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Italy Bucket List

My husband and I will be in Italy until late 2014, so we decided to make an Italy bucket list of alllllll the places we’d like to see before we…

Read More Italy Bucket List

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🙋🏻‍♀️ Here’s what I mean: I get it.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Here’s what I mean:

I get it. You may be traveling to places most people only get to visit once in their lifetime, so you want it to be the Best Trip Ever, right?

But don’t forget that you’re also traveling with kids...and we all know kids dance to the beat of their own drum.

They’re still going to have tantrums.
They’re still going to whine.
They’re still going to refuse to put on their coat or shoes.
They’re still going to want foods they like.

Thankfully, your trip can still be amazing; it just might not be perfect.

So here’s your permission to stop putting pressure on yourself to DO everything, SEE everything, and EAT all the food. (Except ice cream. Always leave room for ice cream!)

If you’re currently planning a trip — take a deep breath and leave room for some spontaneity and rest.

⫸ ⫸ Do you feel the pressure to plan perfect trips? Or are you learning to let go, have fun, and just plan a trip perfect for your family?

SHARE/TAG A FRIEND WHO NEEDS THIS REMINDER!
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.
Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirltravels #americanineurope #europewithkids #familytrips

family travel | traveling family | travel with kids | Europe with kids

☟ Where to get your pumpkin fix in Germany 🎃

☟ Where to get your pumpkin fix in Germany

🎃 @gertrudenhof near Cologne
🎃 Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival near Stuttgart
🎃 @pauls_bauernhof near Wiesbaden
🎃 Gartenschau Kaiserslautern in K-Town
🎃 @bauernhof_guhl (Sunshine Pumpkin Farm) near Ramstein
🎃 Kürbishof Hitscherhof near Ramstein
🎃 @jerryspumpkinpatch near Nuremberg
🎃 @habekerhof near Munich
🎃 Hof Stertmann near Münster
🎃 @hof_ligges near Dortmund
🎃 @krewelshof near Cologne/Bonn
🎃 @kuerbisscheune_worth near Hamburg
🎃 @oskarshausen near Dresden

Are you near any of these places? Don’t forget to check with them directly for specific opening days/hours!

Did I miss any? Let me know where you love getting your pumpkin fix in Germany!

🎃 SAVE NOW, SEE THOSE PUMPKINS LATER!
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinGermany #americanineurope #kürbisparadies #kürbis #kürbisfarm #germanytravel #travelwithkids #militaryfamily #expatingermany #germanytravels #germanylife #exploregermany #americaningermany #ramsteinairbase #military #militarylife #visitgermany #exploringgermany #germantravelblogger #ktowndaytrip

Would you rather have a PSL or sip some kürbis-se

Would you rather have a PSL or sip some kürbis-secco (pumpkin sparkling wine)? ⁠
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For me, it depends on the weather. ⁠
⁠
The sweet sparkling wine was delightful since it was a scorcher the other day. But give me some chilly weather and I'm all about the coffee. ⁠
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Whatever you pick, drinking it at the pumpkin paradise known as @Gertrudenhof near Cologne is the place to do it.⁠
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And thankfully, there's more than enough to keep the kids busy for hours while you sip your drink(s). Literally, hours.⁠
⁠
Check out all this fun stuff: ⁠
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🤪 Bouncy houses & trampolines⁠
🦙 Animals to pet and feed⁠
🕯 Fun fall decor to buy⁠
🎃 Tons and tons of pumpkins⁠
📸 Lots of picture spots!⁠
⁠
A few tips:⁠
+ Get there early — it'll fill up, especially on a weekend.⁠
+ Go on a weekday if you can!⁠
+ You can bring your own food ⁠
...or you can buy delicious food there⁠
+ There's LOTS of sand — bring an extra change of clothes, especially if it rained the night before⁠
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Want to see more about this fun pumpkin paradise? I have a whole updated post on the blog (🔗 in bio then search for "pumpkin") or drop a 🎃 and I'll message it to you. ⁠
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🎃 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠
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#jesstagirlingermany #gertudenhof #kürbisparadies #kürbis #kürbisfarm #germanytravel #travelwithkids #militaryfamily #expatadventures #expatblogger #milspouseblogger #expatexplore #germanytravels #visitgermany #germanylife #exploregermany #americaningermany

😍 It’s an actual dream come true to see these

😍 It’s an actual dream come true to see these two!

Like, jaws were dropped, squeals were heard, and our eyes were popping out of our sockets. They were incredible. I mean, LOOK AT THEM STRUTT THEIR STUFF!

