Happy Show and Tell Tuesday! Today, I’m linking up with my girl Andrea and we’re sharing our favorite vacation ever.
One of the main reasons I started blogging here way back in August 2007 was to document our travels. As a kid, I grew up traveling and I have continued to do so with my family too. There is absolutely nothing on this earth that I love doing more than traveling…it’s my favorite hobby, my favorite pastime, my favorite thing to look forward to…it’s my favorite thing ever :).
I thought long and hard about my favorite vacation ever but kept coming back to one in particular. However, let me be clear…the number one without a doubt best trip of my life was just this year when we went to China to get Ashby…
…obviously, this was our favorite trip ever :). That being said, since I just blogged all about that vacation, I tried thinking of another to share today. If you want to see all of our China travel posts though, click here.
My favorite vacation that I have ever taken (outside of when we got Ashby) was when we went on a Northern European Cruise back in 2011.
Andrew and I always wanted to cruise the Baltic Sea and visit the northern countries, so we planned a cruise with our babies. Smith was one and Kensington was two. Well, my parents heard about this fun trip and asked if they could go too…and then my grandparents heard about all the fun and asked if they could go as well. So we went. The 8 of us set sail on such a fun vacation!
I know this is random, but I remember standing here on this basketball court on this particular day and thinking that this was one of the very best days of my life. Because it was September and we were on a ship full of older people…our kiddos were really just about the only ones on board. So, on our two days at sea, we had the fun sports stuff all to ourselves. I remember standing here taking pictures and looking out and all I could see was the Baltic Sea in all directions…no land, just sea. I remember just thinking how small we are and how big God is…and I felt very blessed to be there on that ship with my sweet little family enjoying the beautiful world that he created. I know…cheesy…but that’s exactly how I remember feeling that day on the basketball court. Blessed.
The two days we spent in St. Petersburg, Russia were my favorite. You know what’s even more special than traveling with your kids? Traveling with your parents and grandparents too. My family loves to travel, but we don’t often get to do it together…so it’s really neat that we had this trip.
Side note: that awesome guy in the red shirt back there isn’t technically my grandpa…my grandfather died right before I turned 18 and my grandmother married Ken (a.k.a. Papaw to my kids). Another wonderful trip I had was when I was 18 and I spent two weeks in Europe with my grandmother the summer after my grandpa died…I tell ya…nothing is funnier than spending two weeks with a highly caffeinated brand new widow who is determined she can have a great time even during sad times. I remember we bought a lot of shoes on that trip :).
Here are the reasons why this trip was my favorite:
1. The weather was cool and perfect.
2. I got to visit parts of the world that I hadn’t seen before…and they were beautiful.
3. I loved our ship.
4. I loved each and every port.
5. I loved that my kiddos were so sweet and little.
6. I loved that I was able to travel with my parents and grandparents…memories for a lifetime.
To see all of the posts from this particular trip, click here.
If you really have a lot of time on your hands, you can see all of the posts from all of our vacations over the last 8 years, here.
Unfortunately, Mix and Match Travel is booked through the end of the year. To visit my site though, click here.
And because I have a feeling questions will be asked today, here are some links that might answer a few questions you might have…
Shades of Shay: Traveling with Kids
Shades of Shay: What I wear/read/take on a trip
Shades of Shay: What I wear/read/take on a trip Part 2
And coming up on Show and Tell Tuesdays…
And one last thing…
…my friend Melanie’s new book Nobody’s Cuter Than You comes out TODAY!! Girls, this book is soooooo good! It’s about friendship and how other women can really shape, impact and bless your life. To order Melanie’s book, click here. I’m going to go ahead and promise you that you will love it…it’s funny, charming, warm and flat out delightful.
For dinner tonight…
See you tomorrow!
Johannah says
Your favorite vacation looks like it was a blast! And how fun that you were able to enjoy it not only with your kids, but your parents and grandparents as well!
Erika Slaughter says
I remember this trip!! I think your grandmother would be so much fun on any trip! Maybe we should plan something just the three of us!! I'd be all about a shoe vacation. 🙂
Narci says
What a sweet vacation! I love that story about the basketball court! Such a special trip!!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Erika. I'm going on the shoe vacation too. Just fyi.
