The kids have learned to distinguish between two things: a vacation and a trip.

A trip is a lot of walking and site-seeing. Still fun, still enjoyable, but it usually means waking up early, staying out late, and not a lot of relaxing or any relaxing at all.

A vacation is where you can just melt into somewhere with no agenda except to rest and recharge.

Croatia for us was a vacation, finally. And when I told the kids it was a vacation they cheered, and then cheered even more when I told them we were going to an all-inclusive resort.

Here I am, in November, finally compiling our summer adventures for us to remember...just the first five weeks anyway. It was a profoundly busy, beautiful, exhausting, memorable and sweet summer! Just scrolling through the 500+ pictures and videos makes me tired. We covered so much ground (and all ranges of emotions) in the five short weeks that my parents were here to visit and travel with us. The best way for me to remember all the details is by sharing my travel outline that kept us all on track.

Our first jet-lagged days in Germany when we arrived last year were a blur, but I still remember being invited to a delicious dinner in a new friend’s home and noticing her beautiful dishes. There was something about the mismatched blue and white patterns that felt so welcoming and special.

When my friend Lindsey announced she was planning a trip to Morocco and asked if anyone wanted to come, I didn’t hesitate for even a second. It’s a place I knew I wanted to experience and I knew that traveling with her would mean experiencing the people and culture beyond a typical tourist adventure. I am so glad I went!