Search Results for: blog spotlighting family

All in the Family

I just received a tip from a lovely reader who recently completed her own family reunion scrapbook. In response to my mom’s humble page design ideas, the reader advised creating an “In Memoriam” layout to pay tribute to family members who’ve passed away since the last family reunion. I love that idea! What’s more, you can make the spread as simple or elaborate as you wish. If you are blessed to have only a few deaths in the family since your last reunion, then design your page(s) accordingly. For example, in addition to adding a photo of the deceased loved … Continue reading →

Spotlighting Family

Family reunion season is right around the corner. I’m reminded of this on a near daily basis, as my clan is responsible for helping host the upcoming summer shindig. Due to distance issues, I have been relegated to designing a scrapbook of the event. Basically, I will be the official photographer for the three-day extravaganza, and then my aunt and I will go through the images and figure out a way to craft organized layouts. In addition to documenting the actual party and subsequent activities, my mom wants the reunion scrapbook to also include family tree-type features. Her vision is … Continue reading →

Relief Society: Spotlighting Sisters

Is your ward struggling to have everyone feel included? Do you know a little bit about every sister in your ward? Are there cliques that do not seem to mingle with anyone else at all? There are things that you can do to encourage sisters to get to know each other. One fun way is to have a spotlight on one or two sisters. You can do this once a month, once a week or at the four major Enrichment activities. Here are five suggestions to help this run smoothly. 1) You should decide if you are going to do … Continue reading →

Risky Teen Driving Behaviors

Next month my daughter signs up for driver’s education. Although she isn’t my first child to learn how to drive, she is the only one enthusiastic about it. My oldest son just never really enjoyed driving and would avoid it at all costs. It’s likely that this time around as the parent of a teen driver, there will be greater worries. But I’m not the only one concerned about the safety of teens behind the wheel. The AAA is sponsoring “National Teen Driver Safety Week,” which runs from October 14 through October 20. The focus is on creating stronger graduated … Continue reading →

Visit on the Cheap

With the economy still in disarray, many major metropolitan areas that rely on tourism to keep them afloat have been offering incentives to travelers, from reduced hotel rates to free admission at local attractions. Meanwhile, other cities are promoting events and activities, which families can enjoy without dipping into their kid’s college fund. In this installment of “Visit on the Cheap” I’m spotlighting Dallas, Texas. The Big D may have a flashy skyline and acres of high-end shopping malls, but there are also dozens of affordable sites that offer big fun to families of all sizes: GETTING AROUND Dallas has … Continue reading →

Saving Money on Weird and Wacky Travel

Regular readers of this blog know that I have a soft spot for wacky travel attractions and events. I get a kick out of visiting quirky spots that are off the beaten path and I always enjoy spotlighting them so as to encourage others to venture beyond their traditional vacation itineraries and see what else this fine country has to offer. If you are planning an end of the summer family trip and are looking for ways to save money on your journey consider the following hotel packages. Each includes one night’s deluxe accommodations, breakfast for two and a copy … Continue reading →

Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks

Today I’m wrapping up my series on wet and wild waterparks by spotlighting some of the most popular scream inducing soggy rides in California, Colorado and Minnesota. These parks prove how easy it is to get your family soaked this summer. If you are headed off on a summer road trip in the next few weeks and your car’s A/C bites the dust consider cooling off at one of the following waterparks: CALIFORNIA The hugely popular Raging Waters located in San Jose, California (about 50 miles from San Francisco) is home to more than 23 acres of wet and wild … Continue reading →

Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks (Midwest)

In a previous blog I briefly described the devastating toll the recent Midwest floods took on tourist hot spots such as the Wisconsin Dells. At the time I wrote that entry managers at the resort’s largest waterparks were desperately trying to get the word out that they were still open for business and looking to entertain the legions of families that flock to the Dells on an annual basis. I’ll have more details on the impact the floods are having on the region in a future blog, but in this post I want to continue with my series on the … Continue reading →

Where Can You Go for $100,000?

For the past several weeks I have been spotlighting summer travel bargains designed for cash strapped families. (Believe it or not there are a number of outstanding deals to be had.) But what if you never had to worry about the price of a plane ticket or how much it would cost to fill up the family minivan for a summer trip to Six Flags? For most people the idea of spending $100,000 on a family getaway is unthinkable. Yet, there are some clans out there who don’t think twice about dropping a hundred grand on a trip of a … Continue reading →

Affordable Women-Only Vacations

What wife hasn’t endured at least one “guys’ weekend” in the course of her marriage? Whether your husband jets off to golf with his buddies, hunt with his brothers or fish with pals it is not the least bit unusual for men to bond on male-only vacations. But how many of you ladies know that there are dozens of women-only travel companies that provide affordable female-only trips that promise empowerment, relaxation, and adventure at a variety of locales across the nation? If you have always dreamed of taking time to explore the country with women who share a passion for … Continue reading →