Colorado Vacation: Trail Ridge Road at Rocky Mountain National Park

 

Finally, a post about one of our favorite places from our Colorado vacation! The first day of our visit we headed to Rocky Mountain National Park and we loved it! After a not too terribly long car trip from Denver, we started our Rocky Mountain National Park time in Estes Park. 

 

After some lunch there, we ventured into the National Park by way of Trail Ridge Road. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I can certainly tell you it wasn't this!!! I'm mean, I figured there would be a few snow capped peaks and some snow on the ground, but this was incredible! As we climbed higher and higher, we desert dwellers couldn't believe our eyes (or the temperature)! Truly amazing!

This biology nerd was delighted to be in an ecosystem I've never experienced before: tundra (in this case true alpine tundra). We were actually above the tree line!

There are numerous scenic lookout points and a few places to actually park & walk around. This was our first stop:

We continued on to the "top of Trail Ridge Road" and stopped off at the Alpine Tundra Visitor's Center.

Look at all that snow (in July!)!!

In addition to the breathtaking views, we were delighted to see some wildlife up very close, like this yellow-bellied marmot and these elk! Incredible!

We LOVED our drive on Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park! The only downside was not having even more time there! I highly recommend that you check it out if you live in the area (we couldn't believe that some of our family members there had never been) or if you're visiting the Denver area during the summer! Beautiful, educational, and relatively inexpensive (just one park entrance fee per vehicle)--it's a MUST see!!

Have YOU been to Rocky Mountain National Park?

Disney's Winnie the Pooh Returns to Theaters

Walt Disney Animation Studios returns to the Hundred Acre Wood this weekend with "Winnie the Pooh" and we're thrilled!  We have "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" on DVD and it was one of the first movies we let Big Brother watch. He loved it (loves it still) and loved spending time with his favorite Pooh characters at Disneyland!

Needless to say then, we were really excited to be invited to an advanced screening of Disney's new "Winnie the Pooh". 

This newest installation of Winnie the Pooh is inspired by three different stories from A.A. Milne's books, combining them all into one honey-filled Pooh adventure. Everyone's favorite silly old bear is reunited with Christopher Robin and all his other cuddly friends, including poor Eeyore who has lost his tail.

   

"Ever have one of those days when you just can't win, Eeyore" asks Pooh.

 

In the midst of a quest to find a new tail for Eeyore (Bud Luckey), Owl (Craig Ferguson) sends the whole gang on a wild quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit, the Backson! It turns out to be a very busy day for a bear who simply wanted to find some honey! 

Our Thoughts:

Winnie the Pooh is a return to the classic childhood innocence that most PG and even G movies are missing these days. Unlike Cars 2, there is no adult language or innuendo, no toilet humor, no guns and violence. Just a boy, his favorite bear and friends having imaginary adventures together! And, the animation helps with that wonderful innocent feeling, as there is no CG or fancy modern updating--the animators kept with the simple sketched/watercolor feel of the original.

While I think the story line could have been a little stronger had this film stuck to having multiple chapters instead of one story, I am thrilled that the stuck true to having a narrator and  Pooh interacting with the pages of the book. John Cleese does an excellent job with the narration and the storybook/letters play a rather key role in helping Pooh solve a big problem!

The only real downside for us was the running time--at just over an hour, even Big Brother was surprised that the movie was already over. He has been to about 5 movies in the theaters and has always done really great sitting through entire movies, so for us, the time was a little disappointing. That said though, if you have a little one who doesn't sit still for long or one who you are hoping to have a first movie theater experience with, I think the time would be perfect!  

Make sure you get to your seats on time, as there's a little extra treat at the beginning!  The Ballad of Nessie is an adorable tale (with an old-time animated feel) of a cute dragon who gets run out of her home with nowhere to go. After a good cry, she discovers just what she's been looking for!