Tara G. says
I loved visiting the Baltic states and Scandanavia. We went during summer months but it was still pleasant and really wasn't too crowded. I didn't make it to St. Pete …. I was pregnant and we were still living in Ukraine… was not interested in riding the old Soviet model trains in June!
Blue-Eyed Bride says
I love this! Traveling with extended family is really the best!
Karen Costa says
I have to ask, how tall is your husband? My husband is 6'3" and just like yours, he always towers over everyone in pictures LOL!
Slightly Askew Designs says
I remember when you were going on this trip and I remember thinking you were CRAZY! 😉 But look at how much fun y'all had! Love that you got to travel with parents and grandparents – such great memories!
Elizabeth says
Before I even started reading, my first thought was "It has to be her trip to China!" 😉 My husband and I are looking into a Northern European cruise for this fall!! I hope it will be as amazing as yours!
Megan says
Oh, I love the picture on the basketball court! Moments like this are so special and such a God thing! What a blessing!
Brooke Bennett says
May be the hormones (I am about six weeks pregnant) but I totally cried when I read about the trip to Europe with your grandmother. So sweet. I was close with my granny while she was here, those memories are so special!
Janelle Guaraldi says
I am taking this exact vacation this September 6-16th, I cannot wait! Thanks for documenting your trip, I'll have to do some similar things! =)
SharonS says
That trip is on my bucket list. Unfortunately with the current state of Russia, i feel that I have to put it on the backburner for a while. I would pretty much travel anywhere but the Baltic Cruise and St. Petersburg really intrigue me.
This summer, our married daughter, her husband and our very first brand new grandbaby told us they wanted our summer vacation plans to include them. Heck Yea….I'm so excited they want to spend them with us and we altered our plans pretty darn fast to make sure it was something they could do. Christmas 2015 our family is heading to Florida and Disneyworld together – we've rented a house that sleeps 10 and off we go. Can't wait.
Anonymous says
I love hearing about the trips you've taken with your young kids. I have friends who complain that they "can't go anywhere or do anything" since they have young kids…. But it's all about the attitude you have towards it!
Angela Ellingson says
Just amazing. I don't know anyone who has traveled as much as you. I love reading about your trips, seeing the pictures, and living vicariously through you. 🙂 I have sweet 2 and 4 year olds. My goal by the time my 4 year old is 18 is to travel to all 48 continental United States. Hawaii and Alaska would be a huge bonus! 🙂
Blake Walker says
Such fun vacations! Love that your children get to experience that!
Kim Fleming says
Shay, First thank you for loving to travel because I think it is a gift!! A gift to see other parts of the world that we didn't even know existed. I too love the sights and sounds of other places, and hopefully my kiddos and husband have enjoyed even our funniest times and the most of all making memories! I tell all new families – do it! Your kids will never forget it, I wrote down all of the funny things our kids said on a 16 day western road trip and that is what they love to read the most now that they are older! Also, I wanted to include a few books for you that you may find interesting to look up and read. The Orphan Train (historical nonfiction), The Secrets of the MidWives( wonderful generation story about a grandmother, a daughter and a grand daughter who have secrets and finished connections), Upstairs at the White House by J.B.West and The All Girls Filling Station Last Reunion. Happy Trails!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness! I reviewed The Secrets of Midwives just two weeks ago! Love, love, loved it!
She's a big star says
I love this post and can't wait to read the rest of the links in the link-up… traveling is my favorite too! I bought those Skecher's you mentioned a couple of months ago for our upcoming trip… hoping they work well!
Erica Gammon says
Looks like a fun trip!! I'm curious….what strollers are those that y'all used on this trip? I'm looking one for my baby girl. Thanks!
Tyson says
What a fun trip. I love how adventurous you all have been, traveling with your kiddos at all ages and making it work! I also love the way a picture can prompt a memory, a feeling…making it unforgettable. What a sweet memory you will always have when you see the picture of your family on the basketball court. 🙂
Anonymous says
Y'all are so brave to travel with those young ones!! I love to travel, too, and really believe it's something God placed in my spirit. I truly feel closer to Him when I'm out traveling and adventuring. I love recognizing His handiwork in creation and people throughout the world! I travel a bit differently than you – I love to hunker down in each spot for at least a few days so I have time to see everything and really get to know the area and the culture and try all the foods! If I'm in and out in a day, I feel like I'm probably missing out on something! So, crusies don't work well for me:(
Curious — are trips like these really planned by you and Andrew or are they incentive trips with his job?
