Nature Connects® Featuring Nature Inspired Lego® Art by Sean Kenney Returns to Morton Arboretum May 24

Nature Connects® Featuring Nature Inspired Lego® Art by Sean Kenney Returns to Morton Arboretum May 24 **Plus a Giveaway**

**Disclosure: Thank you to The Morton Arboretum for providing tickets for a giveaway. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Combining two easy childhood favorites, Morton Arboretum is welcoming the return of Nature Connects®: Art With Lego® Bricks By Sean Kenney on May 24! Lego sculptures in the exhibit not only craft nature scenes with Legos but also folds them into the natural landscape of Morton Arboretum.

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {Chagall, Ski Jump, Huskies, Bald Eagles and More}

Chicago Suburbs Weekend Fun January 25-27, 2019

Just because it is winter, it doesn't mean we aren't having fun here in the Chicago suburbs! There are plenty of events this weekend. There are some outdoors ones, so I caution you to make sure they are still happening this weekend due to cold temperatures. As of this writing, they are. If you are thinking about a road trip, this week is Milwaukee Museum Week.

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Illumination: Experience Nature in a New Light at The Morton Arboretum

Illumination: Experience Nature in a New Light at The Morton Arboretum's Interactive Light Display

**Disclosure: My family did receive complimentary tickets to bring this review to you. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum celebrates 6 years this season and the interactive light event is just as engaging and inspirational as ever. Each year features a melding of both old favorites and new experiences. The innovative display beckons guests to engage with the lights and nature crafting a memorable holiday experience. Every year we find ourselves pondering what changes and additions will be made and eagerly awaiting Illumination's return. A family tradition has been born!

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Husky Heroes at Morton Arboretum Recap

Today, we visited The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois for Husky Heroes. Husky Heroes is an annual event showcasing huskies and highlighting adoption. The event includes dog sled demos and opportunities to meet huskies including some for adoption. We arrived a little bit before the demos, so were able to meet some of the huskies.

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Exploring Illumination at The Morton Arboretum

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum was the perfect holiday experience to start our season! Festive lights, lights dancing to music, hot cocoa, campfires and merry families discovering the interactive display certainly help put us in the mood. One of my favorite parts of Illumination is right at the beginning where lights change and appear to glide over the water. What a way to start exploring!

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Scarecrow Trail and Fall Colors at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois

Fall colors are popping and scarecrows are dotting the trail at Morton Arboretum! October is always a beautiful month to visit the arboretum, so we seized on the wonderful weather this past weekend and made a visit. This particular visit was exceptionally momentous because I am fighting a terrible cold and I have not been hiking in nearly a month! The cold has eased up just in time to enjoy some glorious colors popping up among the trees!

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Reasons to Join the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Gardens Program

Years ago, we fell totally in love the with The Morton Arboretum here in Lisle, Illinois. With the range of hiking trails weaving through striking tree groves, peaceful ponds for contemplation and impressive children's garden full of activities, we knew that we would be back many times and had to become members. We have been members for years now and I can honestly say it has been one of the best choices we have ever made! The Morton Arboretum membership is part of the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Gardens Program and we have certainly enjoyed the program!

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Illumination Brings Holiday Celebration to the Trees at Morton Arboretum

In its fourth year, Illumination at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL once again melds the magic of the holiday season adeptly with nature. The Morton Arboretum has truly innovated the concept of the holiday light show into a dazzling outdoor adventure that delights and engages families in hands-on activities. Even though our visit this weekend was our fourth visit over the years, my daughter was still engaged in experiencing each hands-on element. They have now become beloved old favorites!

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Ribbit! The Exhibit at The Morton Arboretum

Through September, The Morton Arboretum will be featuring a collection of 23 copper frog sculptures engaging in various activities. If you are a frog fan, this is a good time to go. Of course, anytime is really a great time to go to The Morton Arboretum.

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Illumination at Morton Arboretum Ticket Winner!!!!

Congratulations to Alyssa G, our Illumination Ticket Winner! You are going to have so much fun! I will email Alyssa and she has 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeited. Thank you to everyone that entered! I have another giveaway coming up soon.......

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Illumination Lights Up the Trees at Morton Arboretum

**Disclosure: Thank you to Morton Arboretum for providing tickets so I could bring you this review. No compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Morton Arboretum's Illumination continues to dazzle during its third year. I remember the first time I learned about Illumination a few years back and I couldn't quite wrap my head around how the Arboretum would be able to light up the trees in an engaging and innovative manner. Each year, however, the Morton Arboretum creates a magical winter wonderland using lights, motion and sound to ignite an appreciation for nature even in the seemingly desolate winter.

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Morton Arboretum Ticket and Sean Kenney Book Giveaway {Winner}

Congratulations to Melissa L. who has won our Morton Arboretum Giveaway! She has won four tickets to the Morton Arboretum and Lego Artist Sean Kenney's book! Congratulations, Melissa! Thank you to everyone that entered our giveaway! Nature Connects: Art with Lego Bricks by Sean Kenney will be at the Morton Arboretum until November 1. Well worth a visit!

