Those Summer Facebook Memories

 

The Trips That Made Us: Reflecting on Summers Past

Every morning lately, Facebook has been serving up those little memory notifications, and I can’t help but smile. A photo of our girls with goofy grins in Disney. A snapshot of sandy toes from a long-ago Emerald Isle beach trip. A sun-kissed hike through a national park.

I love reflecting on the many family adventures we’ve had. These little moments in my Facebook memories are like postcards from the past, reminding me just how many summers we’ve spent exploring, laughing, and making memories together.

As two teachers, summer was our family time. It was the season when we could step away from the classroom, focus on each other, and create the stories that would become part of our family’s history. Vacations weren’t just trips, they were our chance to reconnect after the busyness of the school year.

The Beauty of Looking Back

Scrolling through these memories, I’m reminded that our best trips weren’t always the fanciest or the farthest away.

✨ Our Top 5 Favorite Family Trips

1. Fifteen summers at Emerald Isle – Beach walks, sandcastles, and annual family photo shoots that still make me smile.
   

   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Disney with the girls when they were little – Wide-eyed wonder and running excitedly from character to character.

   

   
   
   
   

3. That adventure in Belize – Bright colors, snorkeling, and everything feeling colorful and vibrant.

   

   

   
   
   
   

4. Exploring Hawaii and Alaska- Two different vacations, a year apart and the beginning of sharing this world with our girls

   

   
   

   

   

   
   

   
   

5. Our national park trips – Always starting with Grand Teton and expanding to Arches, Banff, Glacier, and beyond.

   

   

   

It’s funny, when I look at those photos now, I don’t just see where we went; I feel who we were in that moment. That’s the magic of family travel, it captures time in a way nothing else can.

Travel Evolves, But the Heart of It Stays the Same

As the girls have grown, our trips have changed. There are fewer princess breakfasts and more coffee shop stops, fewer theme park marathons and more hikes with long conversations about college, careers, and what’s next. But the heart of it, spending time together, exploring somewhere new, hasn’t changed at all. I continue to look forward to the time we get to spend together as a family, and am anxiously trying to collaboratively plan another family vacation soon!

And if anything, these summer reflections remind me why I’m so passionate about helping other families do the same: every family has its own version of Emerald Isle or Grand Teton, the kind of place that becomes part of your family story.

If you’re ready to start building your version of those memories, the trip your kids will talk about for years, I’d love to help. Together, we can brainstorm destinations, design a trip that works for everyone, and make sure you’re not just taking a vacation…you’re creating the kind of moments that will pop up in your memories for years to come.

Your Turn—What Do You Remember Most?

If you’re anything like me, your summer vacation memories aren’t just about where you went, but how you felt.

So, here’s my question for you: What trip is popping up in your memories right now? What little moments still make you smile?

Pull out those photos. Share a story at dinner. Better yet, start dreaming about your next great family adventure, because someday, that trip will show up in your memories, too.

Here’s to many more summers full of “remember when” moments.

Close to Home, Big on Fun: The Seldom A Dull Moment Staycation

When most people think of a vacation, they picture packing bags, hopping on a plane, and escaping to somewhere far from home. But sometimes, the best adventures don’t require a passport—or even a full tank of gas.

Whether it’s a busy season at work, a tighter budget, or just the desire to slow down and soak in the beauty of home, a staycation can still check all the boxes of a memorable family getaway. Around here, we believe that with the right mindset and a little planning, even a weekend at home can become something truly special. Because a staycation? Yep, it can absolutely be Seldom A Dull Moment.

DREAM: It starts with a mindset shift.

Just like any other vacation, your staycation should begin with a family dreaming session. Ask:

• What kind of vacation vibes are we craving? Adventure? Relaxation? Fun food experiences?
  
  

• What would make this feel different from a regular weekend?
  
  

• Is there a theme we could play with? (Think: “Backyard Beach Bash” or “Taste Tour of Town.”)
  

• Don’t underestimate the power of dreaming big—even if you’re staying close. This helps everyone get excited and take ownership of the plans.

Some of Our Favorite National Park Adventures – And How Your Family Can Experience Them Too!

Seldom A Dull Moment believes in Dreaming, Designing, and Departing on that next great adventure. Traveling as a family has given us some of our best memories, and exploring National Parks has been a highlight of our adventures. For the past 16 years, we’ve had the opportunities to experience some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. From mountains to canyons, these parks have given us some of our best memories Here are some of our favorite National Parks so far—along with tips to help your own family plan an epic outdoor adventure!

Designing Your Dream Vacation WITH your kids help!

 

Designing Your Dream Vacation: Part 2 – Turning Dreams into a Plan

Welcome back to Seldom A Dull Moment! If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably feeling the weight of vacation planning—especially when you’re trying to balance your big kids' disinterest with your desire for a meaningful getaway. If you’re thinking, “How do I get my kids excited about this trip?” or “I’m about to pull my hair out,” don’t worry, you’re not alone.

In the first post of this series, we talked about the importance of dreaming together as a family. But now, it’s time to get to work and design the vacation of your dreams—without the stress, frustration, or feeling like you’re dragging your kids along for the ride.

• Interested in reading the first 2 posts in this series? Click the links below.
• Intro Post...Dream, Design, Depart: How to Plan a Family Vacation That Everyone Will Love
• Part 1...Dreaming About Your Family Vacation: Getting Everyone Involved

Planning a family vacation when your kids are older can feel impossible. “The kids get bored!” “It’s hard to plan a vacation where EVERYONE has fun!” “I give up! No more family vacations!” We've all been there. But the secret to making this work is getting everyone involved—yes, even the teenagers who’d rather be glued to their phones—and designing an itinerary that’s got a little something for everyone. Here’s how to do it without losing your sanity.