Minecraft Super League: Summer Splash

This is a sponsored post via US Family Guide.

Minecraft SuperLeague is coming back to a movie theater near you for a week of summer gaming fun!

Treat Your Kids to MINECRAFT Summer Splash in a Movie Theater! This time around Minecraft Super League will include an exclusive underwater-themed MINECRAFT game on the big screen!

July 18 - 22, 

9am - 12 noon. 

Get tickets at https://superleague.com/buy-tickets 

Save $10, use Promo Code: USFAMILY10

Want to read our review from the most recent round of Minecraft SuperLeague gaming? Click here.

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Preparing For Summer Mosquitoes (And A Fun Giveaway)

This post is sponsored by Orkin and solely for the purpose of sharing information.

Are you prepared for the summer? It seems like it is coming so fast this year! Playing out in the backyard yesterday with my kids I was looking around at all the places I know bugs and mosquitoes will love to hover when the warmer weather gets here. I had already started thinking about what I could do to the yard ready for them to carelessly play, and then this information from Orkin landed itself in my email...

I can remember a time as a child when Orkin would come to the house trying to get rid of a cockroach problem we had, but as an adult I'd never thought of how they might be able to help me and my own little family. But they have actually put together some great resources on dealing with mosquitoes and other summer time pests that taught me a thing or two. I especially liked the information in this short video...

Are you prepared for mosquito season this year?

At Orkin, they use the latest technology and unparalleled training to develop an effective treatment that's right for your needs. To learn more about our pest control based in science or to schedule an inspection, visit orkin.com or call 1-800-800-ORKIN.

Orkin on Facebook: facebook.com/OrkinPestControl 

Ask The Orkin Man® on Twitter: twitter.com/TheOrkinMan 

Orkin YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/OrkinVideo

Once you're confident your yard is ready for the kids to play, they are going to need something fun to do! Orkin has given us a great prize package to give away to one lucky reader...

To enter, use the giveaway widget below...

Click to Copy Embed Code

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They'll Never Know They're Learning

This is a sponsored post via US Family Guide.

I will receive complimentary admission in exchange for an honest review.

Children's museums are the greatest places.  I'm pretty sure no such thing existed when I was a child, but I'm so glad they do now.  My kids can spend hours inside of one and not have a clue that they're actually doing science or math or learning about journalism or agriculture.  In Salt Lake City, the children's museum is called Discovery Gateway...

We have visited Discovery Gateway several times as a family and every time the kids love it.  Honestly, they spend so much time concentrating on activities as soon as we're inside that we've never even made it out to see the news helicopter...I don't think they even know it's there.  

We'll go back again soon, I'm sure.  Maybe this time we'll start from the top.

There is something new to learn and do everyday at Discovery Gateway and the education workshops and classes are free with admission or membership. You can find out more about inspiring programs for young children by visiting http://www.discoverygateway.org/classes-a-special-events.

Right now Discovery Gateway is offering Freemples readers $3.50 off admission.  

Print this coupon 

and bring it with you to the museum.

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It's Time for Bowling!

Sponsored post. 

 I will receive complimentary activities in exchange for an honest review.

I have vivid memories of bowling with my youth groups as a young kid.  Sadly, my own kids have only been once or twice.  With my oldest celebrating a birthday soon, I have the perfect reason to take them out for night at the lanes.  Here is where we are going to go...

With several locations on the Wasatch front, FatCats has created an unique experience. You can bowl, play mini golf and have a giant slice of Pepperoni pizza. Each center also has a full service arcade, with some of the latest and greatest games. 

I have heard they offer the ultimate birthday party experience.  They have party specialists to take care of everything for you. Plus, if you sign up at http://www.fatcatsfun.com/free_stuff for your next Children's Birthday party they will send you a free Birthday gift!

Right now Fat Cats is offering

 Buy 1 Get 1 FREE During Thunder Alley at Fat Cats Fun.

 (Some restrictions apply.)

Watch for a post about the great time we have

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This Is The Place Heritage Park (Discount Code)

Sponsored post-I will receive family admission

 in return for an honest review.

Looking for something fun to do with the family before the summer heat hits?  I have an idea and a great deal for you!

Spring means baby animal season.  Kids can pet and cuddle with the baby chicks, goats, and more.