 

And encourage those kiddos to sit all the way through the end of the credits, as they just might catch a Backson! ;)

While Winnie the Pooh certainly isn't the biggest or best "blockbuster" of the summer, and definitely won't win top spot at the box office (after all, it's got Harry Potter to compete with and even spoofed it), it is by far the most adorable! Perfect for the young at heart, no matter what their age! 

Who is YOUR favorite Winnie the Pooh character?

BIG Upcoming Movie Week!

That's right! Potter and Pooh both come back to theaters a week from today (July 15th)! The market for the two films is obviously totally different, but since they come out the same day, Disney released these Pooh Potter spoofs! Too funny! 

If you've read the blog for awhile (or know me "IRL"), then you know that Mr. Mom Endeavors and I really like the Harry Potter series (including the movies)! So, we are gearing up for Friday, which I think might be a bit bittersweet! We can't wait for the new movie, but are sad that it will be the last.

Big Brother has loved Pooh since he was really little, so can't wait to take him to the theaters next week to see our favorite "willy, nilly, silly, old bear" on the big screen. We're attending an advance screening on Tuesday, so I'll be sure to share our thoughts with you before Friday! :)

 

And, as if Potter and Pooh weren't enough movie fun for the week, there is a special movie event perfect for all the prima-ballerinas on Tuesday, July 12th:

Description:

GISELLE, from the historic Mariinsky Theatre in St. Peterburg, is the world’s first ballet in 3D in cinemas. This exquisite 3D production captures the beauty and movement of a world-class performance in a new and mesmerising way. The corps de ballet fan away from the viewer and the prima ballerinas dance with stunning realism, giving cinema audiences worldwide a ‘best seat in the house’ experience wherever they happen to sit.

Giselle is the story of a simple village girl who falls deeply in love with a dashing prince disguised as a peasant. The idyllic pastoral scene is shattered by an act of betrayal and the ensuing heartbreak. In the ballet blanc second act, Giselle haunts the stage with her host of vengeful spirits, but ultimately the strength of her love transcends even death and bestows forgiveness upon her repentant lover. Starring Natalia Osipova and Leonid Sarafanov.

Locations:  

GISELLE IN 3D will ONLY Be in theaters on Tuesday, July 12. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change). The participating Phoenix-area theaters are AMC Ahwatukee, AMC Desert Ridge, AMC Mesa Grand, AMC Westgate, and Cinemark Mesa.

What are YOUR movie-going plans next week?

Colorado Travel: Things to do in the Denver Area

So, the week is here--our first trip of the summer!! We're headed to the Denver area for a family reunion in just a few days! We're excited to see family and to have a little break from the heat-advisory 110+ temps here in the sunny desert!  

In planning and getting everything ready, there's been much research and discussions on where to go in our free time. To start out that research, I checked out the awesome 85 city staycation round-up to see what was listed for Colorado. For us, there were two posts of interest:

 Denver Bargains' ideas for a Denver Budget Vacation

and...

Colorado Springs Bargains' tips for a budget trip there! (We'll be really close to Colorado Springs, so found that of interest).

Then, my friend, Alison from Oopsey Daisy had a great post on C.R.A.F.T about awesome places to check out in Denver! And, some additional searching led me to a hugely extensive list of fun things to do around Denver from Mile High Mamas!! Wow! So many great posts and cool things to check out!

Of course, there is a fair amount of full family reunion activities planned, but we extended our trip a bit and have room for some extra activities. We're definitely looking forward to some hikes and time spent in the cool(er) mountain air. So, Rocky Mountain National Park seems appealing. And, with Big Brother's LOVE of dinosaurs, Dinosaur Ridge seems potentially interesting!

Also, we do like zoos too and it seems to be a favorite on many lists, so the Denver Zoo seems like a possibility too! 

So, this is where I'd love YOUR help! If you're familiar with the Denver area, what are your recommendations? Favorite mountain day trips? Favorite kid-friendly places in/near Denver? Your #1 must-do?!
Please share with us in the comments!

Disney-Pixar Cars 2 Activities Round Up!

