New Orleans Style... Family Reunion

Family reunions are an amazing time to

share
connect
reconnect

and four of our featured families
share adventures that can only be found

during a

"Nawlins Style" Family Reunion

in
"The Big Easy"
New Orleans, Louisiana!
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The Beard Family

"The Family with Young Children"

Los Angeles to New Orleans

(approx. 1670 miles)

 By the time you get to kid
"Number 3"

you already know to schedule flights
according to your family needs...

Tip 1:
Make it early morning or late
evening so the kids can sleep

Tip 2:
Plan for child safety, quiet
entertainment, and comfort

Tip 3:
Pack fruit snacks to help little
ears with adjusting ear pressure

and

buckle up for an adventure

the entire family can enjoy!

Bayou Swamp Tour

searching for what lurks beneath the surface

provides a unique experience for these city kids

Then...

hop on a trolley 

and a riverboat

(two new vessels to add to your
"modes of transportation" list)

for a

Dinner Cruise 

"Welcome aboard the Creole Queen"

to enjoy an evening filled with

family

food

fellowship

The look on "Number 3's" face captures the sentiment!

So until next time...

Lapè Bondye a avèk ou

(God's peace be with you)
____________________________________________

Then...

when three of our featured families
travel together

consider it a triple threat

because

SAME grandparents

means
SAME family reunion!!

(and yes)
we're also headed to New Orleans

Summer 2018

The Harris Family

"The Single Sisters"

The Marbrey Family

"The Newlyweds"

"The Single Sisters"
ambush "The Newlywed"...

"Welcome to the Family, Cousin!"

The Gardner Family

"The Family w/ Teens"

Day One

The Family Reunion festivities began when we met up with

"The Single Sisters" at the airport for our flight out...

The best part?

Our fathers are brothers!!

"Wheels up... NOLA here we come!"

Mardi Gras

"Meet and Greet"

and finally check in to the apartment to rest until...

Day Two

Brunch and

a Scavenger Hunt

in

The French Quarter

Café Du Monde

World famous beignets?

"The Newlyweds" crossing another item off of their bucket list!

Day Three

And since faith is the cornerstone of our family

we always take at least one day to worship together

New Home Ministries

"Do you have sight or do you have vision?"

Deanie's Seafood

and after lunch

It was time to get ready for the...

Black and Gold Banquet

Thank you New Orleans for allowing

your rich

history
culture
food

to provide the perfect backdrop
for our rich, beautiful family!

Here's to another amazing Family Adventure

You Won't Have To Search Very Far (100 Days of Grace)

It's Five Minute Friday and his room
looked like a tornado had passed through...

as I stood in his doorway

unwilling and
afraid to enter

I asked...

"Is this the way you want to live your life?"

and he smiled
and shrugged

(because he is 16)

so I left his room and went to mine

The following morning

as I stood in the hallway
just outside of his room

I heard a muffled "Mom, open my door"

so I pushed in the door
and the room was miraculously clean

and I smiled
and hugged

(because I am 42)

and I've learned that
when you're looking for a reason

to

show grace
see grace
be grace

you won't ever have to search very far, but
you'll continue to find more and more of it

each time

How does grace show up in your life?

Day 1-5

One Hundred Days of Grace

@tondra_denise

#onehundreddaysofgrace

Springtime in Paris (w/ The Dobson Family)

I've heard "Springtime in Paris"
described as a mystical experience

with

beauty
warmth
romance

all permeating the air

Our featured family shows us

that whether it's on your...

vision board
travel list
bucket list

you should

find a way to
find your way

to that side of the world
at least once during the Spring!

Here are...

"Tiff's Tips for Successful Travel"
(Paris Edition)

-------------------------------------------------------

The Dobson Family

"The Adults"

Photo Cred: Philicia Scott

Los Angeles to Paris
(approx. 5,642 miles)

Tip 1: Walking is the best way to see the city

It is difficult to explore all of the nooks and 

crannies when you are in a car or on a bus. 

