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?

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

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

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

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)

Spring Break in Washington, DC (w/ The Lewis Family)

Just because the kids
are away at college

(on different coasts)

doesn't mean a family

shouldn't still make time to

meet up

enjoy

share

 vacation/family time
together

Our featured family
shares adventures

that prove... 

how special

how precious

how important

it is for families to bind together
(no matter how many miles separate them)

You'll never view
Spring Break quite the same!

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

The Lewis Family

"The Empty-Nesters"

Ready for takeoff...

The District of Colombia

 Washington, DC

Grab

your bestie...

her family...

and head to our nation's capitol

for a trip you will never forget!

Historical learning adventures
are both informative and inspiring!

because...

"When you discover where you're from,
you'll also discover where you're going"

National Portrait Gallery

These original pieces... 

by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald

(respectively) 

are a must see whenever you're
in the DC/Metropolitan area!

Learn more about the...

President Obama Portrait
First Lady Michelle Portrait

Also a must see?

The...

National Museum of African

American History and Culture

-Parking?
-Passes?
-Maps and Facts?

(get all the info here)

the Morehouse Man stops to ponder...

"We are determined...

to work and fight until justice
runs down like water and
righteousness like a mighty stream"

-Martin Luther King Jr.

There's nothing better 

than the filling of 

minds

bellies

souls

with the warmth and
hope of a brighter future! 

Where are they off to next?

(find more Family Adventures here)

Introducing... The Lewis Family

With two children away at college

this couple
should technically

be considered "empty-nesters"

but the truth of the matter is...

there is nothing empty about their nest

and since

their hearts are full
their hearts are open
their home is open

we are open

(and ready)

to watch and learn more from them!

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

Introducing...

The Lewis Family

"The Empty-Nesters"

Photo credit: Philicia Scott

Follow along on their amazing adventures...

Spring Break In Washington, DC
Bienvenido a Cuba Bebe
Oprah and Gayle Girls' Getaway
Jamaican Vacation Retreat
Perfect Day at Coco Cay

(and meet the other members of our family)

Why Love Eludes You

You look around...

flowers

cards

candy

balloons

stuffed animals

romantic dinners for two

but love eludes you

because

love is not found in

pretty

perfectly

packaged

shrink wrapped goodies

love is found in His

battered

bloodily

bruised

grace wrapped body

He came wrapped

in flesh to love you

and

ripped off that flesh

so that you could love Him

So if you were looking for love inside of a

velvet covered

heart shaped

box

you won't find it

because

love isn't found inside of a candy-filled box...

love is found inside of an empty tomb

Welcome to Vegas, Baby (w/ The Gardner Family)

Life with teens requires balance...

school
sports
socialization
studies

the cherishing of childhood
the preparation for adulthood

It's a fun time...

(and a busy one)
as sometimes

we hustle
we grind
we work

and play

(all on the same day)

Check out how...

our son's football combine
doubled as family time!
________________________

The Gardner Family

"The Family with Teens"

Planning a road trip?

Los Angeles to Las Vegas

(approx. 270 miles)

Wake early to get on the road before sunrise.

You'll be glad to miss the morning work traffic,

and by the time the sun rises...

Welcome to Vegas, Baby!

Arriving early
allows time to...

settle in

sight see

 hang out

before the real work begins

Games

not pictured:

glow-in-the-dark miniature golf

rock climbing, and go-kart racing

I lost those too,
but who's keeping score?

Sight Seeing

"Life is like a jail with an unlocked, heavy door. 

You're free the minute you realize the door

will open if you simply lean into it"

-Scott Adams

Welcome to Media Night...

The kid is ready to work... 

Day 1

Vegas at Night

One quick round to

decompress for the day

Day 2

Grab your "bleacher buddy"

and soak up some sun

All done and getting iced for the ride home

Leaving Vegas

hearts full and grateful

for...

safe travel, family time, 

and church on the road!

(find more Family Adventures here)

We are... The Gardner Family

Our story begins with...

one man
one woman
one boy
one girl

two parents
two offspring

three righties
one lefty

four individuals

one family
one home
one hope
one God

in whom we've found

both
favor and grace

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

Introducing...

The Gardner Family

"The Family w/ Teens"

 

(follow our journey)

Summer in Our Hometown

Welcome To Vegas Baby
New Orleans Style Family Reunion
Aruba
The Bahamas
Family Road Trip to Sacramento

Vacation Rewind...

Vacation Rewind (Singapore 2000)

Vacation Rewind (Big Bear 2008)
Vacation Rewind (Grand Canyon 2012)
Vacation Rewind (Maui 2014)
Vacation Rewind (Vancouver 2015)

(and meet the other members of our family)

Winter Fun in Big Bear, California (w/ The Banks Family)

Need a weekend getaway?

Load up the car(s)...

parents

siblings

spouses

kids

and head out of town for a few days!

Our featured family will show you

with their recent Winter trip to Big Bear, CA

how three generations make for

a weekend of family, fun, and adventure!

The kids' smiles say it all!!

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

The Banks Family

"The Extended Family"

Sister-Sister

"Other things may change us,
but we start and end with the family"
-Anthony Brandt

The benefits of a weekend getaway include having time for...

Family Bonding

Adventure

write your name in the snow

then head inside to warm up by the fire...

and roast marshmallows

to make homemade S'mores

Relaxation

"Nothing warms the heart like
the love and unity of a strong family"

"The memories we make with our family is everything"

-Candace Cameron Bure

When was the last time your entire family

packed up bags for a weekend getaway?

(find more Family Adventures here)