Five Loves on Friday // Family Traditions, Movie Recommendation, & Celebratory Scrumptiousness!

Hello, friends!  I haven't shared here on a Friday in a few weeks, but with very good reason.  I've been soaking up the summer with my family!  It's been a beautiful few weeks of quality time in and outdoors.  Many memories have been made while enjoying all of my favorite things about the season - family traditions, holiday hoopla, taking in the beauty of creation, and of course, savoring scrumptiousness!  I hope you've been enjoying the sweetness of summertime too!

Today I'm looking forward to sharing a handful of loves from the past week which will include recapping my favorite July family tradition, Railroad Days!

Railroad Days

If you've been around here for a bit you may know about this family tradition I'm incredibly fond of.  Each July our area a weekend of railroad themed family fun.  Fifteen dollars gains two adults and their children full weekend access to a handful of local attractions which include the historic home of our city's most famous General, railroad museums, a train station turned picturesque museum, and botanical gardens.  (Each of these venues would easily cost my family $40 for entrance any other day of the year so this is an amazing value!)  Guests are also provided with complimentary transportation between each spot. There's something so fun about taking a trolley around our own city while playing tourist!  This is staycation at its best!

Here is a little blast from Railroad Days past...

Railroad Days 2014

Railroad Days 2015

Our traditional Railroad Days sister snapshot at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum over the years...

2013

2014

 2015

 2016

2018

We've been going since the summer of 2008.  These are all the years I had photos available for on our computer.  It's bittersweet seeing the growth and changes over the years!  Oh, how I love fun family traditions and adore these girls!

Okay, on to the loves from this year's Railroad Days and more! . . . 

One  //  Botanical Beauty

One of my favorite things about Railroad Days is spending a morning in the botanical gardens!  There is unending beauty to behold there!

Such a cool train display among the trees there!

                      






















Two  //  American Adventure Exhibit

A gorgeous train station turned museum that's included in Railroad Days hosts a different exhibit each summer.  This year it was the American Adventure.  Upon entering the exhibit each group is given a Life Chart.  You are then sent through a maze to make all the decisions you would face if you were part of the settlers who arrived on the shores of Virginia in 1607.  If your decision turned out to be a good one you would earn more health, food, wealth, or morale points.  If you made a poor choice you'd lose points.  Once one of your beads went below that red "Yer Dead" line it was game over for you! 

The first decision was where you would settle.  This would be followed by other questions like would you like to trade with the natives, what would you eat, etc..

It was explained to us before beginning the maze that we would naturally make wiser decisions in some areas than these settlers would at the time as we know things like you shouldn't eat tobacco or snakes.  To counter the points everyone would gain knowing such things, there were four Wheels of Misfortune.  This is what ended up killing us!

We never miss a fun photo op!  Love my silly family!




"Riding" the train (aka: touring a stationary train from another era)



Three  //  Celebrating National Ice Cream Day

On the second day of Railroad Days we always walk downtown to an Italian restaurant.  The endless pasta enjoyed during this annual tradition is one of my husband and our oldest daughter's favorite parts of the weekend!  However the carbs I craved were of the sweet treat variety!  It just happened to be National Ice Cream Day which was the perfect excuse for our family to share this chocolate chip pocket cookie (this thing packs warm melted chocolate inside) served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce!  We celebrated right!

Four  //  A Quiet Place

We had been eagerly awaiting the blu-ray release of A Quiet Place which hit Redbox last week.  It did not disappoint!  While this movie did make me jump and gasp occasionally throughout, there was no unnecessary gore or bad language.  I love suspense, yet hate gory horror movies, so this film was perfection in my book!  John Krasinski (also known as my favorite, "Jim" from The Office) was one of the screenplay writers, executive producers, and a lead actor alongside his real-life wife, Emily Blunt.  They both did an incredible job in these roles!  While it isn't suitable for younger audiences, I highly recommend this flick to fellow fans of suspense movies.  There's so much more I'd like to say, but I refuse to give any spoilers away! ;)

Five //  A Long Weekend with my Love

This photo was actually taken at my hometown happy place earlier in the weekend.  Hooray for lots of lake time with my loves!

Jason took a vacation day on Monday extending our staycation family fun!  We enjoyed a nice leisurely day with lovely lake time, chats about vacation and dreams to come.  It was a simple day, very well spent!

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Wishing you a wonderful weekend to come!