There are also ponies to ride, take home crafts, games to play, and an super-cute gift shop.

Now you can get $2 off each Admission!!!

Not Valid with any other coupon or offer excludes Witches' Ball or Haunted Village.

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A New Take on the Prodigal Son

This is a review post for which I have received compensation.

Thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. 

I am not much of a movie watcher.  I just don't find myself having a lot of time to sit down for 90 minutes with nothing else to do.  But I was recently asked to take part in a preview of  the new movie, Confessions of a Prodigal Son, and found myself grateful for the time I spent watching it and reflecting.  

Touted as a "modern twist" on the classic Bible story about the prodigal son, who leaves home with all his inherited riches and then returns having lost it all, you can assume that it's going to be a religious movie and probably the caliber of most religious movies.  There is no denying it, a religious string runs throughout the entire movie.  But, the story the movie tells is so much more than just a sermon in movie form.  The trailer will give you a great idea of what I'm trying to explain...

If you're my age or younger, you'll understand this reference-the story is relevant to the social pressures and choices college kids are making in 2015 and reminded me a lot of the writing style from Degrassi Jr. High.  

However, please don't write off watching the movie just because the characters are in college.  The story of the prodigal son is about making choices and living with those choices, and learning to work with other people's choices.  The theme affects every single one of us and the message in "Confessions of a Prodigal Son" will strike a chord in any person who has ever had to make and live with tough decisions.  

"Confessions of a Prodigal Son" is in select theatres starting today, March 24.  Find out where you can see it near you.  Or buy a copy of the DVD to watch at home with your family.  

For more information, visit www.confessionsofaprodigalson.com.  

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Flash Giveaway: RootsTech2015 3-Day Getting Started Pass

This giveaway is being provided by RootsTech.

Freemples will provide winner registration information only.

The time is getting very close for RootsTech 2015 to begin.  We here at Freemples want to give our readers one last chance to attend the conference, learn the latest ways to connect you and your children to your ancestors, and be inspired by the leading experts in family history.

Here's a sampling of the 30+ classes available to attend with the Getting Started Pass:

*Family History on the Go Using Phones and Tablets

*Brand New, What Do I Do?  Getting Started with FamilySearch.org

*Family, Food, & Fun: Making a Family Cookbook with Stories

*Introducing Your Grandchildren to Your Grandparents

*A Dozen Ways to Jumpstart Your Research

With your pass you'll have the option to register for free tickets to attend the social and keynote speaker sessions with a guest.  The Friday morning session features former First Lady Laura Bush-you definitely won't want to miss her! 

In addition, your pass will include access to the expo hall filled with exhibitors sharing products related to every aspect of researching, story-telling, and technological advances.  Two vendors I'm particularly looking forward to visiting are:

E-Z Photo Scan

A company with a lofty goal of scanning 100K family pictures

 during the conference (so bring yours to share)

Live Long, Learn A Little, Laugh A Lot

 A new story-telling book hoping to jog your memories,

 leave room for jotting notes, and an option to  receive an audio recording of your personal stories. 

I hope you want to go.  I'll be there and would love to meet up with you!  The giveaway entry form can be found below.  But, if you don't want to wait to see if you win, you can still register at RootsTech.org.  If you happen to win after already buying tickets, a full refund of the Getting Started Pass price will be given to you.  Hope to see you there!

Read more about Roots Tech here

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RootsTech 2015 (with Giveaway)

Sponsored post in conjunction with RootsTech. Thoughts are honest and mine. 

How much do you know about your family history?  Your ancestors?  The people who came before you?  As a little girl I remember my mom and her sister spending hours and hours writing out family charts and going to the genealogical society library to scan through rolls of microfilm looking for even tiny clues to help them connect us to a line of people that had been forgotten.  Such important work, but painstaking and time-consuming.

How incredibly the times have changed!  All of that paperwork now available with a few keystrokes from anywhere in the world.  Government records are being digitized at amazing speed and viewed with ease.  The boxes of black and white photos people used to have under their beds can now be scanned and shared with everyone in the family.  All the family tree charts that used to take up binders and binders are on the dining room bookshelf are now simply contained in online files for easy reference, sharing, and documenting.  These advances in genealogical technology are what RootsTech is all about!