Disney-Pixar's Cars 2 races into theaters today!! We've had the pleasure of seeing it already (check out our review and GIVEAWAY here)!! No doubt with all the movie buzz, many little fans with have Lightning and Mater "on the brain". So, here' a whole round-up of fun Cars activities, crafts, and party ideas--perfect for playdates, birthday parties, special treats, and fun craft time! 

First up, Disney is sharing a family activities file with you! Download the file here. You'll get directions for a whole series of adorable Cars crafts--some of them edible too! 

There are also some fun activity sheets!

If you head over to Disney's Family.com, you'll find a whole round up of cute Cars ideas there too, from 3D papercrafts to cute cupcakes! 

 Then, check out all these awesome party ideas!!!

We'll start first with the fabulous Bakerella and her adorable Mater cupcakes!! "I don't care who you are, that's cute right there!"

The Dragon's Fairytale did an adorable Cars-themed 1st birthday using Bakerella's Mater cupcake idea! 

And, have a look at these other awesome parties from...

 Buckets of Grace

Not Just a Mommy

And, I LOVE these bottles from the Cars party on Belleza e Luce! Awesome! 

 

If you have the need to make a fabulous car cake, the tutorial from Make-Fabulous-Cakes.com is, well, fabulous! :)

 Enjoy!!

Cars 2 Review & Giveaway!!

Do YOU have a Disney-Pixar Cars fan in your house? We do! "Car-cars", as he's called it since his early talking days, was Big Brother's first feature length movie (on DVD at just shy of 2 years old!). Prior to having kids (and then, a boy no less), Mr. Mom Endeavors and I didn't really care for the movie much. But, when seeing the excitement on our little guy's face while watching it for the first time, we had a new-found appreciation. He loved it and we loved watching it with him! Since then, we've watched it at least 2.5 million times and all still enjoy it! 

So, the excitement has been building the last few months as all the Cars 2 stuff has been rolling out into stores. Earlier this month, we even braved a hot Phoenix afternoon to have the chance to meet some of our favorite characters during the "Agents on a Mission" Tour! 

Needless to say then, we were beyond thrilled to be invited to an advance screening of the film. We turned it in to an extra special surprise--a special outing with Mommy and Daddy just for Big Brother. Then, a new shirt and two new "Car-cars" really topped it off! Pure joy!

 

With those in hand, we headed into theater, donned our 3D glasses, and waited with anticipation for our favorite characters to race on to the screen!

About the movie:

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in “Cars 2” when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car.  But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.  Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer).  Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world.  The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new all-car cast, complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors. 

Our thoughts:

Say goodbye to Radiator Springs and hello to James Bond, Cars-style! For better or worse, Cars 2 seems almost the antithesis of the original. The innocent charm and serenity of the sleepy little town is replaced with action, adventure, spy gadgets, weapons, shootings, and explosions! If you haven't seen it yet, this trailer gives a good capture of the overall feel:

What could have been improved:

 - Less violence and James Bond-style adult innuendo

 - More racing scenes 

 - More with the original characters in Radiator Springs

 - A little more Lightning and a little less Mater

What we liked:

 - In true Disney-Pixar fashion, the animation was FANTASTIC!!

 - Great scenery and awesome depictions of cities around the world  

 - Some fun new characters (We got a chuckle at 'Brent Mustangburger' and I loved the Royal Family, like 'Prince Wheeliam')

 - Good message about friendship and being who you are (though, it might be lost amid all the explosions)

Overall:

The movie is action-packed with a good spy plot-line, interesting enough to even keep adults intrigued. While I did miss the quiet charm of the first movie, I did love the international travel! Seeing some of my favorite European sites animated so well was definitely fun! And, Big Brother of course, loved it! He did a great job during the movie, followed the plot line better than I expected, and can't stop talking about Finn! That said though, I personally think the violence is too much for his age group. Not having any kids older than 4, I'm not certain, but I'd say Cars 2 is probably best-suited for an above 7 or 8 crowd. 

No doubt though, as Cars 2 races into theaters this Friday, June 24th, car fanatics will be thrilled to see Lightning & Mater on the big screen! 

