Summer fun on the water: Share your on-water adventures! #DiscoverBoating #mc #sponsored

Do you spend your summer on the water? What are some of your favorite on-water adventures? One of my most favorite on-water adventures was when my family was in Aruba. We spent a lot of time out on the water in paddle boats, canoes, pirate ship snorkeling and even riding the waves on a banana boat.  Some of our best family memories were from being out on the water. I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Discover Boating. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

We are fortunate to live in an area where there are a lot of water activities. Everyone is either fishing, tubing, waterskiing, canoeing, or even just hanging out on the boat. Have you enjoyed any of these activities this summer with the family?

We do not own a boat but members of our church do. They invite us out on the boat to hang out and have fun. Each year our church gathers together on the water for a picnic and afternoon of boating. Everyone brings good food to grill at the shelter and enjoys food all day long. Some tube, swim, jump off the boat into the water and even just hang out on deck in the sun. Here are some photos of one of the on-water adventures!

Another favorite time on water was when we were all at a retreat and many canoes were out on the lake. The canoe my husband was in tipped over! He was not hurt in any way so we do laugh about the experience, now! We are also thrilled that my daughter got photos of the crazy adventure.

Whatever you do, please be safe.

• Everyone should wear life jackets no matter how well they can swim. It takes 1 second for something to go wrong. 
• Drink plenty of fluids because that sun will zap the moisture right out of you.
• Use sunscreen and apply it at least every two hours if you are in the water all day. 
• Always stay in pairs so if something goes wrong the buddy can call for help.
• Don't take risky chances. Make sure you know what you are diving into.

I love all of the resources and activities for boating on DiscoverBoating.com. It is great to have so many educational tools for boaters of all levels on one site. If you are looking for a little bit of boating inspiration then make sure you check out their site. Do you have a spouse that isn't so excited about boating or buying a boat? I loved reading their Spousal Conversion Kit which will have you and your sweeting talking about boating in no time. Look around at their site and find something new. Enjoy your summer and have some fun on the water. 

The Importance of Family Meal Time and McCain Foods $500 Grocery Goodness Giveaway #sponsored

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for McCain Foods. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

No matter the age of the kids, it is so important to gather around as a family at meal time. This allows everyone to catch up on the day, work out problems, share joys and plan up and coming events. Dinner time is not quite time at our home. My girls are 14-19 years old and some of our best debates and chats have happened at the dinner table. We have laughed, spilled drinks, cried and so much more! How about your family? 

Do you have a family meal time? What is dinner like in your home? 

I'm so excited to share with you the McCain Potatoes Grocery Goodness Giveaway event they are hosting on their Facebook page. They are selecting 1 winner each week for 8 weeks to receive $500 grocery store gift card. Who wouldn't want that prize? Every one who check outs the Grocery Goodness Giveaway tab can receive $1 off coupon for any 1 bag of McCain Potato products. I LOVE $1 off coupons! Don't you?

Hurry over and enter in the McCain Grocery Goodness Giveaway to be one of the 8 winners of the $500 grocery store gift card. I know that gift card would provide a lot of family dinner time meals in our home. How about yours? If you win, let me know. If I win, I will surely let you know! 

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Share Your Favorite Family Moments with Us! #sponsored #ShareWhatsGood

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Welch's. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I'm so grateful for photos! I look back over the old ones to be reminded of all the fun family moments we had when the girls were all babies. That time is so fleeting that only the photos and some of our memory is there to remind us of all the family. What are some of your favorite family moments caught on "film" from the past? 'm so grateful for photos! I look back over the old ones to be reminded of all the fun family moments we had when the girls were all babies. That time is so fleeting that only the photos and some of our memory is there to remind us of all the family. What are some of your favorite family moments caught on "film" from the past?

Who would have thought that one of our old family photos could win us $5000? Thanks to Welch and their “Share what’s good™” campaign, we all have a chance at winning their photo contest. Welch's believe in the magic of every day "kitchen table" moments which I do, too. These every day moments are cherished memories in our mind and captured with our cameras. 

This contest is from 9/16-10/25. You have time to upload your family favorite moment to be entered to win the $5000 grand prize. Everyone who enters is a winner because you will get a $1.50 coupon for Welch's 100% Grape Juice or $2.00 if you take the time to share the news with your family and friends! Go to Sharewhatsgood.com to enter! 

What to see what others are sharing? Check out Welch's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites and use the hashtag #sharewhatsgood so you can see what others are sharing. 

Here is another one of our Family Favorite moments!

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Summer Family Movie Night $1000 Giveaway!

Are you ready for a MEGA Family Movie Night Giveaway? My family loves movies and especially family movie nights. I love watching old movies with my kids as well as movies that have just been released. What are your family favorite snacks for movie night?

Giveaway

(ARV $1,002.00)

Brought to you by:

Holiday Contest and Sweeps

Along with

She Scribes

Let Me Talk About Everything/Anything

Aunt Maggie Rocks

Kelly's Thoughts

Flour On My Face

Kleinworth & Co.

