The No. 2 Coolest Thing I Have Ever Done!

June 21, 2012 By

Cars Land was phenomenal and Radiator Springs Racers is my favorite ride at Disneyland. Truly. (Go here if you missed my original post).

But do you know what else was so astounding that it made my Top 2 List of Coolest Things I Have Ever Done?

OK, so I just made up the list but the following experience I had at Disneyland ranks right behind my amazing opportunity to be Microsoft’s accredited blogger at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Following our preview of Cars Land, the media was set loose with their families in California Adventure Park for the entire day. What’s so cool about that? The park was closed to the public in preparation for its grand re-opening the next morning. That’s right, people. About 1,000 media and their families had California Adventure Park to themselves. Don’t believe me?

It was like a dream come true to visit Disneyland without the crowds and worth every penny we spent to get there. Oh, and did I mention the weather was a moderate 70-degrees?

I could not have picked a more perfect day.

Our craziest moment was during one of our first rides on Grizzly River Run. Last spring, I waited 1.5 hours for the thrill of doing this white-water rafting adventure.

At the end of getting tossed around by Grizzly River’s rapids, we prepared to get out when the ride operator glanced over at the line (or lack thereof; we were the only ones there) and asked the golden question: “Do you want to do it again?”

And for the first time in my history of Disneyland, we went around yet again without even unbuckling.



The novelty didn’t even wear off when we emerged soaking wet.

That night, our big Disneyland sendoff was a private showing of Worlds of Color–a water spectacular that wove water, color, fire and light into a kaleidoscope of fantasy.

Water
Color
fire

Of course my pictures don’t do it justice so check-out Disneyland’s official ones:


Do you know what was mind-blowing? We were each given our own light-up Mickey ears and once the show started, we realized they were perfectly synced to whatever colors were on display.

At least it was the coolest thing ever once I decided Disneyland wasn’t trying to control our minds and take over the world.

There was only one drawback to the entire experience. When you’re a Disneyland newbie like Jamie, the bar has been set waaaaaaay too high.

Cars Land’s Luigi’s Flying Tires

But we’re happy to just do the limbo the next time we visit Disneyland.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Disney, Family travel, Hadley, Humor, Jamie Tagged With:

Spreading Holiday Joys

December 23, 2010 By

At the very last minute, I decided to send out our annual Christmas newsletter yesterday.

Only it hasn’t been so annual as of late. It’s the first time I’ve sent one in a few years. The reason is simple: I have a blog. And anyone who loves me reads this blog.

Or isn’t online.

Or is a loser.

I’m kidding but only kind of. :)

I did it partially out of guilt. We have received an onslaught of Christmas letters and cards, which have brought joy to my mailbox this month. But, then I realized that many of the people are not active on Facebook, which is the primary way I keep in touch.

I designed the newsletter using a nifty holiday template from Microsoft. Here’s a little shout-out for them. This week, I’ve been reflecting back upon 2010 and when Microsoft Office selected me as their winner of the Winter Games Contest after so many of you voted me to the finals.

It was one of the highlights of my entire life. Putting my foot in my mouth when I met Wayne Gretzky and having Matt Lauer steal my moment in the spotlight are second-to-none experiences.

I got home from the Olympics and then nothin’. I heard nothin’. It was like Microsoft and I broke up in a text message but without sending an actual text.

Then out of the blue, I got a Christmas care package with Microsoft Office ’10 (on the exact same day my Beta expired), a How to Train Your Dragon DVD, and fun miscellaneous games for the kids.

I mean, really what are the odds I’d receive the package on that day of all days?

You’ll find Microsoft & me under the mistletoe this Christmas.

Wayne Gretzky might be there, too.

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On another note, I have fallen in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this family’s Christmas video and have already told the Lord of the Gourds we need to up our game next year:

[vimeo 17455653 w=400 h=225]

Here Comes Santa Claus – A Christmas Video Greeting from Jared Foster on Vimeo.

Talk about making my “Elf Yourself” efforts pale in comparison.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: holidays, Humor

Tangled in a Ponzi Scheme and My Fun Win!

November 11, 2010 By

What do Disney’s new flick Tangled and a Ponzi scheme have in common?

Nothing. I just chose to include them in the same post.

I have oodles going on before my mother-in-law flies in to take care of the kiddos while Jamie and I go on our cruise aboard the Norwegian Epic.

In the midst of the chaos, the kids and I attended a prescreening of Tangled, which hits theaters next week. Read what we thought of it and why I have more in common with Rapunzel than I care to admit (and it ain’t a good thing).

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Almost two years ago, Denver was caught up in a scandal when it was revealed Bishop Shawn Merriman was involved in a $20 million Ponzi scheme. There were many victims but no one was more blindsided by his betrayal than his own wife and four children.

