One of the greatest gifts we can give our family isn't something wrapped in a box.
It's an experience.
Our family has been fortunate to travel together and discover places that once seemed impossibly far from our little corner of Oregon.
We've explored Spain, Portugal, Japan, Africa, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Greece. I've also had the privilege of taking my grandparents to Spain, England, and Portugal.
These journeys have become part of our family's story across four generations.
And the beautiful thing about travel? It changes the way you see the world—and sometimes the way you see your own backyard.
We've walked streets where the buildings are older than our country. We've tasted unfamiliar foods, heard different languages, and learned that the way we do things at home isn't the only way to live.
In places where dressing modestly was part of the culture, we dressed respectfully—even when temperatures climbed above 100 degrees.
We weren't there to change anyone's traditions. We were there to experience them, learn from them, and show respect.
Travel has taught us that people can have different customs, beliefs, and daily routines while sharing so many of the same hopes: to love their families, care for their children, enjoy life, and feel a sense of belonging.
And those lessons don't require an international flight. You can begin by visiting a nearby community, trying a restaurant with unfamiliar cuisine, attending a cultural festival, or simply asking someone about a tradition that matters to them.
Our Beyond Your Backyard series will share the destinations, discoveries, mistakes, funny moments, and family memories we've collected along the way.
Because the world is bigger than our backyard.
And the more we experience it with open hearts, the more we discover how much we share.
Family photographs will be shared selectively, with children's privacy protected.