The Lodge is a beautiful hotel that was recently named to the Top 10 U.S. Wine Country Inn List. It’s located near more than 20 wineries and even offers a reasonably priced year-round wine shuttle.

We were greeted warmly at check-in and were torn between enjoying the beautiful lobby for a few minutes or heading up to our room to unpack.

After taking in the view in the lobby we did head up to our 3rd floor room and were delighted with the cross between resort and rustic lodge decor.

We also couldn’t have been more pleased with the view from our balcony.

I was excited to see that an outdoor wedding was taking place during our first afternoon. We were able to watch the ceremony from our balcony and could even hear it clearly too. It was so romantic!

We contemplated going for a swim in either the indoor or outdoor pools. They were both beautiful and it was a perfect day for a swim with the blue skies, sun, and 80 degree weather.

I was also pleased to see a cute children’s sprayground and jungle gym.

The fitness area is great for anyone who wants to get in a quick workout.

That afternoon we decided to go for a walk along the 2 mile path that wound out from the property. It was a lovely day and perfect for a walk along the lake and even through the woods.

When we returned it wasn’t quite dinnertime yet so we headed into town. Neither of us had ever been to Geneva-On-The-Lake so we were excited to see what laid ahead just a short drive up the road.

We found a fun and busy strip with a fantastic summer/island feel to it.

At the same time it felt like we had flashed back to the 1950′s.

Everyone was cheery and was excited to be outside on such a gorgeous day. It was tough to choose between ice cream, Hawaiian Shaved Ice, or Grumpy’s Old Fashioned Lemonade.

As for the food we couldn’t believe the choices. There were gyros, burritos, pizza slices, pasta places, cupcake shops, soft pretzels, elephant ears, corn on the cob, and even outdoor diners.

And we found a bit of amusement too in the multiple arcades, a waterpark area that wasn’t open yet, and a beach side Ferris wheel.

There were shops selling funny t-shirts, used books, knick-knacks, and souveniers that were surrounded by bars and wineries.

We had fun walking up and down the strip and even came back that evening to enjoy the nightlife a bit as well. It’s such an easy drive from The Lodge and there are multiple free parking lots available, it made it simple to return later that day.

For dinner we were excited to eat outdoors on The Lodge’s property at Horizon’s Restaurant & Lounge.

Dinner was delicious! We ordered the Cheese Plate appetizer.

Had house salads with warm rolls & butter.

I ordered the short rib which came with carrots and pureed celery root. It was a delicious combination that I can’t wait to have again!

Dave ordered the strip steak that came with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and mushrooms. He raved about his meal and said the steak was amazing.

For dessert I had the Warm Apple Crumble.

Dave had the Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie.

They were both the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

That night we were able to watch the sunset from our balcony. It was gorgeous!

The next morning we packed up and got ready to go, but before leaving we grabbed breakfast again at Horizons.

I had the Belgian Waffle with Strawberries, bacon, and a fruit cup. It was delicious.

Dave had the Breakfast Buffet. It was available to enjoy outdoors or in and was full of lots of delicious choices including made to order omelets and eggs, french toast, bagels, breads, muffins, cereal, fruit and more. It was quite a selection for only $12.95 and one we would definitely get again.

This time we ate inside and enjoyed the atmosphere. The large windows and airy space made us feel like we were eating outside.

We had a wonderful time at The Lodge At Geneva-On-The-Lake and would love to return someday. It’s location on the lake itself is gorgeous, it’s very short distance to the strip makes it easy to head over for a bite to eat or a drink, and it’s amenities are enough to keep you busy in the times between. It’s a restful, relaxed, and romantic location that we recommend to anyone looking for a weekend getaway.

Accommodations and meals were provided. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own.

Photo Credit: Annie from MamaDweeb.com

It was a fantastic couple of days where we had a chance to learn about branding, business, and community

The conference was kicked off by Megan Calhoun of Social Moms, formerly Twitter Moms.

Megan spoke to us about the beginnings of Social Moms and how the group was just an idea one day and she made it happen the next. She spoke about branding and how important it is for us as bloggers to create and focus on the 3 pillars of our brands.

We were able to then carry over the inspiration and motivation we felt after her talk and put it to work. We created vision boards that centered on goals we wanted to achieve as bloggers, women, wives, and mothers.