The press obsessively followed the trial and conviction but his poor family stayed in the shadows. I recently found out that his resilient now-ex-wife Andrea started a blog and is an amazing, powerful and inspiring writer.

I asked her to guest-post at Mile High Mamas this week and guaranteed, you’ll be as mesmerized by her worst nightmare as I am. In our three-part series, Andrea shares how she learned the horrible truth, the day the Feds came to confiscate everything and where she is today.

Go. Read. Comment. And thank your blessings for an honest spouse.

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On Tuesday, I was having a rough day due to some frustrating news I received. As I was moping around, I got a note from my friend and former BlogHer roommate Loralee.

If you’ve never read her blog Loralee’s Looney Tunes, be sure to check it out. The girl is laugh-out-loud irreverent and has had her share of trials such as losing her son Matthew (which she blogs openly about). It has been wonderful to watch her blog grow from near-obscurity to one of the most popular mommy blogs.

Anyhew, Loralee had emailed to let me know I had won her Favorite Things birthday contest.

This was amazing for a few reasons:
1) I rarely enter contests

2) I rarely win contests (well, with the exception of a little one that sent me to the Olympics).

3) I won a treasure-trove of darling products (check them all out here) that included A GUSSY Tote Bag ($68), Saucy Frocks Apron ($35), A ribboned-hemmed skirt by Prairie Mama ($40), “Sweet & Simple Birdie Necklace” by Lisa Leonard Designs ($58.00), Rosette Cuff by Allora Handmade ($16), Petal Pusher Posy from The Pleated Poppy ($15), Filigree Verdigris Brass – Barcelona Earrings, and last but definitely not least, The FIRST edition of Where Women Cook out on Dec.1st!!!! ($16) (This magazine is a project Loralee is actively involved in so you know it’s good).

Best news of all? I was no longer down-in-the-dumps. So, if you ever want to cheer me up?

Materialism works wonders.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Uncategorized

About Me

October 28, 2009 By

I am an uproarious and fun-loving gal who has a passion for my family, travel, the outdoors and writing. Originally from Canada, I relocated to Denver via Salt Lake City when I gave up my wanderlust, travel-writin’ life to marry the real love of my life. Together, my American husband and I have two “half-breeds”: Hadley (age 8) and Bode (age 6). Go here for more details on the Crazy Crew.

I was the Grand Prize Winner in Microsoft Office’s Winter Games Contest and was their accredited blogger at the 2010 Vancouver Games. As an avid winter sports enthusiast, this was a dream come true! Be sure to read all my behind-the-scenes adventures that included how The Today Show’s Matt Lauer stole my moment in the spotlight and how I put my foot in my mouth when meeting Wayne Gretzky.

I am the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas for The Denver Post – an award-winning site that is touted as Colorado’s largest online network of mommy bloggers. I am a Snowmama for Park City Mountain Resort’s cutting-edge social media site and am coordinating a social media campaign for Colorado Ski Country this winter. I am also a Brand Enthusiast for Nintendo and have worked with top brands such as Frigidaire, Ford, Sara Lee, Feld Entertainment and Playtex.

I am a regular speaker at social media conferences and have received numerous awards including being honored in Westword magazine’s Best of Denver edition, as a Top 75 Moms on Twitter by American Express, Best of MSN, Blogtrepreneur’s Top 50 Mommy Blogs and startup powerhouse Sampa’s Top 10 Mommy Blogs You Should Read. I make regular appearances in the media and placements have included CBS 4 Denver, Martino TV, FOX 31, MSNBC.com KOA radio and The Denver Post.

After graduating from college, I spent a number of years working as a publicist for Utah’s ski and outdoor industry whilst moonlighting as the “Craaaaazy Canuck” radio personality and travel writer. I became infamous for detailing my humorous misadventures en route and continue to do so as a family travel writer. I was recently interviewed as a travel expert in Woman’s Day magazine.

My husband Jamie and I work and play together. As the former Director of Interactive at the Denver Newspaper Agency, he founded Pixo Web Design & Strategy where I oversee social media. We love climbing Colorado’s 14ers (14,000-foot peaks), backpacking Southern Utah, skiing, mountain biking, playing volleyball and roller-blading.

He is perfect for me in every way with the exception that he is obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. He was even interviewed in the October ’09 issue of National Geographic about Said Obsession.

Don’t mock him. That’s my job.

And apparently Jerry Seinfeld and Ricky Gervais’ responsibility as well. Jamie and I recently appeared on the premiere of Seinfeld’s comedic show, NBC’s The Marriage Ref battling it out over (what else) The Great Pumpkin.

I may have lost that battle on national television but this blog is about winning the war.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Uncategorized