Pictures only tell part of the story. They are a brief moment in time that stands still. But in that moment, captured in time, a story- funny, sad, heart-warming or hilarious- can be told about that night, that trip, that memory. I’m excited to partner with Preferred Hotels and Resorts to tell you all about my family travel truths and can’t wait to see yours too! Just by sharing and tagging your #FamilyTravelTruth on Instagram, you’ll have the chance to win a 2-night family-friendly hotel stay with Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Winners will also receive free prints from Artifact Uprising! It’s not always just poolside cocktails and perfect beach views with clean kids looking like they just stepped out of a magazine. Let’s get real, shall we?
One of my favorite past-times is looking through old family pictures with my kids. (If you ever need to do something on a rainy day, this is it.) Now, I take over 1,000 + digital pictures on any given vacation and I love printing photo books because they make great coffee table books for small talk when we have company or family over. But within those thousands of pictures, are many moments I don’t want to forget. They might not make the highlight reel, but they are moments that tell the truth about what traveling with kids is really like.
Here are a few of my own family travel truths and stories behind the pictures:
This was our first trip with four kids. We went to the to Miami and I was terrified. I had traveled with three, but not with four. It was one of the best trips we’ve ever took. It definitely gave us the confidence to travel more with them in tow. Abby slept in the HUGE bathroom and was the best baby this trip.
Perfection is wearing. I love this picture because I remember the night that it happened. We had been at the pool at our hotel not far from Epcot. We wanted to see the fireworks as it was our last night in Orlando. we quickly got dressed, grabbed our passes and I ran with a double stroller and we made it to the fireworks just as they began. It was the first time Abby really enjoyed fireworks. As soon as they were over, we walked back and they fell sounds asleep.
I definitely have a few family travel truths I can share about traveling with kids too! One of them is about how I used to bathe Abby in the sinks. She was too tiny for the tub and the sinks fit her just right.
Another truth is about where I would place Abby’s pack-n-play. Most of the time, I would place it in a big bathroom. If it wouldn’t fit, I would bring a black sheet and sticky puddy to make a faux room in the hall for her. Worked like a charm each time!
I wish I could say we always stayed in the Penthouse Suite, but that’s not the truth at all! Keepin’ it real folks! Travel is definitely fun, but the truth of it all lies behind the pictures of the gorgeous mountains and the perfect pools are the real moments that everyone will remember.
Every family trip has the truth hidden in that moment captured in time. Travel is not always picture perfect. The stories are the memories that make you smile when you see that moment from the past. It’s chaos. It’s an adventure. It’s worth every moment of imperfection because those are the moments you remember the most.
I hope you’ll share your moments of ‘Family Travel Truths’ on Instagram using the hashtag #FamilyTravelTruth and #Contest and tag @PreferredHotels for a chance to win a 2-night family-friendly hotel stay with Preferred Hotels & Resorts. This contest runs July 26th, 2016 through August 23rd, 2016. One winner will be selected each week during the contest. Full terms and conditions.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Preferred Hotels and Resorts. All opinions are my own.