2022 Disney Cruise Packing List: Extra Fun Things You Need
You’ve probably already spent a fortune on your Disney Cruise, and while you absolutely don’t need any of the stuff mentioned below (because Disney already excels at bringing the magic),…
Review of Center Parcs De Haan in Belgium
When my in-laws said they were flying into Brussels on a Friday, we had the grand idea to turn that weekend into a mini holiday for our family. Since it…
Top Things You’ve Gotta do in Segovia, Spain
If you’re reading this post it’s likely that you already have plans for a day trip to Segovia, Spain. Maybe you’re planning on traipsing around this Spanish town for a…
Hansel and Gretel Pancake House Near Amsterdam
I’m just going to say it: Europe has way cooler stuff than America does. Take this seriously fantastic place to eat, the Hansel and Gretel Pancake House in the Netherlands….
What to Pack for a Center Parcs Trip
Just thinking about a trip to Center Parcs makes me giddy. It’s so much fun for all ages, not just for kids. But thinking about what to pack for Center…
Our (Negative) Experience on a Norwegian Cruise
I’ve been avoiding writing about the Baltic Cruise we went on this summer (2022). Not because the places we visited weren’t great (they were wonderful), but because we hated the…
A Quick Look at Schloss Schwerin
Seeing Schloss Schwerin in real life was another one of those pinch-me-please moments. I saw it floating around Pinterest before we even arrived in Germany, and thought how cool it…
An Ultimate Guide for Taking Kids to the Balloon Fiesta
Every October the skies in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are dotted with hundreds of colorful balloons. And if you’re wondering what there is for kids at the balloon fiesta, I’ve got…
Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Alamogordo, NM
Did you just find out that you’re moving to Holloman AFB soon? If you did, I bet you’re wondering about things to do in Alamogordo and all the things about…
Fun Things to do With One Day in Ghent
If you’re looking for a town full of charm that’s not too big and not too small, then Ghent, Belgium, fits that bill. And don’t worry: if you only have…
The Best Spain and Portugal Itinerary: 14-Day Road Trip
With this Spain and Portugal itinerary, 14 days is the perfect way to get your feet wet by exploring two amazing countries. The best part is that this guide is…
Find Dinosaur Footprints in Algarve, Portugal
As I was searching for things to do in the southern part of Portugal during our two-week Spain and Portugal road trip, I discovered something pretty darn cool: there are…
HUNTING GIANT TROLLS IN BELGIUM
Trolls in Belgium, you say? Oh yes, there are GIANT trolls (seven, to be exact) in Belgium, and they’re waiting for you to go find them. Save this post and…
Visiting Mount Etna on Your Own with Kids
If you’re heading to Sicily, Italy, with your family, one of your must-visit spots has to be Mount Etna: the iconic and massive active volcano. This post will help you…
Let’s Cruise Together in 2023!
I am SO excited to invite you on a family-friendly cruise Mediterranean vacay with me and my crew. No family? No problem. Whether you’re single, traveling with friends, or going…
Ultimate Guide for 4 Days in Sicily with Kids
I’m excited to share exactly how we spent our recent family holiday in Sicily, Italy. Visiting Sicily with kids is totally doable, and I’ll walk you through our trip so…
#DutyStationSpotlight on PCSing to RAF Lakenheath
If your family just got word that you’re PCSing to RAF Lakenheath in England, you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover what…
Explore Burg Satzvey in Germany
Burg Satzvey was one of the cutest little castles that we’ve seen in Germany, and it’s less than an hour from two popular cities, Bonn and Cologne, making it a…
Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
When my mom came out to visit us in the fall of 2021 there were three things she wanted to do: experience the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, see Corrie…
7 Helpful Passport Tips You’ve Gotta Know About
Whether you’re daydreaming about jetting off around the world or you’re ready to bite the bullet and book some tickets, the first thing you need is a passport. Before you…
Our Favorite Easy Chili Recipe
First I need to apologize, because this meal—this super easy chili recipe—is one of our favorites, and I’ve never officially posted it on here before now. When I say it’s…
#DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Anchorage, Alaska
If your family just got word that you’re moving to Anchorage, Alaska, and getting stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill…
Ultimate Guide for Finding Family-Friendly Hotels in Europe
Kinderhotels in Europe are like a magical unicorn for traveling families and unlike anything else. But finding and narrowing down family-friendly hotels in Europe can feel harder than spotting an…
5 Fun Things to do on a Day Trip to Burano, Italy
I totally understand why there’s a lot of hype and excitement about traipsing around Venice. It is gorgeous, and it’s full of hidden treasures around nook and cranny. But when…
Alpenrose Familux Resort Review | Tyrol, Austria
We closed out 2021 and welcomed in 2022 with the most delightful, family-friendly and all-inclusive holiday at the Alpenrose Familux Resort in Tyrol, Austria, and I can’t wait to tell…
The Best of 2021
True story: I typed “The Best of 2020” twice before finally getting it right. Whoops. I won’t lie and say 2021 was all peaches and cream, because it was more…
Visiting the Valkenburg Christmas Market in the Netherlands 2022
A Christmas market in a CAVE?! Actually, it’s not just one market, but THREE markets. And it’s not just one cave, but TWO caves! Visiting the Valkenburg Christmas Market is…
My Instagram Account was Disabled (And I Want it Back!)