Left to right: Tree from Mother Of Pearl It Is and Traci from The View From My Fishbowl

It was really fun! We had a great time chatting about what we were cutting out and why and getting to know one another better.

We presented our boards and to the group. It was inspiring hearing what others put on their boards and what those pictures or words meant to them. There were even a few touching tears.

Next up we had a delicious lunch which included Subway. I was so excited because I love Subway!

After we ate, we were introduced to Monica Vazquez, Subway’s Official Trainer. She was full of energy and so enthusiastic about healthy living and physical activity, she made me want to get up and go for a jog!

I was in luck because 20 minutes later she had us out in the courtyard of the Coca-Cola headquarters doing push-ups, crunches, and more. It was a beautiful day and I was happy to get out and move around a bit. I enjoyed her tips and advice on proper form and why the different exercises were good for various body parts and overall health.

Then Monica announced that we would be competing in a forearm planking contest. If you haven’t heard of a plank, it’s very similar to holding a raised push-up position. Since we were doing a forearm plank we had to drop down to our forearms which really works your core muscles.

It was a tough contest with some impressive competitors. And I’m excited to say I won the contest!

I received a Subway gift card for winning! Yay!

We then went inside and heard from the Women in the Workplace Panel which consisted of an impressive selection of women executives from Coca-Cola talking about their roles in the company and how they juggle being working mothers.

After that we were off to the World of Coke!

It was a fun look at Coca-Cola’s history, a fantastic collection of Coke memorabilia, and even a slowed down version of their bottling system.

We even got a peek at the vault that holds the secret ingredient!

After the tour we spent some time in the tasting area, sampling various Coke products from around the world.

Then we grabbed a glass bottle of Coke and went shopping!

After a brief rest at The W hotel where we were staying, we met back up again for dinner at BLT Steak. Dinner was fantastic and fun. It was a great opportunity to connect with other bloggers as well as Coke executives who dined with us.

The last day of the conference we learned a lot about Coca-Cola’s Live Positively Program and about Coke’s commitment to the community. We heard from Celeste Bottorff, Vice President of Living Well.

Coke has a number of fantastic programs that really make a difference in communities around the world. Each program was briefly described and I was so interested in them that I could have listened to this session for much longer.

Two of my favorite programs Coke has developed to give back to the community include:

• America Is Your Park – Vote for your favorite park to win a $100,000 grant for park improvement
• Triple Play – A $12 million dollar commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs. Triple Play is an after-school program that promotes healthy and active lifestyle choices.

We then had a a Seagram’s Taste Test where we had the chance to try some of Seagram’s new sparkling seltzer water flavored beverages.

They were very subtle in flavor and it was a tie among the group between the White Peach and Blackberry Raspberry as favorites.

I enjoyed my time at the Conversations with Coca-Cola Conference and was so happy to have learned about Coke’s commitment to community. It warms my heart when companies give back and Coke does so in a big way. I look forward to learning more about each of their community programs and I’m now inspired to do my part to give back through those programs and to my own community as well.

As a participant in the Conversations with Coca-Cola Conference accommodations, flight, meals, admission tickets, and other gift items were provided. I was not required, or asked, to write about the conference, events, or speakers. The honest opinions are my own.

The movie is an intriguing and interesting look back at the Tuskegee Airmen and is inspired by actual events. Red Tails tells the story of the first African-American combat unit to serve in World War II. The unit was comprised of talented fighter pilots who fought not only for our country but also for the right to do so.

The cast featuring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard does an amazing job showing what the airmen had to go through just for the right to play a part in the war. I liked that the film touched on the bureaucratic discrimination and didn’t tiptoe around the issues the fighter pilots faced just trying to keep their planes in the sky as well as socially.

While these scenes raised an awareness of the problems the fighters faced, they didn’t didn’t dominate the movie. Instead the movie was filled with scene after scene of the pilots in action.

It was incredible to watch as hundreds of planes filled the sky and the airmen weaved in and out of them with ease engaging the enemy and protecting the U.S. bombers.