Powerful Mothering

Everyday Southwest

SusieQTpies Cafe

Girl With the Rabbit

The expense of theater movies, concessions and gas to get there has reached beyond most family budgets. So why not enjoy a weekly movie night in your own home? With just a few creative touches, you and your family can 'go to the movies' each and every week.

With this terrific collection of DVD Movies you will be able to create

Movie Night any day of the week you wish. This collections brings you

a wide selection of Movies including Comedies, Action, Thrillers, Horror,

Romance, Drama, Animated and even Cartoons. 

Win this amazing prize package:

Audiovox 9" Portable Swivel Base DVD Player

Watch your favorite movies on the go with the Audiovox 9″ Swivel Portable DVD Player with Mount Kit! The 9″ TFT display rotates 270 degrees for comfortable viewing anywhere. The Internal rechargeable battery allows you to enjoy two full hours of playback time. Plus this portable DVD has a 16:9 aspect ratio so you have a full screen viewing experience.

Along With

Over 50 New DVD Movie's and Collections Sets

48 Disk 265 Hours of The Definitive Western Collection

13 Disk  34 Hours of "Grounded For Life" Complete Series

Plus other Family and Children DVD Movies
to enjoy such as:
Click on Movie Picture/Title/Name to See Movie Trailer

The Hunger Games

Madea's Family Reunion

The Impossible

The Next Three Days

The Pirates (Band of Misfits)

Texas Chainsaw
The Spy Next Door
Spy Kids
Abduction
Sinister
Arthur Christmas (Blu-Ray)
Plus

Six  2-DVD 4 Movie-Feature Set
Six - 2 DVD 3 Movie Feature Set
The Wacky World of Tex Avery 4-DVD Set
Flash Gordon (The Complete Series) 4- DVD Set
Walk Fit (Exercise Series) 4- DVD Set

And many many more....

Plus

Watching a great movie isn't complete with out great

Popcorn and Snacks. Two amazing sponsors have brought

you two ways to enjoy your movie completely

The Popcorn Factory has provided a amazing collection

of their mouth watering Popcorn and Snacks with their

Smile Face Jumbo Sampler!

All the joy we can fit in one box-and it's a huge box. This Sampler is filled to capacity with favorites: mini pretzels, tortilla chips and salsa, chocolate chip cookies, honey roast peanuts, candy-coated chocolate gems, kiddy mix candies, fruit sours hard candies, chewy super sour stars and plenty of popcorn-Cheese, Jalapeno, White Cheddar and 3 secret-recipe Popcorn Balls-just like Grandma used to make, only no pots to wash.

EZ Popcorn Maker

Your own personal popcorn maker is the healthy alternative to those greasy and expensive microwave popcorn bags. It's now quick, easy and healthy to pop your favorite brand of popcorn while controlling how much butter and salt you use. It's microwave fast and holds an amount similar to store bought microwave bag popcorn.  After you're done popping, flip over the EZ POP, remove the base and enjoy your fresh POPCORN the way you like it!

With this three pack of delicious flavors you can choose your favorite way to enjoy freshly popped popcorn. 

Flavors include:

 • 0.9oz Movie Theater Butter

 • 0.9oz White Cheddar

 • 0.9oz Kettle Corn

A Big Thank You to Our Sponsors

Lionsgate Home Entertainment

Mill Creek Entertainment

Viatek Consumer Products
The Popcorn Factory

This Giveaway will end 12:00 AM (EST) 7-21-2013

This giveaway is no way endorsed, associated or
affiliated with Facebook

 Holiday Contest and Sweeps did not receive any compensation
from this giveaway. Holiday Contest and Sweeps will be responsible
for the awarding and shipping of the DVDs with the exception of the
Western Collection. Mill Creek Entertainment will be responsible for
the awarding and shipping of that set. All other prizes will be awarded
and shipped by their respective sponsors. Open to USA and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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50 Summer Activities for Teens

Teens wanna have fun, too! When you are planning your family summer activities or vacations make sure that you include the teens in the decision making. Chances are they do not plan on sleeping away their entire summer (yeah right?) so just ask them and get them involved.

Summer Activities for Teens (click links to get to the FUN)

1-Water Ballon fights

2-Paint on Shoes
3-Eat desserts
4-Eat pizza
5-Eat some more pizza

6-Make some new room decorations -easy to make teen wreath
7-Scrapbook
8-Eat
9-Sleep and maybe clean their room
10-Live and breath the internet
11-Make YouTube videos
12-Make crafts for their pets

13-Go to Camp
14-Play Volleyball with friends (we just got our own set up for the teens)
15-Play summer sports
16-Eat nutritious foods
17-Get up in the morning for like 1 hour
18-Help the environment and recycle all the soda cans in their room
19-Go on a hike

20-Eat dinner with the family
21-Paint
22-Sleep or do a DIY Facial with Friends

24-Exercise
25-Baby sit for money, of course and cook for the kids
26-Create new words to impress the parents
27-Make sushi (candy sushi)
28-Eat with friends
29-Sleep or become a zombie