I lost my instagram account earlier this week. No. I take that back—I didn’t lose it—Instagram took it from me…or is holding it from me. It’s technically “disabled.” At least…
All About the Aachen Christmas Market in Germany 2022
The Aachen Christmas Market is always mentioned in everyone’s 10 ten and “best of” list, so I had to see why. The market scene is set surrounding the beautiful Aachen…
Grandma’s Gingersnaps Recipe
I originally published this gingersnaps recipe back in 2011, but it desperately needed a refresher (not on the actual recipe—that hasn’t changed—just the post itself. New pictures to come after…
All About the Essen Christmas Market in Germany 2022
There’s something extra special about the Essen Christmas market. And sure, maybe it’s because it’s it’s the first one I experienced while living in Germany (thanks to the pandoozy for…
5 Super Helpful Tips for Baking with Kids
Anyone who’s been around toddlers for more than five minutes knows that a perfect baking day with kids is a complete fantasy—right up there with getting a full night’s sleep…
Visiting Villers Abbey in Belgium
So there we were, driving to Normandy, France, for a quick summer getaway when I noticed a road sign in Belgium stating Villers-la-Ville was the next exit. Villers…Villers…I couldn’t figure…
Our Favorite USEFUL Family Travel Must Haves
I’m so excited to finally share this list with you with our favorite useful family travel must haves for your next trip. I know there are tons of lists like…
Where to See a Stave Church in Germany
Did you know that you can see a Norwegian-style stave church in Germany? True story! And this post will tell you everything you need to know about it. Nestled in…
One Day in Amsterdam with a Family
A few weekends ago we woke up before the sun and made a bee-line to the train station. It was our first experience going on the train with kids in…
A Pink Castle in Germany: Schloss Benrath
I almost couldn’t believe my eyes the first time I saw Schloss Benrath, an actual pink castle in Germany. To be honest, it doesn’t look like a traditional castle, but…
A Balloon Fiesta Scavenger Hunt
If you’re headed to Albuquerque at the beginning of October, then you’ve gotta make sure you have this handy dandy Balloon Fiesta scavenger hunt for some extra fun—especially if you…
Visiting Small Costa Rica in the Netherlands
We had a completely free Saturday over the weekend, and with my husband out of town for a bit I knew I wanted to go on a little adventure and…
The Ultimate Guide for Your First Hot Air Balloon Ride
There’s a certain array of wonder when you see a hot air balloon floating in the sky—it’s something out of the norm, even if you live in a place where…
Visiting a Dino Zoo in Germany
Visiting a Dino Zoo in Germany was a definite highlight during our mini trip to Münster. The park itself is about thirty-ish minutes away from the city, and perfect for…
A Weekend in Münster, Germany
My husband was away for work back in May, 2021, and with Covid restrictions lifted a little bit and a nice weekend (finally) ahead of us, I decided that the…
9 Tips for Visiting D-Day Sites in Normandy with Kids
I’m not going to lie: I was really nervous about visiting the D-Day sites in Normandy with kids. I knew we’d be visiting a lot of somber, meaningful places where…
Awesome Family-Friendly Place to Stay in Normandy
As a family of five, we usually stay in an AirBnb when we travel since we get the most bang for our buck with space and amenities. But I wanted…
Thoughts on Visiting Normandy, France
Normandy, France, was never on my list of places to visit. I knew it was fundamental to our history (not just as Americans, but as citizens in this world), but…
The Time I Almost Got Stuck on Top of a Mountain
Here’s a tale about how this 37-year-old mom of three almost stayed at the top of a 10,000 foot mountain, because she was too scared of going back down. But…
Things to do in Albuquerque: the Ultimate Travel Guide
When I mention Albuquerque, New Mexico, to most people they usually say one of three things: they stopped over for one night as they drove through to a destination on…
The Best Road Trip Activities for Kids
We’ve taken more road trips than I can count on our combined fingers and toes, so when I say I know a thing or two about how to occupy kids…
Where to See Scottish Highland Cows in Europe
Every single morning before work, my husband slips on his shoes, tunes into a podcast, and hits the pavement for a jog. He clocks anywhere from three to eleven miles…
#DutyStationSpotlight: PCSing to Patrick Space Force Base
If your family just got word that you’re PCSing to Patrick Space Force Base soon you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover…
Tulip Hunting in the Netherlands
So there we were, in Holland and cruising down little back roads in our Toyota Prius with all five of our noses practically smooshed against the windows, and our eyes…