The Watsons Wander

🍹 The Danger of Sipping Drinks on the Beach 🍹 A big part of why we love all-inclusive resorts is the fancy drinks on the beach, even for non-drinkers like us—he drinks are still delicious without the alcohol. While it’s awesome that hotels are switching to reusable cups, on our last trip, I encountered a small issue: some of the cups had sharp edges that caused cuts above my lip without me even noticing. Luckily, I was the only one affected, and the kids’ precious faces remained unharmed. **Easy solution?** Bring a reusable straw or, better yet, an insulated mug like a YETI to keep your drinks cool—if they last that long! 😆 For the kids, spill-proof cups like the Munchkin 360 cups were a lifesaver—when we remembered to bring them down from the room, that is. Comment “Drinks” below for links to what we use. For more family travel tips and vacation ideas, follow @thewatsonswander. From traveling with toddlers to must-have family travel essentials, we’ve got you covered. Let’s create unforgettable memories together! 🌴 #FamilyAdventures #TravelingWithToddlers #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #travelmom

💰 Top tip for saving money when traveling 💰 Leave your family at home 😆 Well, I mean, it is cheaper, but definitely not my favorite idea! I recently had a fantastic time in Vegas with my mom and sisters. It was a much-needed escape after a year of unimaginable loss. However, I couldn’t help but plan future trips with Todd and the fam in my mind the whole time too. Flying from Alberta to Vegas is pretty affordable, and while hotel prices have gone up, they’re not too bad. However, food and entertainment costs can add up fast, especially with our Canadian Exchange rate 😱 After lots of research, I’m confident that Todd and I could have a blast doing Vegas on a budget, and I’m up for the challenge. I’m also excited about taking the kids back and exploring a side of Vegas that most people don’t think of. Red Rock Canyon was beautiful, so visiting that and more family-friendly spots are definitely on the agenda. Which Vegas trip are you here for? Family Fun, Budget-Friendly, or Traditional Viva Las Vegas? For more family travel tips and vacation ideas, follow @thewatsonswander. We’ve got everything you need, from traveling with toddlers to must-have family travel essentials. Let’s make memories together! #FamilyAdventures #TravelingWithToddlers #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids

📸 Fake it till you make it 📸 Missing my kids and husband while away is a given, but missing the chaos of family photoshoots? That was unexpected! Nothing like cute kids and camera tricks to make a perfect shot. 😆 How’s your mom selfie game? Non-existent or pro-level? For more family travel tips and vacation ideas, follow @thewatsonswander. We’ve got everything from traveling with toddlers to must-have family travel essentials. #FamilyAdventures #TravelingWithToddlers #FamilyTravel #travelwithkidstips

📍 Explore These Hidden Gems! 📍 In no particular order, here are some stunning spots for your family adventures: 1. Akamina Parkway, Waterton Park, Alberta 2. Cameron Lake, Waterton Park, Alberta 3. Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta 4. Wasa Lake, East Kootenay, British Columbia 5. Premier Lake, British Columbia 6. Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia 7. Red Rock Canyon, Waterton Park, Alberta 8. Lazy Lake, East Kootenay, British Columbia 9. Icefields Parkway, Alberta 10. Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta 11. Rosen Lake, East Kootenay, British Columbia 12. Cameron Falls, Waterton Park, Alberta 13. Abraham Lake, Clearwater County, Alberta 14. Lussier Hot Springs, East Kootenay, British Columbia 15. Chief Mountain view from Leavitt, Alberta Have you explored any of these? Which one would you love to visit? Share in the comments! 🌟 For more family travel tips and vacation ideas, follow @thewatsonswander. We’ve got everything you need, from traveling with toddlers to must-have family travel essentials. Let’s make memories together! 🚗✨ #FamilyAdventures #TravelingWithToddlers #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #EarthDay #canadianrockies

🛂 Do you use a passport wallet? 🛂 When I got this as a gift many many years ago, I wasn’t sure that I needed it. But almost 20 years later I definitely got my use out of it. Yes you read that right, it’s probably over 20 years old. So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it’s deteriorating 😆 Now that I have 4 or 5 passports to worry about when we’re travelling, a passport wallet is even more of a necessity. What do you use to keep your passports organized? I’m here for all of the recommendations please! Follow @thewatsonswander for more family travel tips and vacation ideas, including traveling with toddlers and family travel essentials. #FamilyAdventures #TravelingWithToddlers #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids

🍁 The Great Canadian Trade Fair & Sale was a big hit with the kids! 🍁 Everyone at the trade show was so kind and giving. M had a great time asking questions about how everything worked, K loved the stickers and hand outs that were freely flowing and E ate more chocolate than she probably should have 🙃. The biggest hit of the afternoon was definitely the @threeseasonslandscaping.ca Family Fun Zone! They had face painting, plinko with prizes, a Photo Booth, balloon animals and lawn games. The best part, it was free. The worst part, the kids were having so much fun we almost didn’t get to explore the rest of the show 😝 If you’re looking for something to do in the Edmonton area this weekend, I’d recommend packing up the kids and heading out to Millennium Place in Sherwood Park. There really is something for everyone and entry is only $10 for a family. @sherwoodparkchamber has all the info. What’s the most family friendly trade show you’ve ever been to? Let us know in the comments. Follow @thewatsonswander for more family travel tips and vacation ideas, including traveling with toddlers and family travel essentials. #FamilyAdventures #TravelingWithToddlers #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #familyfun