A 3-day conference held annually in Salt Lake City, UT, there are classes and seminars available for researchers of all interest and skill-level.  This year's events range from an Innovators Challenge, where the world's top app developers compete in creating the most useful new technology solving a family history need, all the way down to classes on simply how to get started with your first ancestral connection.  And if there opportunity for learning and getting deeper into your own family history isn't enough, the conference brings in top-notch speakers and entertainment each year as well.  Last year, Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) was a keynote speaker.  This year the line-up includes Olympian Noelle Pikus Pace, singer Donnie Osmond, and former First Lady Laura Bush with her daughter Jenna.  It will be hard to walk away on Saturday feeling uninspired.

I'm excited this year to be going for my first time! Will I see you there?  Tickets are still available-take a look at the class schedule and the list of exhibitors who will be in attendance.  I think you'll find something on at least one of the 3 days to intrigue you and make the trip in to Salt Lake City worth your time...

Want to try your luck at winning a 3-Day Getting Started Pass?

Click on the banner to enter...

(already have tickets, but still want to enter? A full refund is available if you win)

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Math Needs To Be Fun Sometimes (Product Review)

This is a sponsored post via USFamilyGuide.

Freemples received product to review, 

but shares opinions & information honestly.

I'm a little delayed in sharing my review of the web-based computer program, Splash Math, with you. If you'll remember, we first introduced you to Splash Math right before Christmas and were looking forward to giving it a try. In this instance my procrastination is to your benefit as I can now say with for certain that the game has staying power...

I should start by telling you that our kids are math lovers.  This is bizarre for my husband and I-we both struggled in math all the way through college-but, hooray, go kids that don't know math isn't supposed to be super easy!  Loving math is not a prerequisite to loving Splash Math, though.  The only requirement for that is being a kid who loves a talking hippo...what kid wouldn't think was fun?

Math lovers or not, as a parent it's hard to tell a child his screen time is over when he's pleading with you, "No, Mom, just let me do 20 more problems!"  

But Splash Math is not just a game, and this is what I love about it.  During set-up, you select your child's grade level.  It was encouraging to find the scope and sequence follows very closely with what my 2nd grader knows how to do and/or is learning.  As homeschoolers, that's been great because I can let him play knowing it's not too easy or too hard.  But if your child is in the school system, it's also a great way to look at what they're learning at school and then give them extra practice on that math topic at home.  Once logged in, you can work from the beginning and go straight through, or pick and choose which problems you want to work on.  

This short video will give you a better look at how the program actually works...

As you could see in the video, there is a game aspect with each question answered correctly earning points that can then be used to purchase animals to play with in an aquarium or the jungle.  Honestly, that's the only part of the Splash Math program that underwhelms me.  My 7- and 4-yr-old love it and race through their 20 questions to get to play with the crabs and giraffes again.  But it's pretty elementary, and I can't imagine it stays entertaining forever.  I especially can't imagine that someone using the whole program, K-5, would care much at all about that part once they were in the upper grades.  Also, our introductory session on Splash Math had a 20-question limit per day.  While I love my kids being able to do as much math as they'd like each time they play, I have to pay more attention that they aren't hurrying through their questions, playing in the jungle, and then forgetting to go back and do more problems.

Overall, we LOVE Splash Math.  I'm certainly not going to be the ones to tell my kids that they're really do school work every time they play.  You should let your kids give it a try!

Try Splash Math on the Computer

Try Splash Math in an App.  

Product provided for honest review via USFamilyGuide

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Utah Winterpalooza!!

This is a sponsored review via Tomoson.

I will receive complimentary passes,

but am sharing with honest opinions & interest.

We are having an extremely mild winter here in Utah.  It really has not been a problem to send the kids outside to play.  In that regard, it doesn't seem like the cabin fever is quite as bad as it could be.  BUT, winter is still winter and it doesn't always seem like there are as many things to do.  If your family is like ours and looking for a way to spend some fun quality time together, I've got a great last-minute opportunity for you...

Yes, that's tomorrow...nothing like living by the seat of your pants, though, right!  Look at all that is included with your $7.00 entrance pass:

Bounce Houses  Rockwall  Rappelling Ropes Course

Laser Tag Arena   Laser Tag Dome   Mechanical Bull

Human Wrecking Ball (WHAT??? That's going to be fun!)

