queen of the Misfits said...

Love cooking breakfast with them on Sunday! My favorite day of the week!!

Sarah said...

I love sitting down and reading with my son

Melanie said...

snuggle time is the best! my kids are out of the "snuggly" phase, so when i actually get the opportunity to snuggle with them, i eat it up!

Kristen said...

We don't have kids yet, so I like to spend time with my husband watching movies on the couch.

kstabler11@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

When we can all be together and not trying to rush. Seems like we are always trying to go-go-go. It is so nice to just enjoy the time.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Ashley said...

I like playing outside with my husband, daughter, and our dogs.

Anonymous said...

I love quiet moments at home. right now my 16 month old loves to bring me books to read to him and I of course cant turn him down.

jillw217@gmail.com

Unknown said...

celebrating holidays of course :)
ann.altima at gmail dot com

Barbara said...

My husband and I have a Saturday morning tradition that I wouldn't give up for anything! Starbucks, driving around looking at our dream homes, and back home for breakfast. =)

Amanda said...

I always think that Thanksgiving is the most rewarding time, in my family. It's a time when we really think about and share how much we appreciate each other. And then we bond over a mountain of food! What could be better?

Heather said...

I just love how excited my girls get when I come into their room in the morning to get them up....they give lots of hugs and kisses and we read a story every morning before having breakfast!

Tree said...

You have a lovely family. The pic of the 4 kiddos in the tub is just too cute! We have a rather large family...10 of us in our home. The hubby, myself, our 5 kiddos (includes a set of twins), our daughter-in-law, and our two adorable granddaughters.

We love movie and game night in our house, and we also love to play charades or just dance around like fools. LOL Our outings consist of mainly "free" things since it's very expensive to take us all out....the park, the zoo, barbeques, etc. If we get to splurge, we usually hit up an amusement or water park...the beach is a favorite too!

Toni said...

I love our evening walks in our neighborhood, running errands on the weekends, and just hanging out in our living room and watching our son play.

Heather said...

I love just playing with my husband and daughter. The giggles are so much fun!

Jenny said...

I love just sitting out in the driveway in the evening with my husband and son. It's my most favorite way to end every day.

Anonymous said...

My daughter is REALLY into Shrek right now, so I love, love, love just laying on the couch watching a movie with her and the hubby. OR, building things as a family. We recently built a picnic table as a family and had a blast!

Stacey said...

My most memorable moment was after a long struggle with infertility was finding out we were having triplets. Now we love being outside. I love to have all my babies in my lap and hear them yell from their bed "Night Mama Bear!" That is the ultimate:)

Teresa said...

Being able to bring our daughter while we tag along on work trips with my hubby. We've been to Ireland and DisneyWorld in the last year -- great trips and even better to be traveling as a family!

Jill said...

I love spending time with family at our lakeside cottage in Maine!! I love all the new memories that we make each summer!

jillwood@live.com

Cori said...

Going to a baseball game with the family, is my favorite time!

cori.benson@gmail.com

Betty N said...

When my kids were growing up we had dinner together every night...each child got to share something from his/her day. The kids took turns planning (with parental help)family nights...these are good memories

Betty N said...

tweet for giveaway here
http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/13357278513

Betty N said...

I blogged, view post here here
http://higrandma.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/win-a-50-visa-gc-courtesy-of-blogher/

Amy (ArtsyBookishGal) said...

My best family times are just sitting around talking about nothing and everything!

Amy
artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

Teej said...

I love going to the mountains with my family!
tjwallace04@gmail.com

MyLinda said...

We love to have family movie or game nights. We also love to do family sleepovers in the living room!

Shannon said...

The most rewarding time of my day is getting a smile/belly laugh from my 5 month old and my 2.5 year old telling me he loves me out of the blue!

KSDallas said...

Just hanging out relaxing is the best in my book!

Stacemoe said...

Love spending time with my girl...tried for 3 1/2 years to get pregnant and there were many days and nights when I didn't think that would ever be possible....the simple things are the greatest!!!!

April said...

i myself am 30 and single, and the family i have is in the form of me and my parents. ...i'm also an only child. my mom however is one of 8 kids, and i have a large group of cousins that i stay in close contact with. my favorite family get together is a girl cousin tradition that i started 3 years ago at christmastime. we all get together and have a yummy dinner! i love that we all take time while visiting "home" over the holidays to build on the bond that we have of family.

ASHENFELTERS said...

I love to just spend time with my kids...doing anything. This summer tho', we are plannigna trip from Indiana to California ( disneyland)
in the van. ADVENTURE? I think so. A 50$ gift card will help.:)

jenn said...

i love going on walks together as a family, bathtime, vacations are so much fun as well. One last thing that stands out is trips to the zoo, each time is different and the experience is like no other:)

Susan said...

Family trips to the beach or mountains where we're all disconnected from our day-to-day and get to just hang with each other.

Jessica said...

When I can see what kind of little man my son is becoming. He says the greatest things and has a heart of gold!

Babyj_99@hotmail.com

Elyse Kinard said...

Love just the quality time playing on the groud or outside!

Deal Chasin' Mama said...