Mix and Match Mama says
This trip was totally planned by us! This was right before I opened my travel agency, so the cruise booking experience was great for me. Cruises are pretty simple to book because cruise lines do such a great job with airport shuttles and such. I find cruise lines to be very helpful!
Kelly @ The OK Momma says
Vacation with parents and grandparents! What special memories that you will all treasure.
Todd and Courtney says
I rarely comment but it's fun seeing someone who loves travel as much as I do, lives near my family in TX, etc. We are gone every 6 weeks or so to visit somewhere fun. We just finished up 8 days in the Caribbean and are headed to Chicago again in 2 weeks. Cheers to more travel 🙂
Amanda says
Eight people on vacation !!! Sounds like a good time. I love looking at other peoples vacation photos 🙂
Blessings,
Amanda
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
I'm excited now because I'm going on a crusie this summer! I never even thought of a cruise to other countries! great idea!
Julie Jones says
Love that your trip with family was a favorite! My husband and I are recently married and enjoy traveling as well. I know you mentioned in previous travel posts about planning your trips 2 years ahead. What a great idea! My grandfather loved to travel and always encouraged us to make sure we had the next trip planned before we left on a current one. It'd be great to understand how you plan ahead budget wise. For example, how do you time your savings to book the airfare, how do you budget or go about estimating the cost of hotel, and for food/other expenses do you estimate a per day amount depending on if it's just you and Andrew or the whole family? Or do you estimate one large amount and then dial down from there? Maybe a shade of shay with a "sample" stateside trip versus an international one? Thanks for any help you can provide for us newlyweds!
Grace says
Ahh this seems like an awesome memory for your family! And it's crazy to realize how much Kensington and Smith have grown! Have a great Tuesday 🙂
Nikki Cotton // Carry Grace says
This looks like it was a wonderful vacation! I love the pics of you will all of your family. So sweet.
Rebecca says
Looks like a wonderful trip!!
Ashley @ Our Happily Ever Afters says
Our trip to Korea when we brought Liam home was indescribable! I know how you feel! And I can't wait to add my trip to ENGLAND this summer to my favorite trips! 🙂
Anonymous says
I'm really curious about your travel agency! Every time I've looked at that website, it says your all booked up. Can you do a Shade of Shay on your agency? How many clients do you book each year? Do you have any examples/reviews from clients who have taken your trips? How did you become a travel agent? Have you taken classes? Do you have a license? How did you get your first client? So many questions!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! This could be a good Shade! I'll add it to my sticky note list I keep :). To answer your specific questions though, I am taking less clients this year than in the past 3 years (I would say I averaged 12 trips per month in 2013 and 2014). With Ashby arriving, I started scaling back in the fall (accepting fewer trips for 2015) and plan on keeping things scaled back this year as we adjust to being a family of five (and also because her needs are great right now, I'm trying to keep her my focus). Right now, all of my clients came via word of mouth and recommendations from friends, family and previous clients. Thankfully, this has kept me really busy. I should update my site and add more specifics…that needs to go on my "to do" list sticky note! I'm an independent travel agent through a host company out of Florida, so they carry all of the licenses and most importantly the IATA that I use to book trips. They're also the ones that trained me and where I completed the necessary online classes to become a travel agent. A travel agent friend of mine recommended them to me and they've really been such a blessing. My very, very first client was my uncle, who let me practice on him as he and my aunt traveled to Puerto Rico :). Thank goodness for family! Hope this helps for now! Have the best day!
Lori says
I love how you anticipate all the questions you'll get 🙂 I laughed! Love reading about your travels!
Nathalia Washington says
Hi Shay! you are so wonderful! I totally just ordered the book nobody's cuter than you! Thank you so much for all your work into your blog! its my escape from college assignments! xoxo Nat