Earlier this week on Chatting Over Chocolate:

Direct Link to Post:  Trip Report Tuesday - WDW Day 7 Part 1 // My Firstborn's Sweet 16th Birthday!

Join me in the adventures to come!

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Five Loves on Friday!

Hello, friends!  I have so much to share with you today!  Ready.  Set.  Five Loves Time!

1.  Railroad Days 2015

Day 1 - Saturday, July 11

For those of you who have been around for a while you may remember one of my favorite summertime family traditions, Railroad Days!  This was our 8th year attending the weekend long event and we had a fabulous time!  You pay just $15 dollars for wristbands for the whole family.  Those grant you entrance into five local attractions throughout the weekend.  Complimentary transportation is offered between the venues which makes it feel like a vacation in our own city!  Here's a look at what we did on the first day...

Historic General Dodge House

General Dodge was known as "the greatest railroad builder of all time".  If you're interested you can read a little about our city's most famous resident here.

More on that cute bag Little One has in #3!


RailsWest Railroad Museum

Lunchtime // Picnic in the Park

Union Pacific Railroad Museum

Little One setting off (faux) explosions to make way for the railroad // The traditional shot of Princess and Little One in the museum's photo spot // Painting of Abraham Lincoln and General Dodge // Little One posing with a statue of her favorite president



2.  Railroad Days 2015

Day 2 - Sunday, July 12


Lauritzen Gardens

Botanical garden goodness makes my heart happy!


Our Traditional Day 2 Lunchtime Spot
The Old Spaghetti Works in the Old Market

Every salad bar should be on the back of a vintage truck.  Don't you think?


The Durham Museum

Another wonderful Railroad Days weekend goes down in the books!  See last year's Railroad Days fun here.

3.  Little One's Hand Decorated Bags

Little One had a blast decorating canvas bags!  She created one to tote around essentials like water, snacks, a wet brush, and hand sanitizer to Railroad Days.  (How cute is that?!)  While we were waiting in line to board a trolley a lady who works the event each year approached her and inquired about it.  "I have to ask, where did you get your bag?"  When we told her that Little One decorated it herself she went on and on about how much she loved it!  A few minutes later she tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Maybe we should have her make those for us to sell!"  I joked that we could set up a little stand on the sidewalk there and sell them to people attending the event.  Honestly, if given the opportunity Little One would be ALL OVER THAT!  Just before we boarded the trolley we were asked one last question, "Can I take a photo of your bag?"  My little sweetie was beaming!  Later when I asked what her favorite part of that day was, she answered, "It was really fun when that nice lady complimented my bag!"  My heart melted.

The second bag was extra special as it was created in celebration of our sweet cousin Emily's birthday.  Little One added all of E's favorite characters and even incorporated one of her favorite rides, Carousel of Progress!  She finished it off by writing "Emily" in "Disney letters" on the back.  Dropping off this gift was also one of the highlights of our week.  Visiting with her and my Aunt Ann is always a treat!  We crammed as much Disney talk as we possibly could into our brief chat!  I adore my Disney loving family! :)

4.  I  WON!

Mrs. Mickey Waffles hosted such a fun giveaway this week ...and I won!  Cue the confetti, and happy dance with me now, friends!  She offered winners their choice of Disney scented wax melts from La Petite Bougie on Etsy.  I had such a hard time deciding which scent to request.  I ended up going with Pineapple Whip and can hardly wait for its arrival!  Meanwhile I'll be daydreaming of Dole Whips.  Thanks again, Mrs. Mickey Waffles!!

5.  July POPSUGAR Must Have Box

This month's must have box was so much fun!

Here's a closer look at the fabulous items tucked inside this month's box...

Henri Bendel Signature Stripe Canvas Dopp Kit // PopDental Portable Toothbrush // Hallmark Signature Greeting Cards // Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 // The Good Bean Fruit & No-Nut Bar, Chocolate Berry // Sorial Card Case // Yes To Blueberries Cleansing Facial Wipes 

I am looking forward to using each and every item from this box!  I could not be any happier with my new goodies!!!  

If you want the mailman to make you feel like it's your birthday next month, click HERE for your own box of must haves!  When I purchased mine I was given the coupon code REFER5 to share with friends.  Enter that promo code and it will take $5 off your first box - WOOHOO!!!

Thanks so much for visiting today!  It's such a treat to have you here!  Have a beautiful weekend!