2 Man Ferris Wheel 

Nail Station for all the little ladies and their moms

Bubble Balls   Jungle Jumparoo  Strider Bike Course

Paint Parties    Pretend Wear 

Rustic Mountain Art Classes

Drum Bus

Party Game Express, Game Trailer

30 Foot Sand Trailer

Face Painting   Glitter Tattoos Henna Body Art

Yes, all of that is free.  PLUS, there will be live entertainment including:

Live Animal Shows from Creature Encounters, Scales and Tails Reptiles.
There's Fun Puppet Shows from Kipper Brothers Puppeteers
U of U Break Dance Club (demos & instruction)

Tracy Aviary "Build A Bird" Activity
Magic Shows, Juggling Performances and More

And just when it seems like it couldn't get any better, there will also be free photo opps with all your child's favorite princesses and super heroes!

Can you think of anything better to do tomorrow?  Seriously, your kids are going to LOVE YOU!!

Here's what you need to know...

    Where:  Sandy, South Towne Expo Center 

    When: Saturday, January 24 (remember, that's tomorrow)

                                10AM-8PM

     Price:  $7.00 if you book online now using this link:

                    www.WinterPaloozaUtah.com

                 $10.00 if you buy tickets tomorrow at the door

                  (Ages 2& up)

Last minute, yes, but the best surprise of your children's new year!!

Will I see you there?

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Tour a Real Life Ice Castle!!!

This is a sponsored post via USFamilyGuide.

A complimentary item will be received, 

but you know the opinions are mine.

A friend recently asked me how I always know about the super cool things happening in our neighborhood.  The first thought that came to my mind was our different amounts of community interest and involvement.  I take advantage of every service our city has to offer and many many times they are not only amazing, but also free.  

The second thought that came to mind was this blog.  Freemples is all about finding things that are cheap or free and bringing them to every one's attention.  It's how I provide great opportunities for my family and how I can share them with all of you.  

Every once in awhile an opportunity comes along that boils over even my cool-ness scale.  That's what I'm sharing with you today!

If you live in Vermont, New Hampshire, Minnesota, or Utah, you have got to go explore in one of these larger-than-life frozen architectural wonders!  Because I want you to be as excited as me, let me share the exact description from the Ice Castle website...

 Amazing ice features including archways, tunnels, slot canyons, ice slide, caverns, glacial waterfalls and a frozen throne. 

Families squeezing, squishing, sliding, stomping and crawling through parts of the stunning, Narnia-like display. 

Natural frozen ice tones during the day; colorful LED-lit ice set to music at night.

Doesn't it sound amazing?!? Each castle is an acre in size and will only last as long as the weather stays cold.  If you're having a warm winter like we are here in Utah, you'll want to go as soon as possible to make sure you don't miss out!

I'm taking my family next weekend and will definitely share pictures of our adventure.  If you live in driving distance of one of these 4 castles, will you come back and share your pictures with me?

For information on locations, open dates, and times visit http://icecastles.com/.  

This is a sponsored post via USFamilyGuide.

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Update Your Home with Lush Decor: Giveaway

This is a sponsored giveaway from LushDecor.com.

I will receive complimentary items as a host.

Just before Christmas our bedroom comforter completely gave up on us.  2 side seams burst out and over the course of 3 weeks the stuffing slowly started falling out.  Then we got sick and needed to wash it to get rid of the germs.  That was our comforter's final leg...It was time to give in and buy a new one. 

I wish I'd known about LushDecor.com before I'd replaced it! Look at these beautiful bedroom sets:

 Lush Decor can be purchased at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Kohl's, and other retailers, but I love the convenience of shopping online direct from them.  In addition to comforters, quilts, and throws, you can also shop online for shower curtains and window treatments.  I will definitely be shopping on LushDecor.com the next time my blankets decide to give up on me!

Lucky for you, Lush Decor is offering one of my readers a $200 gift card to shop on the LushDecor.com website.  Be sure to enter in the giveawaytools widget below...

Winner will be have 48 hours after end of giveaway to respond. 

 Lush Decor will distribute prize.
Gift card will be one-time use with no balance carried over

Don't want to take your chances?

Lush Decor is offering our readers a 10% discount on purchases.

Use code LOVELUSH1 at check-out!

Entry-Form

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We had an Urban Adventure!