This was a super short, five-minute interaction/sighting with them and 500 of my closest friends (ha!), but that was enough to fill my royal cup.

I was there today with NATO out of the Netherlands, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to not only see the Duke and Duchess with my own eyes but to experience the Invictus Games — truly a wonderful foundation.

So what the heck are the Invictus Games? Let me tell you!

The Invictus Games is basically a military version of the paralympics— wounded, injured, and/or sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans, compete in 9 different events.

It’s held every other year and this year it’s in Düsseldorf, Germany. (It’ll be in Canada in 2025.)

Here’s the best part:
If you want to check out some of the games during the week, entry is FREE and there’s no registration required.

As a military family, we understand the sacrifices, strength, and resilience our loved ones demonstrate every day. The Invictus Games embody those qualities; it’s a privilege to attend this remarkable event.

THANK YOU, PRINCE HARRY!

If you want to know more about it, there’s a fantastic Netflix documentary that you should check out.

🤩...So how about them Royals?

📍Düsseldorf, Germany
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinGermany #militarylife #militarywife #airforcefamily #militaryfamily #lifeinthemilitary #milspouse #milspouseblogger #milso #milsolife #invictusgames #archewell #meghanmarkle #princeharry #dukeandduchessofsussex #dukeofsussex #sussexsquad #duchessofsussex #royalfamily #britishroyals #royals #americnaineurope #invictusgames2023

⬇️ All about the Invictus Games Village! Befo

⬇️ All about the Invictus Games Village!

Before you check out the Invictus Games, you’ve gotta wander around the village!

We had fun checking out all the different booths. @boeing has some cool interactive flight simulators, @deinnrw is there with maps and info on the area, and we even spotted friendly American faces at @theuso booth!

The village has entertainment, swag, and food (long lines on opening day; I was glad we brought snacks), and you can see military equipment like helicopters, tanks, and medical tents.

Pop-up bathrooms are all over the place, and there’s even a kid area (that we didn’t even make it to). Plus, there’s a fun scavenger hunt for kids, so stop by the info tent for more info on that!

So what the heck are the Invictus Games? Let me tell you!

The Invictus Games is basically a military version of the paralympics—more than 500 wounded, injured, and/or sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans, will compete in 9 different events.

It’s held every other year and this year it’s in Düsseldorf, Germany. (It’ll be in Canada in 2025.)

Here’s the best part:
If you want to check out some of the games during the week, entry is FREE and there’s no registration required.

As a military family, we understand the sacrifices, strength, and resilience our loved ones demonstrate every day. The Invictus Games embody those qualities; it’s a privilege to attend this remarkable event.

If you want to know more about it, there’s a fantastic Netflix documentary that you should check out.

⫸ ⫸ Have you heard of the Invictus Games before? Are you planning on checking out any of the games?

📍Düsseldorf, Germany
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.
#jesstagirlinGermany #militarylife #militarywife #airforcelife #airforcefamily #deploymentstrong #militaryfamily #lifeinthemilitary #milspouse #milspouseblogger #milso #militarymama #milsolife #invictusgames #invictusgames2023

⬇️What you need to know about the Invictus Gam

⬇️What you need to know about the Invictus Games

Excitement was in the air at the Invictus Games opening ceremony!

Not only were we in the same room (technically) as the founder of the games, Prince Harry (OMG!!!), but more importantly, we got to help welcome and cheer on 21 nations to the 6th Invictus Games!

It was so much fun, especially when Macklemore closed down the show with a great performance!

We’re all about supporting our military heroes, so we were thrilled to be there.

So what the heck are the Invictus Games? Let me tell you!

The Invictus Games is basically a military version of the paralympics—more than 500 wounded, injured, and/or sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans, will compete in 9 different events.

It’s held every other year and this year it’s in Düsseldorf, Germany. (It’ll be in Canada in 2025.)

Here’s the best part:
If you want to check out some of the games during the week, entry is FREE and there’s no registration required.

As a military family, we understand the sacrifices, strength, and resilience our loved ones demonstrate every day. The Invictus Games embody those qualities; it’s a privilege to attend this remarkable event.

If you want to know more about it, there’s a fantastic Netflix documentary that you should check out.

⫸ ⫸ Have you heard of the Invictus Games before? Are you planning on checking out any of the games?

📍Düsseldorf, Germany
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.
#jesstagirlinGermany #militarylife #militarywife #airforcelife #airforcefamily #deploymentstrong #militaryfamily #lifeinthemilitary #milspouse #milspouseblogger #milso #militarymama #milsolife #invictusgames #invictusgames2023

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