Every summer this happens.

I crave SLOW. To pause, rest and fully sink into what really matters

I feel like we’re all feeling that, especially this summer, right!?

We’ve waited so long to take the trip, to share the hug, to make the memories that matter most and if you’re feeling like I am – you’re swearing up and down to never take these moments for granted again!!

I was chatting with one of my best friends, Katie last week and she asked me what my goals were this summer.

Ok, you guys know I love goals, but honestly, I told her – “ I just want to soak up these days!”, I jokingly said “ it’s our worth-the-wait” summer!!

I think we all deserve that more than ever.

So, to kick off our “Worth The Wait Summer” in June, we knew we wanted to take the kids on a proper beach vacation and we spent so much time trying to find the perfect spot. 

Our wishlist…

• A gorgeous (not too crowded) beach for the kids
• Great chance of lots of sun
• A cute town to explore

Jason suggested Amelia Island in Florida, have you heard of it? Honestly I hadn’t. It’s about 30 minutes outside of Jacksonville, a little Island right on the border of Georgia, and it was so amazing!

We stayed at the newly remodeled Ritz Carlton, right on the beach and spent the entire week bouncing between the pool and the beach and exploring the adorable little beach town.

And Smart Cookie hack alert!!! Did you know that if you have the Ibotta cashback app (if you don’t yet, download it immediately!) and search under the travel category there are a ton of great options to get cashback on your travel this summer and all of your summer essentials. Like 6% cashback from hotels.com. I mean….bucket list vacation and cashback. Yes please!

Also the kids needed new beach shoes, beach clothes … basically a wardrobe overhaul since we were going to be seen in public for the first time in a year… so before we left, I ordered new shoes for Jack from Zappos and some cute new beach clothes for Violet from GAP and used the Ibotta app to earn cashback on our essential summer wardrobe overhaul.

Then last week we drove…yes DROVE to Minnesota for a week at a friend’s cabin. We wanted to take Ging with us on this trip so we packed up the car and hit the road. (Jack and Violet are freakishly good on long car rides which is the only way this is possible).

We decided to split the drive into two days and stopped in Omaha for the first night. Okay, I had never been to Omaha before and wouldn’t exactly consider it a bucket list travel destination – but honestly, I’m going to say it… it should be! Warren Buffet is clearly on to something 😉

We were only there for the night but we stopped in the most adorable area near downtown called the Blackstone District – it had so many cute shops and ridiculously yummy restaurants. We stayed at The Cottonwood Hotel, a completely redone boutique historic hotel with SO much history and the most amazing Pool Club that just opened. You guys this hotel was STUNNING and rates start at $161 a night. I mean… START THE CAAAARR!!! It was the perfect pit stop and we will definitely be back.

Also, if it’s helpful I’ve been getting some questions about how we plan and save for our trips so here’s a little recap of what Jason and I do.

1. Budget and plan about 4 months prior to our trip (meaning we set a budget and set aside money in advance for the trip).
2. Maximize and use loyalty points and credit card points whenever possible.
3. Look in the Ibotta App for cashback potential on everything from hotels to new clothes for the kids.. ** PSA ** get the IBOTTA APP do not leave money on the table!!!!

We ALL deserve some fun and adventure this summer, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be Smart Cookies about it!

What are your travel plans you are most excited about this summer!?