This is a sponsored post from BlogHer and McDonald’s.
Contest is now over. Congrats to entry # 77, Angel Jacklyn who was chosen by random.org as the winner. Thanks to all who participated!
I loved taking a sneak peek inside the McDonald’s Brand and company during the McDonald’s Family Time Getaway in Oak Brook, IL. The McDonald’s representatives could not have been more accommodating and genuine. McDonald’s invited our entire family on this event, what a treat!
We started our McDonald’s experience with lunch at a local McDonald’s Restaurant then spoke to the company’s top executives. This was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The women of McDonald’s were beautiful, smart and completely down to earth. They told us their history with McDonald’s and the things they love about their job. It was really priceless to hear from these women.
Another highlight of this trip was a tour of the Oak Lawn Ronald McDonald House. What an amazing organization. The House is beautiful and helps so many people in need. I think the whole room was brought to tears listening to the presentation. I feel lucky to have been a part of it all.
One of my kids’ favorite activities was the “Taste and Tour Quality at McDonald’s: A Family Sensory Experience and Look Behind the Counter.” We talked with the quality control team and tasted some yummy breakfast items such as the Egg McMuffin, Apple Dippers and the McGriddle. My kids were in hog heaven as the servers brought out all of these different items from the McDonald’s Breakfast Menu.
Another discussion that I enjoyed was, “Your Food: From Farm to Restaurant. This discussion was about how we as parents can feel good about the food our family eats at McDonald’s. We talked to the Chicken Doctor who explained that McDonald’s uses only the white meat of quality chicken and also to the McDonald’s Nutritionist who showed us how we can mix and match menu items to equal 600 calories or less. This was a great discussion.
McDonald’s Executive Chef Dan led a discussion about how McDonald’s menu items go from concept to restaurant. It was amazing to learn how long the process is to actually get a new recipe on the menu. There are extensive tests that are done throughout the country. I loved getting a first taste of the fruit smoothies that are coming out soon and their newest menu item in testing…Fruit and Maple Oatmeal. It was INCREDIBLE. I would order it any day of the week!
The kids had a ball cooking with McDonald’s Chef Dan. They got their very own Chef Hat, apron and had a chance to roll up their sleeves and make their own fruit kebabs and fruit smoothies. This was a real treat. Chef Dan and the other Chefs could not have been more kind.
McDonald’s truly went above and beyond for this event. The entire family loved it. I feel lucky to have been a part to learn more about this incredible brand.
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Be sure to enter the Family Time Happy Time Sweepstake for some fun prizes valued at $100.
One Winner will Win:
- A Smile Tote Bag
- $25 AMC Gift Card
- $20 McDonald’s Gift Card
- Fleece Blanket
- McDonald’s Frisbee
- McDonald’s French Fry Playing Cards
- Monopoly Junior Board Game
- Organic Lip Balm
- McDonald’s Vintage Character T-Shirt
- McDonald’s Stainless Tumbler
- McDonald’s Happy Meal Toy Set
To enter, leave a comment here on Picky Palate telling us… What is your favorite thing to do as a family? Vacation, sports, reading books, cooking…anything, we want to hear it.
Eligible entrants can do up to two of the following options:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) Follow one of the links at https://www.blogher.com/family-time-happy-time and provide your email address and your response to the sweepstakes prompt
See Official Sweepstakes Rules HERE
Come see the other Blogger Reviews on the BlogHer Round Up HERE.
Please leave any questions you might have about the trip or McDonald’s here as well. Thanks!!
Welcome to my online kitchen! Picky Palate is where you’ll find family friendly recipes along with the best Disney eats, tips and copycat recipes! 
I would have to say swimming or waterpark fun. This year, we haven’t been able to go on a vacation – but, in the past this is what we have loved to do.
We love to take bike rides together! FUN!
Since my family is still very small (but we’ve got a little one on the way!) My husband and I love going hiking together or on little adventure trips outdoors. We hope this continues with kids, though we know it will be different.
My favorite thing to do as a family is just to go out to a new restaurant and eat … there’s just something really special about it. 🙂
Doing anything together is great to me, but I love being on the boat 🙂
We love to play games together. We try and find things all my kids can do. We have such a great time! Lots of good memories 🙂
I love talking walks before sunset almost every day with my little ones. It helps set my mind in a good mood.
My baby is only four days old, but so far we really love sitting around staring at her and telling each other how DARLING she is 🙂
We love to go on day trips!
We like to go get ice cream.
We love to play games. Thanks!
Everything..meals, playing outside, reading together the bible and other books everyday. We love the beach but have only been a few times in the last 15 years. We like to do our grocery shopping together and then stop in at McD’s!!
Our favorite family thing is to go to the movies. We are absolutely obsessed with seeing movies on the big screen.
My kids and I go to out neighors pool so that I can throw them through the air into the pool – no seriously, that is my job. I hear “Throw me Mommy, Throw MEEEEE!!!” the whole time. Even the neighbors children say it too! Lots of laughs and a good workout too!
M
We love to go on vacations together…the beach, the mountains..anywhere! 🙂
I love just talking with my children in bed! Great time to get to know them more!!
My favorite thing to do as a family is eat dinner together.
Our favorite thing to do as a family this summer is bike riding !! It’s fun and a good workout!!!
We love spending our time on a family vacation at the pool or the beach usually!
We like to go swimming in one of the community pools!
I love to play outside as a family. With two little guys, it’s always a special time.
Good family sun is an old fashioned wiener roast outdoors complete with wiener roasting sticks made out of wire coat hangers and of course Smores. Very simple but it is the good life for sure!
I would have to say family dinners are really high on my list!! I also really enjoy just playing in the backyard with the whole family!!
Our favorites things to do as a family all involve water – swimming, boating, fishing. We love summer!
We love family vacations and eating out.
We love to walk to the park! We also love Sea World!
We love to go on long walks as a family- I think it helps that our little guy is still in a stroller.
Right now our favorite thing to do as a family is read or color. As my son gets older I think we will definitely enjoy going camping or going on vacations more. 🙂
I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/MommyImHungry/status/19672482618
Well both our girls (ages 13 & 7) race mini dwarf & a Jr. Sprint cars so we get to go to the race track a couple times a month plus any public outings/races (such as the San Diego Fair). It’s fun & we all enjoy it.
Family Time is a must if that means family dinners, game night, traveling or camping together, it is a time that is treasured by all (especially me!).
We love camping together!
I love traveling with my family. 🙂
we love road trips and reading together!
Family dinners are a must in our house!
I love family dinners….one of the few moments we are all together!