The thrilling action and special effects had us pulled into the movie from the opening scene. We really enjoyed this look back at history, how the Tuskegee Airmen made a name for themselves, and the captivating combat scenes. We recommend Red Tails to anyone looking for a great movie and to those interested in a look back at an important part of our history.

Red Tails comes out on Blu-ray and DVD on May 22nd.

The product was provided. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own and those of my family.

In the movie What to Expect When You’re Expecting (only in theaters), a couple picks out paint colors for their baby’s new nursery. Find paint colors that you and your little one will love with Glidden® Brilliance Collection™ Paint, available at Walmart

Glidden is so excited to be a part of the movie that they have created the interactive nursery widget below. It contains multiple choice questions that once answered will provide you with color schemes that best fits yours and your baby’s personality and lifestyle. How fun is that?!

If you enjoyed the widget be sure to visit My Colortopia for the full version to see how your color schemes compare.

Glidden is also celebrating What To Expect When You’re Expecting by offering one mom-to-be the chance to win a $2,500 Walmart gift card for a dream nursery! Isn’t that amazing?!

To enter to win, visit Circle of Moms and check out their three nursery mood boards and leave a comment on the post.

You can also find additional information about the products listed on the mood boards by visiting My Colortopia where you will also be able to click through to the contest to enter to win!

The giveaway ends June 7th and good luck! The winner will be announced the week of June 18th on MyColortopia.com.

Also, be sure to take a minute to visit the articles below for nursery decorating tips:

• Decorating A Girl’s Nursery
• A Boy’s Nursery Inspired By The Hobbit
• Do Nursery Colors Affect Sleep Habits?

I have been sponsored by Glidden brand paint to write this post but the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

That’s why when I saw the Spider-Man Stuntacular Speed Loop, I knew they would be thrilled. With all the tracks they do have, none of them go upside-down and none of them feature Spider-Man. So this is a perfect combination!

I surprised them with the toy one day and made a video of them opening the box. They were so excited!

It’s a really cute toy and gets a great reaction from the kids every time the Spider-Man speeds around the loop.

Here’s a video of Spider-Man in action:

Kora and Logan like that Spider-Man actually comes out of the car. So they can hang him on the web or make up creative stories starring him and then have him jump into his car for a loop-de-loop, upside-down getaway!

I like that it’s easy to use and the kids never have to ask for help to get it to work and it’s pretty cute too!

We like the Spider-Man Stuntacular Speed Loop and recommend it to anyone with children who enjoy playing with cars and other vehicles, who are Spider-Man fans, or who love using their imaginations!

Products were provided. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own and those of my family.

I thought it would fade as he got older but instead he’s taken it to a new level.

Last year on our Disney trip after a long day at Epcot, he fell asleep on Dave’s shoulders!

I have no idea how it was comfortable but it was so cute I just had to take a video!

This year at Disney, he did it again! We were leaving the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks, Dave gave him a shoulder ride as we left the park and he promptly fell asleep again.

I sure wish I could sleep this soundly just in my own bed!

What about you? Can your kids sleep anywhere?

This Means War

As CIA agents, Tuck (Hardy) and FDR (Pine), are good friends and perfect partners.

And then Lauren (Witherspoon) enters their lives. The agents meet each meet their dream girl at different times. One through an online dating site and the other at a local store.

After going on first date with both agents, Lauren struggles with the idea of dating two guys at once. Thankfully, her friend Trish (Chelsea Handler) is there with timely advice and encourages her to go for it.

It’s not long before Tuck and FDR realize they are dating the same girl. They have both fallen for her and are now vying for her heart.

But this isn’t your typical love triangle.

Lauren doesn’t know that they even know each other or that Tuck & FDR are CIA agents, It’s not long before the partners employ the latest high tech spy gadgetry to keep an eye on one another. Soon the spying leads to date sabotage and this is where the movie really had us laughing.

This Means War is a great date night movie that we recommend to guys and girls alike. It’s a fun, lighthearted look at the world of dating with a little love, humor, and action thrown in. I do have to mention that Chelsea Handler did a great job bringing her own pecial brand of humor to the film. She’s not afraid to do anything for a laugh and it pays off in this movie.

When watching This Means War on Blu-ray be sure to check out the 3 alternate endings which offer a look at would have happened had Lauren fallen for the other guy!

