I hate photo contests! Argh! But vote for me anyhow.

I seriously do. I really, really hate them. And I hate them even more when they are on Facebook. Why? Well, let's just say that I find the premise all good and  fine and what not, but when it comes down to it what you have to do to win is beg. Or pay. Yes, that's right- PAY.

I made the mistake of entering a Valentine's Day photo contest where the prizes were from Pottery Barn Kids. The grand  prize was a freaking rocking horse. Harmless, right? Hardly. The 'winner' ended up with over 600 people 'liking' her photo. I mean, seriously- those people really thought your ultra cheezy/photoshopped 'big lollypop' cliche pic was a winner? Really? I don't even care if mine was in the running- but it was such a farce I knew something had to be up.

That's when I heard all about the scandal at another site. They were giving away a stroller or something and it was another photo 'like' contest. Well- it came to light that one of the contestants was paying yes, paying people money- to vote for her kid. I guess there are sites out there that you can go to and pay per like? WTF!!!! Anyhow- it was a big ordeal and the person who was doing it didn't think she was doing anything wrong. Whatever.

Hence the bad taste in my mouth for these kind of contests....but alas. Here I am again, schlepping for votes so my family can win a week at a vacation home in Florida. I know it's not the best picture- but  I am also not going to be paying for your vote, just asking nicely :) It's the Farrah R. 'First Time At The Beach' one.

Thanks!

5 years is coming!

Our 5 year anniversary is coming up in July...I know that a 5 year isn't  really THAT big of a deal- but  for us  we have been through quite a  bit in the last 5 years. The short version  is that we got married, moved to a different region in the country, bought our first home, lost my beloved dog...got another dog...got a second dog...and had B. One  year later I was pregnant again with -SURPRISE! It's TWINS! And boom! that was 5 years.

So...in  honor of our five year anniversary, I am sworn  to win us a trip of some sort. Money is tight- we have three kids after all- so my goal would be  to wins us something- anything- even  a weekend  or a night in a B&B for our 5 year. Things have been pretty tough on us since last July- and I really think  we (and our marriage) deserve it.

So- without further ado- here is a trip that I'm throwing  our name in to win. Austin-Lehman has a 'Win An Adventure of Your Choice' giveaway until May 19th. The prize is awesome!

Enter to win a $5,000 credit towards a trip for TWO on the Austin-Lehman Adventure of your choice!* Explore destinations in North, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific Rim or Africa. Enjoy gourmet dining, multi-sport adventures & nature's charm at all-inclusive rates. Your dream adventure vacation awaits.

WOW-right?? So go..go enter! And don't forget to say I sent you. If you win, I win, so give me props, eh?? To make it easier on  you yet, here is my link to c&p: http://thethreeunder.blogspot.com/ thanks friends :) It would be neat if  someone I sent won!

Vacation Getaway!

So these days I am focusing my contest entries on winning my family a vacation. Who doesn't need  one,  right? Just like everyone else- we need one badly. The  twins are now  6 months old, and B  is 2- so we think  that we would take B and let the gparents babysit the twins. My husband and I just really need  some r&r and time to reconnect. I know...don't we all?

One contest I am looking at right now is the 25th Anniversary Multi City Vacation Getaway Contest. This would be such  a fun one from Clipper Vacations! I love the Pacific Northwest, and  miss being out there. This one would be a blast with my hubs. Here's what you can win:

Northwest Multi City Vacation Getaway for Two


Cruise on the Victoria Clipper plus a champagne continental breakfast aboard

One night accommodation at Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina

Transportation via Cruise Victoria motor coach to the Butchart Gardens

Admission for two to The Butchart Gardens including high tea

Pacific Coach Lines transportation and BC Ferry between Victoria and Vancouver, BC

One night stay at Delta Vancouver Suites in Vancouver, BC

Tickets for the Hop On Hop Off Vancouver Trolley Tour

Amtrak Cascades transportation between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC

One night stay at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle

Savor Seattle Pike Place Market Tour

Trekaroo

First of all, if you have kids and travel- you NEED to familiarize yourself with the site Trekaroo. It has all kinds of tips, reviews, and Monday Madness giveaways! Look em up on Facebook too. And this week's giveaway is an awesome Britax car seat! What travelling family doesn't need one of those? Well, one that has an older kid I suppose :)

Travel on my mind...

I have many different thoughts on travel these days. First and foremost- I long to go away somewhere, and relax. Sleep. And not be stuck in the house with three children under two- alone all day long. But what would I do? Where would I go? If we took the kids, how would we get there? Um...flying would be tough because we are still outnumbered. I hope that someday I will look forward to traveling again- and my husband and I will be able to go places and do things that do not involve changing diapers or waking in the middle of the night to feed someone.

That said....my new obsession is to win a trip for us to go somewhere. I think that might be the motivation to go- if we won, we'd find a way to do it. We would fly grandma down here and GO. So.....here I am..plugging away looking for a trip to take. I recently discovered the site Trekaroo and found that they have a Monday Madness giveaway every week! This week it is a trip to a TradeWinds Island Resort in Florida. We can do Florida. It's probably a days' drive, but we could handle it. I MIGHT even consider flying since it's such a short flight and it is pretty inexpensive to fly there. Plus bonus- my grandma lives not far away. Anyhow- I think I can handle an hour or so being on a plan being 'that mom' with 'that kid'. I just hope everyone else can!