🏨 It’s the simple discoveries in life 🏨 While visiting the Yamil Lu’um (Scorpion’s Temple) ruins on the beach by our hotel, we noticed they connected to the Westin Lagunamar hotel next door. It was hot, and the girls wanted to go to the waterslide, so we didn’t explore right then. However, after dinner, we enjoyed a walk around the property, and it was beautiful. The large infinity pool and colorful water fountains made for a peaceful but pretty night. I haven’t looked into it too much, but it seemed like this resort may have short-term and long-term rental properties. For families with small children, I would still recommend Park Royal Beach Cancun. They seem to have more amenities for kids, but it was nice to visit another property for a bit. What does your family prefer, a large spacious pool or a kids Waterpark? Follow @thewatsonswander for more family travel tips and family vacation ideas, including traveling with toddlers and family travel essentials. #FamilyAdventures #TravelingWithToddlers #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids

🌎 Destination ideas below 🌎The past decade has been full of adventures near and far. Some with friends, some solo, some with just Todd and me; but I think my favourites are our family trips 🥰Looking back and actually listing it out I couldn’t just stop at 30; I am sure I forgot a couple. Oh and these are just the new places I visited. Not the ones I returned to visit for a second or third time 😚 In no particular order here is my list of places I went for the first time in my thirties:1. Puerto Rico2. St. Maarten3. St. Kitts4. Barbados5. St. Thomas 6. Phoenix & area7. Sedona8. Tucson9. Rosen Lake10. Tie Lake11. Wasa Lake12. Lake Koocanusa13. Lazy Lake14. Premiere Lake15. Wabamun Lake16. Lake of the woods17. Lussier Hot Springs18. Mona, Utah19. Red Rock Canyon20. Cameron Lake21. Chichen Itza22. Ek Balam23. Puerto Morelos24. Toronto 25. Palmyra, New York26. Niagara Falls27. Drumheller Area28. Ocean City New Jersey29. Lancaster, Pennsylvania30. Philadelphia 31. Hershey, Pennsylvania32. Cayo Coco, cuba33. Isla Mujeres34. Grand Canyon35. Hoover Dam36. Three Sisters Parkway37. Spray Lakes38. Abraham Lake39. Radium40. Estevan, Sk41. St. Lucia42. Hubbles LakeI don’t know if I can pick a favourite. I visited some amazing places near and far these past few years.The only place I wouldn’t choose to go back to is Estevan, SK - we only visited my grandpa in the hospital there, so maybe I’m not being totally fair 🤷‍♀️I’m so excited to share more of these with my family and to expand our world even more. 🏰 Europe, 🦘 Australia, 🥥 Philippines, who knows what the future will bring.🤞🤩🫶Here’s to the next decade of exploring with my permanent travel buddies! 🥂 Tell me which place will you visit next in the comments!Follow @thewatsonswander to see how many family destinations we add to this list!#familyfriendlydestinations #familyvacationideas #newadventuresawait #travelwithfamily #travellog #bringon40

📍 We’re from Edmonton 📍 Which Edmonton stereotype do you identify with? Our family is here for all of them 🙌 🛝 The West Edmonton Mall Waterpark is a balmy 31 C (88 F) year round! So when this family is sick of the crazy cold weather in Edmonton we take a day to soak up the sun and bask in the heat. There is something for all ages with kiddie pools, slides galore and a giant wave pool. It’s a great place to spend the day as a family if we can’t get out of town. @official_wem 🏔️ Banff is only 4 hours away. And I know for some people that’s quite a drive but in Canada that’s not a bad distance for a weekend away. So we take advantage of being close to one of the most beautiful places in the world at least once a year! Travel tip - go in the shoulder season to avoid massive crowds! @banff_lakelouise 🛶 We are water people! Unfortunately the lakes around Edmonton are not the best. They are quite cool at the beginning of the summer and by the time they warm up the water gets pretty gross. We make do when we have to, but as often as possible our family escapes to the beautiful waters in British Columbia! @hellobc 🌴 This winter may be mild, but usually they are long and cold. Some may use the word unbearable. (Hi, ’m someone 🙋‍♀️) So as often as we can we head south of the snow line. Arizona, Mexico, Cuba, Florida, California, the Caribbean, anywhere that is warm and sunny to take our minds off the snow and cold back home 😝 🏕️ As awful as the winters can be, our summers are quite beautiful. Once the snow melts and the temperature is above freezing, our family breaks out the RV as often we can. We frequently visit a private campground on Wabamun Lake but try to take at least one bigger trip each year somewhere in Western Canada 🇨🇦 Can you add any more stereotypical travels to the list? Let me know in the comments! Follow @thewatsonswander for more family friendly travel, adventures & activities. Including how

💥 Top 3 Reels of 2023 Countdown: Honorable Mention 🛞 Not Everything is All Fun & Games 🛞 Luckily Todd caught this before it blew and he was able to change it in a parking lot instead of on the busy highway. 🙏 Looks like we will be in the market for some new tires next season. #rvproblems #flattire #camping #campingwithkids #explorecanada #travelcanada🇨🇦 #travelcanada🇨🇦 #fallcamping #rvtravel #rvcamping #rvadventures #rvadventure #trailers #adventureproblems #travelwithkids #rvrepair #rvrepairs #travelwithbaby #travelwithtoddler #travelwithtoddlers #familytravelmoms #familytravel #familycamping #familycamp #campingproblems #rvproblems

💥 Top 3 Reels of 2023 Countdown: No. 1 💥 🚷 And Uncle Todd Regretted it the next day 😜🚷 #tubing #boating #ridethewake #beautifuldestinations #summerfun☀️ #summerwatersports #beautifulbritishcolumbia #bclakes #cranbrook #kootrocks #explorebc #explorebritishcolumbia #travelbc #travelbritishcolumbia #travelcanada #explorecanada #travelfamily #familyvacation #kootenays #lakelife #lakelifeisthebestlife