Lays Tastes of America - Trying 12 unique chip flavors

I love it when companies do things like this. Lay's has been great in the past for coming out with new unique flavors. Every year since at least 2013, they'll showcase 3-4 unique flavors in some sort of contest, and only have them around for a limited time.

In 2013 there was Chicken and Waffle, Sriracha, and Cheesy Garlic Bread.
2014 brought Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese, Cappuccino, Mango Salsa, and Wasabi Ginger.
2015 had West Coast Truffle Fries, New York Reuben, Greektown Gyro, and Southern Biscuits and Gravy.
2016 showcased Chinese Szechaun Chicken, Brazilian Picanha, Greek Tzatziki, and Indian Tikka Masala.
2017 had Everything Bagel with cream cheese, Crispy Taco, Smoked Gouda and Honey, and Avocado Toast.

Now in 2018, Lay's is stepping up their game and offering 12 special flavors, with 8 of those flavors being brand new. This year chip flavors are inspired by different regions of America.

From west to east, this years flavors are: West Coast Truffle Fries (returning), Thai Sweet Chili, Chile Con Queso, Fried Pickles with Ranch, Bacon Wrapped Jalepeno Popper (returning), Fried Green Tomatoes (returning), Deep Dish Pizza, Cajun Spice, Ketchup (returning), Pimento Cheese, Chesapeake Bay Crab Spice, and New England Lobster Roll.

However, a major obstacle to trying them all is that many of the flavors are only offered in the region they represent. So out here in California I'm sure to find West Coast Truffle Fries, but won't be able to get Deep Dish Pizza or New England Lobster Roll.
Thankfully for those of us who are completists, Lays offers a sampler pack online with all the different flavors...

Or at least they were supposed to. Demand was pretty overwhelming and despite checking in the days leading up to, and the day they were released, I didn't have any luck getting a sampler box.

I'm lucky to have a brother who is watching out for me on things like this. He was online at 6am, saw they were available and ordered one to ship to me. Thanks Patrick!

Touring the Jelly Belly Factory

It's been years since we've toured the Jelly Belly factory. Ian was a toddler and Alli wasn't even born the last time we were here, so I was really happy there was time to visit on this trip.

Apple Taste testing with Theresa

I love doing taste tests. Chips, cookies, Kit Kats, and even cereal. It's fun to get lots of different kinds together and try them all. While walking around the Napa Farmers Market, Theresa discovered a booth with a bunch of different apple varieties. Let's do a taste test!

Ian was helpful picking out all the best apples and was excited to help out.

A Labor Day weekend with family

For the last 12 years, I've always known where I was going to be for Labor Day. The Disneyland Half Marathon has been going for 12 years and I've participated in every single one of them. This year however, with new construction happening at the resort, the race had to be postponed.
Theresa was happy to finally have her Labor Day weekend free to make travel plans. Let's head up north and see my brother!
Ian's getting some practice carrying a bag. It's huge compared to him! Luckily it's filled with treats that we'll be sampling a little later.

A visit to Splitsville, 85C, the beach, Downtown Disney, and a Korean restaurant

Well that's certainly a busy Friday isn't it. We've had plenty of visitors come see us this summer. It's been great! School is starting very soon though and there's only time for one more trip. Rita and Aubrey came all the way from Michigan to see us one last time. 

Celebrating Dwarfs at Disneyland and finally getting walked off a ride

Today we're celebrating Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Disneyland. Since taking Ian on Snow White's Scary Adventures a couple weeks ago, any time we pass by he wants to ride it.
The hats this week all match the theme of course. The Doc and Dopey hats are both courtesy of Disneyland Paris. Grumpy certainly looks to be in the same style but came from Disney World. Alli's princess hat came from Walt Disney World.

Sampling 4 new Oreo flavors and 3 Chips Ahoy cookies

Didn't Oreo just release some new flavors for us to try? Yes, yes they did. Just 2 months ago in May they offered Cherry Cola, Kettle Corn, and Piña Colada flavored Oreos.

Despite that, the good folks at Nabisco released another 4 flavors in stores a short time later. Flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Rocky Road Trip, Pistachio, and Strawberry Shortcake.
I had a hard time finding these where I live. Thankfully my brother is always looking out for me and bought and shipped me the flavors I couldn't find. Thanks!

And not content to just stick to Oreo, Nabisco has also started throwing in new flavors of Chewy Chips Ahoy cookies. I saw more than this at the store, but today I'm starting with Reese's, S'mores, and Red Velvet.