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Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks by Sean Kenney Arrives to The Morton Arboretum {& Giveaway 8/2/15}

**Disclosure: Thank you to The Morton Arboretum for providing us with this wonderful giveaway to bring you! No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

You don't have to be a LEGO fan to appreciate The Morton Arboretum's new interactive exhibit mixing 464,770 bold and festive blocks with nature's bounty. LEGO Artist Sean Kenney has created 13 larger than life LEGO creations representing nature's gifts. Most of the sculptures are positioned against picturesque backdrops throughout the arboretum. In some instances, the combinations appeared so natural that the sculpture fit right into the setting. Breathtaking!

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Snowshoeing in the Chicago Suburbs

We first experienced snowshoeing a few years ago. Since then, it has either been a.) too cold or b.) not snowy enough. This year, we are hoping to break our streak and be able to snowshoe again! You do need at least 4 inches of snow on the ground to snowshoe, so hopefully we will find a free weekend day with the right amount of snow and decent weather! There are few places in the area to snowshoe so here are a few of our picks for this winter. To make it easy for you, we are listing places with rentals available. Be sure to make sure you have your Driver's License with you for renting.

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Images from Illumination at Morton Arboretum {and other Winter Happenings}

If you haven't been out to Illumination at Morton Arboretum yet, you really need to get out there! There is no better excuse for getting some fresh air on winter evening than to check out Illumination.

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Morton Arboretum Illumination Ticket Winner!!!

Thank you to everyone that entered our giveaway of tickets to Illumination at Morton Arboretum! Congratulations to our winner Janelle! I will email Janelle and she will have 48-hours to respond to the email or her prize will be forfeited. Illumination starts on November 21! Check out our previous post on Illumination for more details.

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Illumination Returns to Morton Arboretum {& Giveaway 11/15/14}

**Disclosure: The Morton Arboretum is generously supplying tickets for this event for a giveaway and for our family. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Last year, The Morton Arboretum launched Illumination bringing an innovative and interactive series of light displays to the trees! From November 21-January 3, 2015 50 acres of LED lights will transform The Morton Arboretum into a spectacular wonderland. We had such a great time at Illumination last year and are thrilled that it is back!

Some of the light effects from last year!

Illumination is a walk through the woods with dazzling light displays throughout. Each display is unique and will have you wonder in amazement. Illumination is a fabulous way to add sparkle to the season while getting much needed fresh air!

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Images From the Destination Asia Summer Festival {The Morton Arboretum}

**Disclosure: we did give away complimentary tickets to this event on this blog. No compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I attended the Destination Asia Summer Festival at The Morton Arboretum and I thought that would share a little bit about the festival. We frequent The Morton Arboretum in the the warmer months to admire its beauty and let our daughter run around in the Children's Garden and among the Treehouse. The destination festivals this summer have added a little more flavor splashing a little more visual and hands-on exploration to a gorgeous natural space.

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Destination Asia at The Morton Arboretum Tickets Winner!

Congratulations to Angel! She has won 2 tickets to this weekends Destination Asia Summer Festival at The Morton Arboretum! Thank you to everyone that entered our giveaway. Angel has 24-hours to claim her prize via email or the prize will be forfeited. For more information on Destination Asia, check out our previous post!

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Destination Asia Summer Festival at The Morton Arboretum August 2-3 {&Giveaway!}

Image via Morton Arboretum

*Disclosure: The Morton Arboretum has generously provided 2 tickets for our giveaway. No compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Earlier this month, we took a look at the Travel America Festival at The Morton Arboretum. This summer, the Arboretum continues to travel around the world. August 2-3 brings the sounds, sights and flavors of Asia to The Morton Arboretum during the Destination Asia Summer Festival. Some highlights will include:

• Traditional Japanese, Chinese and Thai music
• Chinese Dragon Dance
• Sumo Wrestling Demo
• Learning how to play badminton
• Learning how to play cricket
• Learning about and experiencing henna tattoos
• Bonsai Demo
• Exploring Asian collections of trees
• Asian-inspired food trucks and food at Gingko Cafe
• & More!

Sounds like a lot of fun packed into a day at the Arboretum! The event will run 10AM-4PM each day. Check The Morton Arboretum website for scheduling information. The event is free with admission to the Arboretum. Admission is $12 Adults ages 18–64, $11 Seniors ages 65+ and $9 Youth ages 2–17. Those 1 and under are free! There will be Acorn Express Tram rides highlighting tree collections representing asia. There is a fee for the Tram rides and tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center.

Giveaway time!

The Morton Arboretum has generously given us 2 tickets to give away to one lucky reader to visit the Destination Asia Summer Festival! The giveaway will end Sunday, July 27 and is open to US residents 18-years-old and older. The winner will have 24-hours to respond to the notification email or the prize will be forfeited. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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