Traveling during the week of Christmas can feel intimidating. Airports are crowded, prices can be higher, and traditions look a little different. But for our family, Christmas travel has become one of our favorite ways to celebrate the season.

We’ve learned that the secret is choosing destinations that fully embrace the holidays and offer a mix of adventure, charm, and downtime.

If you’ve ever fallen down a Christmas market rabbit hole on Pinterest or Instagram, you already know: France in December looks like something straight out of a snow globe. Twinkling lights, garlands wrapped around half-timbered buildings, mulled wine steaming in ceramic mugs, and enough ornaments to convince you that yes, you absolutely do need another one.

Before Bryan and I ever had kids, we started collecting ornaments from every destination we visited. We even picked up ornaments for big milestones — our wedding anniversary, our first home, the birth of each baby. (Nothing says “new parents” like a tiny glass onesie dangling from a branch.)

But once the kids came along? The ornament collection became a full-blown scavenger hunt in every new city. The kids got to help choose something that embraced the spirit of that trip — which is how we once came home with a London phone booth, a Venetian mask, and a tiny moose wearing sunglasses.

Now that our kids are teenagers and young adults, we have so many ornaments and so many stories — and Christmas decorating has turned into a full-on storytelling event. Here’s how it works: We each grab an ornament, one at a time, and share a memory from that trip before hanging it on the tree. It’s like speed-dating our own travel history.

And the stories? They do not disappoint.

Well, it finally happened. After years of friends and family saying, “You really should start a travel blog!”… I caved.

So here we are — a brand-new adventure in storytelling, snacks, and family travel!

For nearly two decades, our crew of five has explored the world together — from those early years of diaper bags and strollers to the current teen-travel era of eye rolls and endless playlists. Every trip brings new lessons, laughs, and (let’s be honest) at least one forgotten charger.

This blog was born out of years of requests for our itineraries, travel hacks, and kid-tested survival tips. My goal? To share everything we’ve learned about making travel with kids fun, affordable, and actually doable.

There’s something magical about Hawaii. Maybe it’s the soft strum of a ukulele in the distance, the scent of plumeria in the air, or the way the ocean seems to whisper, “Relax, you’re on island time now.”

But here’s the thing: paradise works best when everyone plays nice.

As visitors, we’re not just tourists — we’re guests in someone’s home. And just like you’d teach your kids to wipe their feet before coming inside, there are a few ways we can all show respect to the land, the people, and the culture that make Hawaii so special.

Let’s be honest: sustainable travel sounds lovely in theory — but when you’re juggling three kids under six, it can feel about as realistic as meditating on the plane. (Spoiler: I tried. It lasted two minutes, right until someone’s bag of pretzels went flying.)

But here’s the truth — traveling more sustainably with little ones is possible, and surprisingly, it actually made our trip to Oʻahu calmer, richer, and more connected. Here’s how we did it — what worked, what didn’t, and how the kids accidentally became tiny eco-warriors along the way.

So, you’ve decided to take your family to Hawaii — cue the ukulele music and the logistics headache. Which island should you pick? Each has beaches, palm trees, and shave ice, but when you’re traveling with three kids, not all tropical paradises are created equal.

We did the research (and lived to tell the tale). Here’s your crash course on the Big Four — Big Island, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu — and why our crew of five ultimately landed on Oʻahu.

Let’s face it: “Hawaii vacation” and “budget-friendly” don’t usually appear in the same sentence — especially when you’re flying a family of five halfway across the Pacific. But with a little planning (and a lot of coffee), we’ve learned how to time our trips so that paradise doesn’t require a second mortgage.

Whether you’re planning your first family trip or your fifth island adventure, here’s everything you need to know about finding affordable flights to Oʻahu, plus some insider tips for saving once you’re there.

I thought I was taking my kids to Pearl Harbor to teach them history. Turns out, they were teaching me.

Alright, moms (and dads) — let’s get real for a minute. We all know how this goes: you’ve scoured the internet for the best flights, booked family-friendly hotels, snagged a rental car deal, mapped out kid-approved activities (and their costs), and even set reminders to book excursions that open 48 hours in advance. You’ve arranged dog-sitting, lawn care, and mail holds. And if you’re anything like me, it’s all neatly organized in a spreadsheet that would make NASA jealous.

In 2010, Bryan and I hit our 10-year wedding anniversary and decided we were due for a romantic getaway. I was picturing gondola rides in Venice, sipping Chianti in Tuscany, and maybe even reenacting a few scenes from Under the Tuscan Sun.

Then reality tapped me on the shoulder - loudly.

We had three kids: ages five, four, and one. The only thing we’d be “sipping” was apply juice from a sippy cup. Suddenly, those dreams of Italian romance looked a little more like Under the Capri Sun.

There are vacations… and then there’s Oahu. The moment we stepped off the plane and were “lei’d” upon arrival (yes, we giggled too), we knew we’d landed somewhere special. Between the soft trade winds, turquoise water, and the faint smell of sunscreen and pineapple in the air, it’s impossible not to slip instantly into island mode.