A Family Trip We’ll Always Remember

November feels like it was just yesterday, yet somehow also a lifetime ago. Whenever both of our girls are out of school at the same time, we try—when possible—to plan a family vacation. Those opportunities don’t come often, and we’re very aware that this season of life won’t last forever.

This time, our family trip took us to Los Angeles, California.

Exploring Los Angeles Together

Los Angeles gave us everything we hoped for and more. We spent time walking through Venice Beach and Santa Monica, taking in the views, the energy, and the slower moments in between and we loved the Hammer Museum. We laughed, walked far more than we planned, and soaked in being together without a tight schedule pulling us in different directions.

One of my favorite memories from the trip was letting my daughter take the lead to a pastry shop she found on TikTok called Aurora. Watching her excitement—and realizing how quickly she’s growing—made that moment feel even sweeter.

We also spent a full day at Universal Studios, embracing the fun, the chaos, and the shared experiences that come with traveling as a family.

A Private Tour, Unexpected Connections, and Business Conversations

One of the best decisions we made on this trip was booking a private tour around California. There was no rushing, no second-guessing where to go next—just learning, exploring, and enjoying the experience together.

Even though we were on vacation, the businesswoman and content creator in me didn’t completely turn off. The owner of the tour company was also the person taking photos of our family throughout the day. At one point, I started capturing behind-the-scenes clips of her photographing our group so she’d have content she could share for her own business.

She ended up posting it, and that sparked a conversation that lasted about 20 minutes—centered around content creation, marketing, and running a business. Me owning a photography business and her running a tour company, we learned so much from each other. I loved that moment of connection and mutual support.

The $300 Parking Ticket We’ll Never Forget

Of course, no family vacation is complete without a little chaos.

Ours came later—in the form of a $300 parking ticket.

Painful? Yes.
Memorable? Unfortunately, also yes.

But now, it’s one of those stories we laugh about. The kind that becomes part of the trip’s legacy.

Watching Our Kids Grow

What stayed with me most after this family trip to California wasn’t the destinations—it was the reminder that our girls are growing fast. Faster than I’d like.

One day, we’ll be empty nesters, looking back on trips like this and feeling grateful we made the time to be together while we could. These moments—the laughter, the conversations, the unplanned detours—are what we’ll hold onto.

Why Family Time Matters

Family time doesn’t have to be perfect.

It’s about being present.
It’s about choosing togetherness.
It’s about creating memories you’ll look back on long after the trip ends.

This season of life won’t last forever, which is exactly why it matters so much right now.

If you’re in a season where time feels like it’s moving too fast, I hope this reminds you to pause and soak in the moments that matter most.