This post is sponsored by Discover Boating but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.I have only been on a boat a couple of times in my life. I love seeing water and being on the water, but we don't know much about boats and so we don't have much experience with them. When I learned about the Discover Boating website and saw that I could easily rent a boat really close to where I live, I started making a plan. As a newbie boater here are some things I learned while preparing … [Read more...]
Oregon Trail’s 175th Anniversary
This post is sponsored by Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.Living in our part of Missouri we have a lot of history. Near where we live is a city called Independence which took a part in westward expansion. Every year there is a fun celebration called Santa-Cali-Gon which is in honor of the Santa Fe, California and Oregon trails. These trails crossed each other in Independence, Missouri. This year is the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail … [Read more...]
Family Road Trip Tips and Tricks
This post is sponsored by Amazon but all opinions are completely my own.I am the baby of 7 kids. Yup, you read that right, SEVEN! That's a lot of people! Because we were a big family we usually took our vacations in the form of road trips. It's way cheaper to drive that many people around then buy that many plane tickets so I grew up learning the art of a successful road trip. Times have changed, and with technology road trips are a lot more fun, but I can still use some of the lessons I … [Read more...]
Cold Weather Travel Tips You Need This Winter
Are you planning a trip to Canada soon? Chances are that you aren’t traveling somewhere cold just to curl up in front of a cozy fireplace and watch the snowfall. Odds are good you are you’re going to want to spend some time outside at some point. Canada has amazing outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, or just sitting by an outside bonfire.To help you get ready for your winter Canadian (or any winter) trip, here are some packing tips. Below the packing tips I … [Read more...]
10 Reasons a Kansas City T-Bones Baseball Game Should be on Your Summer Bucket List
Every year my family sits down together to create our Family Summer Bucket List. We list things we want to do and things we hope to do. Some of my kids dream big so it is listed with the understanding that we might not get to everything. When the Kansas City T-Bones baseball team reached out to partner for a sponsored post, I was really excited and we added the Kansas City T-Bones to our bucket list. I had been to a game last year but this was my family's first time. It's a lot of fun and should … [Read more...]
Family Fun in Branson, Missouri
We received complimentary and/or media discounted tickets to some of these attractions. However, all opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. We recently returned from a week long vacation to Branson, Missouri. We take a trip to Branson at least once a year, and if you explore my blog you'll see I have written a lot about Branson. The theme of our trip this summer was "new." We did a lot of things that were new to Branson and new to us, plus visited some old favorites that had been … [Read more...]
Tips for Road Trips with Kids
One thing my kids love doing is taking road trips. We have four kids, so road trips can be a little crazy if we’re not prepared. If you plan on taking a road trip with kids, keep these tips in mind.Know your kids wellI have found that our most successful road trips with kids happen because we know our kids well. We know how long they can last in the car. We know how often they need to eat. We also know what is going to keep them occupied. It’s best to try and understand how your kids … [Read more...]
How to Plan a Summer Road Trip
Summer is right around the corner. This is exciting because most families prepare to take a road trip during the summer months. Summer is the perfect time to travel because there is no snow and you can enjoy the outdoors as much as you want. If you’re planning a summer road trip, here are some ideas to get you started.#1. Start with a destination – The first step to planning a summer road trip is to start with a destination. Where do you want to go? You need to consider how far you want to … [Read more...]
To Drive or Fly? Things to Consider
When it’s time to go on vacation, it may be hard to try and decide to drive or fly. It’s nice to have everything laid on the table to help you decide what would work best for you or your family. To drive or fly? Here are a few things to consider.#1. The distance of your tripThe first thing to consider when deciding to fly or drive is the distance you will be traveling. If you’re going an hour away, you would probably drive instead of flying. However, if you were traveling 5-10 hours … [Read more...]
New Train Station Adventure at LDC Kansas City
Hey Kansas City fans, there is a fun new exhibit at LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Crown Center - Train Station Adventure. Out with the old and in with the new... play place that is. LEGOLAND Discovery Center has been updated. The old play place has been replace with a new and incredibly fun Train Station Adventure play place. Train Station Adventure allows kids to climb, slide, jump and roll around train obstacles and even take control in the conductor’s chair.In addition to a new play area, … [Read more...]
What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down on Vacation
Have you ever been on vacation and your car breaks down? If not, consider yourself lucky. If you have, hopefully you were prepared enough. Here is what you do if your car breaks down on vacation.Preventative care is importantYou probably don’t want to hear this. However, preventative care is super important. Before you even head on your road trip, it’s best to get your vehicle looked at. Of course, once you have left, there’s no turning back. Just a quick tip before you head out on … [Read more...]
Making Your Florida Road Trip a Reality
Florida is a beautiful state known for its warm weather, sandy beaches and diverse culture. For those who live in a colder climate, it can be the perfect destination for those looking to escape the cold and snow. However, there is truly never a bad time to visit Disney World or take in a Jacksonville Jaguars game. What are some ways in which you can make your dream road trip a reality? Look for Vacation Packages If you are planning to drive to Florida, you won't need to … [Read more...]
Omaha Family Vacation Just got Cheaper
As one final trip before summer ends and we head back to school my family took an #OmahaWeekend vacation in Nebraska. Visit Omaha reached out to me to tell me about their new Omaha Savings App and invited my family to come enjoy some of the attractions that are featured on that app. We were so excited to visit places we've been before and some new destinations as well. Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium We've been to the Henry Doorly Zoo before and love it so much! Recently the zoo underwent some … [Read more...]
Fun Family Stops in Kansas City, Kansas
In June I had the pleasure of accompanying Visit Kansas City, Kansas on a press trip. It was a lot of fun to stay somewhat local and explore locations I'd never been before. All of our stops were perfect for families and got added to my family's summer bucket list. I want to share with you the fun family stops in Kansas City, Kansas we made, so you too can add it to your travel lists. National Agriculture Center and Hall of Fame While the National Agriculture Center and Hall of Fame may not … [Read more...]
American Girls Go Royal
I had no idea that my local American Girl store (and all American Girl stores) had fun events for girls and their dolls until Visit Overland Park emailed me inviting my family to a special Royal event. My family was invited to visit the American Girl store in the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park, KS where my daughter could get her doll's hair fixed in a special hair do for the Kansas City Royals baseball game later that evening!When we arrived at the store each family member received a goody … [Read more...]