30-Download apps
31-Inspire others with Operation Beautiful post it note project
32-Spend hours going through Pinterest
33-Actually creating something (food) from Pinterest
34-Create more food from Pinterest
35-Sleep
36-Eat and spend time together as a family

37-Swim
38-Get the "talk" with mom and more "talk" with mom

39-Hang out and play games with friends
40-Text friends to tell them that mom just had the "talk" with you
41-Plan a car wash for charity with the BFFs

42-Try and figure out life
43-Go on a "playdate" with the parents
44-Work and save money for that first car

45-Volunteer at Church and help with VBS Crafts
46-Babysit and bring a fun craft for the kids to make
47-Make more room decorations
48-Stay up late watching scary movies
49-Sleep
50-Back to school "talk" with mom

I'm the mom of 3 teen girls. How about you? If you have any ideas for summer activities for teens, please tell me in the comments and if you have a link, share! I will come visit you.

If you want to be added to my teen Pinterest boards then go to the Tweens & Teens and to the Teen Crafts Fun & Recipes Pinterest boards and leave a comment for me to add you!

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Activision Family Game Summit invite! #ATVIFamGames

Bring your family closer together this holiday season with info provided by the Family Game Summit hosted by Activision. 

You are invited to the Activision Family Game Summit on November 13th 2012 in NYC! 

Live Broadcast Begins November 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM EST
Metropolitan Pavilion
The Metropolitan Suite – 2nd Floor
123 W. 18th St. (Between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY 10011

Bloggers in the NYC area can attend the live Family Game Summit hosted by Activision. 

Click here to sign up:http://activision.com/family . 

You can't make the NYC event in person? Why not attend online like I am! I am an online Hostes for the event so you will find me tweeting at @SusieQTpies #ATVIFamGames

Click here to get more information: http://activision.com/family!

Activision will be giving us tips on how to transform our gamily game night. You will learn about the hottest family videos coming out this holiday season as well as the effects of gaming on our children. 

The host is Soleil Moon Frye and will have a panel of family and game experts -Nicole Armstrong (Activision), Patricia Vance (President of the ESRB- game rating) and Suzanne Kantra (Techlicious.com)

Don't forget to log on to Twitter and follow @ATVIFamGameSummit and follow me @SusieQTpies. 

The event will start at 1:00 EST on November 13 for online participants. 

Follow the hashtag (start now, don't wait until the 13th) #ATVIFamGames

I heard that there will be prizes! So join us!

Disclosure: I was asked to be an online hostess for this event and will receive compensation. My tasty opinions are always expressed here on my blog.

Family Activities this Holiday Season

The holidays are fast approaching. Families and friends will come together for food, fun, and festivities. Take time to read with your kids this busy holiday season!

Creative Opportunities for Reading with Children During the Busy Holiday Season By Thomas Weck

The holidays are fast approaching. Families and friends will come together for food, fun, and festivities. The kids will be excited to have time off from school, and parents will hopefully be able to spend a little more quality time with their children. Somewhere in between all the shopping, sledding, cookie baking, and house preparation for the incoming friends and family, the bookshelf calls. What creative ideas do you have to read and pay one-on-one attention to your kids? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below! Feel free to share links to your blog with post you have written so that I can come check them out!- susie

Reading can be a positive and relaxing outlet, especially in these busy times. You can help create special times with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives whom they may not see often. One great way is by suggesting that the relatives read with the children (either reading to them, have the child read to them, or taking turns). Books can help open up dialogue and sharing that straight questioning never can. New books for this time can be very special. Or have the relative or friend bring along THEIR favorite book.

Setting up a reading corner for quiet time may also be a good idea when the holidays become hectic. Kids can escape all the noise and chaos, and so can the adults. After a while BOTH might grow weary of adult conversation.

Also during the holidays, we seem to become more thankful and aware of the things we have and the people who are in our lives. Just ten minutes of reading a book or two with your child in front of the fireplace or any other cozy spot can become a memory that lasts a lifetime. It could also become a tradition to read a book in that same spot each night.

Reading with your child means so much more to them than the book itself. They see their parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/cousin taking the time to sit down with them, showing themthat they care and want to be there. As each page is turned, a stronger bond forms and memories are made as giggles, jokes, and discussions transpire. Who knows? You may even come up with your own stories to share. So, this holiday season, make sure to take the time to read with the youngest members of the family and build that bond and tradition. Both you and your children/grandchildren will be glad you did.

~ ~ ~ ~

Guest article by Thomas Weck who is the author/creator of the Lima Bear Stories. Originally made-up bedtime stories he told his four children, the Lima Bear tales resurfaced when Weck's son Peter had children. Peter remembered the stories and wanted to have his father write them down so that he could share them with his children. Father and son took it one step further and created Lima Bear Press to produce the stories as books that children (and parents) everywhere can enjoy. The first 4 titles in the planned 12-book series are currently available:The Megasaurus, How Back-Back Got His Name, The Cave Monster, and The Labyrinth. The 5th title, Bully Bean, will be released in April 2013. The books are not only fun and funny with great illustrations; they also have an underlying message such as such as tolerance, honesty, courage, etc.