family vacations

5 airbnb’s to book for the perfect family summer vacation

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This post is sponsored by airbnb

Hi guys! With 2021 already in full swing, I’m thinking ahead and am eager at the thought of planning some fun for the family this year. My kids have returned  to school now, and we are looking forward to spring break and even a summer vacation as well! While I started thinking about our trip this year, I remembered a vacation that I took with my parents and my siblings when we were kids. My parents rented a log-style home that sat on the shores of a lake, here in Oregon. It was by-far, my favorite family trip that we took growing up. We spent the week swimming, kayaking, and having fires during the evenings. My parents even let my sister and I sleep out on the deck in our sleeping bags. We were in heaven!

I rounded up a few spots for you guys, keeping that special vacation from when I was a kid, in mind. I think they would make for lots of fun family adventures and most offer boating, swimming, hiking or just being outside. Ok, let’s get to it!

1. Polson, Montana – Log Cabin overlooking Flathead Lake

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What’s not to love about this charming log home overlooking Flathead Lake in Montana? The deck has the most amazing lake views and is set up for outdoor dining and comes equipped with a fireplace! Lake access for swimming, fishing, and kayaking is just a short walk away. There is also the most adorable guest house on the property that’s optional to rent in addition to the main house, if you find yourself needing a little more space. Maybe a multi-family trip? There’s no cable, wifi, or landline on this property so you could really disconnect and relax! PS…how much fun would it be to have the kids camp out on the deck like my sister and I did on our lakeside vacation when we were kids?

2. Polson, Montana – Top of the World Cabin 

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This home is all about the views…and does not disappoint! It has a third level of windows and I’d bet that on a clear day that you can see for miles! Perfect for quality family time in this peaceful and tranquil setting. I can picture myself spending many hours swinging in the porch swing with a good book! Glacier National Park is only an hour away from this gorgeous home and skiing is also an hour away as well! Really the best of both worlds and could be great for a winter or summer destination!

3. Sandpoint, Idaho – Private Lakefront Gem

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As someone who appreciates great design, I can’t stop staring at all of the thoughtful details that went into the design of this home. This beautiful home almost feels like a tree house with woods all around to explore. It would comfortably accommodate a family of four with a view of the lake out every window! We have camped on this lake in Idaho a few times and it’s breathtaking. The water is warm enough to swim and there’s lots of boat and kayak rentals available around town. Also, Sandpoint is adorable with lots of attractions, restaurants, and coffee shops.

4. Lakeside, Montana – Flathead Lake Retreat

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This is the ultimate family-friendly vacation spot equipped with a hot tub, a lakeside firepit, and your own private pebble beach. The kids could swim while you watch from the lawn. This home looks similar to the one we vacationed at when I was a kid, with the big windows, two levels of decks and it has me feeling very nostalgic. The interior is beautiful with an open floor plan, cozy bedrooms and a loft space with bunk beds for the kids. I don’t think I would ever want to leave this lovely home!

5. Bigfork, Montana – Waterfront Cabin

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This home gave me all the warm fuzzies and feels like it was designed around family living. With lots of deck space, a cozy fireplace in the living room and a bunk room just for the kids, this home would work well for a multi-family vacations too. The views cannot be matched and the water almost looks turquoise in color! This home also has nearly perfect reviews and I noticed lots of comments that the garage was stocked with water toys and kayaks. Such a great bonus!

So there you have it! Would you want to book any of these magical homes? Did they remind any of you of any vacations that you took as a child? I wanna know! Leave me a comment below and tell me everything!

Exploring Texas, family vacations, house tours, Moving

summer recap: moving, sightseeing and a lovely house

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With summer just about over for us and because projects are moving super slow at the new house (think painting ALL the beige ceilings white and then painting ALL the beige walls after you’re done with the beige ceilings), I thought I would take this opportunity to recap our summer and provide some house eye candy. Sound good? I thought so. Let’s go!

So if you have been following along, you already know that we sold our Texas house last spring and were busy making plans to move back to the PNW, where we are originally from, to be close to our families again.

In June, my mom and dad flew down to Texas as we were packing the house and were nice enough to drive a car home for us back to Oregon. It was a bit of a whirlwind but we managed to leave the house for good the day after the kids were let out of school for summer break. We had a few Texas tourist attractions to check off our bucket list before we left and then we headed for the Grand Canyon.

After the Grand Canyon, we headed to Arches National Park and although it was crowded, the sights did not disappoint. Whoa, this place is beautiful. The trails within the park are not stroller friendly and I was so smart (NOT) and packed my baby carrier in a box somewhere in the moving truck so we had to stick to easy trails but if we were going again, I would wear the baby (put that cute little guy in his carrier) and try for some of the more advanced trails.

We also stopped off in Flagstaff and Salt Lake City. We kept our schedule flexible because of the kids and baby and would stop whenever a little person needed a break. We had a great time and are already scheming on some road-trip ideas for next summer.

When we arrived back in the Northwest, we knew we wouldn’t be able to close on our new house for almost four weeks. The sellers of our house needed some extra time since it had been their vacation home and wouldn’t be able to move their stuff out right away. But lucky for us, my parents’ were happy to let us invade their house until we closed. After being gone in Texas for three years, spending a few weeks with family sounded like a vacation to us! We had the best time. So many yummy meals (that we didn’t have to make!), and lots of late nights up laughing and talking.

Right around the same time we were moving to Texas, my mom and dad sold their house because they were retiring. They had lived in that house for thirty years and me and my four siblings had all grown up there. Sniffle… Anyways, they needed a smaller place and my mom was craving change, so off they went!

I am completely OBSESSED with their new house. It’s smaller with little maintenance which gives them the freedom to hit the road whenever the mood strikes. Perfect for them!

Cute, right? When they bought the place, the exterior was painted a salmon color. Yikes. The new color is such an improvement. Originally, the house didn’t have a garage so they built one to match the house.

The house was built in 2006 on twenty acres of forested land that has a nice stretch of river frontage. When you are there, it feels like you’re on vacation with all the quiet and peace. During our few weeks there, the kids had so much fun spotting deer and wild turkeys that wander the area.

Ok — are you guys ready for a tour of the inside?

Cozy. Check. Comfortable. Check. With all the windows, there is no shortage of natural light. The house was definitely designed with the views in mind. With the kitchen, living and dining room all in the same space, it really keeps the spacious and airy vibe going strong.

My mom ditched a lot of her old decor and furniture when they bought the place and she started over. I am such a fan of how she introduces a nice mix of objects both old and new. It’s such a talent. Her stuff isn’t too matchy-matchy but it all feels layered and inviting.

Every nook and cranny of the house is cute. Even the little laundry room…just LOOK.

There are two bedrooms in the house; one upstairs and the master on the lower level. How great is the master bedroom with that planked ceiling?

The loft has a second living space, the second bedroom and a bathroom. I’m having a serious moment over that coffee table. My mom found it at a local antique shop that also carried a few pieces of locally made furniture.

Before the house was ever built, the property had a small hunting cabin on it. My parents kept the structure and converted it into a bunk house for grand kids or overflow from the house since we have such a big family. My dad lined the walls with fresh pine planks, built the deck, and my mom got busy furnishing/decorating with a cabin theme in mind.

I don’t think our kids slept in the house for our entire stay. They love it.

So there you have it! Our summer recap and a bonus house tour! I will update the blog soon with some new pics of our house. I have been painting like a maniac. It’s starting to take shape! Happy Back to School!