Vacation Traditions

Growing up, we never had a vacation that I would consider to be a family  tradition.  We went to different places, and would visit family whenever possible, but never a destination we went year after year.  Now that I am a father, I have the ability to begin traditions with my own family.  One is going to Lake Livingston for the 4th of July.

My wife and I enjoy being outdoors and close to the water.  Lake life offers just that.  We are very fortunate that we have a family member with a lake house.  Coming to the lake allows my family to enjoy each other, unplug from our normal routines, and enjoy time with friends.  

Now granted, we do take advantage of the lake property more than just during the 4th of July.  It's just there is something special about spending the 4th with friends.  

Why the lake during the 4th of July is special:

The lake does not have the same distractions as home.  The area where our property is located is away from normal distractions.  There is no internet.  Cell phone service is spotty.  We do have satellite TV, but we do not have DVR like home.  The closest restaurant is a 15-20 minute drive.  We also do not have that "To Do List," at the lake.  Now, we do have to take care of normal upkeep, but it is not that list of things at home that seems to never get done.

The only limit on fun is the limit you place.  Where else can you boat, swim, tube, go to the beach, run in the sprinkler, ride a golf cart, and fish?  This is just a small list of what happens here.  As our kids have gotten older, we have made little twists to what we normally do.  For example, this year when we ride through the neighborhood on the golf cart, we also go on a scavenger hunt to see how many different animals we can find.  It seems like every time we go out we see something new.

We let the kids decide.  For the most part, we let the kids decide what to do each day.  There are times when we need to put boundaries on activities due to weather or available time, but for the most part, it is their choice.  Some of their favorites are going to Browder's to get worms for fishing, heading out to Pine Island to visit the beach, swimming off the dock, and most recently, riding the tube behind the boat.

The more the merrier.  We love having friends come out for the day or weekend.  We have a close family that has spent the past three July 4ths with us.  It is a blessing to be able to share our gifts with others.  When they're here, we share in food, fun, and laughter.  

Lake fireworks are amazing!  As our kids get older, we are able to enjoy more and more of the fireworks.  When we first started coming out here, we would get the kids in bed, then watch across the lake as fireworks shot high into the sky.  Now that they are a little older, they get to enjoy this as well.  We are even starting to add our own small fireworks to the displays that can be seen all over the lake.  This year was the first time that we were able to take the boat out at night to see the amazing light shows take place overhead.  The kids were amazed with the colors and sounds around them.  It seemed like the common phrase was, "WOW, did you see that one?  I did not expect that was going to happen."  

As I mentioned earlier, we are blessed to have a property that has been a part of the family since I was in college.  But you can still begin your tradition without the expense of a 2nd home.  Other options include vacation rentals, hotels, resorts, and camp grounds.  We have one friend that goes to a place on North Padre each year called, "Island House."  Another friend reserves several camp sites at Lake Livingston State Park.  Her and her entire family bring out the boats and travel trailers for a week-long family camp out.  Whatever you tradition may be, remember your focus... spending time with each other.

Are you wanting to start a travel tradition like ours?  My Travel Pros can help.  We specialize in family travel and romantic get-aways.  My Travel Pros can help you plan and book the vacation that is best for you and your family.  Contact us via Facebook or e-mail to start planning your next family adventure.

3 steps to having a great family vacation

For a while now I've talked about wanting to write a book.  I've had several ideas all focused around my career.  I finally got smart, and realized that the best story to tell is my own.  My hope is to share my travel experiences with others to inspire them to make their own lasting memories.

What is it that makes travel memorable?  For me, it is the adventure.  I learned early on, that when I travel, I have to let things happen on their own.  We've all seen Clark Griswald try to plan the perfect vacation.  While his antics are funny, I always seem to pay attention to the looks on his family members' faces.  The look of confusion, exhaustion, and annoyance.  Granted, I do like to have a general idea of what we will be experiencing each day, but planning every detail to the minute is exhausting.  Here are some tips to help.

1.  Let others add input - Summer is a big time for my family to travel.  Everyone in the family is off for summer vacation.  When we plan out our summer, my wife and I want to know what our kids want to do.  Last year, my son decided he wanted to go to a water park for his birthday.  Knowing we were going to San Antonio to visit family, we were able to add a day at Schlitterbahn for the little guy's birthday.  After a full day of water slides, tubes, trying to find my sunglasses after falling off my tube, everyone was exhausted.  It was a good exhaustion.  That exhaustion you get that makes you want to do the whole thing over again.  Asking for other's input can be easily done for any portion of a vacation.  We even rotate who picks where we are eating.  The input from family members also allows for everyone to have a chance to decide what we do.

2.  Have a goal for each day of your trip - This can be as simple as just arriving at your destination.  Having a single goal for each day allows you to fit other things into your plans.  I always hear people say, "I need a vacation from my vacation."  My wife and I have even said the same thing to each other.  Looking back, I think it's because we did not identify what we wanted for each day.  When you create your goal, be sure that your goal can be accomplished in a single day.  We are big road trippers.  For two reasons really.  One is that airfare is expensive for four people.  The other is that for us, the actual trip is just as fun as the destination.  Right now, we are planning a trip to Walt Disney World.  We know we are going to drive.  Being an avid Disney fan, I want to get there as soon as possible.  15 hours door to door is what I told my wife when we decided we were going to go.  We can make it in a single day.  I was quickly reminded by her that yes, we could drive 15 hours straight, but with two little ones 15 hours will quickly turn into 18 by the time we figure in bathroom and meal breaks.  Thanks to her, we were able to decide on our goals for day 1 and day 2.  Day 1, plan to get to Mississippi.  Day 2, arrive at the happiest place on earth.

3.  Meet the needs of each person - Trying to make everyone happy every moment of a vacation is difficult.  When family is together day in and day out, sometimes a little break from each other is necessary, allowing each person to experience the vacation in their own way.   For this reason, I recommend dividing into smaller groups for a short period.  Last year at the water park, my daughter was too little to ride all the slides my son could.  Rather than keep my son in the area my daughter could experience, my wife and I divided and conquered.  There were times she was with our daughter and I was with our son.  There were times we were all together, and there were times I was with my daughter and she was with my son.  The best part was that we all got to experience something a little different when we changed our activity partner.

While I don't pretend to know everything, I do like to think that I learn something new from my family every time we are together.  If you and your family need help planning your next family vacation, contact My Travel Pros.  My Travel Pros can help you design trips to Disney, Sea World, family cruises, and more.