In honor of the film’s release on May 22nd, check out this list of Top 10 Things To Consider When Choosing The Perfect Guy – This Means War Style!

Products were provided. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own and those of my family.

That’s why I’m excited about Dole Real Fruit Bites. Since the kids enjoy fruit and yogurt, I knew the Dole Fruit Bites would be a big hit with them.

Dole Real Fruit Bites are a great combination of fruit, yogurt, & whole grain oats. Each piece is made from real Dole fruit. It’s coated with yogurt and toasted with whole grain oats.

Kora and Logan love Dole Real Fruit Bites and I have to admit that I can’t get enough of them! It’s a good thing each individual package is 80-90 calories. They are a great portion-controlled healthier treat that slips easily into my purse. Perfect for to tame after-school hunger and convenient for road trips.
That’s why I’m excited to tell you about Dole’s Facebook giveaway and to offer the fun reader giveaway below!

Before we get to the reader giveaway, I must mention the Dole Real Fruit Bites Facebook application “3 Steps to True Bliss.” You can enjoy a moment of bliss by selecting a dream escape, pack your virtual bag, and share a trip postcard with your friends. After that be sure to enter for a chance to win a dream getaway which could make your virtual plans a reality!

And now the reader giveaway…

WIN IT!

One reader of 2 Wired 2 Tired will win a 3 Month Supply of Dole Real Fruit Bites – $59 Value!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Products were provided. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own.

I like Fibers.com because they donate a portion of their profits to help public school children through funding teachers projects at Donors Choose. They are also involved in micro-financing through Kiva to help low-income individuals who do not have access to typical banking services. And they donate a portion of their profits of all breast cancer t-shirt sales to support breast cancer research. Isn’t all this wonderful?!

Fibers.com truly takes customized clothing to the next level. You start by choosing what item of clothing you’d like. They have t-shirts, hoodies, pants, shorts, baby bibs, and more. Their t-shirt selection is incredible! They offer shirts in over 200 colors from some of the most respected t-shirt brands. Their sizes run from newborn to 5XL.

After you’ve selected your shirt or other item of clothing and the color you’d like to see it in, You then start designing. You can select from the Fibers.com 8,000 pieces of art or you can upload your own image. Next you add text. Then select from 500+ different fonts.

I enjoyed having so many options while designing Dave’s shirt. I thought he might like something in a beach or summer theme. So I typed “beach” into the image search box. A number of great options came up. As soon as I saw the palm trees, sun, & sky image I knew he would like it.

I selected an orange for his shirt because it’s a sunny color. Next the text. It took me awhile to decide what I wanted it to say. Then it hit me. Dave and I love San Diego. We went there on our honeymoon. We are always talking about going back. The song, “California Dreamin’” popped into my head (especially because it it always so cold and snowy here in Cleveland) and it was a perfect fit.

It took a bit to decide on the font, there were so many fun choices! Once I saw the “Cute” style and the “Groovy Summer JNL” font, I knew I couldn’t go wrong.

The shirt turned out wonderfully! It arrived quickly and Dave was excited about it. He tried it on and posed for a quick picture. He left his sunglasses on to complete the summer look!

I do have to mention that this was actually the second shirt we received from Fibers.com. When I ordered the first shirt of the same design in an XL, it arrived and was far too big. Thankfully, Fibers.com has a 100% satisfaction guarantee so I was able to have another sent out to replace it. As you can see, the large fits perfectly.

Dave has been enjoying his shirt and he’s looking forward to wearing it a lot this summer. I had fun designing it and we would recommend Fibers.com to anyone looking for custom t-shirts. They also have a number of  amazing pre-made designs available.

That’s why I’m excited to offer the giveaway below!

To learn more:

• “Like” Fibers on Facebook
• Follow Fibers on Twitter

WIN IT!

One reader of 2 Wired 2 Tired will win a $30 Voucher to Fibers.com!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Products were provided. No compensation was received. The honest opinions are my own.

I found this heartwarming Mother’s Day poem that I just had to share. It’s so touching and true.

BEFORE I WAS A MOM…

Before I was a Mom…I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom… I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday. My house was clean

Before I was a Mom…  I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

Before I was a Mom… I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom… I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom… I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day! Are you doing anything special to celebrate?