Must-Visit Historic Sites and Attractions Near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

July 30, 2017 by Kathryn 10 Comments

Canada’s 150th birthday celebration has been full of all kinds of excitement, but what I’ve loved most about the occasion has been getting the chance to see more of the beautiful and diverse country that I call home. Ford Canada has been helping bloggers across the country explore some of the hidden treasures near their homes and recently I had the chance to do just that in the 2017 Ford F-150 Lariat!

Since I have a baby on the way, my husband and I decided not to venture too far away from our hometown of Saskatoon, but we soon realized that we didn’t have to travel very far for amazing experiences! On our first day, we drove to Fort Carlton, a Saskatchewan heritage site that was once an important stop on the Hudson Bay Company’s trade route.

One of the best things about this site is the fact that it’s so hands-on. We had the chance to feel the difference between the different types of furs that trappers brought to trade, see some of the iconic Hudson’s Bay blankets used by trappers and learn about the most popular items in Fort Carlton’s general store. [Read more…]

Make Road Trips Delicious with Homemade Blueberry Muffins and a Quick Road Trip Checklist

July 25, 2017 by Kathryn 42 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CanadianTire #QuakerState #CollectiveBias

While an exotic vacation is always a treat, I have to say that I have just as much fun on a good old-fashioned family road trip as I do hopping on a plane. Finding the many beautiful landmarks and cities that are just a short drive away is such a treat and of course, the journey is always half the fun as well!

Right now, we’re preparing for a road trip to the beautiful Big Muddy region in Southern Saskatchewan, and that means I’m ensuring that my car, house and family are all ready for our upcoming adventure!

With two hungry boys to feed, good road trip food is a must when I’m planning a trip. We have a few top road trip food choices, but muffins are probably my personal favourite. They’re portable, relatively mess-free to eat and can be baked up in a variety of flavours to suit my boys’ tastes. And in the summer, these Blueberry Muffins are always a hit, though I often make them with freshly picked Saskatoon berries when I can! [Read more…]

The Star Trek Experience at Calgary’s TELUS Spark is Must-Visit Fun for Families and Series Fans

May 4, 2017 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

One of the best things about living in Canada is having so many amazing attractions and destinations that are just a short drive away. I’ve had the chance to explore quite a bit of Saskatchewan and its surrounding provinces in my lifetime, yet I’m always amazed to learn about new family-friendly spots just next door. That’s why I was so excited to be able to take the boys on a road trip to Calgary, Alberta this past weekend to check out the TELUS Spark Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience!

This special exhibit is at the TELUS Spark building until June 4, 2017, and as a huge science fiction fan, I couldn’t wait to check it out. My boys, on the other hand, weren’t familiar with the Star Trek franchise, so I have to admit that I was almost as curious to see their reaction as I was to visit myself! Our tickets included admission to Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience and admission to the TELUS Spark building itself, so I knew we’d all be in for one fun and educational day! [Read more…]

3 Memorable Monuments Everyone Should Visit on a South Dakota Family Vacation

August 26, 2016 by Kathryn 32 Comments

One of the things that often amazes me about travelling is discovering how many majestic places are hiding just a short distance away from our own home. This summer, Jeremy and I decided to discover some of those places by driving to the Black Hills region in South Dakota to check out some of the wonders it had to offer. From our home in Southern Saskatchewan, the drive is less than eight hours.

We had the chance to take the brand new 2016 Ford Edge on our adventure and it made every minute of our trip a smooth, comfortable experience for both us and the boys. Once we were there, I only wished we’d visited sooner! If you’re planning on making a trip to the region, these three mind-blowing monuments should be on your family’s must-visit list. [Read more…]

Treat Your Family to Dare Candy on Your Next Road Trip

August 18, 2016 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

Having been on quite a few road trips recently, I’ve really come to appreciate the importance of having lots of snacks in the car. I like to pack a mix of healthy snacks and treats so that we’re still getting some nutrition but also have special foods to make the trip more fun. That’s why I love bringing along a bag of fat-free, gelatin-free and peanut-free candy from Dare Candy Co!

So what makes Dare gummies, jubes and candies such a great treat option for those family trips? For one thing, there’s plenty of variety! For classic candy fans, choose from Dare Red Licorice and Black Licorice REALJUBES. Prefer a chewier texture with lots of fruit flavours? Dare REALFRUIT Gummies boast real fruit juice and a great texture with flavours including blueberry, pomegranate, lemon and strawberry. [Read more…]

Make Your Summer Road Trip More Fun with Hot Destinations and Must-Have Products from Church & Dwight-Giveaway

July 20, 2016 by Kathryn 113 Comments

If there’s one thing I absolutely love, it’s a family vacation. And since my boys are so good on long drives, I have a special fondness for the road trip. There’s just something so freeing about hopping into the car and discovering new destinations that have been waiting just down the highway. Not sure where you want to go? Here are three great adventures to get your mind wandering and maybe inspire your next trip: Quebec City, Haliburton and Tofino. Wondering what each has to offer? Read more below!

1) Tofino, British Columbia

Looking for something truly picturesque? Head to Canada’s surf capital – Tofino. Get your family on a ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo and drive along the Pacific Rim Highway for a truly breathtaking view of mountains and lakes, along with rainforest. The area is also known for its trees, which grow in spectacular sizes. Some trees are believed to be 1000 years old. [Read more…]

Eating Healthy With Kids While on the Road

June 21, 2016 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Summer is coming, along with summer vacations and travel. Traveling with kids is challenging whether you’re going for a day trip or a week-long vacation, and one of the major issues is what to feed the little ones while on the road. Here are six great tips for keeping your kids fed when you’re away from home.

Use Your Travel Cooler

This is an important tool to have in your arsenal. Choose a small personal-sized cooler if you have one or two children, but if you have three or more go for a full-sized cooler. Skip the loose ice cubes and keep your cooler cold and mess-free with commercial ice packs or frozen water bottles. You can keep dairy snacks and filled baby bottles cool all day, and chill fruits, veggies and dip for maximum enjoyment in the summer heat. For added cooling power, freeze juice boxes the night before your trip. They will melt slowly and help keep your cooler cold to boot.

Bring Your Gear

If you have infants or toddlers, you probably have special feeding gear that you always use at home. Instead of packing up everything from home, consider buying duplicates of favorite bowls, cups, and utensils for traveling. Other travel-friendly gear you may not have include spill-free snack cups you can use to serve dry cereal, chips, small berries, and other snacks to kids while in their car seats, and spill-proof cups. If you have older babies and toddlers, look for cups with straws as these are easier to drink from when your kids are held in a reclining position in a car seat. [Read more…]

Three Family Road Trips You Should Make this Summer #MomTrust

July 15, 2014 by Kathryn 44 Comments

In my mind, the cold winter months are the best time to fly, while summer is the best time to drive. So every year when the weather warms up, I start planning vacations within driving distance of our small-town Saskatchewan home. And luckily for me, there are quite a few! Want to plan a road trip yourself and you’re not sure how to get started? This month, as part of the Playtex Mom Trust, I’m sharing my top three choices for summer road trips that the whole family will enjoy.

Wilderness Adventure

When my boys and I want to spend a week away without having to drive too far to reach our destination, camping in a nearby provincial or national park is always something we enjoy. From spending time on the beach to running around the playgrounds to biking along the campsite paths, there’s always plenty to keep the whole family entertained. And it’s a vacation that’s suitable for everyone from babies to adults. Even better, many campsites now offer rentals of ready-to-camp tents so that you don’t need a lot of gear to have a lot of fun outside! [Read more…]