Hey Friends, I genuinely think Kansas is one of the most underrated states for family adventures. People assume it is just endless flat roads and wheat fields… and then suddenly you are standing in front of giant rock formations in the middle of nowhere, biking a 4-person bicycle in a tiny Swedish town, touring Amelia Earhart’s hometown, or riding on an ancient carousel. Weird little roadside attractions and small towns are some of my favorite places to explore. They are usually cheaper, less...
13 days ago • 3 min read
Hey Friends, The World Cup is finally here, and even if you do not have match tickets, there are so many ways to be part of the excitement. I am so excited my home is going to be on the world stage. I can't wait to see all the stops KC pulls out and see our community come together with the world to celebrate! I have done some digging and this is what you'll want to know, but the best part is that all these events are FREE. The Best World Cup Events Happening Around KC FIFA Fan Festival If you...
20 days ago • 5 min read
Hey Friends, Every summer I tell myself I am going to be organized. I picture labeled beach bags, healthy snacks packed ahead of time, and everyone calmly applying sunscreen before leaving the house. What actually happens is somebody loses a shoe, somebody else spills yogurt in the car, and I forget the towels approximately 65% of the time. Buuuut it's all still worth it, even with the chaos. Summer with kids does not have to be fancy to be memorable. Some of our favorite days are the random...
27 days ago • 3 min read
Hey Friends, One of my favorite family traditions every single summer is making a giant summer bingo board. Every season, we sit down together, come up with a bunch of fun things we want to do, and hang the bingo board right on the fridge. Then all summer long we slowly mark things off as we do them. I love it because it gives us ideas. On those random afternoons where everyone is bored and it feels too easy to default to screens, we can glance at the bingo board and immediately find...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Friends! My kids only have one more week of school before they are out for the summer. This is the perfect time to start planning for those fun summer trips. Our family is traveling to locations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado! If you need ideas for Midwest summer trips, I've got you covered. I hope that it will give you some inspiration for your next epic adventure! Go book something amazing! My Top Midwest Summer Trips Voyageurs National Park,...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
I can't believe it is MAY! May is one of the busiest months of the year, but also one of the best months to get outside and explore! We are traveling 3 of 5 weekends in May so I will have a lot of new travel destinations coming up, but I shared some of my current favorites below, as well as some great places to camp and ideas for Mother's Day gifts! Happy exploring! Secure Your Spot as Mom's Favorite Child Ok, just kidding! But getting your mom a gift she loves is a great way to tell her...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Where to Eat Gluten Free in Branson, KC and Bentonville Being gluten free stinks. There, I said it. I have been gluten free for 9 years and finding places to eat when I travel is still a struggle. I'm hoping this list helps you or the gluten free friends you're forwarding this to find some delicious spots. (Just a reminder, be sure to confirm everything with your server because menu items or restaurants can change.) Branson Local Flavor This is one of my favorite spots in Branson for GF. They...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Midwest and KC trails you need to hike this spring Hi friends, If you've been following along on social media, you know I have been soaking in spring with road trips, girls' trips, unique stays, and of course, some local exploration! If you’re looking for easy, fun hikes to do with your family, here are some of our favorite spots around Kansas City plus a few Midwest adventures worth planning for. Kansas City Area Spring Hikes Parkville Nature Sanctuary Parkville Nature Sanctuary has a lot of...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Explore More of Kansas and Missouri! Hello and Happy Spring! We just got home from Spring Break and are getting back into the swing of things before I head out to travel again. This week, I want to talk to you about my Kansas and Missouri maps. I asked 5,000 people what their biggest problems were that held them back from exploring more. One of the biggest issues was overwhelm and indecision. They said they wanted to find more cool places in their home state or fun stops on road trips, but...
3 months ago • 1 min read