We all have that one place we've visited that we just can't seem to get enough of - for the Smiths that one place would be the Outer Banks, NC. We {sort of} randomly chose this spot in 2007 when looking for a beach vacation. We had done Myrtle Beach a couple of times and it just wasn't the "beachy" feel we were going for. I recalled someone once mentioning to me that their family vacationed in OBX & loved it so we figured "what the heck." If you know me at all, you know tha

It's vacation week for the Smiths! One of our very favorite weeks of the year - and I realize you're probably thinking a multitude of things right now {because I have heard it all}... You're taking your kids out of school? You're taking vacation in October? Who takes their kids out of school a month into the school year? And welp… the answer is YES and WE DO! And we don't feel all that bad {ok, not bad at all} about it. It started in 2007 when our kiddies were just itty bitt

There were years that we were the staycation folks. Spring had arrived, my workaholic husband hated taking time off after just starting back after a LOOOONG winter, etc. So we made our own fun in and around home! And you can, too!!! Here is just a short list of some fun things we have done in the past during our staycation days, some of which that won't break the bank! {in & around the Rochester,NY area, or within a few hour drive}... No/Low Budget Fun: Playdate at home with