Tips for Surviving a Family Vacation

So I'm planning a quick get away for the family. What happened to the days of throwing a bikini in a bag & hitting the road? Oh I know, 4 kids, a husband, a business & a dog made those days disappear.  I Googled tips on family vacation survival. Here is what I learned:
Take lots of food.   For when kids {and adults} get hungry they get cranky. It's called "hangry" people.

Take time to exercise.  Bwahahahahaha.

Recognize your child's limits.  Hey, forgot to add, "and your husband's limitations".

Take lots of pics of happy memories.

Yes, like this lovely example from last Christmas with my precious children. Such sweet memories.

Embrace technology.

We had to count cows on road trips when I was kid. I don't want to be without my technology on the road. Why not let the kids enjoy a movie, game, app or text while driving countless hours down the road.

Perhaps the most important tip for planning a family vacation is to remember to enjoy the moment. Especially given the technology today. It makes it hard to put down the phone to take a pic, which requires editing, before posting on the 5 different social media sites. Vacay means taking a break from our normal routine to have fun, relax, enjoy the moment. With that said, I need a vacay from my vacay.

xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Summer Traveling Like...

The Heartland Flyer - Summer Travel Ideas

So, summer is here.  School is out.  The kids are ALREADY bored.  You're locking yourself in closets and bathrooms...

Don't look at me like that.  You know it's true.

Last year, about this time.  My big ol' crazy family hopped on the Heartland Flyer and headed south.  We were just looking for a short trip to break up the summer and help cure a little boredom.  We got what we were looking for!

I had no idea how much fun (and surprisingly relaxing) it would be!
 
On Saturday morning, we drove to Norman and caught the train there.  This was our first experience on a long distance train ride and let me tell you, it is the WAY to go!  We had 9 people in our group and you couldn't ask for better traveling conditions.  

People can go to the bathroom when they want (NO bathroom breaks) and as frequently as they want.  There is a snack car (NO food breaks) that sells sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and sundries...and tiny bottles of *achem* pop. *wink, wink*

The seats are roomy and comfortable...they even have 120v plug-ins!  We were only on the train for about 3 1/2 hours and it went by so fast.  Everyone, even my paranoid cousin (who had to take a Valium), said they had a great time. 

"Picnik Show"                                                Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

This was just the beginning to a fabulous fun weekend.   The Dallas/Fort Worth area has so much to offer in the way of entertainment. We took in a Rangers/Cubs baseball game and shopped in Sundance Square. We also enjoyed some YUMMYLICIOUS food. One of our fav stops was at Riscky's BBQ in Sundance Square! Mmmmm. So good.


Have you been on a train ride?  Where to? Did you enjoy it? 

~Mrs. Edwards

...who's thinking it's about time for a little weekend trip...and some tiny bottles...of pop, of course.