GIVEAWAY (now closed)!  

Winner: 

 

Congrats to lucky comment #18! Gretchen hope you're little guy LOVES this awesome Cars prize pack! 

Do YOU have a little Cars fan that would love some new gear? To celebrate the release of Cars 2, Disney is giving one lucky Mom Endeavors reader a prize pack perfect for your favorite little racer!! 

1. Simply leave a comment telling me if you plan on seeing the movie (or, if you've seen it already, share what you thought of it)!

Get extra entries (leave a separate comment for each):

2. Subscribe to Mom Endeavors on Google Friend Connect (see widget on the left side bar)

3. Follow Mom Endeavors on facebook and/or twitter (and share about the giveaway if you're so inclined)

4. Like Cars on facebook

if you're already following, thank you, just make sure you leave a comment & let me know!!

(up to 4 entries per person)
Limited to US & Canadian residents only. Giveaway will end on June 28th at 10pm PST. Winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. I will email the winner and post the winner on the blog. They will have 48 hours to claim their prize (make sure you leave your email address or that it is attached to your profile).

Disclosure: I saw this movie at a free press screening at the invitation of Disney.  Thank you, Disney! No compensation was received.  All opinions and experiences are my own and your opinion of the movie may differ from mine.

A Ridemakerz Father's Day!

Did you do anything special for Father's Day over the weekend? I strayed away from our more normal/homemade presents and surprised Daddy & Big Brother with a fun experience! Thanks to Amy at Dealusional, I found out about a sweet Buy One, Get One Free Ridemakerz deal for Father's Day (and happily shared all about it on facebook)! As soon as I saw her post, I knew that's what we'd do for Father's Day! And, it was a HUGE hit!

Have you heard of Ridemakerz or seen one of the stores?! We hadn't until recently and Big Brother was immediately enamored. It's basically like the "Build-a-Bear" experience, only it's all things cars!! We're very lucky to have one here in the Phoenix area, as there are only 5 around the country (2 of which are at the Downtown Disney areas in Anaheim and Orlando)! You can find all the locations here. Additionally though, we do know that there are mini-Ridemakerz stations at the new interactive Disney Stores! 

As part of the experience, you start off by picking the car body and there are LOTS of choices!! It's a tough decision...do you get a "real car", or Lightning McQueen, or Mater, or a firetruck?!

After much deliberation, Big Brother ended up with a flashy green Dodge Viper and Daddy picked  himself out a sleek black corvette!

 

After you've selected your car of choice, you can select upgraded sound chips (all cars comes with a standard chip), pick out your tires, and even fancy rims if you like! There are even all kinds of cool accessories & decals you can add on! In fact, there are apparently at least 649 million possible combinations! 

 

Once you've made your basic choices, now comes the really fun part--getting to put together your own car!! This is SO cool! They have little stations and use functional little drills reminiscent of the pneumatic wrenches that real pit crews use! Super cool!

 

You can choose to make the car remote control (which we opted for) or leave it a standard push car. Either way though, the lights and sounds are so fun! Big Brother's Viper even has red hood lights! :)

After everything is assembled (and you've added on any additional accessories that you want), then you're done! You even get a fun carrying cases to bring them home in, plus a little screw driver that looks like a key to open the battery areas when needed!

Look at the excitement on Big Brother's face!! He absolutely loved it and couldn't wait to try out his new ride! There was a nice open space right in front of the store and there weren't too many people around, so we had to try everything out! Our friends from Our Crazy Boys even joined us for a few minutes! 

 

This was a less than traditional Father's Day present around here, but one that was SUPER fun and I think will be remembered (and enjoyed) for a long time!! The "boys" have loved playing with the cars since we've gotten them! If you have boys (big or little) who love cars, I highly recommend you check out Ridemakerz if you get the chance! 

Did YOU do anything unique or extra-fun for Father's Day?

Disclosure: I am not affiliated with Ridemakerz and was not compenstated or given free product to write this post. We simply had a great experience and wanted to share!