So lace 'em up, get out, and walk!

Musee Du Louvre

(Louvre Museum)

Palace of Versailles

Hall of Mirrors

--------------------------------

Paris to Belgium

(approx. 149 miles)

The best place to
get a Belgian waffle?

Is in Belgium!

Tip 2: The restaurants are very expensive

It's cheaper to buy meat, cheese, and bread
at their local Monoprix (convenience store). 

If you have dietary restrictions, beware...
the base meat in most European cuisine is pork.

----------------------------

Belgium to London
(approx. 229 miles)

 

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Disneyland Paris
A Disney lover's paradise!


Tip 3: Always say hello when entering a place of business 

It is considered rude not to speak. Say "bonjour"
and the employees are more inclined to assist you.

The Eiffel Tower

Paris, France

"Find a way to see the world,
and experience the beauty therein"

The Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Tip 4: A little attempt at speaking French goes a long way

so don't be afraid to
get our of your comfort zone

travel
see
experience

the world

because

once you've started,
you'll find there's no looking back...

UPDATE:

Click here to check out their Summer Vacation!

(find more Family Adventures here)

Introducing... The Dobson Family

You have successfully...

received your Master's degree
expanded your business
supported your family
raised your children

only to look up and realize,
you're just getting started!

Our featured family are all adults

who enjoy

hopping

on a plane
in the car
on a train

to

explore
travel
see

the world

proving once and for all that...

"a family that prays together (and plays together)... stays together"

------------------------------------------------------------------

Introducing...

The Dobson Family

"The Adults"

Photo credit: Philicia Scott

Follow along on their amazing adventures...

Springtime In Paris
Oprah and Gayle Girls' Getaway
Adult Family Vacation In Hawaii
Five Beautiful Reasons to Travel During the Off-Season
Weekend Drive to La Jolla Cove

Vacation Rewind (Big Bear 2008)

(and meet the other members of our family)

San Diego with the Kids (The Beard Family)

Traveling with young children

can be...

intimidating

tricky

fun

but families who look to
avoid feeling overwhelmed

have learned to balance

careful planning

with a

carefree spirit

(being organized AND willing
to go with the flow relieves stress)

as our featured family shows us... 

beautiful weather

happy kids

relaxed parents

make for some

amazing
family
adventures

in 

San Diego, California

I mean really...

what more could you want?

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The Beard Family

"The Family with Young Children"




Los Angeles to San Diego
(approx. 120 miles)

Have a full day of adventure planned with young children?
Remember to ALWAYS begin with breakfast!

San Diego Zoo

Safari Park

Prepare children by having a conversation about what to expect, and

give them a chance to ask questions, or express any concerns or fears

Above all...

LISTEN

and offer support

when needed

Lions, tigers, and bears...

oh, my!

Break up the day

into appropriately scheduled blocks of time
(considering the ages and stages of the children)

Incorporate snacks, rest, and active PLAY!

Poor planning and
unrealistic expectations can ruin a trip

After a day in the warm sun... plan time to cool off!

Then finally...

a nice dinner
a warm bath and
a good night's sleep

will prepare everyone
for the next day's adventures

Lego Land California

The best part?

Building memories these
little ones will never forget!

(find more Family Adventures here)

Introducing... The Beard Family

I am so excited to introduce

this family
these kids
that baby

(affectionately referred to as "Number Three")

who I've said for years needs a reality series

candid
witty
clever

and entertaining in more ways than one

Ministry
dance
exhortation

AND

humor?

Our featured family brings it all!

Follow their journey
as they share adventures to showcase

the

hilarious
spontaneous
bold
fun

of a life with young children

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Introducing...

The Beard Family

"The Family with Young Children"

Follow along on their amazing adventures...

San Diego w/ the Kids
New Orleans Style Family Reunion
The Bahamas
Vacation Rewind (Palm Beach 2013)

(meet the other members of our family)