Some of my favorite times with my family are going on bike rides to the park, catching a "kid" movie with my 2 littles and hubbie, and going on a drive to hit our favorite ice cream stand. :)

Anonymous said...

Kaycee said... I love it when my family gets to be together and relive all the memories. I love the laughs and the tears from laughing. I love the countless hours of talking.

kthornto@harding.edu

Jenna said...

Snuggling up in the mornings and telling each other we love each other is my favorite thing of all. I also love making up stories and songs with my daughter and reading together.

Melinda said...

the simple things - making cookies, watching movies :)

Joy said...

GO CAMPING mjharvey26@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

bluegirl1423 at gmail dot com

we love watching movies

Denise said...

Family snuggles in bed in the morning.... And watching my child's delight at the acquarium!

Jen G. said...

jennifer.gilmore @ gcmweb.org

I love watching my oldest play with her younger sisters. I was worried how she would react when her first baby sister came home from the hospital. She did pretty well, always trying to be helpful. When #3 came home, I was worried how #2 would react. All my girls are fabulous big sisters! They love on each other all the time.

I just love being with my kids and watching them play together and learn new things.

Unknown said...

I love snuggling up with my kids and reading a book (or 200! - they all love to read, too!). I also love taking walks with them - my lil guy snuggled up on my back while the twins point out and talk about everything they see. Priceless!!

mandala said...

Rewarding moments - snuggling with my hubby and playing with my twin nephews who just recently turned 4. I too hope I could have kids (twins) someday. I am inspired by your story :)

mandalarctic(at)gmail(dot0com

Unknown said...

I love movie nights too and of course camping is always fun or taking a drive and just talking where you can connect without any distractions....some of my son and I's best talks have been in the car traveling to have dinner or on the way home from school.

Unknown said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/13539021418

ETS said...

That first moment when I take my sweet Savannah out of her crib. When her face is still flushed with sleep and she smiles at me like it has been FOREVER! It takes my breath away...

Mami2jcn said...

Just hearing their laughter is rewarding to me.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Betty N said...

My children always loved playing board games and now I play them with my grandchildren. When mine were younger, each would help plan a special "family night" choosing what we would do that evening, what special dessert or treat, etc (parent approval needed)

Betty N said...

tweet here
http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/13664849706

Betty N said...

blogged here
http://higrandma.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/win-a-50-visa-gc-12/

Princess Golden Hair said...

The most rewarding times are usually the most unexpected times. It might be a hug from a child with dirty hands because he was just helping you in the garden. It might be a messy kiss with lips that just ate a piece of chocolate cake you baked. I love them all and look forward to more

Jess said...

Favorite moments are the unplanned...the sweet kisses, hugs and cuddles, a big flashy smile, a belly laugh.

jbrodt at gmail dot com

Chris said...

My kids love being outside, so we've had some great moments just taking walks or going to the zoo. We also love movie time, and lately we've been enjoying arts and crafts together too.

nape said...

When we aren't watching movies, we're H.O.S.: HOOKED ON SCRABBLE. Our old gameboard is nearly worn out, but it never ceases to be entertaining for us. Fun without spending money is MEGA-fun for me.

Love this giveaway. Thanks!

nape said...

tweet-a-tweet-tweet!
http://twitter.com/Ida_Sessions/status/13761416230

Anne said...

We love to play games together. We enjoy European board games like Settler of Catan and Ticket to Ride, and we also like card games.

ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

Anne said...

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/13806564942

Melody said...

I like looking down the bench at my kids during church. They are (usually)very well behaved and I just get filled up with gratitude for all that I have been given!

Nita said...

we love watching movies and playing games together

Unknown said...

I love playing games and reading books and doing puzzles with my son now that he's a little older. Just a fun time together.

psmomreviews@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I love it when they do random acts of kindness for me. Such as vacuum and wash the dishes.

shopgurl101 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/13961974295

Unknown said...

blogged: http://wp.me/plE9t-nm

shopgurl101 @gmail .com

angie lilly said...

One of the best activities we do as a family is to eco-walk. We take walks in our own neighborhood, along country roads, etc. and pick up trash/recyclables. Its a great way to get outside and to beautify your surroundings!
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I tweeted this giveaway here: http://twitter.com/FotoMacro/status/13971699430
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com

Scott said...

I really love gardening with my family. We have large flower and veggie gardens in our yard and its so relaxing and rewarding to be out there and see your hard work pay off…and eat some of it! LOL
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

Scott said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/RePurrPussed/status/13972612622
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

Amanda said...

My most rewarding moments with my boys are the quiet times snuggling at the end of the day. It seems like no matter what craziness happened during the day, we can snuggle and connect at bedtime!

rebelchick said...

I also have a very large family & we are very close in location. I'm one of 4 girls myself. :) My favorite family moments are family get togethers - which occur every week or two - for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. The pre-teens sitting outside gossiping, the little kids running around in the backyard, and the adults sitting around the big dinner table just taking it all in!

Lisa D Gregory said...

My most rewarding moments are when I have my 3 Grandchildren around me each taking there little portion of my lap. I love the smell of their heads and the look of love that fills their eyes when they look at me the only love that is true and certin.