This post is part of a sponsored campaign via US Family Guide.

Remember shortly before Christmas when I introduced you to Urban Adventure Quest?  After several delays for a nasty 3-week flu in our house, I finally got my family bundled up and went out exploring on the Salt Lake City, UT, self-paced scavenger hunt.  I'll tell you up front, it was a great way to spend a few hours on a weekday afternoon!

As I explained before, Urban Adventure Quest is an "Amazing Race" style scavenger hunt throughout the city of your choice and at the pace you set.  You can race against the leader board of other people who've competed in that city, or just take your time and complete the challenges at your leisure.  I think our Adventure Quest experience was fairly typical, so I'll share the highlights of how it went...

The Beginning

Our initial instructions included a general starting place with basically no other details, other than to have a smartphone, paper, and pencil with you.  The Salt Lake City starting place is an open-air mall downtown.  After checking in on the website, the challenges begin and you input your answers as you go along.  Our first clues included finding statues, bricks engraved with specific words, and reading a plaque to find a person's name.  

Challenges & Clues

All complete, our Adventure Quest had around 20 questions that took us on a path through approximately 20 city blocks and covered all of the downtown area.  Several times there were options to either use public transportation or to walk and also an option to skip past several clues if the group wanted to avoid going up the steep hill to the Utah Capitol Building.

We were impressed with the variety of puzzles and hints used to figure out the clues.  Some were local sports or history facts, some involved counting objects in an area, and several involved sketching out pieces of answers to figure out the clues. Each clue gains you points and also has options for getting hints. Some of the clues are easy with a Google search, and some of them took some actual problem-solving.   For example, this is the clue that taxed our brains and took us the longest:

Urban Adventure Quest clue: Find the next location by combining the 1st letter of each starred 4-letter name

The Ending

The Salt Lake City Urban Adventure Quest concluded in a very central location, albeit one we had walked directly through earlier in the day.  After entering our last answer, we automatically were given our scavenger hunt time.  We had actually skipped the steep capitol jaunt as our boys are all under 7 and we were still recovering from the flu.  Our time ended up being 2 hours and 43 minutes.  There is a leaderboard on the website where you can compare your times if you are so inclined.  Also at the end is the option to take a survey and give input on your day in exchange for a discount code on your next adventure.  

Those are the things we really liked.  Here are a few of things I'd like to see improved in the future:

~More detailed initial information on where the scavenger hunt begins and ends so you can choose a logical place for parking.  My husband had to run back and move our car out of a 2-hour parking spot and then had to leave us to go get the car when we were done.  The ending spot would have been an ideal place to park and walk to the beginning, if we'd known beforehand.

~The web application could use some finessing.  The print was quite small and if we zoomed in, the "hint" and "submit" buttons overlapped.  It was easily solved by zooming back out, but should work better on a technology-centric program.

~For the Salt Lake City adventure quest specifically: Allow extra time for the clues that take you through Temple Square.  We did not have any trouble there, and never felt uncomfortable, but by nature the LDS missionaries working there are very friendly and will stop to make sure you're having a good time.  I think they would've been more than excited to help us find the answers to our clues, if we'd asked, but just know it's going to take longer to say hi to everyone you pass along your way.

I LOVED going on our Urban Adventure Quest!  I'm undecided if it was because I was in an area I am familiar with, or if I would love it just as much in a city where it all was brand new.  At a group price of $45, it'd be an extremely economical to spend a day on vacation or to show visitors around when they're in town.  Right now, the 20% discount I mentioned before is still available if you enter FGBLOG when signing up at Urban Adventure Quest.

Check out the list of available Urban Adventure Quest cities here.

I'd love to hear if there's a scavenger hunt near you!

This post is part of a sponsored campaign via US Family Guide.

I received a complimentary product to complete my review 

but the experiences and opinions are my own.

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Epic Black Friday Sale for Crafters!

This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links.

So excited to share this incredible deal with all my creative and talented readers this morning! Craftsy, your one-stop shop for crafting and hobby ideas is offering now through Monday all Classes for $19.99 or less!.  It's an incredible deal.  No matter your interest, I'm sure you can find something that tickles your fancy (I love their photography classes).  Head over to find something new for you or a friend to learn...

Come back and tell me what you're going to learn!

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